www.outercityliving.com

This Sunday, September 13, 2009  NYC  hosts the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. At 9 a.m. more than 25,000 citizens(and counting), as well as nearly 2,000 breast cancer survivors will emerge upon the grounds of Central Park to stomp out the second most common cancer found in women (non-melanoma skin cancer being the first).

This year’s event holds a special place in my heart for a number of reasons, besides that of the most obvious which is simply destroying this disease.  In late February I received a phone call from my Mom telling me that doctors had found a small lump in her breast. Needless to say, this was a heart-breaking conversation.It also seemed to be filled with all of the irony in the world because almost 2 years prior, her best friend was diagnosed with the disease.

After standing beside her friend for what seemed like an eternity  through doctor’s appointments, surgeries (both removing the cancer and reconstructive), and painful bouts with chemo-therapy, my own Mother was to succumb to the same horrible events. Still, she went into her own misfortune with the same integrity in which she had dealt with her confidant’s, reminded my sister and me of troubles and triumphs she had been through in her own lifetime, smiled and reassured us that she’d be ok.

Nearly 7 months later, cancer removed and dealing painstakingly with her chemo, my Mother cannot be dragged out of  any store, tirelessly takes care of the love of her life(my step-father), and deals with all the bullshit my sister and I are inclined to hide from her; yet, she’s a Mother and she KNOWS.

So, as my Mom sits and receives her 2nd  cycle of treatment today and although drained but willing, and grace us with her laughter and insight so that we may better understand exactly what it is she’s going through, I won’t be able to stop thinking of the two things that have crossed my mind today since the moment that I woke up—

I don’t know what I would do without you,

and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MA!!!!!!

OK, LET’S TAKE A SECOND TO WIPE THOSE TEARS AWAY—lol

The second thing about this event is that a very close, and very dear friend of mine will be slapping on her Nike’s for the first time(as far as i know) and joining the fight for the next 5km.

V. Flores, West New York resident, has decided to participate in the run. Not only that, but she has raised nearly $500 in small donations  to make sure that research receives the proper funding for all of the pain and suffering that goes around due to this deadly monster.

At present, she is still receiving donations and may be reached through her FACEBOOK,  for those that are blessed enough to know her that well.

For those that are interested in participating in some way, shape or form, please regard the following info:

http://www.komennyc.org/race

Registration

Register Online
Please help reduce costs by registering and pledging online.

A paper registration form may be downloaded here. Send registration forms and fees to:
Komen NYC Race for the Cure
PO Box 9223, GPO
New York, NY 10087-9223

Register in Person
Advance Registration Site and Sponsor Expo:
Hilton New York
1335 Avenue of the Americas (between 53rd and 54th Streets), Concourse Level:

Friday, September 11 — 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday, September 12 — 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Register Race Day
September 13, 7:00 am – 9:00 am
N.B. NEW LOCATION! Pick up your t-shirt and bib before the Race begins at the Registration tables on Central Park West between 71st and 72nd Streets.

Registration Fees
$25 Advance Registration through July 15
$30 Race registration after July 15
$40 Race Day
$45 Premium Upgrade *

*For an extra $20, avoid the rush and long lines at Advance Registration and on Race Day. Purchase a Premium Upgrade and have your t-shirt and bib mailed to you beforehand! The fee includes a $15 tax deductible contribution to Komen Greater NYC.

OK, let’s not front.

New York City is the centerpiece of all things “ill”.  For those dis-joined from this inner-city, out-of-context
terminology, it simply means that we are at the center of the universe when it comes to anything worth paying attention to.

Now, this is in no way meant to take away from those who are responsible for bringing taste, culture, music,
art, fashion, etc. to “The City” from their respective hemispheres. It is only to state that due to this great inflection, NYC is forever at the forefront of relevance when it comes to enjoying things both exciting and new.

Still, within and without this great metropolis there are those of us who have been influenced by these streets and hunger for the the hybrid of things we’ve learned here, while asserting these flavors into our own “hoods”, adding to what we have to offer. A feeling of stagnation for us who have shown and proved that what we do may not be excelled, yet are stuck at the behest of what has been fed to us through the re-imaginings of what worked for “them”. Consequently, we are now stepping outside of the box.

In recent years we’ve been witnessing the re-emergence of neighborhoods once forgotten through violence and economic collapse, as well as the construction and creation of communities that set forth as a template towards a higher quality of life; whether through “new concept living” or routes for artistic expression. And so we too create. We too set the standard for this “Metro-ciety” in these parts unknown, or at times, overlooked. Modern-day community staples that have brought families together, as well as progressive lifestyles that bring focus, creativity and open-mindedness to those of us shelled inside of our own upbringings.
We now present you with these “missing links”.

I feel it’s important to say that although I was born and raised 15 minutes from Manhattan in New Jersey, (6th Boro) I feel as if this city is MY City. And in saying that, I include every inch of surrounding area to be
one and the same in respect of being the greatest, most groundbreaking and most influential Metro area the planet has to offer.

And so, from our own alleyways to your avenues, from swamp to skyscraper, high-rise to high-rise, hood to hood; WE attest that ALL things be no less than “fresh”. ALL scenes be not set to depth, and that ALL things be suspect as “def”.

After all, we never sleep.