The Legacy Voice
Racing for a Cure
Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women (after lung cancer) and is the most common cancer among women, excluding non-melanoma skin cancers.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.2 million people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year worldwide.

In the United States alone, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes, and one woman dies from the disease every 13 minutes.

Though much less common, breast cancer also occurs in men. An estimated 1,450 cases were diagnosed in 2004.

According to the American Cancer Society:

  • About 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to heredity. Most women with breast cancer have no known significant family history or other known risk factors.
  • A woman’s chance of developing breast cancer increases with age.
  • A rapid increase of reported incidences of the disease from 1980 to 1987 is largely due to a greater use of mammography screening and increased detection of breast tumors.
  • There are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

The 2005 Komen Race for the Cure.
An event to put your sole into.

Thousands of runners and walkers, sporting the familiar pink ribbons, will converge on EDS’ Plano campus June 4 for the 2005 Komen North Texas Race for the Cure®. EDS, along with The Shops at Legacy, will serve as a presenting sponsor of the race, which benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Legacy Challenge
Many Legacy-area employees and their families are encouraged to take part in the race as it weaves through EDS Plano headquarters and The Shops at Legacy. As winner of the largest corporate team for the past two years, EDS challenges other companies in the Legacy corridor to form their teams and come for the race of a lifetime. Team leads in area companies are being identified and will soon be pulling their corporate teams together for this spirited event.

Last year, the North Texas affiliate distributed $350,000 in grant funds to Collin, Denton and Grayson counties to help fund education, screening and treatment projects. The remainder supports groundbreaking research by the Komen Foundation.

This year, local businesses and employees will have an opportunity to reach a North Texas audience of 12,000 to 15,000 participants and spectators.

“The Komen Race for the Cure is a cause that is enormously close to many people’s hearts,” said Tina Sivinski, executive vice president of EDS Human Resources.“We enthusiastically support the Komen Foundation’s mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. We’re inviting everyone to join in supporting this amazing race that helps so many in our local communities.” click here for more information

Strong Foundation
Nancy Brinker established the foundation in 1982 to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at 36. The foundation is a global leader in fighting breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs.

The Komen Race for the Cure Series is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. In addition to raising money and awareness, it celebrates breast cancer survivorship and pays tribute to those who have lost their battle with the disease.

Since 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure Series has grown from a local Dallas race with 800 participants to a global series of more than 100 races with 1.5 million people participating in 2004. Last year, the series extended its reach internationally with events in Rome and Frankfurt, Germany.

In addition to raising money, the Komen Race for the Cure Series focuses on the importance of early detection, the strongest method of surviving the disease. The five-year survival rate is 95 percent when the disease is discovered while still confined to the breast.

The races also help raise awareness of the importance of monthly breast self-examinations for women by age 20, clinical breast exams every three years beginning at 20 and annually at 40, and annual mammography beginning by 40.

For More Information
More information about the Legacy Challenge for the 2005 Komen North Texas Race for the Cure will be available soon. Area businesses are busy working out the details but one thing is for sure – you won’t want to miss this event! Mark your calendars now. Learn more about Komen Race for the Cure events near you or read about breast health and breast cancer. In the United States, call the toll-free Breast Care Helpline at 1-800-462- 9273.
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