Before returning those empty pop cans and bottles you accrued from the Memorial Day parties to the store, think about how that money could benefit a worthy cause.
An Oxford team participating in the Detroit Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be kicking off their 2nd Annual Cans Against Cancer Can and Bottle Drive this week.
The Race for the Cure is a one mile, 5K walk or 5K run through Detroit that benefits local breast cancer programs.
Glow, Team, Glow, headed by team captain Cindy Wheeler, is looking to break the $1,000 mark by collecting empty cans and bottles throughout Oxford.
Flyers will be passed out to let the residents of Oxford know when the team will be collecting cans and bottles. A bin will also be located in front of the Wheeler residence (40 Hovey St.) for the duration of the drive in case anyone would like to drop off cans themselves.
Made up of about 50 family members and friends who are breast cancer survivors and co-survivors, the team will walk during the race on June 16 to celebrate, remember, support and to encourage their friends and raise awareness to beat this awful disease that has affected so many.
Wheeler, 49, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. Her diagnosis seemed inevitable, due to her strong family history of breast cancer.
Unlike some of her family members, Wheeler was lucky enough to become a survivor and decided to organize the team four years ago to raise more awareness.
‘God forbid anyone I know gets breast cancer. I could never look at them and say ‘I know what you’re feeling? knowing I didn’t do anything to try and stop it,? she said. ‘It’s just something I feel strongly about.?
Throughout the years she’s been team captain, Wheeler said it’s been her goal to make the team ‘a family affair? because her family was ‘a big motivation for me? when trying to fight the disease.
Although she said some women refuse to get yearly mammograms because they’re afraid of what doctors may find, Wheeler said it’s important not to be afraid of the unknown.
‘There’s so much that can be done now as far as treatments,? she said. ‘Every year, people have more hope.?
To become a part of team Glow, Team, Glow, contact Cindy Wheeler at (248) 628-1376, e-mail her at WheelerRus@aol.com, or visit the team’s website www.active.com/donate/detroitRFTC/GlowTeamGlow, and don’t forget to save those cans!