After a week of on and off stormy weather, skies cleared just in time for something celebratory.
After a week of on and off stormy weather, skies cleared just in time for something celebratory.
A group of six walkers called “Survivors Strong” took to Geauga Park District’s Maple Highlands Trail Aug. 14 for the 2021 Virtual Cleveland More Than Pink Walk in Chardon.
“Today’s walk represented love … love of my fellow survivors, caregivers, family and friends … nothing more, nothing less,” said cancer survivor Jolie Chapman, of Newbury Township.
The group — with survivors ranging from several months to more than 15 years — joined others, as well as family and friends all across northeastern Ohio for the 2021 Virtual Komen Cleveland Walk.
“Previously, we attended the Susan G. Komen walks in downtown Cleveland, but with COVID, we had to make some adjustments,” Chapman said. “We’re still raising money for the cause and we’re still wearing our best pink costumes. We’re just doing it on a much smaller scale, but not the costumes, of course.”
The More Than Pink Walk is Komen’s signature fundraising event.
It’s a day where walkers share stories, laughs, tears to raise money that saves lives while celebrating survivors, those living with breast cancer and honor loved ones lost.
To date, supporters have helped raise more than $2 billion dollars to help fund research, education, screening and treatment, according to their website.
Chapman said every year, they have many people come out to celebrate with them on this walk.
“While we are only six people, we’ve got about 40 people there walking with us this year,” Chapman said. “These are the caregivers that did everything for us, the friends who were there for whatever was needed and the family members who truly don’t get the recognition for all that they do to support the person going through treatment. Unless you’ve been through it, you can never imagine just how much all of these people do during treatment and recovery.”
Dyana Peters said the group walks together with family and friends because it’s the one day they reflect on their journey as survivors.
“It’s the day that we, Survivors Strong, can cry, remember, share and say we fought this cancer and we won,” Peters said. “We all have lives that pull us apart, make us tired to the bone and not have time to think about what we’ve been through. You can’t let it define you, you have to put your big girl panties on and move forward. This day is for us and as hard as it is to be in this club, it’s the most loving, giving and supportive family you will ever have.”
The group of half a dozen includes family and close friends.
Peters and Lindsay McCoy, of Bainbridge Township, are mother and daughter.
Peters and Gigi Vartola are sisters-in-law.
They call the other ladies “amazing” friends.
“We walk because we survived and won,” Peters said. “ It’s a celebration of life for all of us.”
In addition, Chapman, Vartola, Peters, McCoy and Connie Modrack all graduated from Kenston High School.
“Together has made us stronger and grateful for our lives,” Peters said. “We have fun together and we each know that we will support and help the other for life.”
Chapman said when a person goes through something like breast cancer, they tend to look at life a little differently.
“While there was joy in my life prior to my diagnosis, I now have an appreciation for friends and family that is different than that of my pre-diagnosis appreciation,” Chapman said. “I know that in the blink of an eye, it can be taken away. I now live my life in a way that I will have no regrets about the relationships in my life. While I knew most of this group from the time I was a teen, raising a family and living life sent some of us in different directions for a lot of years.”
The group gets together about 10 times per year.
“While the subject of breast cancer almost always comes up, it’s usually a quick side-conversation,” Chapman said. “The rest of the time is spent laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I’m thankful that I have them in my life.”
Ann Hanna currently lives in Franklin Township, but plans to move to Auburn Township early next year.
Hanna said it helps talking with not only women in the group, but with other survivors.
McCoy walked because she is a two-time breast cancer survivor — both in 2008 and 2019.
“I walk for my family that has had it before me and the ladies that walk beside me now,” she said. “They have given me a lifetime of laughs. We get together at least once a month to not only check in with one other, but to have some real laughs. We are all different, but all the same. We have other’s backs and are there when we need each other. I like to think that we are helping each other in our strength and positivity. We are not only friends and family, we are ‘breasties.’”
Vartola, of Auburn Township, walked to celebrate her eight years as a survivor.
“I am also walking to remember family members that have lost their battle and to support fellow survivors,” she said. ”I do have a lot to celebrate … being able to continue to spend time with my family and friends.”
The members said Survivors Strong has been a great support system to them.
“We have developed a strong bond as a result of a hard time in each of our lives,” Vartola said.
She said no one fights alone.
“It’s truly a celebration of love,” Chapman said.
