toledoblade.com --

Pink ribbons cover the outside of the main office at Anthony Wayne High School, both as a reminder of tomorrow's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the reason that so many students will participate:

Principal Jeri Hoellrich, who was diagnosed with breast cancer this summer - within two days of her mother, Ellen Vantrease, 85, of Holgate, Ohio.

"All our life, we have been close and done many things together, but this is a journey that we would probably not have wished to take together," said Ms. Hoellrich, 49, of Holgate.

The Anthony Wayne community has rallied behind her, putting together a team of 429 students, teachers, and others for the annual event in downtown Toledo that raises money and awareness to fight breast cancer.

Students who once were only casually aware of breast cancer now find it at the forefront of their minds.

"We cared, but it wasn't like, oh, it's a big deal. But now it's a big deal," said Marissa Schnapp, a junior from Waterville.

Students Sarah Horrigan, left, and Marissa Sofalbi get ready to hold up the '2' in 429, the number of people on the team racing to support their principal.
( THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT )

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During a gathering Friday for students decked out in "Jogging for Jeri" T-shirts, Brad Vogtsberger, student council president, said the student body wants to help the principal with anything it can.

"We love showing our support for her in any way possible," the senior from Maumee said.

Ms. Hoellrich said there is a huge amount of positive energy surrounding the effort.

"It certainly has brought the student body themselves together for a common cause," Ms. Hoellrich said.

The Anthony Wayne team is the largest of the 438 that have signed up for the event so far, event organizers said.

IF YOU GO

The 16th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure takes place Sunday in downtown Toledo, beginning at Summit and Monroe streets. The schedule is as follows:
• 6:30 a.m. — Registration opens; $45 for everyone not preregistered.
• 8:30 a.m. — Opening ceremony.
• 9 a.m. — 5K run begins, followed by the 5K walk, then the family fun walk.
• 10:15 a.m. — Celebration ceremony begins inside Fifth Third Field.
Preregistration is still possible today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Brondes Ford Maumee, 1511 Reynolds Rd., at a cost of $30 for adults 18 and older, and $20 for those 17 and under

"This is a group of young people in our community who are making a difference. It's powerful," said Mary Westphal, executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northwest Ohio affiliate, which benefits from the race to help with breast health education, cancer screening, and treatment programs for medically underserved people.

The students are making that difference - like the rest of the more than 16,600 people who have signed up so far - for more than just the particular loved one who may have motivated them to take part, she said.

"By showing support on this day, everybody is having a significant impact on helping one another while helping to find a cure," Ms. Westphal said.

Contact Ryan E. Smith at:
ryansmith@theblade.com
or 419-724-6103

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