When Mary Pusateri, a mother of three, was diagnosed with breast cancer, her immediate reaction was to bargain with God.

“I kept telling God, if I do something better, you'll make this better,” the 1990 John Carroll graduate said. “I couldn't believe it was happening to me, I was a fit person who took care of my body and I was just in a general state of disbelief.” 

Being diagnosed with cancer can be a scary and frightening experience. For Pusateri, her journey was no different. At age 36, with the support of her family, she battled against breast cancer and now celebrates her hard-won triumph of being eight years clear. 

Luckily, Pusateri had another anchor in her life that helped her persevere through the tough times. 

“Running, absolutely kept me sane,” Pusateri said. “It has gotten me through the best and worst of times.” 

When running, Pusateri is often reminded of her college days, when she was healthy and a member of the John Carroll track and cross country team. She admits that some of her best of times running were spent competing on the collegiate level for the Blue Streaks. 

During her time at Carroll Pusateri excelled on and off the track. As a three year varsity lettermen for the women's cross country and track team she quickly became the number one runner as well as receiving a slew of athletic accomplishments. She was a school record-holder, an All-OAC in cross country, and placed in the OAC Championships and Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship. 

Her success continued as she was named to the All City Team, All PAC team, voted team Most Valuable Runner, and was the only qualifier for the Presidents' Athletic Conference Championship. 

Apart from her athletic achievements Pusateri received academic accolades as well. As an English major she made Dean's List every semester and received the Outstanding Young American award in 1989.

After graduation Pusateri continued to run and compete in races; however she soon learned that just because someone is fit and in shape does not make them healthy. 

“When I discovered the lump in my breast, I learned that running and winning races does not make a person invincible,” said Pusateri. 

When she was diagnosed, every priority in her life changed. With her oldest child in fourth grade and her youngest in kindergarten, Pusateri took all the lessons and components she learned from running and entered the fight with breast cancer head on with as much strength and determination as possible. 

“With three children, I told myself I have to be around for them,” said Pusateri. “The hardest part was telling the kids without scaring them. But you find humor through it all, like when I lost my hair we put it in the backyard so the birds could make birds nest, things like that…you just got to keep going.” 

Coincidentally, Pusateri's family doctor at the time, Lauri Hiestand, ran with her on the track team at John Carroll and was able to start her treatments right away. 

On February 1, 2002, with the support of her family and friends, Pusateri underwent a total mastectomy and faced the fear of Stage II breast cancer. 

Within a week Pusateri was back on her feet and walking. 

“This would be the worst of times,” explained Pusateri, “ where running kept me mentally sane. I was so grateful for everything that running had taught me like strength, endurance, and dedication.” 

Even during her six months of chemotherapy and two months of radiation, Pusateri persevered and continued to run. 

“To still be able to run with such an uncertain future was empowering to me,” said Pusateri. 

After she finished all her treatments she broke her toe and was unable to run for six months. 

“My husband jokes that was worse than the treatments because I couldn't run at all,” laughs Pusateri.
Pusateri looks back on her experience and considers it a “blessing in disguise”. 

“It made me realize the goodness in people's heart,” said Pusateri. “Just to be able to experience all that love was very overwhelming.” 

Today, breast cancer and running still play a significant role in Pusateri's life. She has recorded music on the Color of Hope CD along with her brother and sister. Proceeds benefit the Cancer Center at Aultman hospital where she was treated. The Color of Hope CD shares peoples experience with breast cancer that have personally been touched by the disease. 

“The CD gives patients the strength to go through everything,” explains Pusateri. “There's a song called “Welcome Warriors”, which patients can listen to before going to their treatment and instead of listening to the negatives it provides something positive for you to listen to. It makes you feel powerful in getting through the experience.”
 
Pusateri has participated in Cleveland's Race for the Cure three times and has won the survivor's division twice. She has also completed the Relay for Life at Lake High School as an alumna several times and the American Cancer Society 5k walk through the park. 

She has received the Soroptomist Woman of Distinction Award (proceeds to benefit Breast Cancer) and was the Challenge series Runner of the Week. 

By participating in these events, Pusateri has learned that there is hope on the other side. 

“By doing things like Race for the Cure, I've learned that you just keep living your life, you can move beyond cancer,” she said. 

When she is not running Pusateri is a music teacher at St. Peter's grade school, a choir teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and coaches 7th and 8th grade track. 

More importantly she is the proud mother of three teenagers, Adam (19), Julia (17), and Molly (14), and the wife of 24 years to Paul. 

Pusateri and her family enjoy running races together and often jokes that a family who runs together stays together!

*Color of Hope cd's can be purchased through cdbaby.com - just type in Color of Hope, or Mary Pusateri. 

All photos courtesy of Mary Pusateri