PCF staffers 'race for a cure'

Putnamville Correctional Facility participated in the Race for the Cure and were able to donate $500 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. From left Bettina West, Andrea Moore, Katie Campbell and Deanna Lanning.

PUTNAMVILLE -- Staff members of the Putnamville Correctional Facility recently participated in the Race for the Cure and donated $500 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer.

Correctional Lt. Bettina West, Officers Deanna Lanning and Katie Campbell and secretary Andrea Moore presented a Susan G. Komen representative with a check for a $500 from the Putnamville Correctional Facility and met with other corrections staff at Military Park in Indianapolis as part of Team IDOC to compete in a Race for the Cure.

Hundreds of individuals converged on the park to participate in the annual race that featured events for everyone, from novice to the experienced runner.

For several of the Putnamville "pacers," Saturday was the first time that they had volunteered to participate in the activities.

"This is the first time that I've done this," Moore said. "When I signed up, I didn't know anyone who had cancer. I just thought that it was important that we as women support one another."

"Well, you know one now," responded West. "I am a cancer survivor and I know firsthand the traumatic effects that it has on women and their families."

Campbell and Lanning, also new to the race, expressed personal sentiments for their participation.

"We wanted to give West our support. It meant a lot that she was a survivor and that we were doing this together," Lanning told stafers.

PCF Supt. Stanley Knight thanked staff members for their participation and stressed the importance of finding a cure.

"Many of us are fortunate that cancer has not touched our lives," Knight said, "but tomorrow, it could be your mother, wife, sister, daughter or co-worker fighting breast cancer. Everyone wins the race when a cure is found."