Strong, charismatic, funny and direct is the way Miguel Perez describes his sister, Vicki.
“For me, she really was the person I idolized, wanted to be like, set the example for me on how to be strong, good to people – how to do good,” he says.

And she was a fighter. For 11 years, she battled breast cancer, eventually giving in to the grips of the ruthless disease in 2002. Although by her side every step of the battle, that’s when Perez’s battle on behalf of his beloved sister really kicked into high gear.

“I literally remember in the afternoon – she died in the morning – I was exhausted, ready to shut down, when I felt a kick in the ass. It was Vicki telling me to quit whining, get up, and do something,” he recalls.

So, Perez founded and still manages The Vicki Speakman Memorial Fund, which raises money through individual contributions. He hosts an annual musical celebration of her life, and much of the money comes from participants in the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure.

The first year Perez put together a team he recruited 126 members. Last year, 1,084 joined him to walk or run in honor of Vicki. The money raised supports breast cancer education and awareness programs.

Perez even created one to save lives: With the help of a medial expert, he developed a teaching video for medical students, residents and physicians on the most current standards of clinical breast examinations. When put to the test, the method showed that examiners were six times more likely to find a mass. The training technique is used at The Ohio State University, as well as in universities throughout the country.

But that’s not all. In 2006, Perez was elected the first male president of Komen’s Columbus affiliate. The board of directors hoped his passion would help raise the affiliate’s profile in Central Ohio. They were not disappointed. In his first year as president, the affiliate went from awarding $660,000 to local breast cancer prevention programs to a record $1.2 million in funding a number of programs within its 23-county service area.

Perez was honored earlier this year with Komen’s prestigious “Jill Ireland Award for Voluntarism.” The award is given annually to just one person in the world’s largest grassroots network of advocates.

“It’s crazy, awkward … not something you aspire to. But, I was humbled and honored,” he says.

On May 17, tens of thousands of people will take to the streets of Downtown Columbus for the annual Race for the Cure. It won’t be hard to spot Perez’s friends, family, and others who support the cause. They will be there full-force in their special T-Shirts designed to remind us of Vicki’s valiant battle. We will never forget her, or the undying love of her brother – love for his sister, the cause, our community.

Perez says he will continue to be integral in finding a cure. “I want to be at the table the day someone walks in and says, ‘We found it!’”

There are many ways to show your support. Walk or run, stand on the sideline and cheer, even sleep in for the cure. To learn more, visit www.komen.org.

Watch Andrea Cambern on 10TV News HD weekdays at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. and at 10 p.m. on WWHO-TV.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Columbus
May 17, 5K begins at 8:30 a.m.
Downtown Columbus
The Columbus race is one of the biggest in the country. This year’s event will feature a different course, with more than 40,000 participants expected.
www.komencolumbus.org, 614-297-8155