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Portia Williams

PDT Staff Writer

Decked out in pink from heads to toes, 135 people participated in the “Paint It Pink” Run/Walk for breast cancer Saturday. Participants came arrayed in pink and black to show their support for breast cancer awareness.

Southern Ohio Medical Center’s “Paint It Pink” campaign for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month had an added feature this year. The “Paint It Pink” 5K Run/Walk was the new addition to this year’s calendar of events planned for cancer awareness.

The incorporating a 5K run into SOMC’s “Paint it Pink” campaign was the idea of Jennifer Mault and Corissa Boggs who have both lost loved ones to cancer.

“My mom passed away in 2005 and we just really wanted to come up with a plan to help other women who might not have the money to get mammograms, and other things such as wigs that are necessary when they are going through that time,” Boggs said. “We just wanted to do something to get the community involved to help those women who are out there struggling and needing extra support.”

“I lost my mother-in-law to cancer, and it just means so much to be able to do something to keep her memory going, and to show the community that we really care about the fight against cancer,” Mault said.

Boggs said she is encouraged by the response from the community which she described as “overwhelming.”

“I am excited, I am really happy that so many people, came out wearing pink, it’s a real energy-builder this morning,” Boggs said.

Wendi Waugh, of the SOMC Cancer Center, said that she was pleased with the turn out for the walk.

“To have 135 people come out to support this event is simply remarkable,” Waugh said.

“This is more funds that will go into the compassion for cancer patients, and we are delighted about this,” Waugh said.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234 or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com