Survivors Celebrate Being Breast Cancer-Free At Race For The Cure

Breast Cancer survivors and their families and friends filled the streets downtown Saturday for the Komen Race For the Cure. 

Everyone in Saturday's race had a reason to participate. 

Wanda Gantz is celebrating being cancer-free for 24 years. 

"I feel like the good Lord's kept me around for a good reason and i look forward to this every year because it does mean a lot to be able to survive cancer," Gantz said. 

Her daughter and grandson walked with her today. 

"It's amazing that she's a survivor because if she was not a survivor, me and my mom would probably not be here today," said Gantz's grandson, Hayden Lyons. 

But some, like Shana Franklin, are still fighting. 

"It's emotional to see the different people and the survivors and it gives me hope. I know that I'm gonna make it through," Franklin said.  

The 33-year-old said doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer on June 17. She has 12 more treatments to go and felt it was important to be at the race. 

"I wanted to do it but i knew wouldn't be able to make it," Franklin said. 

Her family traveled from throughout the region to support her today, and give her confidence she'll be able to call herself a survivor one day soon. 

"I've got God and I have faith. You know I have my family and friends and they're all supporting me, helping me. So that's how I know," Franklin said. 

Each survivor received a pink carnation today.

Franklin got one too, giving her one more symbol of hope on her journey.