More Than 40,000 Participate in the 2010 Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®
WASHINGTON, D.C.--They came to honor a loved one, to celebrate survival and to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer, both here in the Washington, D.C. metro area and across the globe. In the end, more than 40,000 people participated in the 21st running of the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® in Washington, D.C. Today’s event raised more than $4.5 million to fund breast cancer programs for women in need throughout the National Capital Area and abroad.
Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s founder and CEO charged up the crowd and a called for each participant to find a way to make an impact on this deadly disease. “Without a cure, in the next 25 years, an estimated 11 million will die from the disease worldwide. That's more than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. We can stem the tide of the growing crises; we can share what we have learned; we can end breast cancer forever, all around the world. And with each of us doing our part, we will,�?? Brinker said.
Honorary Chair, Dr. Jill Biden, a long-time advocate for breast health education and wife of Vice President Joe Biden, addressed the day’s participants during the opening ceremonies, encouraging them and thanking them for showing up to make an impact on an issue close to her heart.
Dr. Biden was joined at the Race by several members of the Obama Administration, including Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
In addition to the tens of thousands of area residents who turned out for this morning’s festivities, the Komen Global Race inspired 44 congressional offices to form teams for this year’s Race. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Virginia), who helped spearhead this year’s congressional “State of Pink�?? challenge sponsored by Politico, and Rep. Jim Moran (D-Virginia) were among the Members of Congress who joined their office teams in person for the event.
The morning’s festivities, emceed by W*USA’s Andrea Roane and WASH-FM’s Maureen McLain, opened with the Parade of Pink, as nearly 3,500 breast cancer survivors and international representatives marched into the mall to a live performance of “Pink Warrior,�?? an inspiring song by singer/songwriter Candy Coburn. Coburn also fired up the participants with the debut of her soon-to-be released single “Ain’t No Rodeo.�?? Celebrity fitness trainer Holly Perkins helped warm up the crowd as they prepared for the morning’s 5k walk.
Prior to the Race, Komen honored the 2010 Survivor of the Year Amy Czelusniak and Co-Survivor of the Year Jami Nelson Guerrina, who is also a survivor. Amy was diagnosed in March 2009, and soon after met Jami following reading her blog detailing her own experience. Jami provided an instant and indispensable support system for Amy.
After the Race start, more than 2,000 kids made their own impact on the disease with Kids for the Cure®, Komen’s special Race day program for children ages 5-12 that includes activities and a child-sized run.
Thanks to the Global Race, Komen is able to impact the lives of breast cancer patients in the National Capital Area as well as women across the globe. Up to 75 percent of today’s Race revenue will stay in the D.C. area. Thanks to funds raised by the 2008 and 2009 Races, $6.5 million has been granted to local breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs for those in need throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. The remaining 25 percent helps Komen’s work around the globe to share knowledge and experience and to fund education and breast health services in regions where few exist.
The National Presenting Sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure Series is Yoplait®, and the National Series Sponsors are American Airlines, Ask.com, Bank of America, Ford Division, New Balance RE/MAX® and SELF. Quilted Northern Ultra® sponsors the Race Series’ Volunteer Recognition Program and the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity sponsors the Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, nearly $1.5 billion has been invested to fulfill the promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds in the world dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877-GO KOMEN (465-6636).