Daughters Travel Far And Wide To Walk With Mom In Komen's Race For The Cure
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- This Sunday is the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for breast cancer. Tens of thousands of people will be on the parkway for the annual event, but one Philadelphia family has a special connection.
Mother's day is a day for families, and for many there's the tradition of spending the morning at the Komen Race for the Cure. It's about fighting breast cancer, and for people who've had cancer - especially when it hits several family members - well you can imagine how special the day is.
The daughters are gathering for Flossy Marcus, and their mother's day tradition. They share not just a family bond, but also a history with cancer.
"When you do get it, it changes your whole outlook on life," Flossy said.
Flossy was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago, that's when she started walking in the Race for the Cure. She was part of the sea of pink survivors coming down the steps of the art museum.
"It was the most awe inspiring thing in the world," said Flossy.
Flossy lost two husbands to cancer, and a few of her daughters were diagnosed.
"Years ago they would have cut my leg off," said Shelly Marcus, Flossy's daughter.
Shelley, one of two step daughters, had a rare condition called scarcoma. Susan Rudolph, the oldest, had several episodes with ovarian cancer.
"My doctor said obviously there's some sort of family connection, but we're not smart enough yet to know what it is," Susan said.
Genetic testing was negative and they don't have the BRCA gene, but Jane Herscouici, who lives in Atlanta, was also diagnosed with breast cancer, like her mother. Her daughter Riki lives in Israel but comes to Philly every year for Mother's day.
"I keep saying to my friends as long as my mom is gonna walk a 5k, I'm flying in," Riki said. "For mom you're worth it."
Lisa Marcus, who lives in Canada, is also cancer free. She'll be with the group for mother's day.
Flossy who's 88 will have all five girls with her walking in the race.
Distance doesn't keep them apart, mom and the girls always stay in touch. From talking on the phone to face-timing, but for mother's day they always try to be together in person for the walk.
"It's wonderful, it's really, really marvelous," Flossy said.
"It's wonderful and it's a great way to spend mother's day," Shelly said.
The family says they've faced plenty of adversity, but Flossy has taught them the importance of perseverance and staying positive and being together.
