“Calibri” size=”3″>Clear Channel sister stations help ‘sistas’ fight breast cancer
“Calibri” size=”3″>By Kenya Vaughn of the St. Louis American
“Calibri” size=”3″>The chilly, rainy weather didn’t stop the first Saturday of Breast Cancer Awareness Month from being a beautiful day. Actually, the fact that thousands of African American women braved the gloomy weather to support Sista Strut added to its splendor.
“Calibri” size=”3″>A run/walk organized by Clear Channel Radio St. Louis’ Majic 104.9 FM and Hallelujah 1600 AM, Sista Strut honored and supported survivors and raised awareness about how the disease continues to ravage the African American community. The walk officially began at 10 a.m, but by 9:30 a.m.
“mso-spacerun: yes”> Museum was at capacity and had been that way for at least an hour.
“Calibri” size=”3″>“I’ve been here since 7:30 a.m.,” said Yvonne Moore. “This was a beautiful experience.”
“Calibri” size=”3″>The starting point for the race was decorated with pink and black balloons that complimented the sea of black faces in pink and black shirts, pink boas and even some pink wigs were sprinkled in.
“Calibri” size=”3″>“S-T-R-U-T, I’m struttin’ for my sister, and I’m strutting for me,” a group of ladies chanted as they marched with soul. “Strut two three four…strut two three four.”
“Calibri” size=”3″>Forest park regulars looked on as Sister Strut took over the trail.
“Calibri” size=”3″>“This was amazing,” said Beth Davis,
“font-size: 11.5pt; color: #111111; line-height: 115%; font-family:”> president and market manager for Clear Channel Radio St. Louis
expecting 500 and hoping for 1000. But we had 2000 pre-register and
3000 show up.”
“Calibri” size=”3″>Clear Channel’s administrative staff as well as Majic 104.9 FM and Hallelujah 1600 AM personalities walked side by side with the participants of Sista Strut – which included men and children as well.
“Calibri” size=”3″>Guest speakers in the medical field touched on the topic of breast cancer in the African American community while the final walk ups were registered.
“Calibri” size=”3″>“The whole morning was just so informative and fun,” Jeannette Roberts said. “Since we struggle with it the most, we might as well take part and help get the word out.”
“Calibri” size=”3″>Roberts’ sister passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. But she said she was also walking for all of the women who are survivors – and the women who will survive because of the awareness they acquired from participating in Sister Strut.
“Calibri” size=”3″>Sharon Jacobs appeared to be the pillar of health as she walked wearing a pink ribbon cap and her official Sister Strut T-shirt, but she herself is a breast cancer survivor.
“Calibri” size=”3″>Her cancer was caught early and treated with a lumpectomy. And she believes that through Sista Strut more women will have an experience similar to her own instead of the horror stories of disproportionate mortality rates often discussed when speaking of African American women and breast cancer.
“Calibri” size=”3″>“I applaud their effort to come out and support and I encourage them to go back and talk to their family members – their men and women family members – to make sure that they get examined and checked… My father was a breast cancer survivor” Jacobs said. “And I hope this encourages those who took part not to just do it on one day, but something that they will do all of the time – bring awareness. This is something that runs rampant with us.”
“Calibri” size=”3″>Although the event wasn’t officially created as an annual one, guests of Sister Strut are already talking about next year as they fellowshipped with participants and took pictures with their favorite radio stars.
“Calibri” size=”3″>“It felt wonderful, and I’ll be back,” Jacobs said. “I do the Komen race every year and I’m just so glad to see us come together and do something for ourselves. We have to take control. Because of the way breast cancer is affecting our community, we have to do something to help us take care of ourselves. And I think this is a great effort.”
