(Rick Hickman / Special to the American Press)
(Rick Hickman / Special to the American Press)
Civic Center grounds awash in pink for annual Ethel Precht walk
Last Modified: Saturday, October 20, 2012 9:28 PM
By Jordan Gribble / Special to the American Press
Looking at the grounds of the Lake Charles Civic Center on Saturday was like putting on a pair of rose-colored glasses.
Everything — T-shirts, tutus, tents, balloons — was bathed in shades of pink, from pastel to neon, as about 4,000 people took part in the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer 3K.
The event, in its ninth year, was started by breast cancer survivor of 28 years Ethel Precht to raise money and support for local survivors of the disease.
“I just thought that it would be neat if people in this area going through breast cancer knew how much other people cared for them,” Precht said.
“This is their day, and I want to make it very special for them and have them be able to look around at all these people gathered here and see their new special friends.”
In 2012 the Ethel Precht Foundation has raised $47,000, which was divided into grants of up to $1,000 each and given to breast cancer survivors in need in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes.
“I know that I’m still here today because of cancer research, but I didn’t want the money raised to go towards that. I didn’t want the money to leave the area,” Precht said.
“No one in my organization gets a paycheck. I’m cheap; I don’t even take my executive board out to eat. Every penny that comes into our foundation goes right back out to local survivors.”
The foundation has issued grants to more than 450 families affected by breast cancer, many of which were in attendance. Todd Dupuis and his two sons wore shirts emblazoned with “Team Dupuis” to honor his wife, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and has since received a grant to pay for physical therapy after surgery.
“Ethel once told me that the grants can pay for anything you need except for beer, cigarettes and small appliances,” Shannon Dupuis said. “They can pay for your bills, lodging or whatever’s needed. It definitely helped my family.”
The Ethel Precht Foundation also hosts a support group, whose members assisted with the planning of the event, and of which Dupuis is a member.
“I just like having that kind of camaraderie,” Dupuis said. “Your friends and family can support you all they want, but they don’t know what you’ve gone through like other survivors do.”
Precht said the event has grown every year and that this year’s crowd met the group’s goal of 4,000 — many of them people in their 20s who walked to honor loved ones who had been afflicted with breast cancer.
“I didn’t get to meet my grandmother because she died from breast cancer before I was born,” said McNeese student Jo Taylor. “I’m here for her.”
The walk, its route running along Shell Beach Drive and Lakeshore Drive, began at 9 a.m.
During opening ceremonies, Lake Charles city employee Eligha Guillory proclaimed Oct. 20 as Ethel Precht Breast Cancer Walk Day, on behalf of Mayor Randy Roach.
“When Ms. Precht envisioned this event, she just wanted a little walk to have the community come out and support each other,” he said.
“Most people think of the community as buildings, infrastructure and government, but this group of people here today are the real community. Friends, families and co-workers coming together for a brisk walk and a united cause — that is a community.”
Survivors of breast cancer in need of assistance in Cameron or Calcasieu parishes are urged to contact the Ethel Precht Foundation for grant consideration.
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