For Nagel Mira, Wednesday’s walk against breast cancer hit close to home. “I’m here to support my mom, even though it’s a super hard time for her,” she said. Mira’s mother, Juli, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and
For Nagel Mira, Wednesday’s walk against breast cancer hit close to home.
“I’m here to support my mom, even though it’s a super hard time for her,” she said.
Mira’s mother, Juli, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and started treatment in August. She said she wanted to walk to show her support.
“I’m one of them, and I support them,” she said.
The Miras were among 75 Kauai residents who participated in the annual “Paint the Town Pink” hosted by the Kauai Committee on the Status of Women and the American Cancer Society.
Men, women and children decked out in pink aloha shirts, gym shoes, hats and even tutus gathered in the rotunda of the Moikeha Building.
The walk has been hosted every October since 2012 to honor Breast Cancer Awareness month. This year, participants walked from the Moikeha Building to the Wilcox Medical Center, which is about two miles round-trip.
It was the Mira’s first time participating in the walk.
“I just heard about it this morning, and I knew I had to be a part of it,” Juli Mira said.
County officials including Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. and Justin Kollar, prosecuting attorney, also took part in the festivities. Mel Rapozo, council chair, lent his dancing talents, helping Bev Brody with Get Fit Kauai warm up the crowd.
“Everyone is here for a purpose. It’s about raising awareness about early detection, but it’s also about showing support,” Carvalho said. “We’re going to paint this town pink.”
Brody agreed.
“We’re going to do something wonderful,” she said.
Stephanie Arthur knows cancer impacts lives.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer two and half years ago. It’s now attached to my spine and femur,” she said.
This is the first time Arthur participated in the walk.
“I felt like I needed to support families whose lives have been affected by this disease,” she said.
While Chris Brun isn’t directly affected by breast cancer, she said she wanted to support those who are.
“I want to show my support for the women who have been diagnosed and the men who have family members who have been diagnosed,” she said.
Brun, who gets a mammogram every year, said she just got her check up Wednesday morning.
Celia Wood walked for her nephew’s girlfriend.
“She has had breast cancer for four years, and she’s still in treatment,” she said.
