Breast cancer survivor Marjean Dunaway passed away Oct. 30, 2006.
She participated in every Alaska Run for Women event except the first year.

Breast cancer survivor Etta Mae McKinsey was a mother, grandmother,
and great grandmother.

From her friends,
Frances Jones and Elizabeth Hansen

Susie Keisor O'Brien

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My sister, Susie, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35 and lost her battle at age 39. She left behind a husband and 2 daughters, ages 12 and 16. She's been gone since 1996 and we continue to miss her dearly.

Participating in the Alaska Run for Women is one way that we honor her memory.

Always in our hearts, Kathy Wisthoff

Marguerite Wisthoff LeMay

My mom was a 15-year breast cancer survivor when she was diagnosed with a recurrence two years ago. She participated in the 2006 Alaska Run for Women last June (in her wheelchair) and passed away in September 2006. She left 8 children and many many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who miss her fun-loving spirit and great sense of humor.

Jay Wisthoff

Sharon Yerbich

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For many years Sharon Yerbich thought she had beat breast cancer, but sadly it returned. She fought hard with metastatic cancer, but lost her battle on March 1, 2007. Sharon was a founding member of Alaska Breast Cancer Advocacy Partners (ABCAP) in 1999 and frequently traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate for research dollars to find a cure. Sharon was a frequent attendee at many breast cancer events and support activities in Anchorage.

She was a loving person who is sadly missed by her friends and family.

Carla Williams

April 6, 1964 - November 1, 2007
Diagnosed at age 37, passed away at 43.
Strong enough for the Air Force, but lost the battle of breast cancer.
"Moe" daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many, will forever be in our hearts and memories.

We participate in the Alaska Women's Run in her honor.

Beverly Englishbee died from breast cancer on June 18, 2007 at the age of 66. She left on this earth a legacy of love, which continues to grow in each life ever touched by her. Her room-brightening smile is missed, but once in a while, we see a glimpse of it in our dreams.

We miss you, Mom – Loretta

Sara Sullivan

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My cousin Sara Sullivan was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 28 in February 2009 and died on September 22, 2009, just a few days short of her 29th birthday. She left behind a loving husband Brady who is a fighter pilot in the US Air Force and a darling daughter who was born weeks before her mom passed. Sara was the most positive person I know and she knew that she would be in a better place once her journey was over. She is missed by so many people as she made such an impact on so many lives.

Anna Ezzell

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My aunt Anna Ezzell was an awesome lady who was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy, beat it and watched it return and finally it took her life on December 24, 2009. She was fighter until the end and chose to pass at home with her family rather than in a hospital bed alone.

I am participating in this year’s event as a way to honor both of these women and as a way to show the special place they have in my heart.

Courtney Bridges

Deborah Christy Marijanovich - Solomon

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My sister Christy was a talented and driven young woman. She played flute in Jr. High, High School and college, always made good grades, had lots of friends and earned her bachelor's degree in education in Texas. After marriage she and her husband had two sons, the first (Bobby) was born with a severe heart defect and wasn't expected to live for two or three months. He endured 4 or more heart surgeries throughout his early childhood. After the stress of constant medical attention for her son, a divorce and a long battle with depression and Bipolar Disorder, Christy took her own life on July 26th, 1993. Bobby out-lived his mother by several years before his heart finally gave out at age sixteen. Her second son Mike (now an adult) lives in Michigan battling Bipolar Disorder himself.

I dedicate my volunteer work on the Alaska Run For Women Website to Christy and Bobby.

Greg Solomon

Alice Witte was my high school track and field coach and an amazing mentor and friend. She was also an inspirational volleyball coach and "Play Like Crazy" was her personal mantra embraced by all of her athletes, no matter what sport she supported us in.

Alice passed away from breast cancer in 1994. The gymnasium in the Homer High School is dedicated to her and named in her honor. As a survivor, I run this race in her memory and for her influence for us all to "play like crazy."

My daughter and I are excited to do the Run for Women for the first time this year in memory of my mother, Pamela. Misdiagnosed initially, she eventually fought an 8-year battle with breast cancer before passing away at age 39. She is greatly missed by her children who lost her too soon.

We hope with awareness and early detection, more mothers will be saved.

January 3, 1956 – March 21, 2010

Karen had a mammogram in June of 2009 and told it was normal.

In September she felt something in her left breast,

the Doctor told her it was just cartilage.

In October she got a cough and had trouble breathing; they gave her breathing treatments with an O2 level in the 80’. She was admitted in the hospital for pneumonia.

A few days later a test showed she had metastatic breast cancer;

it had spread to her lungs.

She was in the hospital for quite some time and in March an MRI showed

the cancer had spread to her brain. From diagnoses to our loss... 6 months.

She is missed by so many:

Her family, her friends, her mom, Lynn Hobson (a breast cancer survivor)
and all those who ever came in contact with her.

She was the most wonderful person one could ever know.

Her smile and personality would light up a room,

and she could make everyone feel welcome.

Karen we love you and will forever!

K2, The Hobson & Gregg Families and all her many friends

My daughter and I will be participating in our first Alaska Run for Women in honor of Lorena Frost. She lost her year-and-a-half long battle with triple negative breast cancer on June 5, 2010. She was an awesome wife, mother of 4 daughters, grandmother of 2 girls, and a friend to many. Her transparent faith in the Lord she knew so well allowed her to make a significant difference in her short life. Her legacy lives on through her family and in the many people whose lives she touched.

Remembered Always,
Cheryl and Laney Tatom

In loving memory of my Aunt Michele!
Michele Thornton passed away in Sept of 2009
after a 2.5 year battle with breast cancer.
She is loved and missed dearly! She left a lasting
legacy of loving the Lord your God with all your heart,
mind and soul. Loving your neighbor as yourself, and investing
all you can into your marriage and children.