Malmstrom runs for the cause

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Brosam
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MONT. --  Nearly 210 people attended a 1.5 mile breast cancer awareness walk and run event held Oct. 15 at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.

The event was held to raise awareness for breast cancer and to encourage men and women of all ages to perform self-examinations to check for suspicious lumps.

Attendees gathered in the community center's gymnasium before the run to listen to individuals share some words.

Kirk Clark, 341st Medical Group health promotions director, said self-examinations are very important.

"If you know someone who has cancer, I can tell you from personal experience it isn't fun," said Clark. "Right now, the good thing is there are 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States of America. That's why we do events like this, so we can keep more survivors and have more success stories."

Col. Tom Wilcox, 341st Missile Wing commander, shared a personal account of someone he knows who survived breast cancer.

"My mom had breast cancer and she survived breast cancer the first time," said Wilcox. "She survived it because of the awareness in the self-examination."

The event also included key note speaker Lacey Gallagher, Benefis Spirt of Women community outreach coordinator, who said she found a lump in her breast when she was 26 years old.

"Do not think waiting is an option," said Gallagher. "It's something you must be aware of every month and take control of your health."

After the speakers were finished, men, women and children walked and ran to show their support of the cause and breast cancer awareness.