Taking part in the 2023 Georgia Cancer Center’s Unite in the Fight Against Cancer Walk was significant for former Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver.
“It was the beginning of my healing process,” said Copenhaver who underwent treatment for esophageal cancer last year and raised more than $53,000 during last year’s walk.
Now cancer free, he was back at the event on May 4 because he said he believes in grassroots types of initiatives and community involvement.
On May 4, Copenhaver’s team was once again the top fundraiser for the event which went on despite intermittent rains which were heavy at times. Copenhaver’s team raised $56,710, Dr. Jorge Cortez, cancer center director announced.
“The purpose is to support the fight of patients with cancer, their families, the survivors and the ones who lost someone to cancer,” Cortez said. “Every dollar we raise goes back into project supporting them.”
Cortez said that funds raised helped to provide mental health services to breast cancer patients who didn’t have access to them, provided scalp cooling devices to help prevent patient hair loss during chemotherapy and provided nutrition for those who couldn’t afford it during chemotherapy.
Unlike other walks that focus on a specific type of cancer, the Unite in the Fight Against Cancer walk encompasses all of them. Each cancer has a specific color of ribbon. Many people know that pink is for breast cancer awareness. Other colors include teal for ovarian cancer, emerald green for liver cancer and white for lung cancer.
A rainbow of colors was represented at the drenched walk around the medical college and hospital campus. Despite a downpour early on, the rain lifted somewhat as walkers joined together said “rain, rain go away” before taking to the mile course.
But most who showed up for the walk were unfazed by the weather.
“Cancer didn’t get me. A little rain won’t either,” said Copenhaver.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
