Sharon Williams walked at the Susan G. Komen Runway for the Cure event after battling breast cancer twice. SharonWilliams, administrative assistant to the president, walked in the Susan G. Komen Runway for the Cure in Little Rock, Arkansas, for her third time in 2019 as a two-time breast cancer survivor. Williams said she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and first heard about Runway for the Cure at a doctor's appointment in 2014. She was encouraged to apply to model by a receptionist at her appointment because all the models were survivors. Williams said the show was "fun, yet emotional." "The fun thing is getting out there in these boutiques' clothes and modeling and just having fun and reuniting with survivors that you've met and meeting new ones, but the end is always the emotional part," Williams said. "We always do a lap, and everybody has a sign ... and it has your years on it, and we all walk out with that. And it's emotional to see ... people from anywhere that are in the journey now and people that have been out for like 35 years." She said she participated as a model in 2014, 2015 and 2019 and was also involved with the event in 2016 and 2018. Rebecca Boaz, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences and fellow breast cancer survivor, said Williams first introduced her to the show in 2015, where the two walked alongside each other. Boaz said she took some of her students from the apparel merchandising department each year to volunteer for the show. Boaz was the dresser for Williams' modeling group in 2019 and said she was grateful to be with her friend, adding that seeing Williams walk was emotional. "We've come a long way," Boaz said. "She was standing next to me the day that the doctor called and told me that [I had] cancer. I just get emotional about it with her, especially because we have so much history. I loved seeing her walk out there this year, and I am truly glad that she's alive." Cindy Hunter, executive assistant to the president, said she knew Williams for around 15 .years. She said she organized a group of Williams' friends and co-workers to watch Williams walk in the show in 2019 when they discovered she was chosen to model again. Hunter said Williams' positivity in life and strength in adversity inspired her, and showing up to support her was a priority for her. "She knows I care, but I think it's different being there physically for somebody," Hunter said. "So, I just think that it meant a lot to her that her closest friends were there at the event." Williams echoed this sentiment and said her favorite part of walking in the show was hearing the crowd cheer for the models. "Just walking out there and see people clapping and saying, 'You got this!' and 'Good job!,"' Williams said. "Their affirmation, it's kind oflike: 'OK, keep going, keep going."' story by Sarah Barnard leadership 209
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