PALM COAST, Fla. — For some, Sunday’s Pink Army 5K and 1 Mile Pet Friendly Walk was a celebration of survival. For others, it was a tribute to someone they desperately wished could still be beside them.
For everyone gathered at AdventHealth Palm Coast on Oct. 4, it was an opportunity to turn love into action.
A record-breaking 1,324 participants, joined by several hundred volunteers, support staff, friends and family, came together to support neighbors facing breast cancer. All funds raised stay in Flagler County, helping women and men access early detection and diagnostic screenings and receive support throughout their breast cancer journeys.
Across the crowd were stories of courage, loss and determination — reminders that behind every registration was a reason to show up.
“Our community is so faithful,” said John Subers, executive director of the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation, reflecting on the turnout.
While Subers’ long-time event partner and former Foundation Chairman Tony Papandrea retired from helping lead the event after over a decade, traditions he helped start like the Survivor Strut carried on as part of the opening ceremony.
“Great family event, and great cause, great people, great committee, that has all gotten it together. We’re so blessed,” said Subers.
A Survivor’s Message: Men Get Breast Cancer, Too
For James Keegan, a 13-year breast cancer survivor, participating meant making sure other men understood that the disease could happen to them.
His diagnosis began when his wife, Pat, felt a small lump beneath his breast. A physician’s examination led to a mammogram and biopsy. Days later, the couple received the news: cancer.
“It was devastating,” James said.
He had no family history or known genetic markers, he explained. Suddenly, he was navigating a diagnosis he had never expected and a treatment environment surrounded by pink.
Following his diagnosis in early May, James underwent surgery by the end of that month. Chemotherapy followed after a period of recovery.
Thirteen years later, the experience continues to shape how he lives.
“You gotta live every day,” he said. “You just don’t know what’s gonna happen.”
James and Pat now take opportunities to speak with others and raise awareness, especially among men who assume breast cancer could never affect them.
For Pat, who first noticed the lump, that work is deeply personal.
“It’s about saving lives. Women and men,” she said.
She hopes future events will include signs along the course reminding participants that men get breast cancer, too. Male patients and survivors, she said, can feel invisible.
“It’s about education and it’s about saving lives.”
Strength in the People Who Show Up
For Rosa Somsky, AdventHealth Palm Coast’s breast cancer navigator, the morning carried the weight of both her work and her own recent journey.
Asked about the turnout, she paused through tears.
“Very grateful,” she said.
Seeing women who are fighting breast cancer, those who have fought it, and people carrying forward the memory of someone they have lost brought her emotions close to the surface.
Through her work, Somsky helps people navigate a difficult chapter of their lives. On Sunday, she could see just how many neighbors were willing to help carry that burden.
People had come to support women and men with breast cancer, she said, and to stand beside families whose lives had been changed by the disease.
“Thank you, thank you for everybody that has joined us,” Somsky said. “That has contributed, and let’s keep fighting.”
Her gratitude reflected a feeling shared throughout the morning: facing cancer can be isolating, but a community can make sure no one feels forgotten.
Carly’s Angels Carry Her Legacy Forward
Among the participants were 70 friends and family members honoring Carly Tajmir, whose loss to breast cancer left a profound absence in the lives of those who loved her.
Walking and running as Carly’s Angels, they carried her memory into an event dedicated to helping others.
“Today we honored our beautiful Carly Tajmir, who we lost far too young to breast cancer,” said Caroline Johnson of SMART animal rescue. “Her courage, kindness and spirit live on in the 70 friends and family members who came out to run or walk for her today.”
“This race is for her, and every person still fighting. We love you Carly.”
For Tracy Mulvaney and colleagues from East Coast Animal Hospital, the tribute was also about honoring a member of their work family and the community she helped build.
“It was her baby that she built with her family,” Mulvaney said of the hospital. “So we’re part of her work family.”
Speaking through emotion, Mulvaney recalled Carly’s desire to help the community. Participating gave the team a way to continue showing up for her and for the cause.
Last year, they surprised Carly by taking part in the event in her honor. This year, the tribute had grown.
“She would be speechless, honestly,” Mulvaney said.
A Community That Keeps Coming Together
The surge in participation required organizers to respond quickly. Brittany McDermott, deputy director of Palm Coast Parks and Recreation, said another batch of 300 shirts was ordered during event week as registrations climbed.
“We expected growth, of course,” she said, but the final numbers exceeded expectations.
To McDermott, the response spoke to the meaning people found in the event.
“Everybody just wants to share in this as a community,” she said. “That is what makes us Palm Coast.”
Jeep Beach returned for its second year of support, bringing enthusiasm and a message of connection.
CEO Charlene Greer said the turnout reflected people recognizing the strength of being together and supporting one another.
“Community, unity, baby, that’s what it’s about,” she said.
First-time participant Dr. Benjamin Lindbloom attended with his wife, Rachel, daughters Gianna and Camila, and his parents visiting from Arizona. He wanted his family to be part of a message that reaches beyond race day.
“I think it’s a really, really important thing for the community to understand that you’re not alone whenever you’re fighting illness,” he said.
The pet-friendly walk and costume contest hosted by Homefront Hub made up of Danielle Desousa, Talisha Autry, Denise Fernandes, and Ilyse Pinette was a huge draw as always, and the hosts were grateful for the donations and support.
“So, we’ve been doing the pet costume contest for 5 years, and we go around and we judge all of the costumes, and then we decide on the winners, and we make all the prizes, sometimes we get donations, sometimes we don’t. And we put all the prizes together. We did four, because we had, we kind of had extra, so we made an extra basket,” shared Desousa.
“The Humane Society’s thrift store donated some stuff to us yesterday,” added Autry with appreciation.’
Palm Coast Parks and Recreation instructor Laura Chan Thomas helped warm up the crowd before the race started. Behind the celebration was a serious purpose.
“Illness can be isolating,” Thomas said. The event offered survivors, people in treatment and families grieving a loss a visible reminder that support was close to home.
That support will continue with a Pink Army Zumbathon on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon.
On Sunday, every step helped fund care for someone in Flagler County. Every survivor’s story offered hope. Every tribute ensured a loved one’s memory traveled forward.
Pink Up Your Pet Contest Winners – 1. River (princess) 2. Lucy (fuzzy dog) 3. Sophie (princess) 4. Blue (tutus)
