Although approaching the finish of the college's annual employee BWell 5K is a positive and joyful moment for many who participate, it was especially meaningful for Associate Professor of Sociology Heidi Taylor, who triumphantly removed her shirt revealing her double mastectomy shortly before crossing the finish line. It’s a practice some breast cancer survivors use to normalize mastectomy to show the positive sides of healing.
An avid runner, Taylor was treated for breast cancer in 2021 and had to cancel many of her races in order to schedule various treatments and surgeries. But there was a short window between surgeries when she could fit in one race — and that just happened to be the 2021 college's BWell 5K.
“It meant so much to me. I was sort of nervous about it, and my friend [Associate Professor of History] Joe Hall met me and he raced to the end of it with me. And it just felt so victorious,” said Taylor.
And on this year’s t-shirt “celebration”?
“Last year I thought I would whip my shirt off and then I didn’t. But this year… I’m like ‘Just do it.’ So I think it’s good for awareness.”
At the BWell 5K, it’s not just about the finish line — it’s about who runs (and walks) beside you.
