Celebrating each other

COEUR d'ALENE - Angela Hatke was first introduced to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure last year when she first found out she had breast cancer.

"I was going through my chemo at the time," she said. "I was diagnosed in May. I had just been going through my chemo, heard that this was going on and I wanted to actually participate, so that's how I got here."

Hatke, of Grangeville, lived in Pinehurst when she first ran the race. She referred to a photo that was taken of her last year. She was bald from treatment and exhausted.

"It was an inspiring picture," she said. "I ran it and I was completely exhausted, you could see the veins popping out of my head, and I'm going, 'That's ugly,' and my husband's going, 'No, it's beautiful.'"

Many moments of beauty and self-appreciation were shared Saturday at the second Coeur d'Alene Survivor Celebration, which was held on the Lakeview Terrace of The Coeur d'Alene Resort. More than 100 breast cancer survivors and their "co-survivors" (people who support them through their battles) attended the celebration, which was decorated with light-pink roses that complemented the many shades of pink worn by several survivors.

Jody Weak of Boise, the mission manager for Komen Idaho, said the event provides an intimate environment for survivors to share stories, experiences and joy.

"I think this event is really the opportunity to just sit back and enjoy the company of the survivors, and really celebrate with them," she said.

The guest speaker of the celebration was charismatic artist, author and inflammatory breast cancer survivor Heidi Marble, who hails from the Portland area. Using props, frankness and humor, she shared her own painful experiences of being diagnosed, losing her breasts and accepting her new identity as a survivor.

"Some days are very hard," she said. "Some days trigger you and you run and you go back to so much grief and pain. I think healing is really about continuing to get up and try again, keep going."

Gail Turley of Hayden has been active with the Susan G. Komen Idaho affiliate for several years and is this year's honorary race chair. She has also spent many years working in women's health. She was seated at a table with friends, family and survivors.

"What a great group of people," she said. "I have never been in a group where there's so much support and such a sisterhood as there is with breast cancer survivors. I mean, just look at the energy and the beauty in this room. I love them."

Turley said Idaho has the worst breast cancer screening rate in the nation, coming in 51st, after the 49 other states and Puerto Rico.

"The worst. We don't want to be there," she said. "It's all awareness and dispelling fear. People are fearful to go in because somebody may find something. If they'll go in, and if they do find something, the chances are really good for a cure if you go in early enough, like 95 percent."

The 15th annual Susan G. Komen Coeur d'Alene Race for the Cure, scheduled for today, begins with packet pick-up and late registration from 8:30-9 a.m. at the North Idaho College Edminster Student Union Building. The Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine 10K start is at 9 a.m. with the 5K and 1-mile race start at 10 a.m. Survivor photos will be at 11:15 a.m. at the Expo stage and Survivor Lunch will be hosted by Texas Roadhouse under the survivor tent after the race.

Info: www.komenidaho.org