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Effingham’s Soul to Sole 5K Draws Hundreds for Breast Cancer Care
Soul-to-Sole Cancer Walk 2025
Breast cancer survivors prepare for the Soul-to-Sole 5K, left, where an estimated 250–400 participants took part despite light drizzle. Two-time participant Anita Powell, right, of Guyton, enjoys the community-focused event. (Krystina Gloria / Effingham Herald)

GUYTON, Ga. – A light drizzle didn’t stop hundreds of walkers and runners from gathering in downtown Guyton on Oct. 11 for Effingham Health System’s third annual Soul to Sole Breast Cancer Awareness Walk & 5K.

The event began at the C.D. Dean Jr. Public Safety Complex, where participants in pink shirts stretched, sipped coffee and shared hugs before setting out on the course. Proceeds from the morning will support plans to expand the Effingham Cancer Care Center, operated by Effingham Health System in partnership with Summit Cancer Care.

Soul-to-Sole Cancer Walk 2025
Top, from left: Four women wore pink ponchos to show their support — and stay dry — during the steady rain. South Effingham High School health teachers and students cheered racers on as they neared the finish line. Bottom, from left: Madison from Renasant Bank in Rincon dressed head-to-toe in cowgirl pink. Jaimie Foreman brought eight coworkers from Kyungshin America Corp. to participate as a team-building event. Robert Estavrook, (from left) Sariyah Morris, Travarius Thomas and Matias Rodriguez showed their support for the community. (Krystina Gloria/Effingham Herald)

Surviving With Support
Inside the Guyton Civic Center, local businesses offered treats and giveaways — Chick-fil-A provided breakfast, and Paddles Coffee kept runners warm. Vendors handed out pink ribbons, bracelets and pins as families filtered in from the damp course.

For survivor Anita Powell, the event is about connection as much as awareness.

“I found out about it at a community meeting, and I think it’s cool that it’s done here in Effingham,” Powell said. “It’s the local people, and it absolutely does make me feel more connected.”

Powell, attending her second Soul to Sole event, couldn’t walk the route this year but said she wouldn’t have missed it.

Soul to Sole Breast Cancer Awareness Walk 2025
After completing the Soul to Sole walk, Rhody, left, and Luna take a well-deserved rest with their owners (because even pups need to paws sometimes!) (Krystina Gloria / Effingham Herald)

Running With Furry Friends
Even the weather couldn’t keep spirits down — or the dogs. Rhody and Luna, two four-legged “participants,” trotted alongside their owners as an estimated 250 to 400 people took part in the morning’s walk and run.


Soul-to-Sole Cancer Walk 2025
Emotions ran high as participants approached and crossed the finish line. First-time runner Anna Graves (bottom right corner) ran in support of her neighbor, Candice, who was declared cancer-free earlier this week. (Krystina Gloria / Effingham Herald)


Fueling Up and Showing Out

Before and after the race, volunteers handed out bananas and bottled water while music played and pink balloons bobbed overhead. Supporters from across Effingham County filled the civic center, where local groups and vendors offered giveaways and information about health and wellness.


Soul-to-Sole Cancer Walk 2025
Tables at the Guyton Civic Center were stocked with bananas for fuel, survivor sashes, support pins, and bracelets for participants of the Soul to Sole Walk & 5K. (Krystina Gloria / Effingham Herald)

Founders’ Corner

Effingham Health System CEO Dr. Fran Witt, who helped launch the event three years ago, said the walk has become an important way for the community to talk about prevention.

“Cancer diagnoses in our community rank among the top three,” Witt said. “This is an opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer and early detection. Get your mammogram done — do it early and do it every year.”

Soul to Sole Breast Cancer Awareness Walk 2025
Dr. Fran Witt, CEO of Effingham Health System (left), and Amber Bechert, COO of Summit Cancer Care, showed their support by cheering on participants and helping raise awareness during the Soul to Sole Breast Cancer Awareness Walk & 5K. (Krystina Gloria / Effingham Herald)