In the same year as the birth of her son, Sarah Fernandez-Mendoza discovered warning signs of the disease that would take her life.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, she underwent surgery that removed the tumor later in the year. But she died five years later after the cancer metastasized and spread.
Inspired by her commitment to charitable efforts, Fernandez-Mendoza鈥檚 husband, Sergio Mendoza, took up the fight against breast cancer, partnering his ring-making business with Susan G. Komen For the Cure, a foundation that raises money for research. He founded his own fundraising team and became one of the organization鈥檚 top contributors in Florida.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e touched by breast cancer, you no longer take for granted the fact that you鈥檙e alive,鈥� Mendoza said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about coming together with people that are happy to be alive in spite of being affected, and it鈥檚 a very emotional event.鈥�
Mendoza served as the event chair for the Oct. 14 More Than Pink breast cancer walk. His family's story was among many told at the annual event, held at Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah.
Susan G. Komen is the world鈥檚 leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, devoting millions of raised earnings every year to breast cancer research and treatment.
Undeterred by distant thunder and sporadic rain, thousands gathered at the starting gate near the event stage, heading off on the 2.1 mile-long walk with cheers and applause once the clock hit 9:10 a.m.
Hip-hop hits like 鈥淲obble鈥� and 鈥淐upid Shuffle鈥� blared from speakers, inspiring some attendees to meet near the stage and dance together.
The dancers gathered near the 鈥淲e Remember鈥� pavilion, which was dedicated to the memories of loved ones both alive and passed.
Many wrote messages for departed friends and family on note cards, clipping one atop another on the tent鈥檚 roof.
One read: 鈥淚n loving memory of my mom Emma Roundtree. She fought a good battle; passed away in 2001. Now I鈥檓 fighting her battle 鈥揊aith.鈥�
To Giovanni Arango, the event had powerful significance. He lost his closest cousin to breast cancer earlier this year.
Arango wore a hand-made cape to honor his cousin, with the words, 鈥淚鈥檓 running for Nana Parra鈥� adorning his back.
鈥淲e鈥檙e still fighting for a cure,鈥� said Arango. 鈥淏reast cancer is a disease that affects one in eight women, and it doesn鈥檛 discriminate. It can be anybody.鈥�
Part of the venue was dedicated to tents housing the event鈥檚 top fundraising teams, but Team DLIMERS had a section that was all their own.
Members of the 320-strong group met at the team鈥檚 tent after they crossed the finish line, where they were treated to Caribbean and Jamaican cuisine and music from the team鈥檚 DJ.
DLIMERS, which comes from the Caribbean term 鈥榣iming,鈥� meaning hanging out with friends, was started by married couple Carla and Marlon Hill in 2003 with the goal of bringing South Florida鈥檚 Caribbean and Black communities together to raise money for breast cancer programs.
Carla Hill faced breast cancer both in 2005 and 2007, choosing a mastectomy in both cases. As a survivor, she believes looking out for one鈥檚 own health is crucial.
鈥淵oung women and young men need to be aware of their bodies and any slight change in bodies. They need to be aware, and see a doctor as soon as possible so they can do what鈥檚 best for them,鈥� she said.
Over $500,000 was raised come the walk鈥檚 end, but the window for donations will stay open until Nov. 12.
Douglas Esquire, DJ and co-host of the More Than Pink Walk, knows the search for a cure for breast cancer is far from over, but believes that donations from the community will make it a reality.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of heroes here today,鈥� said Esquire. 鈥淲e鈥檙e still here to fight, and the fight continues until we don鈥檛 have to do this anymore.鈥�
You can learn more about the Susan G. Komen Foundation at their .
is a Venezuelan-American senior at Florida International University pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in digital journalism. With a passion for writing, politics, and social issues, he hopes to achieve a career in the news media industry after graduating. The story was originally published by Caplin News, a publication of FIU's Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media, as part of an editorial content with SA国际传谋, South Florida's public radio station.
