Causing an effect

June Casagrande

NEWPORT-MESA -- Think positive. That’s Marsha Witucki’s message to

everyone diagnosed with breast cancer and to everyone who wants to help

fight this potentially deadly disease.

That attitude, she said, is part of the reason she’s alive today. That

same attitude is expected to draw up to 30,000 people to Fashion Island

on Sunday for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure -- an annual

fund-raiser for breast cancer research, treatment and screening.

The countywide event, now in its 10th year, is one of 114 such races

nationwide that together have raised more than $300 million to combat the

disease. The event includes a women’s 5K run/walk, a family one-mile fun

walk, a coed 5K run and a coed 5K walk.

And survivors such as Witucki are living proof that it’s a cause worth

running for.

“I’m a nine-year survivor -- I love telling people that,” the

54-year-old Newport Beach resident said.

She was diagnosed at age 45 with third-stage inflammatory breast

cancer, a form of the disease that doesn’t show up on mammograms but is

detected visually by a doctor. A combination of chemotherapy, a

mastectomy and radiation treatment over the course of more than a year

left her cancer-free.

“Women are surviving now,” said Witucki, who will participate in the

race for the fourth time Sunday. This year, though, is special -- it’s

the first time her 22-year-old daughter, Jennifer, who has been away at

college, will be able to run with her mother and brother, Scott, 25.

“The event is so inspiring and so uplifting,” Witucki said. She added

that the Breast Cancer Survivor Parade and Tribute, which brings together

women who have been diagnosed with the disease, is especially moving.

Last year, 1,400 survivors attended. Organizers expect 2,000 survivors to

attend Sunday.

“The survivors are all in pink T-shirts and just seeing them all

together, living through and conquering the disease, is just amazing,”

she said.

Aletha Anderson, chairwoman of the Orange County race, said 75% of the

money raised at the event remains in the county to help local women. The

money helps pay for mammograms and medical treatment for women who can’t

afford them, education and other community-based efforts to eradicated

the disease. The remaining 25% is sent to the national foundation, which

funds research for a cure and treatment.

“We really try to make it a fun event too,” Anderson said, adding that

entertainment, prizes and games for adults and children help make the

race fun for everyone.

“My favorite part is the stories,” Anderson said. “We give out pink

signs to pin to your back saying why you’re here -- in celebration of a

survivor or in memory of a loved one. In a few words, you can see what

this means to people’s lives. It’s amazing.”

FYI

WHAT: The Orange County Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

WHEN: Beginning at 6:30 a.m. Sunday with registration and a kids’

expo; first run/walk will begin at 7:35 a.m. Preregistration is from 11

a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Robinsons-May at Fashion Island. Participants

should arrive an hour before their race begins.

WHERE: Fashion Island, Newport Beach. Course starts at Newport Beach

Marriott and finishes at Pacific Life, 700 Newport Center Drive.

CALL: (714) 957-9165

WEB SITE: o7 https://www.occcure.comf7

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .