Record group supports Paint the Park Pink

 

story and photos by Joel Rafkin
[email protected]

More than a thousand people gathered at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith campus on Saturday (Sept. 24) for Paint the Park Pink 5, a walk and activities day to raise money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

T-shirts and signs referring to breasts in slang vernacular — knockers, boobies, ta-tas — injected a bit of humor in the otherwise serious nature of breast cancer and "real" men do wear pink as evidenced by those in attendance whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

The day began with the survivors breakfast at 8 a.m.. Teresa Jones, River Valley coordinator for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said about 300 breast cancer survivors and their co-survivors participated. The food was sponsored by Sparks Health System and prepared by Butterfield Place Retirement Community.

Registration for the almost mile-long walk around the UAFS campus began after the breakfast. The cost was $20 for adults and $10 for children and students. Part of the cost included a t-shirt — pink for the survivors and white for other participants. Additional shirts will be mailed out next week after demand outstripped supply. Jones said the turnout this year was about 20% more than last year and the organization doubled its fundraising goal pulling in more than $90,000 dollars from individuals and corporate sponsors. The proceeds will go to fund breast cancer services in an eight county area of the Fort Smith region and Northwest Arkansas, Jones said. About 1,500 people attended the event.

"(We) Appreciate all the support that the community has given us and just that they know how important this is and we appreciate the survivors who energize us to keep doing our job and just keep us going to find a cure," said Jones.

Fourteen booths from sponsors were set-up around the Reynolds Bell Tower on the campus. Many were giving away small items either related to their business or something for everyday use particularly in the color pink. The healthcare related sponsors had information available on breast cancer. Several booths also had free raffles for items. There was an area sponsored by Academy Sports + Outdoors with children’s activities. Randall Ford was the founding sponsor and Sykes was the presenting sponsor of the event.

Early in the day some showers moved into the area as people mingled, registered and picked up give-aways and information. The weather cleared as the official activities began. The Ramsey Junior high School cheerleaders performed a routine accompanied by the classic rock and blues music from Fort Smith band Box Foot Blues.

Cancer survivors and co-survivors marched from the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center to the Reynolds Bell Tower lead by the Southside High School marching band. The colors were presented by the 188th Air National Guard with the National Anthem following.

A short prayer was said and there were speeches from Fort Smith Vice Mayor Kevin Settle and chairwoman for Paint the Park Pink Lorie Robertson. Pam Camp, who sang at the first Paint the Park pink five years ago, returned and sang "Lean on Me." Del Hampton, the 11-time National (chicken) Cluck-off Champion, took to the stage and demonstrated his chicken mimicking abilities after commenting that there is nothing "chicken about breast cancer."

The walk began following the festivities. The pack was led by the cancer survivors and co-survivors who headed west from the bell tower to the parking lot area, turned right and proceeded to Grand Avenue, turned right again on Waldron Road, continued on to Kinkead Avenue and concluded under an inflatable Susan G. Komen arch back at the bell tower. The Southside High School marching band formed a line and performed along the sidewalk as the walkers passed by.