Thousands of people braved the rain and laced up to save lives at the Gift of Life Program’s 2nd Annual Julie Richardson Procter 5K Ribbon Run/Walk Sept. 29 in Downtown Beaumont. The Run/Walk is named in memory of the late Julie Richardson Procter, a respected local attorney and devoted Gift of Life board member and volunteer who passed away after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
As September and October are National Ovarian and Breast Cancer Awareness Months, respectively, the Gift of Life has combined these two important endeavors in the Julie Richardson Procter Ribbon Run to heighten awareness of breast, ovarian and other devastating gynecological cancers, which impact hundreds of Southeast Texans each year.
Serving as an everlasting legacy to Procter’s optimism and grace, the Run/Walk furthers this beloved community leader’s wish to have her illness serve as a meaningful platform to educate more women about the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Immediately following the Run/Walk, there was a lunch and show with Bishop Curtis Guillory, SVD, giving the prayer. The day also included celebrity guest and fitness guru, Richard Simmons. The program infused by Simmons’ feel-good approach to purposeful, healthy living. Complementing his performance was rhythm n’ blues vocalist, Yvonne Washington.
