November 2006 From Chris' Heart by Chris Harris This last Saturday I participated in the annual “Race for the Cure” held at Brick Town in down town OKC. I was asked to be part of the Chel’s Angels, a team led by HL Watson a survivor of 17 years. What an inspirational day! We met at 8:30 AM wearing our matching t-shirts created by our youngest son, JD Russell. Our goal was to walk the 5k race set before us. Now that sounds long, however, it is only 3.2 miles. It was a beautiful morning and what an amazing thing to be a part of. There were over 13,000 participants this year. We were encouraged along the way by music being played by jazz bands and other fun groups and cheer leading squads from the surrounding areas. But one of the most memorable things was that as we approached the finish line there were people who clapped and cheered for “US”. There they were, many survivors, many friends and family members of those who had not survived, thanking us for giving of our time and money to help them find a cure for this dreadful disease. As the morning ended, we sat in our seats at the ball park and were overwhelmed when a very talented lady sang the song “He Lifts You Up”, and the survivors, all dressed in their bright pink shirts and little pink caps, began to come down on the field. They started down and they kept coming. I watched with tears in my eyes as hundreds of these precious ladies, some younger than my daughter, and some older than Momma, surrounded the entire baseball diamond twice. Their courage and their strength will stay with me for a long time. I was especially blessed by the walk this year, because that very week I had received a bad report from my doctor, however, unlike many of these ladies, after 48 hours, the news was good. I thank God for His grace, and I will do what ever I can do to help Him help others find a cure.