Last summer, Alyson Piot spearheaded the De-Feet Breast Cancer 5K at Bridgeport Recreation Complex. In its inaugural year, the event drew dozens of runners who enthusiastically participated in the event which was the first phase of a fundraiser. Moneys raised contributed to entry fees for Piot, Shellie Seccuro and Bobby Jo Miller to take part in The Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego, Calif. Nov. 18-20. It was Piot’s 11^th year in the 60-mile walk which takes place over the course of three days.

 

Over the years, she developed quite a passion for the event which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for research and outreach programs through the Komen’s Research and Training and Grant Program. She does it, she said, for women facing the devastating disease and for the husbands and children who endure right along with them. A number of her family members and friends have been experienced it. It could be her someday. It could be any of us. So she continues and this year she is more passionate than ever.

 

“This year is a little more dear to my heart as my godmother – a previous survivor – passed this May,” she said. “She was a 20 plus-year survivor of breast cancer, but the pancreatic cancer was too much for her body to handle.”

Seccuro will once again accompany Piot at The Susan G. Komen event which is scheduled for Oct 13-15 in Atlanta, Ga. Again, the Bridgeport fundraiser will help make that happen.

 

The Second Annual De-Feet Breast Cancer 5K is on for July 29 and Piot hopes the event doubles in size.

 

“Last year, we had about 40 runners and we are hoping for 75 to 100 this year,” she said.

 

The race will recognize overall male and female winners, along with top finishers in each age group. 

The 5K gets under way at 8:30 a.m. Cost to participate is $20 if registered online at www.raceentry.com and $25 on race day. In addition to the 5K walk/run, a Kids K will be held.

 

“The kids’ race is one lap around the Rec Complex and we are charging ‘pay your age’ up to 10, hoping to get more participants,” Piot said.

 

Again this year, there will be drawings held for gift baskets.

 

“Last year we raised over $800 in baskets alone,” she said.

 

Items and gift cards are being collected for the prize baskets. Piot is also still gathering business sponsors to help offset the cost of the 5K.