On Oct. 5, more than 62,000 women, men and children walked and ran in the 16th annual Susan G. Komen Denver Race for the Cure. The Denver race proved once again that when it comes to raising awareness of, and, money for breast health and breast cancer research and programs, Coloradans are fully committed to the cause.
Despite gloomy weather forecasts, the Denver race continued its streak as one of the largest races for the cure in the country. Today's event was one of the city's biggest efforts in the fight to save lives and end breast cancer forever, and is projected to net more than $2.4 million for breast cancer research, education, treatment and screening programs. An accurate figure will be available once all donations and registrations have been totaled.
"I am so proud to be a part of this amazing community. Even though the economy has taken a major hit in the last few weeks, this community continues to support the race and our mission of ending breast cancer forever," says
Paula Colorosa, 2008 Race Chair.
The Race is comprised of a women's 5K run/walk, a co-ed 5K walk/run and a 1-mile family walk. This year's top three female breast cancer survivor finishers in the 5K were
Diane Groff, of Denver,
Helen Hertzog Mang, of Denver, and
Susan Perrigo, of Littleton, with times of 23:01, 24:17 and 24:28 respectively. The top three overall female winners for the 5K were
Lynda Andros Clay, of Edwards, at a time of 19:55,
Jena Pohle, of Aurora, at 19:58 and
Gwen Inglis, of Lakewood, at 20:09. The top three overall male finishers in the 5K were
Jose Carmelo Trejo, of Fort Lupton, at 16:29,
Chester Kurtz, of Superior, at 16:34 and
Jared Overe, of Estes Park, at 17:10.
Of the monies raised from the race, a maximum of 75 percent of the net is funded back to the Denver metropolitan area in the form of grants to area not-for-profits providing breast health and breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs, with a focus on underserved and uninsured individuals. Since its inception, the Komen Denver Race and the Denver Metropolitan Affiliate of Susan G. for the Cure has contributed more than $20 million to Denver area not-for-profits, and nearly $8 million into breast cancer research. This year, the Affiliate is funding 32 breast health projects totaling $2.89 million. The remaining 25 percent of the net ($1 million in April of 2008) is pooled with money raised from the other Affiliates and helps fund national breast cancer research projects through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure grants program. During its 26-year history, Komen has distributed more than $1 billion to breast cancer research and community programs.
For those who were unable to make it to this year's race, there are several opportunities throughout breast cancer awareness month to show support for the cause, and help raise money for breast cancer programs.
• Sleep in for the Cure, a program where participants sign up, but don't show up on race day. Sleep in for the Cure is a way to involve those who missed the annual Race because they were out of town, or were just plain fearful of the crowds and weather forecasts. For a $30 registration fee, plus shipping, participants will receive a special Sleep-in Race t-shirt by registering on-line at
www.komendenver.org. The program runs through October 17.
• Work Out for the Cure® - want to exercise, avoid downtown and still be part of the Race? No problem - Work Out for the Cure through October 17th. Choose any athletic activity you want - run, walk, bike, swim -- and do it outdoors on your own or in the comfort of an indoor gym! Just sign up for the Race for the Cure under Work Out for the Cure, and you'll receive a Race T-shirt. Then, do the 5K your way! Same cost as Sleep in for the Cure.
• A Pink Tie Affair at the Sheraton Hotel Denver on Saturday, Nov. 15. Stack the deck at this year's Pink Tie Affair. Don't miss this exciting evening, including silent auction, dinner, dancing to the Jerry Barnett Orchestra and casino games! For more information on any of these programs, visit www.komendenver.org.
About the Denver Metropolitan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure:
The Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure - along with those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources - is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the community. Since 1993, through events like the Komen Denver Race for the Cure and A Pink Tie Affair, we have invested $20 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in 12 counties. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Komen Denver Affiliate stay in the 12-county service area. This year, the Affiliate is funding 32 grants in its 12-county service area, totaling $2.89 million and invested nearly $1 million into breast cancer research. The Affiliate has also contributed nearly $8 million to scientific research through Komen National and its Susan G. Komen for the Cure grants program over the past 15 years. For more information, visit komendenver.org or call 303-744-2088.
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, the 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, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. 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. For more information about breast health or breast cancer, visit the Foundation's web site at www.komen.org or call the Foundation's toll free breast care helpline at 1.800 I'M AWARE (1.800.462.9273).