- March 28, 2024
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LAKEWOOD RANCH — Shelley Stone remembered vividly the moment she thought about planning her funeral.
At almost 40 years old, Stone was informed by her doctor that her breast cancer, first diagnosed five years earlier in 1996, had returned. Her first question to the doctor was, “How long do I have?”
Three more reoccurrences later, Stone now has been cancer-free for 11 years.
“None of my doctors ever mentioned death, and I think that made a huge difference,” said Stone, a health and math teacher at The Out-of-Door Academy’s Lakewood Ranch campus. “As I tell them, I’m just too stupid to die. I just don’t get it.”
Stone will embrace the fight against breast cancer again Oct. 24, as she participates in the American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk at the Sarasota Polo Club.
This year’s event, which is expected to draw more than 10,000 people, starts at 9 a.m. with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m.
“The main purpose of Making Strides is to create awareness so people realize they should be taking preventative measures in their health, such as mammograms,” said Tammy Lennox, the American Cancer Society community events manager. “It’s been proven that healthy living can help avoid a cancer diagnosis.”
Lennox said the Sarasota-Manatee event raises about $300,000 annually and supports local cancer patients through programs such as the Look Good Feel Better program, which provides them with free wigs, hats and makeup, and the Road to Recovery program, which provides transportation to appointments.
Lennox said Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore and Sarasota County Commissioner Carolyn Mason this year served on the event’s executive planning committee together, helping draw joint support from both communities.
“We’ve gotten both counties more involved and we’re looking forward to making this year the best ever,” she said. “It’s really a celebration of survivors.”
Contact Pam Eubanks at
[email protected].