Annual 30 Mile Marathon Honors Life of Young Woman Who Lost Battle to Rare Form of Breast Cancer

Over 70 runners will journey on a 30 mile trek to bring attention to inflammatory
breast cancer and help save lives

Houston, TX., October 27, 2015 – On Sunday November 8 from 4 a.m.- 12 p.m., more than 70 runners will participate in a 30 mile run to honor the life of Ana Barron Garcia, a patient of The Rose who passed away due to inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). The annual fundraiser benefitting The Rose will begin at MD Anderson (1515 Holcombe BLVD, Houston, TX 77030) and end at Grandview Cemetery (8501 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77505). Along the way, the runners will make stops at several places, significant in Ana’s battle.

At the age of 30, Ana was diagnosed at The Rose with inflammatory breast cancer, a metastatic cancer that often spreads to the bones, brain, and other parts of the body. Women diagnosed with the disease experience breasts that feel warm to touch, swelling, itching or shooting pain, dimpling of the skin resembling an orange peel, and a discolored nipple. In spite of intense treatment, the cancer spread. In 2010, five years after her initial diagnosis, Ana lost her battle to breast cancer.

“We created this event to endure the pain of running 30 miles and spread awareness for a type of breast cancer few people know about,” said Daniel Barron founder of 30 for Ana and Ana’s brother. “Even as Ana battled breast cancer, she dedicated her time to support other women suffering from the disease who were going through the same situation and we are glad to have 30 for Ana to allow us to continue her efforts.”

Daniel, joined by his two siblings, Sandra Barron Aguilar and John Barron Jr., along with Gerry Garcia, Ana’s husband, laid the groundwork for the 30 mile run. They decided the run would begin at MD Anderson, where Ana received treatment, and end at the Grandview Cemetery, Ana’s place of rest, with runners stopping at Houston Hospice, the place Ana spent her final days, and The Rose along the way. In addition to being the place where Ana was diagnosed, The Rose played a significant role in the lives of Ana’s family and friends through her five year journey with breast cancer.

“We were so fortunate to have Ana in our lives at The Rose,” said Dorothy Gibbons CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose. “Seeing her work as a volunteer and helping other young women battling breast cancer was inspiring and I am honored to have her family as strong supporters of The Rose.”

In 2014, 30 for Ana raised over $40,000 for The Rose. This year’s goal is $50,000 to continue to help other young women like Ana, who seek the services of The Rose now and in the future. For more information on 30 for Ana and The Rose visit: www.30forana.org and www.therose.org. To schedule interviews please contact: Sheila Buenrostro at 281-253-7057 or email sheila@medley-inc.com.

ABOUT THE ROSE: The Rose is the leader in Texas’ breast health care, providing access to care in 35 counties. Since its launch in 1986, The Rose has provided access to high quality breast health care to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Services offered by The Rose are available to the uninsured through many sponsorship programs. The Rose has on-site, Board Certified physicians, advanced quality digital technology, and patient navigation to ensure a continuum of care.