Breast cancer race brings attention to local survivor

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition hosted its Sixth Annual Women’s Race for the Pink Ribbon this week.

On Wednesday, more than 600 people came out to show their support for those fighting breast cancer as well as the survivors. However, for one woman, the 5K race which took place on the Wilmington Riverfront meant something deeper.

Her name is Cindy DelGiorno and this year’s race took her back to when she was first diagnosed with cancer in 2007. With the help of a close friend DelGiorno began running to get healthy and to mentally escape from the stress of having cancer. The escape ultimately helped DelGiorno get through that very difficult time.

“It felt good to get out. Part of it was to lose the weight I was gaining during chemotherapy, but part of it was the emotional benefits,” DelGiorno said about her fight with cancer 9 years ago.

This week, DelGiorno participated in Wednesday’s race. She’s back to running , after being diagnosed again with a new primary breast cancer, in the exact spot where the first cancer was. The news came last summer after she gave birth to her “miracle baby”. This time around she had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, and faced several weeks unable to lift her then-10 month old son.

“That was the worst part of this journey, not being able to hold my little guy,” DelGiorno said.

At one time, doctors told the mother of one it would be next to impossible to conceive another child because of past chemotherapy treatments.

Officials hope DelGiorno’s story encourages other women especially since she’s now a two time two breast cancer survivor.

For more informations about the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, events and how to support, visit them online.