The Honorary Chair and Honorary Survivor Chair for 2009 are Al and Mary Lindner of Brainerd who have supported the Race since its inception.  Mary Lindner is being honored for her personal perseverance against breast cancer and her dedication to raising breast cancer awareness.  Al is being honored for his steadfast support during Mary’s difficult times and continued support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

Mary says, “All of us have challenges as we go through life.  The question is how do we deal with them?  The immediate crisis always seems to be the most overwhelming.  In 1997, my mammogram came back questionable.  The doctor recommended surgery in four days.  Each time I saw him I would say, “I’m expecting a good report!”  To this day, I continue saying this for every appointment or test. “   This positive attitude along with a very strong faith, prepared her for a subsequent medical challenge.

In 2001, Mary needed a mitral heart valve replacement due to damage from rheumatic fever she had suffered as a child. An unrecognized allergy to heparin caused an anticipated 5 day stay to lengthen to over three weeks to change and adjust her medications and another three months recovery at home.  Her previous bout with breast cancer taught her well to never give up and never quit until you win.
Mary’s advice: “Keep happy and positive, these are life-sustaining actions that you do on purpose.  Also I laughed a lot, just to laugh.  It is so good for you.  It is a choice to be positive or negative; to fight or just sit back.  It’s worth the fight and to surround yourself with people that carry that same value.”  Through it all, Mary was strengthened by her deep faith and the support of family and friends. She wears her pink "Sharing the Promise" wristband daily, as a reminder of her own victory and also for support for those yet in the fight.  She is always looking for someone to encourage and give a hug to and remind them to keep their joy.

As the honorary team member, Mary has been outfitted with New Balance Lace Up for the Cure® shoes and apparel.  She joins other individuals at more than 100 locations around the country, hosting the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® in 2009.

Al says, "When I heard the "C" word I had to deal with some doubt and fear.  You need to believe for total victory for your loved one.  I'll never forget what I heard years ago, "Fear knocked at the door, Faith answered and found no one there."    I think about this often.  All of us have been impacted by friends and family who have had cancer. We continue to make progress and GET THE VICTORY through everyone's support of the Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure.  Together we WILL make a difference."

Al and Mary continue promote breast cancer awareness through their Lindner’s Angling Edge website, www.anglingedge.com, by the pink ribbon on their son’s fishing boat used in fishing contests around the country, and comments on their fishing shows broadcast on the Versus channel.  Lindner Media Productions specializes in producing educational fishing programs, DVDs, videos, national TV commercials, product sales videos, point of purchase videos as well as providing underwater photography to the sport fishing industry. Al, Ron, James, Daniel and Bill Lindner are the creative forces behind Lindner Media and their award winning productions.