Komen Race for the Cure turns out record numbers

KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Ten million women around the world could die from breast cancer in the next 25 years without the cure.  A mother. A daughter. A grandmother. A friend.  The reality is breast cancer doesn’t discriminate – it can happen to anyone at anytime.  That’s why Susan G. Komen for the Cure is fighting every minute of every day to save every life. 

With almost 4400 participants showing their support for those who’ve won the battle and honor loved ones who lost their fight, the Fourth Annual Susan G. Komen Tri-Cities Race for the Cure® held today at Memorial Park in Kingsport, TN became the largest Race in the history of the Tri-Cities!  The event offered something for everyone – a 5K Race/Walk; One Mile Dash for children under 14; 100 Yard Dash for the younger children; and even a Nap for the Cure for those who couldn’t race or attend but still wanted to show their support.

“This is the first year that I’ve participated in the Race, and it was great,” said Jessica Elliott of Gray, TN.  “Today I walked with and for a friend, Shelia Loudermilk.  She’s currently going through radiation treatment, so it was important for me to show her my support.  It felt really good to know that I’m supporting an organization that helps build breast cancer awareness.”

Many breast cancer survivors participated in the Komen Tri-Cities Race for the Cure, including male survivor John Collins of Johnson City, TN.  Collins was diagnosed in 2001 with stage 4 colon cancer and then with breast cancer in 2006.  “I made a promise to God that if I survived I would dedicate my life to educating everyone about how breast cancer can happen to men and to African-Americans,” said Collins.  “I am happy to be here (at the Race) today because it’s important for me to touch as many lives as possible.”

Many local companies, organizations and individuals formed teams and participated in the activities of the day.  Because of the overwhelming team activity, all teams have until October 31 to submit donations.  At that time, team participation and money raised will be verified and team awards will be posted on the Komen Tri-Cities Affiliate Web site (http://www.tricitieskomen.org). 

“The Race turnout and the dollars earned were record-breaking,” said race chairperson Natalie Whitlock.  “Each year the Race gets bigger and better, and we continue to raise more and more money for breast cancer programs.  The community support is absolutely super, and the Race couldn’t be possible without our awesome sponsors and volunteers.”

Sloan Maes, grants chairperson for Tri-Cities Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and director of Oncology at Bristol Regional Medical Center, echoed Whitlock’s enthusiasm by stating, “Every year the Affiliate starts out with no money for grants, so without the Race and other fundraising events we wouldn’t be able to provide money for community breast health programs serving the uninsured and medically underinsured.  Next month we will begin asking for grant applications, so I encourage all organizations interested in requesting grant money to visit our web-site (http://www.tricitieskomen.org) for more information.”

Next year’s Komen Tri-Cities Race for the Cure will be Sunday, October 24 at Memorial Park in Kingsport.  “Next year we’ll expect an even a bigger turnout than this year, so everyone needs to mark their calendars now,” said Whitlock.