Race for a Cure

Recently, I ran the 5K for the Race for the Cure in downtown OKC. This was my second 5K. (I did shave almost five minutes off my first time. I ran/walked it in 38:17 minutes!) The reason I entered the Race was in honor of my dear friend and colleague, Gretchen, who is currently going through chemotherapy. She is battling breast cancer. Looking at Gretchen and her zeal for life, you would not expect her to have cancer. She is a complete phenomenon. What keeps her going is the fight for her two daughters and husband. She told me, after she was diagnosed, she had two choices - to be a victim or be a survivor. And she's choosing to fight. Gretchen possesses such a positive, contagious attitude about this. None of this, to her, is a tragedy. It is just simply something she is overcoming - a speed bump. In between her chemo visits, she is working - and working hard to keep the library functioning and organized. You don't see a cancer patient, you see a dedicated, hard working woman. Watching her push on and rarely slow down really puts what I call a 'bad day' into perspective. She is a true testament to what Jeremiah 29:11 means "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." And she believes it.

This year I'm the teacher sponsor for the Philanthropy Club. This club was in charge of coordinating Pink Week - a week of fun and celebration as well as a week for raising awareness for breast cancer and money to find a cure. Each day was a specific dress up day to gain student and teacher participation in the fun. Tuesday and Thursday was a competition for Best Dressed. Students won a pink strawberry Fanta drink and a package of pink bumblegum.

• Monday: Pajamas Day "Don't be lazy; support breast cancer!"




• Tuesday: Nerd Day "There ain't nothing nerdy about breast cancer"




• Wednesday: Sunglasses and Hat Day "The future is lookin' bright!" Pay a $1 to wear sunglasses and/or a hat in class all day




• Thursday: Decades Day "Don't Stop Believin" Wear 50s, 60s, 70s or 80s fashion attire




• Friday: Pink Out "Erase breast cancer"
  

It was so much fun watching students and teachers get inspired and participate! Through 1st hour classes, we had a competition for the most money raised at each grade level. The class that raised the most would win a candy and Coke party compliments of our principals. It was such a great competition that 6 classes get parties instead of the top two! The top class was a 7th grade class raising over $300! Total the school raised $2500! Can you believe that?! One student stood outside of Crest supermarket for two nights collecting money. No one asked her to do taht. An entire class gave up their lunch money for the week and donated it to the cause. I'm so proud to be part of a school that possesses a giving heart!

To end the week, some of the faculty walked/ran on Gretchen's team at the Race. My friend and colleague, Kamrin, organized "Team Gretchen" shirts for the Race with a shout out on the back for our two other cancer survivors on our faculty, Shar and Nancy. It was great to see all the support from our staff. Our school choir sang in the dedication ceremony after the race.Back from left to right: me, Kamrin, Dr. Benn, Lisa Richards, a reading teacher, and her daughter Gabi. Front: Gretchen with one of her daughters and her daughter's friendMe and Kamrin

From left to right: Victoria Echols, science teacher, Shar McLauglin, history teacher and cancer survivor, me, Kamrin and Dr. Benn

"Team Gretchen"

back left to right: Donna Haworth, science, Charlene Ashley, science, Tiffany Truesdell, math, Gretchen Freshour, media specialist, Danielle Reed, language arts, Alison Wilson, language arts, Karen Stephens, math, Shar McLaughlin, history

front left to right: Amanda Deemer, language arts, Tammy Burnam, media assistant, Maria Sergeant, financial secretary, Andrea Brock, math, Dr. Benn, head principal, Colleen Fitzergerald, math para, Kamrin Grissom, language arts and me.

Beat it, Gretchen! Our God is bigger than your cancer!! Moore West has got your back!