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Race for the Cure to celebrate cancer survivors

ATLANTA — A local woman is one of dozens who will be honored this weekend as breast cancer survivors. 

Frances Wand is one of the women who are on the road to recovery because of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Atlanta.

Wand told Channel 2’s Linda Stouffer she discovered a lump in her breast was cancer when she was between jobs and had no insurance.

“Without the funding Komen provided, I would not have been able to get a mammogram,” Wand said. “I’m a survivor and God gave me the chance to walk the steps to complete the race."

Wand underwent 15 surgeries and now will take part in Race for the Cure this weekend, supporting programs for cancer patients here in Georgia.

Every year, 100 local women find their cancer through Komen grants, officials told Stouffer.

That money goes to things like a mobile mammography unit. Advancements in imaging make it possible to find more tumors, more quickly.

Northside Hospital's Susan Casella said the unit is the best weapon against breast cancer while researchers work on a cure.

"Early detection is what saves lives," Casella said.

Komen Atlanta workers and volunteers say Race for the Cure is their biggest fundraiser and they hope race numbers top last year.

"We're expecting 15,000 people. We expect to raise $1.5 million and 75 percent will stay right here locally in metro Atlanta," said Cati Stone with Komen of Greater Atlanta.

Komen Greater Atlanta is a local resource for women who need breast cancer screening, diagnostics and support. The organization has raised more than $35 million in the past 20 years.

Individuals and teams can register for Saturday's 5K run/walk event or the 1 mile family walk through Wednesday. Visit www.komenatlanta.org to participate.

Individual registration is also available beginning at 6:45 a.m. on Saturday morning at the event for $35. This year's event takes place at Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta.


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