Step by step, MCC event raises awareness, funds for breast cancer
They came. They ran. They walked. They honored.
The Queen City Race for Life and Street Strut returned to Meridian Community College’s track, celebrating survivors, honoring patients, and raising awareness for breast cancer.
“It really means a lot to us as a college to participate in this event,” MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner told the crowd of runners and supporters gathered early Saturday morning. The event featured a 5K run and walk, a one-mile fun run, and the Survivor Street Strut. “We’re grateful to serve our community in this way,” Dr. Huebner said.
This year’s ambassadors were Jackie Kidd and sisters Hazel and Clementine Temple, all breast cancer survivors. Proceeds benefit the Baptist Cancer Center Anderson Patient Benevolence Fund.
Eagle Scholars Program Coordinator and Phi Theta Kappa advisor Phyllis Holladay has helped organize the event for more than 16 years. She said this was the fifth year the race has been held on the MCC campus after moving from downtown Meridian.
The Street Strut began when PTK students wanted to bring an event they had seen elsewhere to Meridian. They later partnered with the local CAREousel support group and Cindy Kane, who started the breast cancer race in honor of her sister, Judy Bounds. The event continues in Bounds’ memory, and Kane funds an MCC scholarship in her sister’s name. This year’s recipient is nursing student Anna Leigh Purvis.
“We had some racers who’ve been with us year after year, and some new faces, too,” Holladay said. “A whole church group from Faith Baptist came out this year to help, and we’re always excited when others want to be part of what we think is a really special day.”
Clayton Phillips, 19, of Brandon, an exercise science major and member of MCC’s cross country and track team, used the 5K as a training run. “It’s nice having a community out here supporting people who’ve gone through it or lost loved ones,” said Phillips, who finished first at 16:30, and took first-place honors. “Being healthy and able to run is a blessing - some people don’t get that.”
Justin Smith of Meridian, whose aunt was Judy Bounds, also ran in the race. “Knowing what survivors go through, I thought I could at least push myself for 30 minutes in their honor,” Smith said. “This event got me started running years ago. I’ve worked my way up to a half-marathon and today felt like the perfect day to get back out here.”
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.