MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO - RANARD: RUTH WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, OHIO – As far as the eye can see, there was a sea of runners and walkers, but there is no way to describe or measure the sea of emotion welling from the 2006 Race for the Cure participants on September 10. Breast cancer survivors were there in pink, teams from all over the tri-state, friends and family members who have lost loved ones to the cancer, women who have just gotten a clean bill of health from their oncologist, and women currently undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. Young children walking or running in memory of a mother or grandmother and husbands who's lives have been touched by this very curable disease for some, but a long extended death sentence for others.

“We ended up with an unofficial count of about 70 team members and earned $1450.00 as a team,” said Ann Mosby who organized Epiphany United Methodist Church's “Team Ruth” to participate in this year's Komen Race for the Cure. “I think the money was raised with little effort. Can you imagine if we asked people to contribute?” Mosby said her focus was on building up the team size but thinks she should expand her efforts next year and really make an impact monetarily.

The race was run this year in Mason, Ohio and the Epiphany team was honoring the life of Ruth Jacobs, single mother of three who recently died after a long struggle, battling breast cancer. “Ruth Jacobs filled her life by giving to others. She was a nurse at Children's Hospital who often worked with terminally ill children. She started Love in Action (The Church Ladies) at Epiphany to reach out to those in special need of care,” said Mosby. Two of Jacob's children, Cody and Rose, were also members of Team Ruth who walked the route.

Mosby said, “We all miss Ruth and her friendship. Her friends and family were so grateful for everyone's efforts. It was awesome to have Rose and Cody there and I cannot imagine what they were really feeling. Walking in memory of their beloved mom - a feeling I cannot imagine ( I guess I said that). Yet they seemed to be lifted up by the energy and support of their sweet friends. God will bless that family. It must hurt so.”

Mosby said, “Although this is an effort to find a cure for breast cancer, I was reminded of how cancer has been consuming the lives of so many people I know and they were there in my thoughts along the way as well.”

Race organizers said that 2006 was their most successful fund raising effort in the nine year history of the Komen Greater Cincinnati affiliate. “The proceeds from the Race will support a record number of grant programs to eradicate breast cancer by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.”

Local resident Nancy Garfinkel finished in first place among Senior Survivors on the 3.2 mile race course.

Mosby said, “I have so heard many positive comments about the race despite traffic issues and fog and get the feeling everyone had a great experience. What I enjoyed most was watching the team enthusiasm brew as the as the race drew near and then seeing Epiphany friends and members meeting, walking and talking and getting to know one another. I always love seeing the bright pink shirts of survivors, especially on Lynn Baumann an Epiphany member who recently completed treatment for the disease. What a face of success.” Baumann's smile and hugs, before and during the race were contagious for all.

Race veteran, Kerri Schuman is another Team Ruth member. “As for my history with the race for the cure, I ran it for the first time several years ago when I was starting to run for exercise. It was the second, 5K race that I had ever run in and it was a much different race than my first. It was very clear to me that the participants were there for the cause rather than for a race experience. Nine months after I ran in the race for the cure, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with very advanced breast cancer and for the next few years I ran in the race again, but this time with a big pink square on my back, celebrating my mother-in-law. Those races were emotionally difficult for me, as I was now personally connected to breast cancer.”

Schuman said that this year her husband and two children decided to participate in the event as a family. “Our girls are 7 and 10 and now have somewhat of an understanding of what cancer is, and how it effects people.” Schuman said that her and her husband Dave thought it was important for their children to see how many people are affected by this disease and how many people support finding a cure. “In addition to my mother-in-law, I have several friends who have been affected by not only breast cancer, but other cancers as well.”

“Doing the walk was a little bit of a challenge for Sarah, who is 7. She was up late the night before and a little tired, but when she complained about being tired, we just pointed out someone in a pink shirt with little or no hair and explained that this walk was easy compared to what those women (and Oma-her grandma) are going through."

"That, and being carried on her dad's shoulders for a few yards, was enough to help her understand."

Schuman said that it was a great morning and the drive to Mason was far preferable to downtown Cincinnati. This was the first year the Race for the Cure was held on the streets of Mason. "We will definitely do it again. Who knows, all of us might even try to run it next year."

"My mother-in-law is doing well right now and she continues to fight her battle with amazing faith, strength and courage. She is truly an inspiration to all of us,"  said Schuman.

Jan Ranard lives in Symmes Township and owns Pizazz Studios in Historic Downtown Loveland. Since opening, the studio has been a place for solace and care for local women diagnosed with, or who have survived breast cancer. Ranard routinely organizes benefit sales and care giving activities for families going through the ordeal of breast cancer and herself is a breast cancer survivor. Ranard, and her husband Jonathan, walked the course as Team Ruth members.

Ranard said, "It was amazing being among the sea of people that have been touched by breast cancer. From supporters and fighters, to supportive friends and family. Wondering when breast cancer will be terminated, and yet marveling at the fact that there were so many survivors because of the progress that has been made in research and medicines. I think that is one factor that often is overlooked is that while we are fighting hard to raise money to end breast cancer, here we are immersed in the walk, thankful for each and every step, and we are all survivors whose lives have been changed in many ways by this dreadful disease."

"Knowing Ruth Jacobs was a gift, she faced every wall, while her life was a never ending obstacle course,she never gave up. Ruth will always be my hero."