LOUISVILLE, Ky.-- The crowd at Churchill Downs donned their pink on Friday, in honor of breast and ovarian cancer research and awareness. The eleventh annual Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade brought together women who beat breast cancer. One of those to walk, was Lois Thigpen.
- The eleventh annual Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade was held to celebrate women who have survived breast cancer.
- One of the participants, Lois Thigpen, calls it an honor and privilege not only to have survived but to have been nominated and voted on in order to walk in the parade at Churchill Downs.
- Jockeys also walked in the parade to support one of their own.
"It turned out exquisite," said Lois Thigpen, as she marveled as her completed pink and black hat in hand. "I've been to the Derby once, and it's a wonderful experience..." Thigpen continued.
Thigpen traveled from Atlanta on Derby week, to stay with her sister in Louisville and attend the Kentucky Oaks. Churchill Downs is the famous and iconic track she's loved for much of her life. Thigpen grew up riding horses, so just to visit the grounds means a lot to her. However, this trip will be even more meaningful.
Thigpen was diagnosed with Stage One breast cancer about one year ago. She went into survival mode then, meeting with a team of doctors and fighting to beat it. “You get your team together and your team is very important, team of doctors working together to help cure you.”
She's in remission now; and on Oaks day, celebrated that with a different kind of "team"- a sisterhood of survivors like of herself. It's a victory lap she will cherish for the rest of her life.
“I can think of no better way to celebrate this victory than to be on a horse track with the you know Kentucky Oaks and celebrate with my fellow sisterhood of survivors'” Thigpen said, "it’s not a death sentence any longer. It doesn’t have to be.”
Jockeys also joined in the parade. They were supporting one of their own, Corey Lanerie. His wife died of breast cancer last year.