Video report by Mike Magnoli, Fox CT
Text by Savannah Mul, Hartford Courant
HARTFORD — When Barbara Smith of Windsor was told that she had breast cancer 18 years ago she said she had no idea what to expect. She approached her husband, of now 42 years, and her son and told her family about her diagnosis at the time.
Smith, with support from her family, friends and Susan G. Komen Connecticut, beat breast cancer.
“I’m proud to say I am 62 years old. Bald is beautiful and I’m just so glad to be alive,” she said Saturday.
On Saturday morning Smith was among thousands who attended the Susan G. Komen Connecticut Race For The Cure at Bushnell Park in Hartford. Organizers of the Komen race said they were expecting between 5,000 to 6,000 people. Smith said she has been attending the race for the past 18 years.
“In the rain or in the sunshine I’m here,” Smith said. “I’m walking for friends and family that didn’t make it. I want to educate people that early detection can help save lives. I know women like to show cleavage, but you have to protect those breasts.”
Many people came dressed in pink shirts or had accents of the color, from pink shoelaces to nail polish, to celebrate the 21st annual Komen Connecticut Race For The Cure.