Every runner and walker helped make Saturday’s Soul to Sole Breast Cancer Awareness Walk & 5K a meaningful day for our community.
The 4th annual event brought a fantastic turnout to Guyton on October 17, 2026, as participants gathered at Guyton Elementary School in support of the Effingham Health System Foundation. From runners chasing a personal best to families walking together, the day combined fitness, fellowship, and a shared commitment to breast cancer awareness in Effingham County.
Celebrating Survivors and Remembering Loved Ones
At its heart, Soul to Sole is dedicated to our community of breast cancer survivors and to the loved ones we have lost to breast cancer.
It is an opportunity to celebrate survivors, stand beside those currently receiving treatment, and recognize the families, friends, and caregivers who support them. It is also a time to remember the people whose absence is deeply felt and whose lives continue to inspire us to show up for one another.
To every runner, walker, volunteer, and supporter who joined us, thank you. Your presence helped make this event more than a race. It made it a gathering of people who care.
Congratulations to Our Top Finishers
Congratulations to this year’s leading finishers and to everyone who crossed the finish line!
1st Overall: Jacob Mitchell
2nd Overall: Ryan Dillard
1st Place Female Overall: Libby Le Tourneau
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This event would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. Thank you for supporting breast cancer awareness and helping bring our community together.
Presenting Sponsor: Summit Cancer Care
Gold Sponsors: Bank of Newington, Surcheros Fresh Mex, and Effingham Orthopaedics
Silver Sponsors: Chick-fil-A Rincon; NorthStar Anesthesia; Ashley Boyette, State Farm Agent; Effingham Health System Auxiliary; and Gerbasi Signs
Bronze Sponsors: Royal Restrooms, Draffin Tucker, Faith Equestrian Therapeutic Center, HarLAWN Yard Services, and Morrison Healthcare
Why Mammograms and Early Detection Matter
The message of Soul to Sole continues long after the finish line. One important way to put breast cancer awareness into action is to stay up to date with recommended mammograms.
Mammograms do not prevent breast cancer, but they can help find it early, before a lump can be felt or other symptoms appear. Regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by helping identify cancers when they are easier to treat. CDC
According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year relative survival rate for women diagnosed with localized invasive breast cancer is more than 99%. “Localized” means the cancer has not spread outside the breast. This statistic compares survival with women in the general population; it is a population-based estimate, not a guarantee of any individual’s outcome. American Cancer Society
Early detection and effective treatment both play important roles in improving outcomes. Talk with your healthcare provider about when to begin breast cancer screening and how often to have a mammogram, based on your age, personal health history, and family history. Report any new breast changes promptly rather than waiting for your next screening appointment. American Cancer Society
Schedule Your 3D Mammogram in Effingham County
Effingham Health System offers 3D mammograms in Springfield and Rincon, with services available at Effingham Hospital and the Imaging Center on Goshen Road.
If you are due for a mammogram, make scheduling it your next step. Call 912-826-1400 to schedule your 3D mammogram or learn more about breast imaging services close to home. Effingham Health System
Thank you for making this year’s Soul to Sole such a meaningful celebration of our community. Let’s carry that support forward by honoring survivors, remembering those we have lost, and encouraging the people we love to make their breast health a priority.
