Health awareness promoted at Crazy Horse

The South Dakota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure nonprofit organization honored breast cancer survivors at Crazy Horse Memorial on Native American Day.  The nonprofit organization provided activities, educational films and booths encouraging health screenings in hopes of early detection.

Vanessa Shortbull, a former Miss South Dakota who is pursuing a public health master’s degree, was honorary chairwoman of the group’s first run-walk “Race for the Cure” event.  She told a gathering honoring 16 Native American breast cancer survivors, designated by pink shawls, that “breast cancer is an enemy that is color blind.”

Selena Wolfblack, a four-time cancer survivor, urged women to get examinations and, if necessary, to force their doctors to talk with them, and that friends and families be supportive.  “You can’t get cancer by touching a person who has it,” she said.