More than 300 people walked and ran the North Fork Breast Health Coalition's 13th annual 5K run/walk around Tanger Outlets Sunday morning.
The event raised $15,000-$20,000 for breast cancer advocacy and survivor support, with about 325 people registering to participate in the 5KW and dozens of area businesses and individuals contributing raffle prizes and sponsorships.
Timothy Hill Children's Ranch co-founder Fern Hill of Riverhead gave an emotional invocation to start the event.
"Thank you for rescuing so many of us and giving us another chance," she said in prayer. "Lord, I pray that we will use these remaining years that you have given us to be a blessing to those around us, to heal the sick to comfort the weak and those who are hurting."
The event drew participants from all over the island, many outfitted in playful team costumes and some wearing purple "I am living proof" T-shirts. Among them, State Senator Ken LaValle, Assemblyman Dan LoSquadro, County Legislator Ed Romaine, Suffolk County Treasurer Angie Carpenter, Riverhead Town Council members James Wooten, Jodi Giglio and John Dunleavy and Assessor Paul Leszczynski.
Led by the Spero family's "Breast Cancer Awareness Car" — a black Challenger detailed with pink ribbons and dedicated to the memory of breast cancer victim Randi Spero, see Aug. 7 story — Sunday's walkers traversed both Tanger I and Tanger II to complete the 5K. Tanger's general manager Janine Nebons helped direct traffic.
First across the finish line was Anthony Postiglione, 21, of Bay Shore — who finished first at this event for the past three years.
"I like doing this because it's for a good cause," Postiglione said.
The North Fork Breast Health Coalition supports people dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, said 5K volunteer Karen Meekins of Wading River, 58, a survivor diagnosed three years ago.
"You don't ever want to hear your name in a sentence with the word cancer," Meekins said. "It's just unbelievable." Meekins said she faithfully has her yearly mammogram and because of that, her cancer was detected at a very early stage.
Meekins praised the support services of the North Fork Breast Health Coalition, which provides counseling, therapy, massage therapy, reflexology and grants, she said.
"It's just amazing, unbelievable what they do," Meekins said. "It's a great organization."
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl.
