2025 Komen Columbus Race for the Cure

Why I Race for the Cure: My Story of Resilience, Hope, and Advocacy

In October 2023, my life changed forever. After a routine mammogram showed no signs of concern, a breast MRI just months later revealed something no one ever wants to hear - Stage 1, Grade 3, HER Negative, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The words were a shock, but they also ignited a fire within me to fight, not just for myself, but for my family, my community, and for everyone who faces this devastating disease.

Over the past two years, I’ve undergone a whirlwind of treatments and surgeries. Twelve grueling weeks of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and a DIEP flap reconstruction. Every step was a reminder of the fragility of life but also the strength of the human spirit. On March 2024, I was blessed to be declared a survivor of Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

But this fight wasn’t just about me, it’s about the countless others who face breast cancer every day. It’s about the women and men who don’t have access to early detection or life-saving treatments. It’s about addressing the disparities in healthcare, particularly for women of color, who are often diagnosed at later stages. And it’s about ensuring that no one fights alone.

This journey has been deeply personal. I carry the PMS2 and BRCA2 gene mutations, as do my two daughters. These mutations significantly increase the risk of breast and other cancers, and my mission is to ensure they, and future generations have a brighter, cancer-free future.

This year’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is more than just a walk for me, it’s a declaration of hope and a commitment to change. It’s an opportunity to honor my late grandmother, Mollie, who recently passed away after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was a fighter, and her legacy fuels my passion to advocate for early detection and fund life-saving research.

Here’s how you can help:

Every dollar raised goes directly to groundbreaking research, community support, and resources for those in need. Donations are tax-deductible and go a long way in creating real change:

• $50 can help fund a mammogram for a woman without insurance
• $100 supports vital research into more effective treatments
• $500 provides transportation for patients to attend lifesaving treatments

Your generosity fuels this mission. It ensures that families like mine and families in your community never have to hear the words “too late.”

Please join me in making a difference. Whether it’s through a donation, sharing my story, or joining the walk, your support means the world.

Together, we can race toward a cure and create a world without breast cancer.

With gratitude,

Shanise Pearce

Advocate | Survivor | Fighter