Four close friends diagnosed with breast cancer within three years. A beloved sister-in-law. A cousin with an infectious laugh.

These are some of the people GoTriangle employees will be honoring Saturday when they help with the Susan G. Komen Triangle Race for the Cure in Research Triangle Park. It’s the eighth year that GoTriangle has provided buses and staff to support the event, which has $1 million in pledges this year.

“My four friends have all already been through the process of having breasts removed and having reconstruction,” says Yvonne Brown, a GoTriangle bus operator for four years. “They’re just so young. We need a cure for it.”

Brown is one of five GoTriangle drivers who will be shuttling the 8,000 race participants from park-and-ride lots to the race at the Frontier in RTP. Robin Leonard, transit manager, and Sam Whitney, dispatcher, will be providing support.

“My cousin Mel died of breast cancer,” Whitney says. “She was only 42 years old when she passed away. I’m helping because we need to find a cure, and the only way to find a cure is if we all participate.”

At GoTriangle, so many people want to help with the race each year that Leonard has to hold a drawing, this year plucking the five names of bus operators from a heart-shaped bowl. Driving in addition to Brown will be Cheryl Hester, Cynthia Hawkins, Miguel Benitez and Kenneth Richardson.

“I didn’t know so many people had breast cancer,” says Richardson, who drove the shuttle last year and whose sister-in-law is a survivor. “I can’t wait to start Saturday. I get a rush when I see a lot of people and they’re doing something for a worthy cause. I love it. I love it.”

Hawkins had put in her name before but had never been selected. Saturday will be the third time Benitez has driven for the race and the fifth or sixth time for Hester, who loves the significance but also the theatrics of the event.

“I feel so honored,” Hester says. “They thank me for taking them, and I enjoy looking at them with all the different attire, to see some with their little pink outfits on. This lady had on a skirt with ruffles all around, a too-little tutu. They have long colored socks on. It’s cute. And the little kids, they’re just adorable.”

GoTriangle bus operator Shadonna Preddie has been participating in a Komen walk every year since her cousin Pam Wilson of Knightdale was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She’s planning to walk rather than drive Saturday as well.

“She and I are more like sisters,” Preddie says. “The survivors are so excited and appreciative of the love and support. It’s a humbling experience to see all of the people who have fought and are fighting and are still active and happy.”

Preddie, with GoTriangle since November, said she is touched that her company is donating buses and drivers to the cause.

“You don’t get that in many entities,” she says. “It’s something very overwhelming to see companies investing and getting out and doing something instead of just sending money. Actions speak louder than words a lot of times.”

When Brown found out her name had been drawn, she immediately called her four girlfriends. She said she was thrilled to be able to offer her driving skills and time in their honor.

“One day it could be me,” Brown says. “It could be my daughter. It could be my granddaughter. I just want a cure.”

The Susan G Komen race
When: Saturday, May 6, with registration at 7 a.m.
7:30 a.m.: Timed 5K
8:15 a.m.: Survivor celebration
9 a.m.: Untimed 5K and 1-mile Fun Run and Walk
Where: The Frontier, 800 Park Offices Drive, RTP, 27709
More information: bit.ly/gotrianglekomen

—Written by Burgetta Eplin Wheeler, GoTriangle public relations specialist
 

 

 

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