Cancer survivor Penny Bise of Pass Christian crossed the finish line with tears of joy in her eyes during The Ribbon Walk benefit held May 22, 2021, at the Town Green along Jeff Davis Avenue in Long Beach.
     “This is my first run in over 30 years, and it was my fastest run with a time of 36:20,” said Bice, who volunteers at the Bethel Free Health Clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays providing general health care for adults. “I was encouraged to exercise after reconstruction and decided to join the Ribbon Race.” 
     Bise was among numerous others who joined in The Ribbon Walk, Run, Stroll/Doggie-Dash fundraiser to give back, support or remember someone with cancer.
     Kim David was there in support of Barene Conley, “I am celebrating my last chemo treatment on May 19, 2020.”   
     It was a day of celebration of life. It was a beautiful, sparkling Saturday that enticed walkers, runners, strollers, dashing doggies and many spectators and friends. The Run was a 5K, the Walk was 1 mile, and the Stroll was to bring out the smiles. There were tables under pink tents full of donated items for a silent auction.  The air was filled with jubilation and an appreciation of life that so many in attendance enjoyed as frontline fighters and survivors.  It was a fundraiser for support of people in the local community. 

     The 5K Overall Winner was Tate Castleman. This year’s participants are as follows: Matt DeBlanc, Pete Jordan, McKenzie Lott, Amber Geiser, Jason Byrd, Paul Gavin, Susan Larosa, Kelsey Deschamps, Beth Victoriano, Logan McDonald, Jeff Pierce, Chris Powell, Tia Pierce, Victoria Crowley, Myra Camp, Blaze Camp, Tricia Aultman, John Bosco, Justin Shaw, Julie Teater, Dominic Day, Shane Rutledge, Abrian Dodson, Indiana Nation, Kera Crawford, Spence Breland, Kathy Preston, Kelly Nation, George Shaw, Penny Bise, Scarlet Nation, Sami Jo Hardy, Shay Hartley, Sylvia Hanes, Cynthia Cameron, Phillip Fontes, Erin Silcox, Carra Melton, Aiden Friedrich, Kira Friedrich, Brenda Garriga and Stacey McCormick (all of their categories and times can be found at https://www.racesplitter.com/race  Pink Heart Ribbon-Results. Information courtesy of A. Jackson “The Diva,” Diva Time.   
     Memorial Foundation Oncology Fund sponsored the event that raised money for Pink Heart Funds and the Oncology Fund. Net proceeds were split 50/50 between the two charities. 
     Memorial Hospital Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides financial support to patients who are receiving treatment for cancer by providing medication, transportation and nutrition assistance. Keeping donations in the community and helping our neighbors in need is the Memorial mission statement.  Chairperson for the event was Brenda Long from Memorial Oncology.   
     Pink Heart Funds is a nonprofit ministry and outreach charity that provides a variety of products and services including cranial prosthetics (wigs), breast prostheses or post-mastectomy bras, and lymphedema sleeves. Pink Heart gives all products and services free of charge to those suffering from cancer or extreme hair loss disorders with the goal to inspire, encourage and restore hope to those individuals. Chairperson is JoAn Niceley of the Pink Heart Funds.
     Ainsley’s Angels were up front and center for the beginning of the race. Their volunteer pushers had donned their running shoes to put in their fastest times possible with their special riders smiling from ear to ear in the sunlight of the day. Ainsley’s Angels is a nonprofit that strives to make every special needs person feel included in every aspect of life including running a race. Ainsley’s Angels are currently looking for new Rider Athletes and Angel Runners to push the pink chariots of power down the street of upcoming running events.  Visit their Web site at southms@ainsleyangels.org to get involved today.

     For many people, the pink ribbon for cancer awareness is very recognizable, but there is a whole palette of colors used by many organizations. The ribbon in Ribbon Walk has a long-involved history. Starting    in 1976, Charlotte Haley was making peach ribbons and selling them on a card for her granddaughter, sister, and mother, who had all battled breast cancer. Charlotte Haley was asking those who bought her ribbons to “Wake up our legislators and America by wearing the ribbon.” The cards said, “The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion only 5 percent goes for cancer prevention.”  The merging of the ribbon and symbolism in the United States has led to federal funding being increased four-fold.      
     According to the American Cancer Society, the percentage of women getting annual mammograms and clinical breast exams has more than doubled over the last decade. With the evolution of the wearing of the ribbon has come an awareness of breast cancer. Cancer awareness was transformed by Estee Lauder in 1992, when she chose pink as the color of the ribbon she would use on every cosmetic counter in the country to highlight breast cancer awareness.  
     Avon joined the cause with the pink ribbon lined with gold and a gold rose at the fulcrum in 1993. Hundreds of other companies have adopted the pink ribbon. People like to support a cause and the pink ribbon is a highly recognizable symbol for nurturing, femininity, self-awareness and self-exams to prevent breast cancer. The use of ribbons in the rainbow of colors has come to be the way to draw awareness to many diseases and cancers:  Lung: white, Brain: grey, Liver: Emerald green, Prostate: light blue, Stomach: periwinkle blue, Bone: yellow, Lymphoma: lime green, Breast: pink, and the list goes on. 
For more information about the Pink Heart Funds or how to join in the next Ribbon Walk event, call 228-575-8299, email pinkheartfunds@gmail.com, visit https://pinkheartfunds.org.

On the Cover: Brenda Long, Memorial Outpatient Services pharmacy tech; Jamie Heaton, Memorial Inpatient Services; Micheline McArthur, Memorial infusion tech, were among participants of The Ribbon Walk fundraiser held May 22, 2021, in Long Beach.

Susan Weller

Years of living along the Gulf Coast with a penchant for capturing photographs of smiling faces and beautiful places has brought Susan Weller to Seaside Social News. “This tenure will enhance my opportunities to capture and promote the exciting venues and activities generated by our lovely Gulf Coast and the people who live and celebrate life’s joys.”