In October we wear pink! Links for Life hosted their annual Lace’n it Up 5k fun run and celebration walk, an event to raise funds and bring awareness to breast cancer on Saturday, October 4th. Together, Links for Life celebrated the unique journeys of those who have fought the disease. Over 800 people attended the event covering The Park at Riverwalk in a sea of pink. Breast cancer survivors and supporters from the greater Bakersfield area joined the race, making the turnout one to remember. Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh took the stage to announce the start of the race and gave a beautiful and harrowing speech to the crowd about resilience and strength, a concept known well by those who have fought the disease and witnessed their loved ones fight the disease.
54-year-old breast cancer survivor and Native Columbian, Margarita Esparza recounts the moment she was diagnosed with breast cancer and how Links for Life provided her with support that she could have never imagined.
“When the doctors found the lumps on my breast, I remember praying to God to not let it be true. I lost two sisters and a brother to cancer, and I was so scared that I would end up like them. Links for Life helped me find good doctors and would make meals for me and my family while I was sick.” Said Esparaza.
Margarita Esparza is now one year in remission and was joined in the race by her eldest daughter to celebrate her bill of clean health. The festivities began at seven in the morning with local businesses setting up tents in the parking area. The race itself began at nine in the morning and the first runner to make it back was none other than 14-year-old Roman Campo who finished the race in under three minutes. He was awarded on stage at the end of the race with a first-place trophy that consisted of pink laced up tennis shoes. The event ended the way it began, with families and friends smiling together. Only this time, the smiles carried the weight of miles well earned.
