This year’s Honorary Chair and Honorary Survivor Chair are John and Sally Ward of Brainerd.  For the past six years, Sal’s Team Hope has been one of the strongest teams at the Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure®.  They are great examples of spirit and hope for many other breast cancer survivors and they are committed to support the Komen mission to find the cures.   Both are educators; John has retired to serve as a Brainerd representative in the Minnesota state legislature.  We are grateful to have these two most vibrant people as our honorary chairs for 2011.

Sally’s story:  Lucky or Blessed?

I remember the day June 6, 2003, in vivid detail. As I sat in the doctor’s examining room with my husband, I was speechless as I heard the words “ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)”. I did not understand all of the words, but I was well aware of the meaning of “carcinoma”. It was the word no one ever wants to hear his or her doctor saying. The doctor proceeded to say that I was one of the lucky ones. I would have to take his word on that, because right then I did not feel so lucky.

 I had just had surgery the previous week to remove a papillloma that was discovered  after having experienced a discharge from my breast. I had been told by my doctor not to worry, because most papillomas are benign. Removing it was a precautionary measure that I needed to take. I had in fact not worried about it. After all, I had none of the risk factors for breast cancer. I had just had a clear mammogram 3 months earlier. As it turned out, the papilloma was benign, but cancer cells were discovered beside it. The cancer diagnosis presented me with options for treatment and making that decision was a personal journey in itself. After many sleepless nights, research, and conversations with myself, I had to come to the decision that I felt was best for me. I felt God answered my prayer for guidance and when I made the decision to have a mastectomy, a peace came over me.

It turned out the doctor was right. I was a lucky one. Due to the early detection of my breast cancer and decision to have a mastectomy, I did not need to have any further treatment because the cancer had not spread.  It may have been luck, but I prefer to think that I was blessed! I was also blessed with great support from family and friends.


It seems that everyone has been touched by cancer in some way.  Everyone’s story is unique and it continually amazes me how strong and kind human beings are in difficult times.  One survivor friend told me that she thanks God every day for her breast cancer.  At the time I thought, “Wow, will I ever be at that point?  I am grateful to say that, yes; I am now at that point in my journey. Having a health crisis of any sort helps a person set priorities and appreciate the good things in life.

For the past 6 years I have been a team caption of “Sal’s Team Hope” for the Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure. Through all the great continual support surrounding me from family and friends, in 2008 our team won the prize for the largest Family and Friends Team.  I support the race because I am a firm believer in early detection. Thanks to the monies raised at the local Komen race, any woman in the area is able to have a free mammogram. I want all women with breast cancer to be able to hear their doctors telling them that they are one of the lucky ones because their cancer was found early.

John’s Story:

Many of us take things for granted in our lives. Our physical health is one of those areas in which this is true. With one word, our whole world can be thrown into a topsy-turvy situation. CANCER is one of those words. I remember my wife, Sally, telling me she had some signs that the school nurse said she may want to have her doctor check out. Some initial visits to the doctor left both of us feeling “calmed” as the doctor felt this was not a major health concern. Even after the early tests results, the doctor was feeling good about this being not being a major health situation. The tests results came back, and the doctor called us into “talk about the results”. When he said, “Please sit down, we need to talk.” My heart sunk to my feet. When he told my wife the tests indicated that she had breast cancer, I remember immediately thinking, “Am I going to lose my love, my rock, my sweetheart, my best friend? Please Lord, don’t let that happen.” The doctor told Sally that she was “lucky” as we caught the cancer very early. Funny neither of us felt “lucky” at that point. After the initial shock and my feelings of fear, alarm and anger, Sally went into a fight and conquer mode. Sal had a huge level of support and love from family and friends. Sal’s brother, a doctor, was also a huge help to us. Sal became an “expert” on breast cancer and treatments as she used every piece of knowledge she could gather to come up with the “right” choice of treatment for her. She really battled with making her choice. While we all supported and helped her in the best way we could, I witnessed her sleepless nights and anxiety filled days take a toll on her. We all knew the decision of what to do had to be hers, but she struggled with making that decision. I would support her on whatever she decided.  I kept thinking of the biblical scripture, “God will never give you more than you can handle”. This verse had helped me through some difficult times in my life. At the same time, I truly wondered if Sally was going to get through this. Her strong faith in the Lord helped her. When she “Let go and let God”, she was able to make a decision. It brought a clam over her that was almost joyful.

That was six years ago and I have watched my wife serve as a strong, emotional, physical and spiritual support for many women who have also been diagnosed with cancer. She has been a captain of her own team in the Komen Lakes Area Race for the Cure for the past six years. She has also participated at the Relay for Life event. Our family is proud of her and marvels at the beautiful, caring and God loving person she is. She continues to be my rock and my best friend.