Race participants sport bras for a cause Published Oct. 22, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Audra M. Hornbacher 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- The warm afternoon sun set the tone as a line of more than 215 Airmen and civilians, clad in a colorful array of decorated bras, waited to register for the Breast Cancer Awareness 5k, Oct. 12, at the Pride Hangar. Before the run began at 3:45 p.m., contestants lined up next to the stage as Staff Sgt. Crystal Frazier, 28th Medical Operations Squadron diet therapist, and Corinna Andrews, breast cancer survivor, picked winners for the best decorated bras from both men and women showcasing their wares. "It's a part of our job to provide health and wellness to the community, whether it is on base or off base," Frazier commented. "Breast cancer is something that is easily detectable, and it's something that people should be more aware of." Frazier added that the more aware people are of the disease, the better their chances are to detecting it early. Airman 1st Class Mario Calderon, 28th Security Forces Squadron response force member, who ran the 5k had a personal tie to the event. "I think it's awesome," Calderon said, adding that it felt good to participate. "I have family members who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. From what I understand it's hereditary -- (So we're) trying to see if my grandma has it as well as my mom." Andrews, who was a guest speaker for the event, awed the crowd with her personal story of triumph. "I have a reason to fight," a teary-eyed Andrews said. "I did and I won. In 2006, I found a lump in my left breast right before my husband and I were getting ready to retire. I thought, back then, 'No big deal, I won't get it checked', but you know what, that was wrong. Early detection is a huge thing - I suggest and welcome everyone to check regularly. Early detection saved me from the fate of death." As runners lined up behind two orange cones in the parking lot of the Pride Hangar - where both the start and finish of the course were located - anticipation was building for the start of the event. When it began, everyone followed the guided route around base at their own pace. With lightning speed, Capt. Riley Hestermann, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge, was the first to cross the finish line. After the race, participants enjoyed refreshments donated by the base commissary and gathered to celebrate completing the event and help increase awareness for a disease that has claimed the lives of 39,510 women in 2012 according to the American Cancer Society. For more information on breast cancer and how to perform self exams, call the Health and Wellness Center at (605) 385-2349.