The 2022 Komen Detroit Race for the Cure is coming up on Sunday, Oct. 2. The race, now in its 31st year, is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Susan G. Komen organization, but it’s much more than simply a race and a fundraiser. Anyone who has participated in the event will attest to the fact that it’s an incredibly emotional experience.
“When you’re there, you see literally a sea of pink,” says Jaye Sciullo, executive director of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in Michigan. “It’s women, men and children, and they’re coming together to support people who they know have been impacted by breast cancer. We all know someone who has been touched by breast cancer. When you look around and see you’re not alone in this community of supporters, it’s a deeply emotional experience.”
Josephine Roach knows that feeling first hand. Not only is she on the Komen Leadership Council, but she’s also a breast cancer survivor.
“Being there, first of all, I was on the planning committee before getting breast cancer, and you see the support and all the pink shirts that designate the survivors, and it’s a great feeling,” says Roach, who recently released a book about her experience with cancer called “Josephine’s Journey: A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Story of Hope.” “Then after being diagnosed with breast cancer, it had a whole different meaning as a survivor. I came full circle. The support is amazing, and you’re never going to be alone. When I saw that support time and time again, I knew it would be okay.”
One major change to this year’s race is the venue. For the first time, the event will be held on Belle Isle.
“Hosting the event on Belle Isle is something I’ve been trying to do since I came to the organization in 2019, and now that we have the opportunity to move the race there, we’re excited about it,” Sciullo says. “I was able to solidify our route this morning, and it’s going to be absolutely beautiful, with beautiful scenic river scenes. Belle Isle is stunning, and having that scenic area will resonate with participants.”
Online registration for the walk is open right up until the event begins, with the cost running $45 for adults and $35 for youth (3-17). On-site registration the day of the event starts at 7 a.m., followed by an Opening Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. The race begins at 9:30 a.m. with runners starting, followed by walkers at 9:45 a.m. A Closing Ceremony will be held at 11 a.m.
Participants who register in-person the day of the event will have to pay an additional $5. All registered racers will receive communication from the organization with information about designated parking lots and shuttles taking participants to the island.
If you attend, get ready to experience a very special comradery.
“Being a survivor and attending the race is a comradery and a sisterhood that you wish you didn’t belong to but feel very secure in, and it’s not just a sisterhood, because men get breast cancer, too,” Roach says. “Being there with people you don’t know but have a common bond with because they also have or have had breast cancer brings a sense of belonging and a calming. There’s even joy. Even though this is sad, we are coming together all for the common good for us and to find a cure. To me, that makes this event very special.”
“It’s difficult to describe how emotional it can be,” Sciullo adds. “I get asked all the time if my job is sad. It’s not. You will probably be hard-pressed to meet a more uplifting and tenacious and supportive group than the cancer community. They’re fighters. Some of them have been through incredible journeys, and for them to be able to mark each Detroit Race for the Cure and say, ‘Yes. I have one more year,’ I think, in a way, is a very powerful impact for survivors.”
Those interested in volunteering or participating in the race can visit komen.org/detroitrace.
