Suzanne Olis doesn’t take a single breath for granted.
“I’m a nine-year cancer survivor,” she said, while throwing her hands in the air and smiling.
Years ago, she had a persistent cough and went to a doctor. After a myriad of tests, she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma – lung cancer. The cancer took one of her lungs and her plans to live in Thailand.
But it didn’t take her.
“I’m great today and I’m here,” she said.
Olis joined hundreds of others at the inaugural Free to Breathe Run/Walk at Al Lopez Park Sunday morning. The nationwide organization brings together lung cancer survivors and raises money for research.
“We are creating awareness about lung cancer and we are doing important fundraising so we can help fund the research needed to increase the survival rate,” said Katarina Ashburn, who helped organize the run/walk. Ashburn pointed out that the survival rate is only about 17 percent.
“Our mission is to double lung cancer survival by 2022,” she said.
This mission is personal to Ashburn. She lost her friend and sorority sister Ali Picker two years ago to lung cancer.
“It was devastating news. She was a non-smoker and it just rocked our world,” she said. “We’re excited to be making an impact on lung cancer, for her and in her memory.”
Olin knows how close she was to being a memory.
“I feel so fortunate to be one of the 17 (percent),” Olin said. “It could’ve been so different and we live a great life.”
Though the run/walk is over, you can still donate money online through November 19.