Judy Pickett crosses the finish line of the
Sacramento Race for the Cure in May 2001.
Photo by Tod Pickett |
Runner with a Mission
Lisa Kirk, Public Affairs and Publications
In 1997, at 33 and shortly after giving birth to her third child,
Judy Pickett was diagnosed with breast cancer. Pickett (B.A., Biological
Sciences, '85; B.S., Chemistry, '86), who was then a high school
biology and physical education teacher, endured a mastectomy and
eight months of treatment. Eager to get fit and strong again, she
soon returned to her longtime love of running.
Running became such a vital part of coping and recovery for Pickett
that she was inspired to use her sport to promote breast cancer
education. She pledged to run in 100 5K breast cancer awareness
races across the country. So far, she has participated in more than
80 races, including running through two recurrences of cancer and
two more rounds of chemotherapy.
"I want to give hope to women who are newly diagnosed and
let them know that you can really live with breast cancer,"
says Pickett. "You can still be active and lead a fulfilling
life." She is an inspirational example for survivors: in addition
to running and parenting three boys, Pickett teaches aerobics classes.
In conjunction with many of the races she runs, Pickett visits corporations
and speaks to employees about her experience with breast cancer.
Photo by Tod Pickett
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Pickett and her husband, Tod (B.A., Marketing, '84), live in Cameron
Park, California. In 1999, they founded the Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer
Fund (pinkribbonrunning.org)
to increase breast cancer awareness in El Dorado County. The fund
also awards scholarships to local high school seniors whose lives
have been touched by cancer.
As the recipient of the 2003 Suzy Komen Award for her efforts
in breast cancer education and awareness, and for promoting the
sport of running, Pickett was inducted into the National Distance
Running Hall of Fame in July, a prestigious honor shared by athletes
such as Mary Decker Slaney and Joan Benoit Samuelson. "It
is a huge honor to be recognized for doing what I love to do,"
says Pickett. "My passion of combining breast cancer awareness
and hope for other survivors is my life's work."
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