Friends, families and survivors join Race for the Cure to fight breast cancer | News

TULSA, Oklahoma – People across Oklahoma showed their support in the fight against breast cancer this weekend at the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Thousands of friends, families and survivors gathered at the River Spirit Casino to fight for a cure.

FOX23 had a team supporting our own certified meteorologist Laura Mock, who began her battle with breast cancer earlier this year. Laura was the race's keynote speaker.

“I don't feel like a survivor right now, but I am. I call myself a survivor because I'm surviving treatment,” Laura said.

Saturday's event offered people the opportunity to walk or run to raise awareness and money for breast cancer screening and research.

It was also a chance for survivors like Terry Beeler to come together.

“So, I've been here for eight years as a survivor, raising money for Susan G. Komen research,” Beeler said. “It's just fun to be out here and be around other survivors. It's good to see everyone who survived.”

Susan Martinac is a 13-year breast cancer survivor as of last week and said this race means a lot to her.

“It shows how far I have come, what I have learned, how strong I am and anyone who goes through this can do it. It's a rollercoaster ride, but it's worth it,” Martinac said.

Martinac and other survivors said it was the people around them who kept them fighting.

“We need all of them to get through this,” she said.

Martinac said she has support from friends and family, including her son, granddaughter, daughter-in-law and best friend.

Her daughter-in-law said the race reminded her that cancer is not the end.

Sometimes it’s the beginning of showing what else you can do,” said her daughter-in-law.

Laura talked about what this event means to her and others fighting cancer.

““I look at all the wonderful survivors today and know that next year I will be stronger than ever,” said Laura.

Almost 5,000 people took part in this year's race.

Shari Holdman, executive director of Susan G. Komen, said more than $200,000 has been raised, all of which will go toward breast cancer prevention and research. Fundraising will continue through the end of October.