Mamou planning to run cancer out of town with Saturday’s 5K

The Town of Mamou has been flushing cancer away for the last month, and now the community plans to run cancer right out of town at the upcoming Savoy Cancer Foundation’s 2015 Cajun Girls can Survive 5K.
Breast cancer survivor Jennifer Carter, of Ville Platte, knows all to well what it feels like to be diagnosed with this unfortunate disease. Carter, who was diagnosed with breast cancer back in July of 2015, said, “I really just think it is so awesome that people are reaching out to help others in need in this way.”
The 5K walk according to Kacey Duos, a member of the planning committee for the event, is to raise money that will be “used to help patients with no insurance pay for some of their medical cost as well as help patients pay for what their insurance does not cover.”
The 5K does not only provide a way to help those suffering with cancer financially, but it also presents an opportunity to celebrate the determined individuals that have overcome their battle with breast cancer.
Mamou resident Rhonda Ardoin was faced with battling breast cancer 10 years ago at the age of 45. “It is wonderful to see the people from Mamou and the surrounding areas coming together for such a cause like this.”
Ardoin remembers how emotional of a time it was for her and her family when she first learned that she had breast cancer and the convenience of having the Savoy Cancer Center so close to home. “I wasn’t a number at the Savoy Cancer Center,” Ardoin said. “I could call the cancer center anytime I needed something, which helped give me hope.”
Mamou High School teacher Cindy Deshotel looks forward to this event each year because it allows her to participate in helping others facing breast cancer. Five years ago Deshotel was forced to battle breast cancer herself, but today, as a survivor of the disease, Deshotel finds herself excited to hear other survivor stories at this year’s 5K event. “This event is something I am always looking forward to because it allows us who have experienced breast cancer to reunite with each other and see where we all are in our lives now,” Deshotel said.
Providing those fighting cancer with the hope of one day being considered a cancer survivor like Carter, Ardoin, and Deshotel is why this event takes place.
The 5K walk/run is set to begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 10. The starting place for the 5K will be at La Cabon, which is located directly across the street from Fred’s Lounge in Mamou. The 5K walk/run is not the only treat in-store for those in attendance. The Savoy Cancer Foundation will also be providing visitors with the chance to enjoy live music from Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and Ferrell Manuel & the Wild Rice Band, face painting, and a pumpkin patch for the kids.
Registration for the 5K walk/run will be from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. in front of La Cabon or you can register to participate online at register.chronotrack.com. The cost to partake in the fun is $25 dollars if you register before the day of the event and $30 if you register on the day of the 5K. Only those who have registered before the 5K begins can participate in the walk/run. All of the other events taking place that day will be free for the public to enjoy.
There will also be a Poker Run held that Saturday in conjunction with the 5K walk/run. Jeeps, four-wheelers, and motor cycles will assemble to take a ride through Evangeline Parish to help support the Savoy Cancer Center. The cost to take part in the Poker Run is $25 per vehicle and $25 per person.
After the ride the group will meet back up with the 5K participants in Mamou to join in on celebrating breast cancer survivors.
“I didn’t think I’d be here after 10 years because that experience was just so scary,” Ardoin said. “But each year for the walk me and my team, The Determinators, show up determined to terminate cancer.”