(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring Lindsay Avner, class of 2001,  appeared in This Week in Bexley  on May 9, 2001. Lindsay, who won't be an "official" BHS alumnus until next month, is one of our Carlton Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund recipients this year.)     

Left: Lindsay and Wendy Avner

Bexley senior Lindsay Avner, 18, said she has had a life-changing experience — one that that may have altered her future course.

About six years ago, Avner’s mother, Wendy, had breast cancer. Five years ago, she had ovarian cancer.

“Our family went through a lot,” Avner said. “My mother is never one to feel bad for herself. She is such a going, doing person.”

Mrs. Avner operates Hope’s Boutique at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Like mother, like daughter — Avner said she needed a special purpose in her life and decided to promote breast cancer awareness.

Because of her efforts, approximately 21 high schools will participate in the ninth annual Columbus Race For The Cure, which will be held in downtown Columbus May 19.

The family-oriented event is a coed 5k run/walk and a one-mile fun walk. It is being hosted nationally by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Komen lost her life to the disease in 1980. She had asked her sister, Nancy Brinker, to encourage women to do self breast exams and get regular mammograms.

Last year’s Columbus race raised $686,400. Seventy-five percent of the money was directed to breast cancer programs in central Ohio. The remaining 25 percent went to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for use in national cancer research. Since its inception, it is estimated that the Komen Foundation and its affiliates have raised more than $300-million.

Avner’ s involvement in organizing high school participation is paying off in a big way. Last year, BHS raised $6,000. Bexley had 163 participants.

This year, 308 students and teachers have signed up. Avner expects 1,300 participants from all schools combined — up from 400 last year. About 40 percent of the participants from Bexley are boys, she said.

As an intern at an advertising agency a few summer ago, she sat in on the Race For The Cure planning. To boost high school competition, she was instrumental in coming up with a high school challenge that could attract a higher percentage of students and teachers.

This year’s Race For The Cure High School Team Challenge includes Bexley, Westerville North, Columbus School for Girls, Worthington Kilbourne, Grandview, New Albany, Upper Arlington, Olentangy, Bishop Hartley, Columbus Academy, Gahanna Lincoln, Watterson, Dublin Scioto, St. Charles Preparatory School, Pickerington, Thomas Worthington, Westerville South, Worthington Christian, Hilliard Darby, Dublin Coffman and Reynoldsburg.

The day before the race, BHS participants will have a free lunch at the school, thanks to support from numerous Bexley-area vendors.

“One out of eight women will get the disease in her life­time,” Avner said. “You need to know, even at an early age. My mom has seen a 17- and 18-year-old with it.”

Anna Parlet, 15, freshman representative on the 20-member Bexley committee, is expected to take over the reins from Avner. Parlet’s mother, Cathy Corcella, is also a breast cancer survivor.

Padet said that BHS students have taken the event seriously and know that it is for a good cause.

“Anna has worked hard, calling people at night and going into homerooms to get participants,” Avner said.

“I’m happy to get young people involved,” Parlet said. “It used to be just breast cancer survivors and their families. There are pink ribbons all over the school. Everyone knows someone who’s had breast cancer. Hopefully, we are moving one step closer to a cure.”

High school biology teacher Scott Logsdon, who is Avner’s project faculty adviser and co-coordinator of the school’s participation, was one of the first Avner told of her idea a few years ago.

“He’ s an important part of all this and such a support person,” Avner said.

Logsdon said Avner has developed a plan that can be used in Columbus and in other schools across the country.

“It takes a special person like Lindsay to take on such a large project that benefits so many people,” Logsdon said. “She’s done it all in her free time. It requires patience, determination and drive. She will be missed.”

Avner will attend the University of Michigan in the fall and plans to major in communications or business with a focus on nonprofit organizations.

“I love the whole process,” she said. “I feel that I have to work for a charity or a cause. If I had not gone through this experience with my mom, I would not be the person I am today.”