Pink Warrior Angels preparing for 5th annual 5K

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press 

The Pink Warrior Angels of Central Texas (PWATX) are gearing up to ensure their 5th annual Pink Warrior Dash will be a huge success.
Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., the Pink Warrior Angels held a special Pink Warrior Dash registration party outside of Walmart. All morning, the group worked to register a whopping 110 people and raised $3,480. For Saturday only, they offered a special price of $20 per registration and even extended the special for online registrations until midnight. Registration normally costs $25.
The Pink Warrior Dash is a 5k fun run/walk event that will take place September 28 at 8 a.m. at Copperas Cove City Park. Registration on the day of the event will be $30.
In addition to registering participants, they also offered entertainment in the form of live music as well as performances by the Poly-Mic Islanders Dance Group and the Harker Heights Crimson Belles.
Throughout the afternoon, volunteers had a great time raising awareness. Julie Moser, founder of PWATX, said that for this year’s event, the Pink Warrior Angels will be running for all forms of cancers, and they are inviting everyone to join the fun walk/run in memory of our angels and in support of our survivors.
Moser said that PWATX gives away about $4,000 a month to directly help and support those with cancer. The group is now open to those fighting any form of cancer. One of the big forms of support given by the group is pairing a warrior and an angel which pairs someone who has survived with someone who is currently fighting.
“We are all about empowering, encouraging, and uplifting,” said Moser. “We want to bring light and joy to everything that we do.”
Tyra Charmant was one of many who volunteered to help out at the event and is already signed up to participate in the Pink Warrior Dash. Charmant was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in March 2018. Last year she participated in the Pink Warrior Dash with 20 people alongside her. Her goal for this year’s dash was 40 people. As of the conclusion of Saturday’s registration event, Charmant has already recruited 48 people for her team.
“You never know how cancer affects someone until it happens to you,” said Charmant. 
Charmant wants to do her part to raise awareness and encourage others to do the same. Even if you can’t donate money, you can always donate time, said Charmant. She said that even just a little bit of support can make a very big difference.
“It doesn’t help just one person, it helps thousands,” said Charmant.
Karen Dixon, advisor for the National Junior Honor Society, brought 11 students who donated their time and energy collecting donations and handing out flyers.
“It’s important to support your community,” said Dixon. “It’s important for kids to be a part of their community…This is really close to home for a lot of people.”
In addition to the kids from NJHS, several DECA students also attended the event raising funds, helping out, and handing out flyers.
“We just try to incorporate ourselves in as many activities and as much volunteer work as we can…so that we can just make a difference,” said Alexandra Hollingsworth (17), DECA historian. Hollingsworth plans to participate in the 5k. “I do it because I want to spread as much awareness as possible. I don’t like running or anything. I do it because it’s for a good cause.”
“Pink Warrior Angels is one of our big people that we work with, so we always try to help them as much as we can,” said Cameron Petet (17), Sergeant of Arms for DECA. His grandmother is a breast cancer survivor.
In addition to the Pink Warrior Dash, the PWATX will be holding a Runway of Hope event October 18. All of their models are cancer survivors/thrivers. The event will include dinner, entertainment, and auctions. One of their special performers is the Dallas Mavs ManiAACs.
Those interested in learning more about PWATX future events or to register for events can find information on their Facebook page or on their website at pwatx.org