Susan G. Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure

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H-E-B PARTNER
PASSIONATE
ABOUT THE RACE

Susan Ghertner is proud of the work she does for her company. More importantly, she is proud of the company she works for. As the Environmental Affairs Manager for H-E-B, on the job she deals with the environment, about which she feels strongly. She ensures that H-E-B is in compliance with environmental regulations, oversees various recycling and “green” projects, and maintains H-E-B’s reputation as a good steward of the environment. “They really care,” she says. “I admire that.”

Another one of Ghertner’s life passions is supporting breast cancer initiatives and research
efforts through the Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure®. A 12-year breast cancer survivor, Ghertner could not be more proud of the way H-E-B supports something she feels very strongly about. “H-E-B truly believes 100 percent that they must reinvest in the community. They really care…about their customers, about their employees,” she says. “The way they support the Race for the Cure® is inspiring. They don’t only give their money, but also their time and personal support.”

Passion fills Ghertner’s voice as she speaks about the Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure® and the impact it has. It not only provides much-needed monies to support research efforts, but also creates a galvanizing force among the people who participate. “Breast cancer used to be something hiding in the closet,” Ghertner explains. “I feel strongly about ‘going public’ because cancer touches so many lives. It makes it real and brings us together.” The Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure®, she says, is just one way a “face” is put on breast cancer. “You look around, and everyone is there because of a connection to breast cancer. As a survivor, as a supporter of friends or family who’ve been diagnosed with cancer…or in memory of someone who has lost the battle.”

Ghertner shares that being both a breast cancer survivor and a participant of Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure® has allowed her to connect with people she might not have otherwise. She’s run in the Komen Races in several other parts of the country, including Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, where the race began on the stairs where “Rocky” was filmed. “That was a life-altering experience,” she laughs. She adds that wherever it is, however, that Komen Race for the Cure® is always a very special and moving experience.

With the Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure® breaking records as the largest 5K run/walk in San Antonio, Ghertner is pleased that H-E-B is back on board as San Antonio’s title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. “Being diagnosed with cancer is such a terrible thing,” she says, “but one of the good things that results is that it shows you how much you mean to people…who your friends really are.”

“Being there for each other in the hard times,” Ghertner says, “That’s what it’s all about.”

The 10th Annual Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure® is scheduled for March 31st. Registration information is available at all San Antonio area H-E-B stores and at www.komensanantonio.org.