COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Thousands of runners and walkers supporting breast cancer patients and research will gather in downtown Columbus Saturday for the 2025 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
The Columbus race is one of the largest in the country. It supports breast cancer research, patients, and others impacted by the disease.
Breast cancer is often thought of as a disease that only strikes women, but Joseph Wilson is proof that's not always the case. He's been living with stage four metastatic breast cancer for the last five years. He already beat his initial prognosis, and his current treatment plan is working, but he'll never be in remission.
"I had found a lump in 2018 and went to my primary care physician," Wilson said. "At the time, I was a 33-year-old male, he didn't really think anything of it."
Attorney general drops out of Ohio's 2026 race for governorAccording to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, only about 1% of breast cancer cases occur in men.
While it has been five years since Wilson received the news no one wants to hear, he's no stranger to the disease. His father's sister passed away from breast cancer, and his mother beat it twice.
"But her youngest sister was diagnosed about fifteen years ago with breast cancer, and she passed away two years ago," Wilson said. "So, the Komen Race for the Cure has been in our family for many years."
Wilson said if you feel something or notice a change in your body, get a second opinion.
"You really know your body the best," Wilson said. "You have to self-advocate for yourself. I tell my students that all the time. I teach math and science, and say if you don't understand what's going on, you better raise your hand. Speak up."
Wilson's family has been walking in the race for over ten years, and this year is no exception. They'll join thousands across central Ohio as they make their way to the starting line for the 33rd Komen Columbus Race for the Cure.
"Everybody knows someone that's been impacted by breast cancer, whether it's their own journey or someone in their life that had the disease," Lindsay Grubaugh, executive director of Columbus at Susan G. Komen, said. "So, the need is there. Over 3,800 people are calling Komen every single week here in the state of Ohio that are needing our services."
Ronda Faulk is a breast cancer survivor. She's been a volunteer since 2012. Faulk lives in Florida now, but flew back to Columbus specifically for the race.
"I had a lady today who was a survivor for two years, and I told her I'm fourteen years out, and she just like high-fived me because she doesn't know if she'll make it to that point," Faulk said. "So you always have people who are going to you're going to look up to them and you're going to be motivated by that success that they have."
According to leaders, the race, which is now a global movement, is all about uniting the community to prioritize health and raising money for breast cancer research and treatment.
"It takes a village to end breast cancer, so anybody that wants to come and join us, we'd love to have them," Lindsay Grubaugh, executive director of Columbus at Susan G. Komen, said.
The race kicks off at 8:45 a.m. Saturday. If you still haven't registered for the race, you can register online here. Anyone interested in donating to the Susan G. Komen Foundation can visit this link.
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