WASHINGTON, June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Participants at the 2005 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation National Race for the Cure(R) took a bold step in the fight against cancer today as they descended on the National Mall. More than 47,000 runners and walkers, including nearly 3,700 breast cancer survivors, participated in the 16th annual 5K event in Washington, D.C. to raise money for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs. More than $2.8 million was raised today to support the fight against breast cancer.
"The Komen National Race for the Cure(R), and the thousands of people who participated today, are powerful testaments to the strength of one and the power of many in the fight to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease," said Susan Braun, president and chief executive officer for the Komen Foundation.
This year's event kicked off with the traditional Parade of Pink to celebrate and recognize those who have fought breast cancer as well as remember those who have passed. Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor Chair and actress, Jaclyn Smith and Telemundo television star and breast cancer survivor, Ana Maria Polo, led the Parade with Komen Foundation founder, Nancy Brinker. Other dignitaries at the event included Mayor Anthony Williams; "Desperate Housewives" star Ricardo Chavira; CBS Early Show Anchor Rene Syler; Tanya Snyder, Redskins owner and wife of owner, Chairman of the Board, Daniel M. Snyder; Redskins players and wives; and cast members of Mamma Mia! NBC's Today Show anchor, Ann Curry, and former Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson joined the GE Healthcare Team.
This was the second year for Komen National Race participants to take part in the Komen Foundation's Co-Survivor program. In 2004, the Komen Foundation launched the program on Race Day to recognize and empower co-survivors - family, friends, health care providers or colleagues - in their vital supporting role and is continuing to expand that initiative. The co-survivor program includes a recognition program to give survivors an outlet to share their gratitude for co-survivors, and an educational program to provide materials and resources to assist co-survivors throughout their journey.
Registering for the Komen National Race also offers residents a chance to make a direct impact on breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment in the community. Net income from the 2004 Komen National Race for the Cure(R) raised $1.57 million to fund 23 grants for programs at local institutions and organizations.
A minimum of $1 million of the funds raised through the Komen National Race will remain in the Washington, D.C., community - including Virginia and Maryland - to fund outreach programs and initiatives that address the specific unmet breast health needs of the area. Washington, D.C., has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the United States.
One local grant recipient, Pharia Le of Boat People, S.O.S., said the money will enable her organization to raise awareness in the Vietnamese community. "The Vietnamese population has one of the highest mortality rates for breast cancer because of the social taboos that prevent some women from getting regular screenings," said Le. "The Komen Foundation grant will help us raise awareness and increase screening rates which will ultimately save lives."
The remaining net proceeds support cutting-edge breast cancer research through the Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program.
The National Presenting Sponsor of the 2005 Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series is Yoplait. Official Race Series Partners are American Airlines, Coldwater Creek(R), Ford Division, Kellogg's(R), New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., Quilted Northern Ultra(R) and Silk Soymilk. RE/MAX and Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity co-sponsor the Komen Race for the Cure(R) National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program.
The Komen National Race is one of more than 100 5K runs/fitness walks in its signature program, the Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series. The largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, the Komen Race Series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrating breast cancer survivorship and honoring those who lost their battle with the disease. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.nationalraceforthecure.com .
Experience A Promise in Action at the 2005 Komen Foundation Mission Conference in Washington, D.C. Join us from June 5-7 for a powerful program of expert research presented from a survivor's perspective. For more information, visit http://www.komen.org or call 972-855-1682.
About the Komen Foundation
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Komen Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 active volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure(R) to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, the Komen Foundation has raised nearly $740 million for the fight against breast cancer.
For more information on breast health or breast cancer, visit the Foundation's Web site at http://www.komen.org or call the Foundation's National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1.800. I'M AWARE(R) (1.800.462.9273).
For more information: Jennifer Cawley, 816-547-7933 (Race Day cell) 703-243-6530 x19 jcawley@beap.com
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer FoundationCONTACT: Jennifer Cawley, +1-816-547-7933 (Race Day cell), +1-703-243-6530ext. 19, jcawley@beap.com, for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
