Runner to share story at cancer walk

COLUMBUS �” It was a fluke.

That was the best reason doctors could give Ruth Wassinger for her diagnosis of breast cancer.

After all, Wassinger was healthy and active. In fact, she was a long-distance runner and had just qualified for the Boston Marathon. She was also in the midst of writing a book “Fit After 50: Getting Up and Running Physically, Mentally and Professionally.”

She ate all the right foods, like blueberries and broccoli that are supposed to reduce your chances of getting cancer. She did self-examinations and had regular mammograms.

Despite the preventive measures and precautions she took, Wassinger was diagnosed with breast cancer on Dec. 6 last year.

It could have been easy for the Plattsmouth woman to be angry, maybe even think of it as unfair. But she wasn’t and she didn’t.

There was the momentary denial at first. She questioned whether the doctor even had the right lab results.

But when it came right down to it, Wassinger faced cancer like it was just a roadblock. She used her runners mentality to take it one step at a time to overcome the disease, going through a double mastectomy and months of chemotherapy treatments.

And now she has laced up her sneakers and is hitting the pavement again, not just as a runner, but as a cancer survivor.

Wassinger will be sharing the story of her journey at the “A Time to Care. A Time to Share” breast cancer awareness walk this month. The walk is being held for breast cancer awareness month in October. It will begin at 8 a.m. Oct. 18 at Central Community College-Columbus Campus. The hour-long walk will be followed by a 9:30 a.m. brunch at Elks Country Club.

The guest speakers are Twila Westercamp, nursing program coordinator at Bergan Mercy Medical Center in Omaha, and Wassinger. The two will be speaking after brunch beginning at 10 a.m.

Wassinger, 58, said her talk will focus on inspiring others.

“A marathon is 26.2 miles. You run it one mile at a time. That is what you have to do with cancer, take it one appointment at a time. You can accomplish a whole lot if you don’t look at the entire journey. Just take it one step at a time,” Wassinger said.

Her fight with cancer has a chapter in her book. She labeled that chapter “When the Race Chooses You.”

This is the first public event being held at the college to raise breast cancer awareness during the month of October. It is open to women of all ages. Organizers encourage people to register prior to the walk and also to purchase a $20 ticket for brunch. Both can be done by calling the extended learning services at the college at 562-1293. A ticket must be presented to attend the brunch.