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Spirit of Community in Action Komen North Texas Race for the Cure On June 4, nearly 11,000 people donned their tennis shoes and headed out before sunrise to Race for the Cure. The overcast day was frosted with pink T-shirts, signs, flowers and bows as race goers gathered at EDS and The Shops at Legacy, the new presenting sponsors of the 2005 Komen North Texas Race for the Cure®. Before 10 a.m., individuals and teams had successfully broken last year’s record in the following areas:
The race also picked up more than 40 new sponsors from the Dallas, Sherman and Plano area in addition to many returning sponsors. A large number of The Shops of Legacy retailers participated in the event in a variety of ways, from offering discounts to serving breakfast on race morning to decorating their store fronts. Numerous Legacy Park companies sponsored individuals and teams in a competitive spirit that Race sponsors hope will grow each year. Komen organizers wanted to be more centralized in their service area of Collin, Denton and Grayson counties, so they moved the race location this year to EDS and The Shops at Legacy. In fact, a new year-round office for the Komen Affiliate now resides in The Shops of Legacy community. “Often races experience a decline when they change locations,” said Jennifer Hernandez, public relations chair for the North Texas Komen Affiliate. “It was a huge win for our race to experience an increase in numbers in this year of transition. We feel the possibilities for growth are endless and we look forward to next year.” After the race was completed, race participants gathered in grassy knolls around the lake to enjoy the survivor parade. Carrying pink balloons and roses, survivors made their way to the center stage where they were recognized and honored for their victory over cancer. The ceremony concluded with survivors releasing their pink balloons. “We are so proud and still beaming at this success,” said Jill Tillery, an EDS event co-organizer. “We look back with awe and amazement at the number of people who jumped in and put their hearts and souls into this event to make it a success for the Komen Foundation.” About the Komen 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 Cureâ 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 Cureâ Series has grown from a local Dallas race with 800 participants to a global series of more than 100 races with more than 1 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 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 I’m aware (1 800 462 9273). |
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