Teche Action Clinic races for a worthy cause

The performer behind the “Cupid Shuffle” kicks off the 10th annual Teche Action Clinic 5K Fun Run/Walk Oct. 16 in front of the St. Mary Parish Courthouse in Franklin.

Bryson Bernard, aka Cupid, leads participants in a pre-race walk/stretch at 7:30 a.m. The race kicks off at 8 a.m.

The race, named for Adeline Guienze, who succumbed to breast cancer at age 36, helps raise money to pay for mammograms for low-income residents of St. Mary. “Although Adeline was employed at Teche Action Clinic for a short period of time, she left a lasting impression of strength, courage and dignity among those who knew her,” said race director Alfreida Edwards.

Teche Action Clinic CEO Dr. Gary Wiltz said breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American women, second to lung cancer.

More than 207,000 women will be diagnosed this year in the U.S. with invasive breast cancer, he said. Of those, nearly 40,000 will die.

“There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, but women can take measures to catch it early on when it’s easiest to treat,” Wiltz added. “Our goal is to make sure every mother, daughter, sister, aunt, wife and grandmother in the community knows that the best protection is early detection.”

For more information, contact Edwards at (985) 397-1096 or Florence Beverly at (337) 828-2550, ext. 145.

Teche Action Clinic races for a worthy cause