This year was the largest Birmingham Komen Race for the Cure ever, with more than 11,000 participants. Last year’s event had 8,400 participants. This year’s fundraising is anticipated to reach $700,000, $161,000 more than last year. The event was held on Saturday, October 13th at Eighth Avenue North in front of the Boutwell Auditorium and participants ran or walked through the downtown Linn Park. 

This year’s event was the 16th annual Komen Race for the Cure for the Birminham area. A number of the participants were cancer survivors. Others walked or ran in memory of someone who had fought breast cancer, or who had lost the battle with breast cancer.

Source: The Birmingham News

Mary Lee Davis died of cancer last spring. She was a paraprofessional at Fouke Elementary School in Fouke, AR. More than 80 faculty members and students from the school will participate in the Komen Race for the Cure in Texarkana, TX to raise funds in her name. The walk will be held Saturday, October 20th.

The race begins at the Ben & Jane Collins Home for Women in Texarkana, TX. The walk includes a 5K Run/Walk and a 1 Mile “fun stroll.”

“We knew her as Miss Mary Lee. We didn’t even know she had a last name,” said Barham, who graduated from Fouke High School in 1999.

Former students of Ms. Davis’ are among the group that will walk on Saturday in her honor. Gerald Davis, Mary Lee’s husband is thankful that her friends at Fouke Elementary wish to honor her in this way.

“They’ve already done so much,” Gerald Davis said.

Source: Texarkana Gazette

The 11th Annual Komen Wabash Valley Race for the Cure was held on Saturday, October 6th in Terre Haute, Indiana. The 5K race had 2,000 participants. Since the event began, the Komen Wabash Valley Affiliate has raised more than $1 million. The national Susan G. Komen Foundation has raised more than $1 billion.

“We are very proud and honored to host the Race for the Cure for the past 11 years,” Dr. David Baer, President of SMWC said. Terre Haute Mayor Kevin Burke also spoke and actually ran in the race, after officially proclaiming it Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Day.

Seventy-five percent of the funds raised will be used for breast cancer projects in the Wabash Valley. The remaining funds are returned to the national organization.

After the opening ceremonies, a Survivor Parade was held. Nearly 200 survivors were honored. Survivors had 1 to 33 years of survivorship. Most participated in the race.

Source: Indiana Statesman

The Pheonix, AZ Komen Race for the Cure will be held on Sunday, October 14th. This is the fifteenth annual Komen Race for the Cure event. Funds raised will benefit breast cancer research. They expect to have approximately 40,000 participants at the event.

“The Race for the Cure is to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Seventy-five percent of the money raised will stay right here in Arizona, 25 percent will fund breast cancer research,” said Pat Elder, executive director of the Komen foundation.

The race will begin near the State Capitol. The event includes three 5K events and also a one-mile “fun run” or walk.

The Pheonix, AZ Komen Race for the Cure has raised $11 million for breast cancer research and education since 1993.

Source: News 92.3 KTAR

More than 61,000 participants joined the Komen Race for the Cure in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, October 7th. This is the fifteenth year for the event. The Denver, CO Komen Race for the Cure is considered to be one of the largest in the country.

The walk is not just about fundraising, but also a chance to experience for those battling breast cancer to share in the hope and inspiration of other breast cancer survivors. The walk is also to honor those who have lost their lives battling the disease.

“When you look out and you see a sea of pink, you can’t be anything but inspired and so grateful that there’s so many survivors here.”

Survivors have advice for other women recently diagnosed with the disease. “Don’t succumb to it. Just say, I’m not dying from this.”

The event is anticipated to raise more than $3 million dollars for breast cancer research, treatment and also education programs.

Source: the CW2.com

More than 170,000 ran, walked or volunteered for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure Sunday, September 30th throughout Canada. The run/walk raised $23.4 million for breast cancer research, education and awareness programs. Runs took place in 53 locations across the country. Participants had the choice of running or walking a 1K or a 5K.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for Candian women. One woman in nine is anticipated to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Canada. However, mortality rates are the lowest they have ever been since the 1950’s. With early detection and treatment, 5,300 women of 22,300 diagnosed with breast cancer will die.

The Run for the Cure is Canada’s largest volunteer-based, single-day fundraiser for breast cancer.

Source: Edmonton Journal, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Run for the Cure

Maren Coffman is participating in the 39-mile, two-day Avon Walk held on Charlotte, NC on October 20th - 21st. The Fort Hill, SC resident must raise a minimum of $1,800 to be a walker in the event. Like many fundraisers for walk-a-thons or other events, Coffman is putting her own special personal touch on her fundraising. She has created several creative fundraising strategies to support her efforts. Her fundraising is also helping to raise more awarness for breast cancer.

Coffman has created a mini-walk to benefit the Avon Foundation on Saturday, October 6th. The walk is 4 miles and begins at the Baxter Village Starbucks. The registration fee of $20 will benefit the Avon Foundation. By holding a walk, she is helping to raise more awareness for breast cancer, especially for walkers who might not be able to complete the 39-mile walk held by Avon in late October.

She is also selling raffle tickets for prizes that will be given right after the mini-walk on October 6th. Raffle tickets are being sold for $5 each. Local businesses have donated a number of prizes which include four cakes donated by The Perfect Pastry, handmade chocolates from Epiphany Chocolatiers, a $150 gift certificate from P.Elite Catering and a two-night stay at Holiday Inn Charlotte City Center.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many women are wearing pink ribbons in support of this very important month.

Source:  Charlotte.com