ATHENA’S RUN 2012 By Meghan E.W. Corbett
H
opefully, many of us know that awareness is perhaps the biggest tool in preventing cancer in our bodies. Early detection can mean the difference between life and death, so routine screenings are a must, but noticing changes in our bodies can also aid in detection between doctor visits. Helping the effort for every woman to understand the best way to stay on top of gynecological health is Athena’s Run. “In 2009, the first ever national race for women’s cancer, hosted by the Foundation for Women’s Cancer was held in Washington, DC, to try and raise public awareness about gynecologic cancers,” said Dr. Elizabeth Skinner. “I was able to run the race, along with Brook McKenzie, a fellow OR nurse; Alison Perkins, a PA in our practice; and a very dear ovarian cancer patient who participated, despite being on active treatment at the time. The whole weekend was amazing, and I left asking the question, ‘Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could do something like this in Winston-Salem?’ In 2010, I enlisted the help of Alison Perkins, PA-C, and Robin Atkinson, RN, to make this dream a reality. With their tremendous help, and the energy and faith of seven patients, Athena’s Run for GYN Cancers was born.” There are many aspects of Athena’s Run that help women stay healthy, whether they have been affected by cancer or not. “Athena's Run for GYN Cancers is a 5k run and one-mile survivor's walk intended to raise money and awareness for the fight against gynecologic cancers,” said Dr. Skinner. “Inspired by the national Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Movement, a grass-roots effort launched in 2009 to inform the public about gynecologic cancers, Athena’s Run was created to be a local platform for public engagement in the Piedmont Triad region. The mission of Athena's Run is to celebrate, honor and lift up the women affected by gynecologic cancers. We will increase public awareness about gynecologic cancers and raise funds to support education, advocacy, care and research. Our vision is to end gynecologic cancers through prevention, early detection and effective treatment.” Though efforts like this are taking place worldwide, the statistics on public awareness are still low. “GYN cancers are malignancies of a women’s reproductive tract that can affect women of any age,” said Dr. Skinner. “The cancers most commonly include cancers of the uterus, cervix and ovary, and less commonly the vulva and vagina. In the United States alone, more than 88,000 women will be diagnosed with one of these cancers, and in that same time, roughly 28,000 women will succumb to their disease.”
For those who may not understand the effects routine screenings can have, consider this: “In the early 1900s, cervical cancer claimed more lives than any other cancer in the United States, however, with Pap smear screening, over the past 50 years, the mortality from this cancer has been reduced by 74 percent,” said Dr. Skinner. No one understands the importance of early detection like a survivor. “I wish every woman knew that she needs to listen to her body,” said Teresa Ball. “If you think something is wrong, you keep going to doctor after doctor until you get an answer. So many ladies think just because they have had a normal Pap smear then they can't have cancer. Ovarian cancer like I had isn't detected by a Pap smear. Athena's Run is important to me for several reasons: I'm a survivor, the money raised helps get word out about the warning signs of GYN cancers and helps pay for exams that some women can’t afford, and it’s important because I'm walking in memory of two special ladies in my life that once belonged to my support group, Kim Bachman and Karen Favreau, may we always remember these sweet souls that have passed on.” Ann Smith, also a survivor, believes in the work that Athena’s Run is doing. “I was registered for the run last year, but was sick and could not attend,” said Smith. “The funds raised by Athena’s
Run provide seminars and workshops for GYN cancer patients. Joining the GYN support group was the best thing for me. I was uplifted and encouraged by new friends and sister survivors. They were positive and encouraging and gave me strength.” Now that Athena’s Run is thriving, it is receiving support from businesses in the community. “Due to the awareness brought about by Athena’s Run in 2011, we received a three-year grant from the Women’s Council of Forsyth Medical Center Foundation to extend the nurse navigator program at the Derrick L. Davis Forsyth Regional Cancer Center to include a dedicated RN to provide this service for our GYN cancer patients,” said Dr. Skinner. “Funds raised by Athena's Run have also supported community lectures on a variety of GYN cancer topics, as well as provided funding for the first GYN Cancer Survivors course here in Winston-Salem, an informational event for patients and their families on GYN cancers and survivorship.” To send a tax-deductible donation, please mail a check made out to “GYN Cancer Fun/FMC Foundation” to Athena’s Run c/o Elizabeth Skinner, 1010 Bethesda Court, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. For more information, including how to register for the event, visit the website at www.athenasrun.org, or email athenasrun@yahoo.com.