They are young moms and doting grandmothers. Their careers span from a minister, to an FPL geologist, to an elementary school principal. They range in age from 35 to 66 years old.
They are the 2019 Susan G. Komen South Florida Warriors in Pink — breast cancer survivors who show that while breast cancer does not discriminate, they will never let it defeat them.
The 10 Warriors in Pink were announced on Oct. 25 at the Downtowns Go Pink Harbourside Place event in Jupiter.
The Warriors in Pink is a program supported nationally by Ford Motor Company recognizing women who live by the credo of taking charge, living out loud, harnessing power and standing together.
Komen South Florida warriors take action, raise funds and get involved to support the West Palm Beach Race for the Cure on Jan. 26, 2019.
The 2019 Susan G. Komen South Florida Warriors in Pink include Nancy Thurston, age 58 from Royal Palm Beach. She is a 17-year survivor who never lets any breast cancer patient walk alone.
Thurston is a licensed clinical social worker who runs a free support group and uses her own experience to share how important it is to take it one step at a time.
Other Warriors in Pink include Dawn Failla of Palm Beach Gardens, Tara Gustman of Boca Raton, Connie Karol of Stuart, Pat Maher of Jupiter, Kelly Seitz of Palm Beach Gardens, Angel Shollenberger of Parkland, Kirsten Stanley of Gulfstream, Rona Tata of Delray Beach and Angel Turbeville of Lakeland.
“This year, we selected 10 warriors instead of the usual eight because there were so many heroic women who came forward wanting to share their stories,” said Kate Watt, executive director of Susan G. Komen South Florida. “They are the faces of breast cancer, demonstrating that all women, no matter their family history, ethnicity or age, must be aware of the warning signs and insist on early detection to save lives.”
The 2019 Warriors in Pink will share their experiences with the community throughout the year and have a special role at the Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure on Jan. 26 in downtown West Palm Beach.
They will lead hundreds of survivors to the Meyer Amphitheatre stage during the Survivor Recognition Ceremony, where all will be recognized for their fight against breast cancer. To learn more about the Warriors in Pink, visit www.komensouthflorida.org/2019-warriors-in-pink.
