Sarah Harrington
(10/25) Last year the town of Thurmont began their Think Pink Campaign to spread awareness about breast cancer and support the Patty Hurwitz Fund at the Frederick Memorial Hospital during the month of October. The town’s residents and businesses jumped into the campaign enthusiastically and it was a great success. Due to the community’s overwhelming support of the campaign
the town continued on for its second year this October.
The Patty Hurwitz Fund at Frederick Memorial Hospital was created in 1999 by Jeff and Patty Hurwitz after Patty was diagnosed with breast cancer. The goal of the fund is to provide patients with the best options in early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
The campaign has grown from pink lights in the town and businesses giving proceeds from sales to the cause. For the second year Town Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick, explained that the town wanted to do new and fun things for the campaigns second year. One of those new and fun things was the first Think Pink 5k Run/Walk.
The idea for the 5k came from Humerick himself. He wanted an event that would bring the community together to have fun and support the cause.
The Think Pink 5k was held at Eyeler Road Park on October 24th. Despite the chilly weather the event had a great turnout. There were 75 people who pre-registered and more who registered at the event. Humerick and the town thought a 5k would be a great event to get the town together and support the cause, they were correct. There were runners of every age; many families
came out to participate together. "This is a great turnout for the first year!" Humerick enthused. Humerick was proud of the turnout and happy to see such support from the community.
Mayor Kinnaird came out to support the cause in all his pink gear, from his pink shirt to his pink bows in his beard. Kinnaird shared Humerick’s enthusiasm about the event, "This is a beautiful pink day for Thurmont!"
Frederick Memorial Hospital Senior Director, Sadie Wolf was in attendance representing the Patty Kurwitz foundation. According to Wolf the foundation has their own 5k that they do each year in October and she was glad to see community’s coming together and creating their own to support the cause. Wolf spoke on behalf of the fund that is focused on raising money to help
women in Frederick County get treatment for the illness closer to them. Wolf thanked the participants and organizers of the event for supporting the cause.
Racers lined up at the starting line where commissioner Hamrick began the race by walking a few steps in a pair of beautiful sparkly pink high heels.
Once Hamrick had crossed the starting line Wolf was given the honor of giving the racers the signal to begin. Cheers of support and excitement could be heard through the park as the runners set out on the course.
The top female finisher in the race was Diane Hansen. The top male finisher was Chad Ammenheuser, both residents of Thurmont.
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