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Hawaiians encouraged
to take part in
breast cancer race

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Star-Bulletin staff

Native Hawaiians and supporters are urged to participate in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's "Race for the Cure" starting at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 24 at Kapiolani Park.

Saturday is the deadline for race entries.

Native Hawaiian women have the second highest rate of breast cancer and the highest number of deaths from breast cancer in Hawaii.

Papa Ola Lokahi and other native Hawaiian organizations are trying to double the number of native Hawaiian participants in the race and get the word out to more women about breast cancer.

Last year, about 10 percent or 300 of the total participants were native Hawaiians.

Papa Ola Lokahi is a nonprofit group of public and private organizations concerned with improving the health of native Hawaiians. Its program, "Imi Hale, focuses on cancer awareness, prevention and control activities in native Hawaiian communities.

Proceeds from the race will go to the Hawaii affiliate of the Komen Foundation to support breast cancer research, treatment, screening and education programs in Hawaii.

Hardy Spoehr, Papa Ola Lokahi executive director, said funds raised through last year's race "enabled us to design and produce our own breast care booklets that tell the stories of 12 native Hawaiian breast cancer survivors from all islands. "These personal stories and messages are far more compelling than any clinical brochures."

For example, Gloriann Akau, a two-year breast cancer survivor in her 60s, wrote: "I thank my doctor for riding my back to get my mammogram. In 1997 it showed a spot. A second mammogram couldn't find anything. One and a half years later, in '98, in the same breast, it looked like two bursts rather than a spot. It looked like the Milky Way Galaxy. They found five tumors."

Native Hawaiian breast cancer survivors, families, friends and supporters last year walked or ran in the race wearing placards saying, "Native Hawaiians Race for the Cure."

Nanea Sai, a one-year breast cancer survivor, said, "The race was a positive emotional experience last year for me and my family who ran with me_ all 12 of them."

Entry forms can be picked up at these Oahu locations: All Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center sites, Alu Like Inc., Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Waianae Comprehensive Health Center, Waimanalo Health Clinic, all Native Books and Beautiful Things sites, University of Hawaii Manoa Center for Hawaiian Studies, Ke Ola Mamo and Papa Ola Lokahi.

For more information, call 536-9453.