Barksdale Sergeant Spearheads Race for the Cure in Kabul
By: Heidi York
Updated: September 29, 2009
On September 19th, thousands of people turned out for the Northwest Louisiana Race for the Cure. At the same time, a small group of people from all over the world held their own "satellite" race in Afghanistan.
58 people from ten countries took to the streets of Kabul. Their race happened thanks to Senior Master Sergeant Mark Lowry; stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, he’s currently serving in Afghanistan.
"He has coordinated volunteers before for us from the base. So he just took his passion overseas and decided to do the same thing over there, only he actually coordinated a run," explained Danielle Voumard, Executive Director of the Northwest Louisiana affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
"It just seemed like a logical thing to do that I would be involved in if I were at home, so why not do it here," said Sergeant Lowry in an interview from Afghanistan, provided by DVIDS.
People at Barksdale aren't surprised by Mark's mission, or by his passion for raising money to fight breast cancer.
"He's just a natural leader, a mentor in the squadron and throughout the whole wing," said Chief Master Sergeant, Anna Collins.
The money raised during the Kabul Race for the Cure will come back to Northwest Louisiana. Sergeant Lowry says it’s just his way to make an impact on a disease that impacts so many people around the world.
"If you get the opportunity, it’s always good to help out a charitable event, especially something that impacts one in eight ladies statistically," added Sergeant Lowry.
Local Race for the Cure organizers hope Sergeant Lowry will be back from Afghanistan in time for next year's event. It's set for September 18th, 2010 and will take place for the first time at the CentryTel Center in Bossier City.
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event held this year at Mall St. Vincent was the most successful and well attended race in its 15 year history. 5,783 people took part in the event and raised more than $241,000. Pledges are still being accepted through October 1st.
58 people from ten countries took to the streets of Kabul. Their race happened thanks to Senior Master Sergeant Mark Lowry; stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, he’s currently serving in Afghanistan.
"He has coordinated volunteers before for us from the base. So he just took his passion overseas and decided to do the same thing over there, only he actually coordinated a run," explained Danielle Voumard, Executive Director of the Northwest Louisiana affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
"It just seemed like a logical thing to do that I would be involved in if I were at home, so why not do it here," said Sergeant Lowry in an interview from Afghanistan, provided by DVIDS.
People at Barksdale aren't surprised by Mark's mission, or by his passion for raising money to fight breast cancer.
"He's just a natural leader, a mentor in the squadron and throughout the whole wing," said Chief Master Sergeant, Anna Collins.
The money raised during the Kabul Race for the Cure will come back to Northwest Louisiana. Sergeant Lowry says it’s just his way to make an impact on a disease that impacts so many people around the world.
"If you get the opportunity, it’s always good to help out a charitable event, especially something that impacts one in eight ladies statistically," added Sergeant Lowry.
Local Race for the Cure organizers hope Sergeant Lowry will be back from Afghanistan in time for next year's event. It's set for September 18th, 2010 and will take place for the first time at the CentryTel Center in Bossier City.
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event held this year at Mall St. Vincent was the most successful and well attended race in its 15 year history. 5,783 people took part in the event and raised more than $241,000. Pledges are still being accepted through October 1st.
