Komen Race honors breast cancer survivors

(Source: WTOC)
(Source: WTOC)
Published: Apr. 21, 2018 at 5:39 PM EDT|Updated: Apr. 21, 2018 at 5:57 PM EDT
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SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Those who spent time in downtown Savannah Saturday probably saw a lot of pink.

The 2018 Komen Savannah Race for the Cure was held in Ellis Square. It's a race that raises money to support breast cancer prevention and treatment.

Breast cancer survivors from all over joined together for the annual race.

Tasha Charlemagne is a 4-year breast cancer survivor.

"When the doctor told me my tests came back positive for cancer everything else was muffled. I couldn't believe it. I was like 'Am I going to die?,'" Charlemagne said.

She says after her diagnosis in September 2014, Komen Coastal Georgia gave here the hope she needed.

"My company had just left the Savannah area, so I was unemployed. I didn't know where I was going to get the money to get tests," Charlemagne said.

Throughout the past year, runners and walkers have been raising money to support Komen Coastal Georgia.

This year's top teams included Team Terri which raised over $17,000 and Saving Shari's Shamrocks which raised over $16,000. Organizers say the money raised will stay in the Coastal Empire to help men and women, like Charlemagne.

"It paid for my mammogram. It paid for my cancer treatment, even household expenses. I mean so much came out of that," Charlemagne said.

Saturday's race even included some first time breast cancer survivors, like Gwendolyn Chapman-King. She's originally from Savannah, but now lives in Atlanta. She says it was important to come back home to celebrate her the milestone.

"I can do it in Atlanta with my friends. But my family is here, so it means a lot more," Chapman-King said.

The race also honored those no longer with us. Gwendolyn Greene was a 50-year breast cancer survivor before she passed away last month. Yet, her family still showed up to this year's race to show their support.

"Yes, we'll be carrying on that tradition. We'll be supporters of Komen from here on in. As far as family, Mama always said 'Make sure you get your mammograms,'" Cynthia Greene-Jones, Greene's Daughter, said.

Whether if it was their first race or tenth race, participants say they can't wait to sport their pink again next year.

'Don't you love it. It's beautiful. It gives you hope and lets you know you're not alone," Charlemagne said.

This year's race raised over $210,000. WTOC's Dawn Baker served as MC.

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