“Breast cancer didn’t kill me; it gave me life,” said Donna Minnick.
WOW! That’s an amazing statement – and a statement that continues to stick with me as I think about who we selected as the 2010 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure Honorary Survivor. So far, as Race Chair, my greatest pleasure was making the call to Donna Minnick to let her know we selected her as this year’s Honorary Survivor.
Donna is a 40-year breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed when she was 29, at a time when the word “cancer” was difficult to even talk about – let alone diagnose, treat and survive. As a wife and mother of two young children she suddenly was confronted with life and death issues raised by her cancer. But, as Donna explained in her application: “because of all of the experiences, feelings, emotions, unanswered questions and challenges I faced I began to ‘live’ rather than ‘exist’. I began to cherish people, experiences, challenges and everyday living.”
The selection committee has a difficult task each year of choosing the individual to serve as the honorary survivor – the “face of the race”. This year was no different. The 13 applicants each shared an amazing story of survival and hope. Each woman was deserving of this position. However, after meeting Donna, we knew we had an extraordinary woman in our presence. As a 40-year survivor, Donna is the longest survivor chosen to serve this role. A woman who points to a 15” scar that runs from her armpit to her waist, Donna represents how far we’ve come in terms of treatment. A woman who has no major or minor pectoral muscles and limited physical strength, yet has climbed mountains, rappels, hikes and camps, she represents hope.
It truly is amazing to know how far we have come in terms of research and care for women and men fighting the fight against breast cancer – a fight that Donna won so many years ago. Donna's story is much like Nancy Brinker's – the power of one individual who is making an incredible difference in the world of breast cancer. Her resume is extensive and quite impressive. After her diagnosis, she spent her personal and professional life devoted to serving the needs of others in health care. She volunteers her time, serves as an inspirational public speaker and after retirement in 1999, spent several years in out West “experiencing life”.
As one of the selection committee members said, “Donna is the story of life. She said her life began with cancer and she has and is continuing to live life to the absolute fullest!”
It is my greatest pleasure to introduce Donna Minnick to everyone as the 2010 Honorary Survivor. I can’t wait for you to meet her at one of the Komen Indianapolis events, see her interviewed by our friends in the media or meet her on April 17 at the Race.
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