Breast and gynecologic cancer patient mentors stop by the informational booths at the 16th Annual Team Spirit Long Beach Breast & Ovarian Cancer 5K/10K.
A sea of pink and teal washed over Granada Beach on Saturday, Sept. 26 as hundreds of people gathered together to participate in the 16th Annual Team Spirit Breast & Ovarian Cancer 5K/10K Walk/Run in support of survivors and in remembrance of those who have lost their battle to breast and ovarian cancer.
Team Spirit Long Beach raised more than $200,000 through sponsorships, individual and team fundraising pages, in support of psychosocial cancer support programs at the
MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute (TCI) at Long Beach Memorial, such as Women
Guiding Women: Cancer Support and Education Program, support groups, social workers and a nurse navigator. All proceeds raised help fund psychosocial programs that are instrumental in providing the best possible care to women who are newly diagnosed with cancer, as well as cancer survivors.
“At TCI, we work with patients to help them feel stronger, reduce their pain, feel calmer before a treatment or surgery and recover faster,” says Mariusz Wirga, M.D., medical director, psychosocial oncology, MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute, Long Beach Memorial. “Thanks to the support of our community, and their dedication to the cause, we are able to provide cancer support programs to all cancer patients and their families, regardless of their ability to pay.”
South Bay resident, motivational speaker, amputee and bone and breast cancer survivor, Adrienne Slaughter, made her return as the Master of Ceremonies for the third year in a row. When Slaughter was only 14-years-old, bone cancer resulted in an above-the-knee amputation of her leg. Years later, in May 2009, Adrienne was again diagnosed with a second cancer: breast cancer. Adrienne elected to have a double mastectomy and is once again, cancer free.
“I’m here to motivate other women and show them that they can overcome any obstacle,” says Slaughter. “I overcame both of my battles with cancer and am still a competitive athlete and business woman. I want to set an example for my community.”
Team Spirit was founded in 2000 as a small grass roots organization on the belief that more can be done to help fight and raise awareness of breast and ovarian cancer in the community. Team Spirit brings friends and families together to raise money for breast and ovarian cancer support programs and leading treatment options at the MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Memorial.
Participating teams wait for the walk to kick off at the starting line.