Inspired to Walk, Run, or Race for the Cure
On May 13, thousands of runners, joggers, and walkers – including a throng from Collegiate – will toe the line on Brown’s Island in the Race for the Cure.
The event, sponsored by the Greater Richmond chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, is a fund-raiser supporting breast cancer research and education.
As in 100-plus other cities throughout the country, local participants will come in all shapes and sizes.
They’ll be young and old.
They’ll be fast and slow.
They’ll be serious competitors and folks just out for a casual Saturday morning stroll.
There’s one common thread, however, among those who will cover the 5K loop.
Each has a compelling reason for being there.
The event, sponsored by the Greater Richmond chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, is a fund-raiser supporting breast cancer research and education.
As in 100-plus other cities throughout the country, local participants will come in all shapes and sizes.
They’ll be young and old.
They’ll be fast and slow.
They’ll be serious competitors and folks just out for a casual Saturday morning stroll.
There’s one common thread, however, among those who will cover the 5K loop.
Each has a compelling reason for being there.
Val Siff, the captain of the Collegiate contingent, has several.
Eight years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She stared it down. She received treatment. She’s a survivor.
In September 2003, she lost her mother, Edith Willoughby, to the disease. In May 2004, she lost her close friend and colleague Joanne Pratt.
Those transcendent events are constantly in her consciousness.
The emotion is never far from the surface.
Rather than make her fearful or bitter, however, they’ve made her defiant.
“Once you’ve had breast cancer, it’s always on your mind,” she said one day recently during a quick respite as she prepared her French students for their AP exams.
“You join a personal battle with friends, family, and even strangers who’ve been affected by it.
“It becomes a sorority. You don’t want to belong to it, but you realize that you can help others who have the disease. You understand their joys. You understand their sorrows. You celebrate the milestones of finishing chemo and radiation. You can definitely empathize.”
Two years ago, Siff took her crusade public.
To honor Pratt, who in her indefatigable way waged a valiant, decade-long battle with the disease, she organized a team representing the Collegiate community and named it “Inspired by Joanne.”
There were 94 members, and their entry fees and pledges raised some serious funds for the cause.
“To the breast cancer survivors on our team, this was very therapeutic,” said Siff, the chair of the Upper School foreign language department.
“It was our way to support cancer patients while demonstrating to our students that one can survive and even thrive after having breast cancer.”
Last year, the “Inspired by Joanne” crew swelled to 441. It was the largest team in the eight years the event had been staged in Richmond.
This year’s goal was 600.
At last count, 636 had registered.
“The more we participate, the louder our advocacy,” said Siff. “We’re making a statement that we’re supporting breast cancer research as well as those fighting the disease.”
A little known fact about Joanne Pratt is that before her children Noah and Miriam were born, she was a serious runner, often logging 40-mile weeks with her husband Art Todras.
Those who knew her will not be surprised that she went about her training with passion, humor, and full-speed-ahead intensity.
“She set the tone for our workouts and pushed herself to the limit,” recalled Todras.
“One of our favorite tortures was the run to Maymont from our Fan apartment, up the many steps of the Japanese Garden, and back without a break.
“While we were huffing and puffing along, Joanne would gasp out, in a rhythmic chant, ‘Relax, RelAX, ReLAX, RELAX.’”
Todras will run on the 13th.
Miriam, a senior at Collegiate, will join him.
“As I plod through the 5K,” he added, “Joanne’s short musical breaths will conduct me to the finish where her ironic smile will be waiting.”
Back
Eight years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She stared it down. She received treatment. She’s a survivor.
In September 2003, she lost her mother, Edith Willoughby, to the disease. In May 2004, she lost her close friend and colleague Joanne Pratt.
Those transcendent events are constantly in her consciousness.
The emotion is never far from the surface.
Rather than make her fearful or bitter, however, they’ve made her defiant.
“Once you’ve had breast cancer, it’s always on your mind,” she said one day recently during a quick respite as she prepared her French students for their AP exams.
“You join a personal battle with friends, family, and even strangers who’ve been affected by it.
“It becomes a sorority. You don’t want to belong to it, but you realize that you can help others who have the disease. You understand their joys. You understand their sorrows. You celebrate the milestones of finishing chemo and radiation. You can definitely empathize.”
Two years ago, Siff took her crusade public.
To honor Pratt, who in her indefatigable way waged a valiant, decade-long battle with the disease, she organized a team representing the Collegiate community and named it “Inspired by Joanne.”
There were 94 members, and their entry fees and pledges raised some serious funds for the cause.
“To the breast cancer survivors on our team, this was very therapeutic,” said Siff, the chair of the Upper School foreign language department.
“It was our way to support cancer patients while demonstrating to our students that one can survive and even thrive after having breast cancer.”
Last year, the “Inspired by Joanne” crew swelled to 441. It was the largest team in the eight years the event had been staged in Richmond.
This year’s goal was 600.
At last count, 636 had registered.
“The more we participate, the louder our advocacy,” said Siff. “We’re making a statement that we’re supporting breast cancer research as well as those fighting the disease.”
A little known fact about Joanne Pratt is that before her children Noah and Miriam were born, she was a serious runner, often logging 40-mile weeks with her husband Art Todras.
Those who knew her will not be surprised that she went about her training with passion, humor, and full-speed-ahead intensity.
“She set the tone for our workouts and pushed herself to the limit,” recalled Todras.
“One of our favorite tortures was the run to Maymont from our Fan apartment, up the many steps of the Japanese Garden, and back without a break.
“While we were huffing and puffing along, Joanne would gasp out, in a rhythmic chant, ‘Relax, RelAX, ReLAX, RELAX.’”
Todras will run on the 13th.
Miriam, a senior at Collegiate, will join him.
“As I plod through the 5K,” he added, “Joanne’s short musical breaths will conduct me to the finish where her ironic smile will be waiting.”
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