PITTSTON – Mary Kay Jones, who lost her daughter to breast cancer In March of this year, told those attending Saturday’s Paint Pittston Pink events she moves forward equipped with her faith and the support of many friends.
Her daughter Lisa Jones Kurtra, honored this year by the Paint Pittston Pink effort, was held as an example of living well with cancer and also of the importance of research.
Mary Kay said her daughter was originally diagnosed with cancer in 2012, beat it and then was re-diagnosed in 2016.
Jones said the treatment made possible by research added additional years to the life of her daughter whose two children are now 16 and 14 years old.
As the day opened with the 5K, Jones, surrounded by friends, said those walking/running in the race and other events made further cancer research possible, which would, hopefully, mean a cure.
She also encouraged people to stay in the city for a while following the race.
“Stay and enjoy Pittston,” she said, as she concluded her opening.
Running to help others
Friends Emilie Wanko and Caitlyn Inglesby, decked in pink and looking forward to being covered in pink chalk before the race was over, ran a 5K race for the first time Saturday,
The two friends, who said they had “practiced once,” decided to participate because the event raised money for such a good cause.
“My Nan had breast cancer, so it did affect our family,” Wanko said. “Now we run for other families who have been affected by cancer.”
Members of the Pittston Area volleyball team were on hand to make sure everyone running got their share of pink chalk dust — a color that stands for breast cancer — and brought a smile to pink dusty racers and walkers.
Junior Tiara George, accompanied by dozens of her teammates, was headed to Kennedy Boulevard with buckets of the pink chalk dust to “throw pink” at raise participants.
Jarrett Ferrentino, who has been participating in Paint Pittston Pink activities throughout its six-year history, said the day was special because he was running with his son Dominick, 13.
Ferrentino, remembering the first year of the race and other activities, said organizers had hoped it would grow and are overwhelmed with the support the events have garnered from Greater Pittston area residents and beyond.
“Every year, it gets bigger and bigger,” he said. “It’s a great cause.”
Running for research
Barbara Sciandra , who founded the event with Qiana Lehman, said over 100 people were set to participate in the event’s 5K, with about 400 participating in the family fun walk.
A cancer survivor, Sciandra said it was significant that the events were raising money for research and not simply awareness.
“Everyone is aware of cancer,” she said. “Research is so important.”
Paint Pittston Pink donates all the money it raises to cancer research
As organizer Erin Berlew waited for the 5K to begin, she said this year’s goal of raising $100,000 had already been reached.
In its six-year history, Paint Pittston Pink has raised nearly half-a-million dollars toward breast cancer research.
Sciandra looks forward to future years of Paint Pittston Pink raising money for research — until there’s a cure.
