It was a time to memorialize those who lost their battle with breast cancer, celebrate survivors and walk to raise money to find a cure.
The 5th Annual Lake Orion Schools Dragon GAP & Lady Dragons, ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Charity Walk,? began in the LOHS auditorium on Oct. 17 for a 30-minute ceremony. The tribute was both educational and inspirational just prior to the 2-mile charity walk in the Round Tree subdivision.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the auditorium when Oakview Middle School teacher Carl Zoolkoski sang, ‘Angel for Kathy.? He wrote the song for fellow teacher, Kathy Luby, who lost her battle with breast cancer in March of 2008.
‘Kathy inspired everyone around her. She was a mentor to her students and a loving wife and mother and a caring and thoughtful friend. Her grace and beauty were evident to all who knew her,? said Zoolkoski.
‘She was courageous in her fight to beat breast cancer and fought with an inner strength that reflected her faith and spirit,? he added.
Having watched firsthand how Kathy courageously fought breast cancer, Oakview Middle School Secretary Joyce Falls said the walking team was created by the school to honor Kathy. Falls said the team just recently finished a breast cancer three-day event.
‘We are Kathy’s team,? she said.
Erin Semmens, the American Cancer Society Community Liaison took the stage first to discuss some of the staggering statistics about breast cancer.
‘Breast cancer is the number one killer of women in terms of cancer. One out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year,? said Semmens. ‘There are 3,110 people who will lose their battle against breast cancer in Michigan this year.?
Semmens said some of the risk factors for breast cancer are genetics, obesity, high fat diets, lack of exercise and the use of alcohol and tobacco.
Local resident Diane Frank spoke to the walkers about her double mastectomy. She said breast cancer was so common in her family that she opted to have both breasts removed as a preventative measure.
‘Kathy graced this community. I truly believe that beauty comes from the inside out,’said Frank.
LOHS girls basketball coach Steve Roberts said he started the cancer walk 11 years ago.
‘Breast cancer isn’t a death sentence. My mother was diagnosed with cancer in her early 70s and she is 84 today. Women need to get exams for early detection and treatment,? he said.
A cancer survivor, Edel Boughner said she just finished her last chemotherapy session.
‘I am happy I can actually walk today. I will participate in these kinds of walks as long as I live. I don’t take life for granted anymore,? said Boughner.