“This was our first year, and we’ve had amazing support,” said Dr. Sonja Lichtenstein, who organized the run on April 16 with Darren and Jennifer Mault and Corissa Boggs.
“I think a lot of people know somebody out there who has breast cancer; a family member or a friend or a relative. Everyone’s kind of touched by it.”
Darren Mault’s mother died six years ago.
“We wanted to do something in memory of her. We both began running shortly after she passed away,” said Jennifer Mault. “So for us, it meant a lot to be able to do something.”
Bad weather resulted in a limited turnout. Only 50 showed up, but many more were registered. Thankfully, the rain seemed to stop just in time for the run to begin. Runners started at the Cancer Center on Kinneys Lane in Portsmouth and followed along the Run for Your Life path — down Kinneys toward Grandview, to Dorman, then to Shawnee Road, past Greenlawn Cemetery and ending back at the Cancer Center.
The group raised money by charging a small registration fee and collecting community donations. Combined, they raised $7,000 for the SOMC Cancer Center.
“We have a Breast Cancer Compassion Fund, established several years ago and started by Dr. (Vincent) Scarpinato with assisting patients-in-need in mind. The fund goes to helping with transportation, helping with medications, assisting with any of the logistical things that people with Breast Cancer or in the diagnosis phase. That’s what all this money will go to,” said Wendi Waugh, administrative director of the Cancer Center.
Lichtenstein thanked Scarpinato for all that he has done for cancer patients in southern Ohio and said it’s nice that they can help underprivileged patients.
This was the first time we’ve had a Portsmouth Breast Cancer Run, but Lichtenstein said it will not be the last. Another is expected to follow next spring, and hopefully every year after.
RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, or
rottney@heartlandpublications.com.
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