Correspondent photos / Sean Barron.

YOUNGSTOWN — When Shelly Durbin decided to pound the pavement, you could say her decision was more than merely going for a long run: It also mirrored her determination to overcome a major obstacle.

“I feel great,” Durbin, of Lowellville, said. “You just fight hard. I had a great support system and doctors.”

Her participation in Sunday’s 13th annual Panerathon 10K/2-mile walk and run that began and ended at the Covelli Centre downtown was part of a continuing crusade Durbin began after the results of an MRI a few years ago showed she had a lobular carcinoma, a relatively rare form of cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands and often spreads to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body.

Despite having undergone a double mastectomy and 28 rounds of radiation, she continued with her position at an insurance agency in Poland, Durbin said. She also was part of the 26-member Team Shelly.

Durbin also advised those who receive such a diagnosis to seek a second opinion, to believe in one’s doctors and to conduct added research.

An estimated 10,000 people of all ages were part of more than 170 teams or among those who walked individually in ideal weather for Sunday’s fundraiser, Candace Madden, the Panerathon’s coordinator for Mercy Health, noted. Since its inception, the event has raised about $3.5 million, including roughly $467,000 this year, she added.

Money raised benefits the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, in support of the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center in St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. All proceeds stay in the Valley, organizers have said.

Large teams were from Sweeney Chevrolet and Greenwood Chevrolet Inc.; others included Cousins for a Cause, Sweet ‘n’ Strong, Carrie’s Crew, Team VIT, Pink Lights the Way and Axio Fitness. In addition, Youngstown State University athletic teams had a strong presence.

Also part of Team Shelly was her daughter, Rachel Durbin of Alfred, N.Y., formerly of Lowellville, who had her own scare with cancer that entailed having a lump removed when she was a junior in college.

“Mine was thankfully benign, but that started my awareness earlier,” Rachel Durbin recalled.

Rachel added she’s grateful for the support her mother has seen, such as numerous gifts Shelly received from high school friends. Further helping Shelly Durbin’s cause was that she refused to be deterred by her diagnosis, Rachel continued.

Richard Durbin described his wife as “outgoing and very passionate about caring for others.”

“At age 42, I found that I had a mass in my breast and found out it was Stage 3 breast cancer. Joanie Abdu took care of me, and I had extensive chemo and radiation,” Christina Bohl, captain of the six-member Team Kismet, said.

Bohl, who also is Struthers city auditor and was diagnosed in January 2019, added that she’s highly thankful to those with the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center who treated her with dignity, respect and kindness during her ordeal.

Having taken part in Sunday’s Panerathon was bittersweet, but added another layer of healing for Bohl because it allowed her to see fellow survivors and feel more comfortable in such a crowd, she continued.

“It’s emotional because I’m thankful to be here, to see my kids grow up and for the support of loved ones,” Bohl added.

Among those simply wishing to do their part to assist the cause were twin brothers Nick Phillips of Canfield and Frank Phillips of Boardman.

Nick said he had a family member who experienced cancer, but that he believes heavily in the power of healing. He and Frank participated in the 10K portion of the Panerathon, an event Nick called “a walking miracle.”

He also is part of a fitness group in Austintown called Sndy Swt (Sunday Sweat), which focuses on regular running and fitness, Nick said.

As if running a few miles on a hot and humid late Sunday morning wasn’t challenging enough, Stephen Zubyk of Hubbard took on an added one: He also pushed a double carriage containing his son, Parker, 3, and daughter, Poppy, 5.

“They love it. They get mad at me if I go by myself,” said Zubyk, whose mother, Mary Ellen, lost her battle with cancer in 2012.

Accompanying Zubyk and the children was their mother, Abbie, who didn’t run in the race.

Also on site was the Joanie Abdu 3-D Mobile Mammography Unit, which treats 20 to 24 patients on a typical day — especially those who lack transportation and regardless of their ability to pay for treatment, Madden stressed.

“After making the event virtual in 2020 and then changing it to the fall in 2021, we are thrilled to have the Panerathon back at the end of August so we can again end summer in the best way possible by gathering together with our community for an amazing cause,” Sam Covelli, chief executive officer of Covelli Enterprises Inc., said in a statement. “We are so grateful to the participants, sponsors, volunteers and supporters that have been loyal to our cause for the past 13 years, no matter the circumstances.”

Covelli also thanked YSU President Jim Tressel for bringing many of the university’s athletic teams to the event.

Covelli and his daughter, Danielle Covelli, expressed gratitude that, even though northeast Ohio has had among the nation’s highest breast cancer mortality rates, events such as the Panerathon have been instrumental in decreasing those figures.

“When you hear that, it means you’re making progress,” Sam Covelli said. “Everyone is touched by this in some way.”

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