Katharine Hoffmann and Priscilla Bordogna have been best friends for 15 years, since "Katie" was in 8th grade, and Priscilla was in 7th grade.
They met while running track together - the hurdles.
But nothing could have prepared Katharine for the hurdle she faced in 2006, when, at the age of 23, she was diagnosed with an advanced stage of cervical cancer.
Katharine admits, "I was terrified, I was scared because to me cancer meant death and that's all I knew."
With both of her parents deceased, her first call was to Priscilla.
She wasn't about to let her friend down.
Priscilla told us, "The thought of losing my best friend kills me to this day, it wasn't going to happen and I made sure that she'd fight."
And that's what she did.
Katharine underwent 8 months of daily radiation therapy, then 6 months of chemotherapy.
And during the times she lost hope, her best friend was steadfast.
Katharine says, "She's been there for me through everything."
Now the friends are offering that support to more women.
Priscilla started 'Run 2 Inspire' - a local non-profit organization that draws attention to HPV, the human papilloma virus. It is linked to cervical cancer.
The goal is to educate more women and men about it, and for women to get screened and protect themselves.
They are also raising money for research. About 200 tickets for tonights game were sold by 'Run to Inspire' and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. $4 dollars from each of them will go towards their cause.
As for Katharine..."I'm in remission, I am hoping it stays that way."
For more information on the group, see Run2Inspire.
For more information on cervical cancer, contact the National Cervical Cancer Coalition.
