HAHIRA — “There’s always someone new who’s diagnosed (with breast cancer), and their lives affect and touch so many other people,” Tracy Thomas said. 

Thomas will host the Eighth Annual Get A Mammy 5K, 8 a.m., Sept. 29, at Bethany Baptist Church in Hahira. Registration begins 7 a.m.

Get A Mammy is a nonprofit striving to financially aid men and women with breast cancer. It has assisted more than 250 people, including eight men, Thomas said.

The founder was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer December 2009, and through her journey, discovered those affected had not had a mammogram in two or three years. This led to Get A Mammy.

“It just dawned on me, in a country like ours, why in the world do we not have free mammograms for people?” she said. “It’s so simple just to go get a mammogram.”

This year’s 5K will honor 62-year-old Melissa Carter, a near and dear friend to Thomas with whom she has shared a 30-year friendship.

“It’s very humbling and unexpected, and I hope it does a great deal for Get a Mammy because I do know exactly how important it is,” Carter said.

Last December, Carter was diagnosed with HER2-Positive, a type of cancer that occurs due to “breast tumors with higher levels of a protein,” according to the American Cancer Society.

She is currently in radiation treatment and attends treatment daily Monday through Friday during a period of 33 treatments, Carter said. She has previously attended chemotherapy biweekly.

The 5K will feature awards, and donations will be given away, such as hats and candles, Thomas said.

“It’s a great thing because the people come across the finish line, and we have some that come in 17 minutes — they’re there to race,” she said. “There’s others that come in at 59 minutes (and) 59 seconds — there’s still people cheering,” she said.

Visit runsignup.com to register. Get more information by searching for Get A Mammy on Facebook.  

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.