“I miss her every day; she was just a big part of our family,” Hull’s daughter, Anita Krohn of Boardman, said. “She was a wonderful human being who enjoyed life to the fullest.”

Because Hull lost her battle with breast cancer in February at age 87, Krohn and about 32 other family members and friends formed a team called “Every Mile for Jean Hull” to remember and honor her. The team was one of many that took part in the 16th annual Panerathon 10K / 2-mile Fun Run and Walk on Sunday morning that began and ended at the Covelli Centre downtown.

Funds raised from Sunday’s event, themed “Stronger Together,” will benefit the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. This year’s Panerathon was expected to generate nearly $700,000, which would bring the total raised for the center to almost $6 million, Danielle Covelli, marketing director for Covelli Enterprises, said.

Hull quit her job at the candy business to devote herself to being a stay-at-home grandmother to her grandchildren, Krohn said, adding that Hull also had great-grandchildren for whom she cared.

Cancer survivor Sandy Havlin of Columbiana, left, shares a moment with her teammate, Darlene Williams of Youngstown, just before the start of Sunday’s Panerathon. A routine mammogram at the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center revealed a small spot on Havlin’s breast, which led to an ultrasound procedure, followed by a biopsy and surgery a few weeks ago. (Photo by R. Michael Semple)

After a mammogram revealed she had breast cancer, Hull underwent the normal chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and for a while, she seemed to improve. Nevertheless, she had “other issues,” but “stayed strong for her last 15 months or so” while at Briarfield Place in Boardman, Krohn said.

Also remaining strong is Sandy Havlin of Columbiana, who is recovering after having been diagnosed with a lumpectomy. A routine mammogram at the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center revealed a small spot on Havlin’s breast, which led to an ultrasound procedure, followed by a biopsy and surgery a few weeks ago.

For the Panerathon, Havlin was the centerpiece and inspiration for a 30-member team, “Sandy Strong,” composed of a variety of family members and friends who rallied around her.

Her prognosis is “really great,” and she intends to continue receiving annual mammograms, said Havlin, whose mother, Betty Jeanne Metzger, died of the disease. She was 66.

“I’m overwhelmed and humbled. I’m used to being on the other end — giving the love,” Havlin, who works as a dietary assistant at a North Lima assisted-living facility, said about the support she has received at the Panerathon and beyond.

Thousands of participants take off at the start of the 2-mile Fun Run / Walk at the 16th annual Panerathon Sunday morning, which began and ended outside the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown. The walk journeyed through downtown and on the Youngstown State University campus. (Photo by R. Michael Semple)

A significant portion of that support came from her sister, Maureen McQuillan of Youngstown, who said Havlin is a major source of inspiration for her. Part of that stems from Havlin’s desire to reach beyond herself via letting those who are dealing with hard times know they have the capacity to overcome and be triumphant.

Hull and Havlin’s teams both took part in the 2-mile walk, which took them through parts of the downtown corridor and around the Youngstown State University campus.

Other teams included “Julie’s Jugs,” Chrissy’s Breast Team Ever,” “Carrie’s Crew,” “Team Claudia” and “Osteostrong Canfield.” Numerous area athletes and businesses also formed teams, including The Vindicator / Tribune Chronicle.

Among those who participated in the 10K run through downtown Youngstown, Mahoning Commons, along Lake Glacier in Mill Creek Park and back was Bre Rupe of Youngstown, whose aunt, Mary Ellen Bakan, lost her battle with breast cancer about 15 years ago.

“My aunt fought hard; she was one of the toughest women I knew,” said Rupe, who works at her family’s winery business in Hartville and is YSU’s track and cross-country coach.

Thousands of participants take off at the start of the 10K at the 16th annual Panerathon Sunday morning, which began and ended outside the Covelli Centre in downtown Youngstown. The run journeyed through downtown, the Youngstown State University campus and parts of Mill Creek Park. (Photo by R. Michael Semple)

In addition, her mother, Michelle Bakan, and grandmother, Donna Vaughan, have been diagnosed with the disease, but are in remission, Rupe said, adding that she opted to run for her third year in the Panerathon also to honor everyone who has been impacted by breast cancer. She was the first woman to cross the finish line in the 10K with a time of 38:35.

The disease is the nation’s second-leading type of cancer and accounts for about 30% of new female cancers annually. It also occurs mainly in middle-aged and older women, with a median age at the time of diagnosis of 62, according to the American Cancer Society.

Since its establishment in 2011, the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center has conducted more than 160,000 mammogram exams. In addition, the facility is continuing to catch and diagnose the disease earlier, primarily because of better education coupled with state-of-the art, updated equipment, Covelli said.

Also, Joanie on the Go, a 3D mobile mammography van, has offered more than 15,000 breast cancer screenings since it debuted in 2016. The vehicle visits 25 sites in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties monthly, she added.

A new Panarathon feature is a domed area where survivors can relax, socialize and share their stories with others, though it’s open to everyone, Covelli said. She noted that before the breast care center opened 14 years ago at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, the Valley had one of the state’s highest breast cancer mortality rates.

Perhaps most importantly, however, the Panerathon reflects the Mahoning Valley’s long-term commitment toward raising critical funds to fight the disease and save lives, Covelli said.

“It is truly humbling to see the remarkable growth in both participation and community support that the Panerathon experiences year after year. This support underscores the generosity and compassion of the Mahoning Valley,” Covelli’s father, Sam Covelli, Covelli Enterprises’ chief executive officer, said in a statement. “We continue to extend our sincere gratitude to the participants, sponsors, volunteers and donors whose steadfast commitment has sustained our cause for the past 16 years, allowing individuals to receive world-class treatment right here in the Valley, ultimately saving countless lives.”

In addition, money raised for the breast care center ensures that those who need care will receive it regardless of ability to pay, he noted.