Annual Race in the Park Continues the Fight Against Breast Cancer

Thirteen has Become Marsha Goldstein's Lucky Number

By Sara Capozzi

New Britain - On Saturday, May 13, the 61-year-old Newington resident celebrated her thirteenth year of being cancer free, and coincidentally it was also the thirteenth year of the city's Race in the Park event.

All proceeds from the race are used for breast cancer research and education in Connecticut, but the event does much more than raise money for the cause.

The race, which involves male and female participants of all ages and nationalities, shows that all people are touched by the disease in some way.

Every year, thousands from all over the state gather during Mother's Day weekend for the race at Walnut Hill Park, which is now one of the most widely-attended events in the city.

Well-known members of the television media, as well as government leaders including State Rep. Nancy Johnson (D-5) and breast cancer survivor Gov. M. Jodi Rell were also present.

Members of the National Honor Society including a group called Youth Who Care, an organization created last year as part of an effort to get New Britain youth involved in the race, also attended the event.

"I feel so good doing this, it's just an awesome experience," said Erin Stewart, chairperson of Youth Who Care. "To know that you're helping the cause and to see youth involvement makes the survivors feel good about themselves to know so many people in the community care."

Goldstein said the event gives those touched by breast cancer a way to celebrate.

"It's a way for us and survivors to have a camaraderie," Goldstein said. "We look at each other's ribbons and we hug and we cry and ... give support to each other. It makes me feel forever grateful to be standing here, with my grandkids and my granddaughter and that's really why I do it."

Goldstein began participating in the race as soon as she stopped treatment 13 years ago.

"I wanted to do something to make it positive," she said. "Because breast cancer is scary."

Goldstein said it is a dream of hers that one day soon, children will not know what breast cancer is because it has been cured.
Further hope for those battling cancer could come soon in the form of new treatments.

Joan Caron, a cancer researcher for over 20 years and a breast cancer survivor for six, announced during the Survivor's Breakfast that she may have discovered a new cancer drug.

Caron is a faculty member at UConn Health Center in the department of cell biology and is currently working to get the drug patented.

According to Caron, the drug can be used to treat all cancers including leukemia and melanoma and may be used for prevention as well as treatment.

Caron said the drug may be more successful than traditional chemotherapy because it kills cancer cells while causing less severe side effects for patients.

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