Pam Rezai, a resident of Maineville in Greater Cincinnati, was chosen to be the 2011 Hyde Park Blast ambassador. Pam is a breast cancer survivor and co-founder of A Place to Heal with fellow survivor, Karyn Ganaway.
Pam, an active runner, had recently completed the Flying Pig relay race and was getting off the treadmill on July 23, 2007 when she noticed something odd in her left breast – a ridge that her hand grazed over as she was stretching. She was hopeful that it was a pulled muscle but deep down she knew it was something more serious. Five days later, at 38 years old, she was diagnosed with Stage III Invasive Ductal carcinoma and was HER2 positive – the most aggressive type of breast cancer. To say it was devastating news for her and her family, is a huge understatement.
Things moved quickly and, within two weeks, Pam began treatment with Adriamycin (referred to as the “red devil” in cancer circles). Her mother had searched for a place for her to receive emotional support and discovered The Wellness Community in Blue Ash. “Although I was emotionally drained, exhausted and feeling less than social on the first day of my treatment, I knew I had to go. Almost as soon as I arrived, I felt I finally found the lifeline that I had been so desperately searching for since I had found the “ridge” almost three weeks ago,” said Pam. She attended The Wellness Community’s Welcome to Wellness orientation and within a week was back for a support group meeting.
“I found myself surrounded by the most amazing women I had ever met,” continued Pam. “I felt unity, strength, courage, wisdom, faith, humor and hope. I looked forward to my Tuesday night meeting each weekI never missed. No matter how bad I felt when I got there I always felt uplifted and stronger when I left.”
Pam and the group of women she met at The Wellness Community are celebrating four years as cancer survivors this summer. “The Wellness Community was instrumental in my recovery,” said Pam. “It served as the catalyst in my life to dedicate myself to helping other women who are facing the same diagnosis.”
Pam is a softball coach for St. Margaret of York, where her children attend school, is passionate about cooking and celebrating life. She runs often and is committed to helping fellow breast cancer survivors. Pam met Karyn Ganaway at The Wellness Community. The two recently launched A Place to Heal, a non-profit that provides guidance and support to breast cancer survivors in Cincinnati.
“Karyn and I found that there is a tremendous network of support for women fighting breast cancer,” said Pam. “But there’s not a lot of direction or focus on where women can go post-treatment and receive support as survivors.” A Place to Heal was awarded a grant from Susan G. Komen Greater Cincinnati earlier this year. The new, non-profit will hold a 12 week program, this fall and in spring 2012, for fifteen to twenty breast cancer survivors to help them connect, build community and create their best lives.
“It hasn’t been easy for me, but I have just recently chosen to share my story in the hopes that it will help other women who travel with me on our survivorship journey,” added Pam.
The Hyde Park Blast will donate a portion of the proceeds raised on June 25, 2011 to The Wellness Community in honor of Pam Rezai. The event starts at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 25 with a 4-mile run/walk, followed by kids races on Hyde Park Square. Criterium cycling races start at 4 p.m. with the best Block Party ever, 3 Day Rule will perform, an elite 5k race and pro-cycling races. All the details are available at www.hydeparkblast.org.
About The Wellness Community
The mission of the Wellness Community is to help people with cancer, and their loved ones, enhance their health and well-being by providing a professional program of emotional support, education and hope. More information is available at www.cancer-support.org. Funds raised by the Hyde Park Blast support the Wellness Community's Physical Health and Wellness Education programs, including Fitness for Life, Tai Chi and Yoga.
About A Place to Heal
A Place to Heal, located in Greater Cincinnati, was established to support breast cancer survivors throughout their journey and into the future. It is run by breast cancer survivors for breast cancer survivors. It is an actual place, with set hours, weekly socials, enrichment programs, a resource library – plus so much more. Learn more at www.placetoheal.org/