When Alexis Preston first met Heather and Steve Salazar at the Kroger in Englewood, Ohio, she showed up wearing a bright pink wig and mini-skirt.
Preston, 23 years old at the time, had been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and was looking for an adoptive family for her 9-month-old daughter, Lexi.
“The funniest thing is, she was so spunky and so sassy, and that’s so me. It’s just the little things where I see myself in her,” Lexi Salazar said.
Preston’s mother had a neighbor who worked as a midwife, and after she informed the Salazars of Preston’s situation, they agreed to adopt Lexi, giving them four children under 8 years old.
Lexi turned out to be one of the greatest gifts the family could receive. Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer less than two years later, and has said that if it weren’t for Preston and young Lexi, she would have never performed a self-breast exam and found a lump.
Now 24 years old, Lexi will run the Flying Pig Half Marathon, her first half-marathon, in remembrance of her mother, who died at 24 years old, in honor of Heather, and to bring attention to Pink Ribbon Good, a non-profit organization founded by Heather that provides support for those battling breast cancer.
“I am super excited. It feels so meaningful because it’s close to Mother’s Day, and being able to challenge myself while honoring my moms who have battled breast cancer is full circle for me,” Salazar said. “I know that when I cross that finish line, it’s going to be filled with gratitude and pure joy.”
What is Pink Ribbon Good?
Founded in 2017, and originally called the Pink Ribbon Girls, the organization provides support for breast cancer patients throughout the country.
Heather saw Preston’s hardships, most notably that she rode the bus to and from treatment, and wanted to ensure others don’t have to face the same obstacles to care.
Services include meal delivery, rides to and from appointments, household cleaning supplies and a peer outreach network. PRG originated in Heather’s hometown of Dayton and has since expanded with regional Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Nashville, St. Louis, the San Francisco Bay Area and Buffalo.
When exploring new territories, the organization partners with hospitals and social workers, and receives donations and grant money to reach patients.
After playing Division I soccer at Liberty University, Salazar joined PRG as the social media coordinator. Her love for helping those in need started when she was 4 years old, assisting around the house while Heather was receiving treatment.
“She couldn’t lift stuff, so my dad would say, ‘You’re going to have to help around the house.’ Anytime we would lift heavy things, we thought we were so cool. Looking back on it now, it’s so sad that we didn’t fully understand it as kids. You just want to help your mom,” Salazar said.
She plans to continue working for PRG as long as possible, shedding a light on the positive stories while raising awareness for the importance of self health exams.
“It’s been so amazing being able to capture the moments and showcase other people’s stories, their heart and their journey with breast or gynecological cancer.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lexi Salazar honors mothers, Pink Ribbon Good in Flying Pig Half Marathon
Reporting by Brendan Connelly, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
