Komen Greater NY Race For The Cure Runs Through Central Park
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The rainy weather in our area didn't affect the success -- or the energy -- of Sunday morning's Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.
Thousands of people in Central Park laced up their sneakers with a shared goal -- to find a way to prevent breast cancer deaths.
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All the volunteers were inspired in their own way as they were out to raise money and awareness, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
"It's just really empowering. All the people out here for really good and important cause. My mother had breast cancer. My mother-in-law died of breast cancer in 2006. My girlfriend had a scare about 10 years ago. And it's really important to give people hope that we work together we can do something about this," one man said.
Monica Hill is courageously battling stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. The 33-year-old made the journey Sunday with the optimistic attitude that awarded her Komen's "Thriver of the Year."
She said the support she has received since her fight began and the overwhelming turnout she witnessed on what was a rainy Sunday has been inspiring.
"I'm bold and I face my fears every day, and I do whatever I can to keep going. I hope others can do the same," Hill said.
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It's the 28th year that families and friends of women and men living with or surviving breast cancer have taken the steps to find a cure. Many survivors joined the race as a way to give back.
Lisa Sepulveda, recognized as "Survivor the Year," expressed her gratitude for the efforts of Komen and all the volunteers.
"For me, personally, again it's about community. It's about the ability to be there for people when they need it most. To tell your stories to inspire people with your own stories and to be inspired," Sepulveda said.
"It's amazing to be here and I'm really lucky to be here," cancer survivor Carol Sworbik added. "And I know how lucky I am and I'm really blessed. I just want to show support to the other survivors that you can do it."
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CBS2's Dana Tyler, Mary Calvi and Janelle Burrell served as ambassadors for the race in New York, which over the years has raised more than $80 million.
For more about the race, see CBSNewYork.com/Komen.