Breast cancer survivors along with friends and community members gathered around Raymond James Stadium Sunday as thousands took part in the Buccaneers third annual Treasure Chest 5K.
“We started off with 1,000 people,” said Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Co-president, Glazer Family Foundation. “Now we are over 4,000 runners strong. So, really it’s a tribute to the community.”
The proceeds from the event go toward research and patient care, something Joyce Jordan is thankful for. She was diagnosed with the disease 21 years ago.
“I actually found the lump myself doing self-breast exam. And I just felt something that felt different,” she said. “So I thought I better have it checked out.”
It turned out to be breast cancer. Thankfully, Jordan survived and watched her kids grow up strong. Her youngest child is 26-year-old Keith Tandy, a football Safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“Four kids dependent on me I knew I had to be there for them. So they were my reason for fighting,” she said.
It’s a fight Cari Agee-Aguilar knows too well. Ten years ago her nurse told her she needed intensive chemo and would look a lot different.
“She took my hand and said my dear you’re going to lose your hair,” she said. “I was bald for 18 months.”
Agee-Aguilar said the event gave her strength.
“It means a lot. Just being here is emotional. I have been crying since I woke up,” she said. “All these people have been affected in one way or another. It’s just emotional.”
Running three miles in the Florida heat was not easy but neither is breast cancer. Monica Carper said with each step she thought of those going thought the struggle.
“I wanted to go as far as I can. As fast as I can. And do the best I could,” she said.
All of the participants received tickets the Bucs game against the Jacksonville Jaguars that took place just a few hours after the race.