Face of Defense: Troops Support Breast Cancer Awareness

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Heather R. Redman
Joint Task Force-Bravo

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras, Oct. 10, 2014 - For the second year in a row, members assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo here donned pink attire to participate in the air base's "Think Pink 5K" run.

U.S. Army Sgt. India Smith, assigned to the 1-228th Aviation Regiment, writes the name of the person she ran in support of on a poster during the "Think Pink 5K" on Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, Oct. 9, 2014. The fun run was planned and coordinated by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center to help increase breast cancer awareness. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Heather R. Redman  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center-sponsored event was planned to increase breast cancer awareness.

The American Cancer Society estimates about 40,000 women will die from breast cancer in the United States in 2014. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.

Raising awareness of breast cancer

"It's important to raise awareness of breast cancer because it is a deadly disease that affects a lot of women," said Army Capt. Cindy Leonardi, assigned to the Medical Element here.

To make the event a success, members of the MWR office worked with the JTF-Bravo Medical Element to ensure all runners were safe and had a good time.

"Breast cancer awareness is a great cause that everyone should support," said Army Sgt. India Smith, assigned to the 1-228th Aviation Regiment. "It's important to raise awareness because it is a disease that not everyone can survive."

'Pretty in Pink'

With the theme, "Pretty in Pink," members of Joint Task Force-Bravo showed up dressed and ready to run the 5-kilometer course while showing their support in the fight against breast cancer.

Throughout the morning, runners crossed the finish line in all types of pink outfits. Even the military working dogs dressed to support breast cancer awareness.

"I'm just happy to be part of something that is bigger than myself," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Shepard, assigned to the 612th Air Base Squadron.

The event is part of the Soto Cano Fun Run series, with events scheduled one to two times a month.