This past Sunday turned out to be an absolutely picture perfect fall day. It was a joy to be outside and have the opportunity to join together with 16,000 people from across Eastern Iowa for one cause. Team Geonetric, along with our friends and family, hit the pavement of Cedar Rapids to support breast cancer awareness and services throughout our local community in the 21st annual Mercy Hospital Especially for You Race/Walk.

Why do we participate? Here are a few reasons from Team Geonetric:

• 1 in 8 will develop breast cancer. Line up 8 women—your mom, sisters, grandma, best friends, daughters, etc. Could you imagine your life without any one of those people?
• To make a difference in our community and to be reminded of the power of people!
• To celebrate friends and family members who have overcome breast cancer and remember how important it is to take care of each other.
• To support free mammograms and help save lives  in our community. All the money raised stays right here in Linn County helping those who aren’t able to afford screenings and services. As one of the most treatable and curable forms of cancer, it is important that we give everyone the opportunity to beat it. This year’s race has even more meaning for me because my godmother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Unfortunately, most of us in some way or another know of someone battling breast cancer and this is one way we can all join forces and be the difference between life and death for members of our community.

The Especially for You event touches many, many people in so many ways. It’s a very powerful reminder of what people can accomplish when they come together for a common cause. Each person in the sea of matching shirts was a visual articulation that we all need each other. It was an honor to participate this year and Team Geonetric looks forward to many more years of participating in this great cause!