certainly For You race raises $481000-plus in battle against breast melanoma - The Gazette: eastern Iowa Breaking news and Headlines

Oct 9, 2016 at eight:13 pm | Print View

CEDAR RAPIDS — Allix Davis said she takes delight when people say she's exactly like her mom, Debra Davis.

"That's what i wanted to be when i used to be a bit woman, i needed to be exactly like my mother," referred to Davis, 22, of Mesa, Arizona.

Debra Davis died after a two-12 months combat with breast melanoma when Allix Davis changed into 12 and her brother Raleigh Davis became 10. She became on the mind of Allix Davis and her family unit on Sunday, as they joined hundreds of others in Cedar Rapids for the annual Mercy scientific middle peculiarly For You 5-kilometer stroll and run.

The event is held each year to lift recognition and cash within the combat against breast melanoma.

This year's race drew competitors from 33 states and 481 distinct cities and raised greater than $481,000 to cover the charge of mammograms and different breast care features for ladies who can not manage to pay for it, said Karen Vander Sanden, public family members expert at Mercy clinical center.

This yr's total turnout of 15,560 walkers and runners is the third-greatest turnout in the race's background, Vander Sanden said, with the record set in 2011 with 15,792 contributors.

exceptionally For You changed into headquartered by means of Mercy clinical middle and commonplace Mills in 1991 in memory of Sandy Knight, a Cedar Rapids resident who died of breast cancer that same 12 months.

The funds from the race have provided greater than 5,000 individuals entry to 9,000 functions in view that 2008.

For the family unit of Debra Davis — who misplaced her fight with breast melanoma in 2006 at age 42 — the day changed into bittersweet. while Nov. 1 of this year marks the tenth anniversary of her death, the day of the race — Oct. 9 — also fell on her birthday.

"With the anniversary and everything lining up the style it has, I don't feel it could be greater best and more significant," said Allix Davis.

The about 30-member "group Double D's" — fashioned to honor Debra Davis — raised more than $800 for the trigger, stated Joanne Kohl, of Cedar Rapids and Debra's older sister.

Allix Davis stated the day became peculiarly significant as a result of she received to spend her mother's birthday with family. Allix Davis these days back from a virtually 4-yr stint on an American base in Okinawa, Japan, the place she served as a grasp-at-fingers with the U.S. Navy. This yr's notably For You is the first she was capable of attend considering her deployment.

"I've missed it on account that I've been within the provider, and this being the first one and it happens to fall on her birthday on the 10-yr anniversary makes it definitely, definitely particular," she spoke of. "I appreciate it much more, too, as a result of I've had to go without a great deal considering I've been remote places and i've missed out on so a whole lot."

The Davis household has been collaborating in the race given that 2004, the 12 months she became clinically determined with breast melanoma. They endured the way of life following her loss of life.

"(Debra) turned into crew captain, and when she handed away I took it over and kept it going," Kohl talked about.

notwithstanding many individuals during this yr's race ran to be aware household misplaced to breast cancer, some ran to rejoice victory over the disease.

Kim Vrbicek, 51, of Cedar Rapids, was among the many essentially seven hundred cancer survivors who registered for the race. She has been melanoma free for 4 years.

"It's something that's been expensive to my coronary heart even before it touched me," she observed.

Vrbicek said she was blown away by means of Sunday's turnout.

"It's overwhelming. I see all these people and it makes me just ... I don't have the phrases," she observed.

Following the 5k, contributors have been welcomed to take part within the kids' actions on the NewBo metropolis Market or enjoy pancakes at a breakfast hosted by using the Hiawatha and Ely hearth departments. greater than 1,000 americans prepaid for the meal, pointed out Carol Berchenbriter, a volunteer and care coordinator at Mercy clinical center.

"I cannot describe how plenty it means to see all these people come collectively to guide a good trigger," said Michelle Cole, the race director. She summed up the turnout without difficulty:

"Awe-inspiring."