Race for the Cure Is Team Event

Before she took the stage, she walked through the crowd. "Can I get your picture? I'm going to post this on my blog," she asked a group of survivors. "And what is this group?"

"Shady Grove Adventist!" the women shouted. Six women who have bonded during their treatments at the Rockville hospital wore pink fishing caps adorned with angels.

The women asked Syler how she was doing. Syler explained that she had previously been involved in breast cancer events and fundraising because both of her parents had breast cancer. "This my first . . . ," Syler broke down, unable to finish her sentence. "Sorry."

Kimiko Sziladi, 60, a two-year survivor from Rockville, hugged Syler tight, closing her eyes as they embraced.

Later, Syler said, "I share a bond now. . . . I've been in the trenches. I know what it's like to be scared."

Yonal Delarosa understood the feeling. He said he had hidden his fears and tears from his wife, Janet, who found out three years ago that she had breast cancer. He wore a sign: "For the one I love! My wife, Janet . . . my better half."

"She was 28. I was 29. It was frightening," he said. "She's my first love."

Janet Delarosa, now 31, said yesterday's race was her first. The Frederick homemaker was joined by her husband, their three children, her mother and a friend. "It's good to know that you're loved and there are people out there who care about you."

She knew the sentiment was shared by thousands of others yesterday: the Haymarket Hotties, the Pink Ladies from Charles County and the Brooks Family Strong team, otherwise known as the National Guard.

Delarosa looked around. "It's very overwhelming to know that you're not alone," she said.