WESTPORT BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR LEADS TEAM IN THE RACE FOR THE CURE

A few short days after feeling a lump in the shower at the age of 44, an ultrasound and biopsy revealed that Westport mom, business owner and fitness enthusiast, Juliet Harker, had breast cancer. Instead of being angry and resentful, Harker felt grateful for her 2011 diagnosis. “I feel so lucky because I caught my breast cancer early, didn’t need chemotherapy and underwent only five weeks of radiation. I know so many others have had to suffer more than I did. This was a wakeup call for me to recognize how precious life really is,” Harker said. Breast cancer also taught Harker, an admitted “control freak”, how to put things in perspective and not sweat the small stuff: “So much of life is out of our control: what our kids do, how our job goes, where we end up living. Worrying about those things is just wasted energy. Breast cancer taught me how to relax, because sometimes, there really is nothing you can do. You can’t change the test results,” she said. Owner of two Fairfield County fitness studios called Get In Shape For Women, Harker has always been extremely health conscious and considers herself a living testament to the importance of early detection: “No matter who you are, early detection is critical. I exercise every day, don’t smoke, and eat very healthfully, but I still got breast cancer. You can do all of the right things, but no one is invincible against cancer,” she said. “Just be diligent.” It is her passion for fitness and her desire to educate other women about breast cancer that inspired her to get involved with Komen Connecticut and the Inaugural Race for the Cure in Westport. “Thanks to the great work of organizations like Komen Connecticut and the CT Challenge, breast cancer isn’t a death sentence anymore. We are thrilled to support this event in its first year, especially because Komen Connecticut invests the funds locally. There are so many ways to give back, which is great. You just have to pick and choose based on where you think you can make the biggest impact,” she said. Harker and her team, Get In Shape for Women, will be out in force at the Race on May 11th. “We are truly looking forward to uniting around a great cause and getting to know each other better. So many of my clients have been touched by this disease and this is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together and fight breast cancer in Connecticut,” she said. For each of the past three years, Komen Connecticut has funded over $1 Million in community grants to local organizations providing lifesaving services for women in need across our state (including CancerCare in Norwalk, Bridgeport Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, Stamford Hospital and St. Vincent’s Hospital, among others). Seventy five percent of Komen Connecticut’s net proceeds support local breast health programs across Connecticut and the remaining twenty five percent is invested in research to find the causes and cures for the disease. Although the organization invests in breast cancer programs across the state, much of its fundraising has historically taken place in Greater Hartford, a fact that will change with the introduction of the Westport Race for the Cure. The event is being held on Saturday, May 11th at Sherwood Island State Park. Much more than a Race, there is truly something for everyone. Events include a 5K Race, 4K and 2K Walks, a Kids’ Short Run and Kids’ K and a Survivor Breakfast. There will be food, entertainment and plenty of giveaways from event sponsors. Harker is also offering a one week free trial to anyone who brings this article to one of her two “Get In Shape For Women” locations (85 Mill Plain Road, Fairfield (203)873-0723 and 170 Post Road West, Westport (203-293-4445). Get In Shape For Women offers small group training (1-4 women). Clients work with a trainer every visit, which includes cardio, weight training, nutrition support and accountability (weekly weigh-ins!). The program is results-driven and each client’s individual goals are the basis for structuring a customized plan that will guarantee results. It is not too late to get involved in supporting the Westport Race for the Cure! For additional information and to register, visit www.KomenCT.org or call 860-321-7806.