Siblings in remission race to honor everyday cancer heroes – and each other

On April 5, more than a thousand participants gathered for the annual Give Cancer the Boot Survivorship 5K and 1-Mile Walk, dedicated to honoring survivors and supporting those still in treatment.

Now in its eighth year, the event at UT Health San Antonio’s Mays Cancer Center raised more than $80,000 to support its Patient and Family Assistance Fund — covering practical needs, including transportation to appointments and temporary lodging for those who qualify.

"This event is a powerful reflection of what makes this community so special," said Virginia Kaklamani, MD, leader of the cancer center's breast oncology program. "It’s families supporting one another, volunteers giving their time and friends and community sponsors coming together with one shared purpose—to uplift and care for those affected by cancer.

Some came to run, others to walk and many to cheer on the sidelines. But for Kathy Lozano and her brother, Larry Young, the race was about something more fundamental. In 2022, cancer upended both of their lives.

"I've had a lot of highs and lows and I've learned to celebrate the good things," Young said. "There may be things I'll never be able to do again—but you know what? I'm here and I'm alive."

It was cold and windy that Saturday morning, but along the course, 1,350 participants danced, laughed and exchanged high-fives. Young moved at his own pace, his sister by his side, both wrapped in layers and matching purple survivor shirts.

"I kept telling myself, 'If you made it through chemo and radiation, you can make it through this walk. And if you have to stop along the way, that's OK, too,'" Lozano said. "But I made it to the finish line."

Getting to the starting line wasn't easy. Behind the finish-line smiles were months of setbacks and uncertainty. Young's diagnosis came first: throat cancer. The treatment was grueling—35 rounds of radiation, six rounds of chemotherapy and a feeding tube that remained in place for nearly two years. His weight dropped. His strength faded.

Lozano became a steady presence throughout her brother's care, driving him to oncology visits and appointments with his care team. But just as he began to recover, Lozano got her own cancer diagnosis.

"I had a bad freak-out, believe me,” she said through the laughs. “It was hard to watch my son cry on FaceTime when I told him. But I had a high level of confidence walking into the Mays Cancer Center because I saw what they did for my brother."

Fighting through

Her diagnosis—an aggressive lymphoma—required swift, aggressive treatment: infusions, a port, a bone marrow biopsy followed by radiation. Chemotherapy hit her hard, triggering heart failure. There were days she wasn't sure she would see her next birthday—just three days after the race.

"This is the most important birthday after everything I went through last year," Lozano said. “To be here, to be joyful, to be with my family and to be able to encourage others who are still going through it—that means everything. This event really is a celebration of life.”

A course filled with meaning

As participants made their way along the course, they passed through some of its most meaningful stretches, including the Miracle Mile, sponsored by Natera — a section reserved for remembrance and reflection.

"This part of the course, lined with names, messages and tributes, serves as a reminder of why we are here today,” Kaklamani said. “As an oncologist, I see the physical and emotional toll cancer takes on patients and their families. But each story along this path speaks to the strength of the cancer community—its heartbreak, its hope and its resilience."

Nearby, at the Pinwheel Garden, each purple pinwheel marked a survivor's journey—tributes to those who have faced cancer and continue to thrive. Made possible through the generosity of Drs. Jean and Richard Holt, the garden stood as a testament to life beyond cancer.

"I didn't realize how much this race is about celebrating survivors until I got here," Lozano said. "You get to know so many others at Mays while going through treatment. But it's another thing to see this many people in purple shirts come together. The race is about showing up. And that's what we did."

Today, both siblings are in remission. Kathy continues to manage heart failure brought on by chemotherapy. Young, now back at work and steadily regaining strength, still returns to the Mays Cancer Center for follow-up care.

"Every time I go in, I feel like I matter," he said. "That's not something you forget."

To learn more about the Mays Cancer Center, visit MaysCancerCenter.org. Race results are available on the Athlete Guild website and event photos can be viewed here.