19th Annual Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure® Draws Nearly 50,000 Participants, Celebrities; Brings Record Funds to National Capital Area
2009 Event Becomes "Susan G. Komen GLOBAL Race for the Cure"
WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 7, 2008 - The National Mall was passionately pink this morning, as nearly 50,000 breast cancer survivors, co-survivors, celebrities and activists gathered for the 19th annual Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure®. Today's 5K event raised $4.9 million to fund breast cancer research and community health programs for the medically underserved in the National Capital Area.
The day began with the Parade of Pink - more than 3,800 breast cancer survivors, led by Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Founder Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker and Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon -marching across the National Mall to honor loved ones and show solidarity in their triumph over the disease.
The Pre-Race events, emceed by WUSA's Andrea Roane, WASH FM's Maureen McLain and WTOP's "Man About Town" Bob Madigan, featured remarks from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty; Ambassador Brinker; Nixon; actress Gabrielle Union; Susan G. Komen for the Cure Ambassador René Syler; boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr., renowned personal trainer Tommy Tomlo, and Survivor of the Year, Diane Mathis.
$30 million invested in National Capital Area
"Since Susan G. Komen for the Cure® started 26 years ago, we have invested more than $1 billion in breast cancer research and community health programs, including more than $30 million directly into the National Capital Area," said breast cancer survivor Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in her event remarks. "Today's Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure is a significant step in our pledge to invest another $2 billion by 2017 to dramatically decrease breast cancer incidence and death, particularly right here in Washington, D.C., which has one of the highest breast cancer mortality rates in America."
National Race to be renamed "Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure"
In addition, Ambassador Brinker and Secretary Rice announced Susan G. Komen for the Cure's intention to re-name the 2009 event - which will mark the 20th anniversary of the National Race - the "Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure."
"It's been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity," said Ambassador Brinker. "As today's National Race Parade of Nations illustrated, our reach and influence now extend far beyond our nation's borders. And our promise to end breast cancer forever is not limited to one country or one people. It's universal."
After the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure, participants enjoyed a performance on the main stage by Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Vanessa Carlton. She played songs from her latest album, Heroes and Thieves, along with hit singles "A Thousand Miles" and "Ordinary Day" from her 2002 debut album, Be Not Nobody.
Funds stay in local area: $3.3 million from 2007 National Race
A majority of the funds raised from this year's Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure will remain in the National Capital Area; last year, $3.3 million from the 2007 Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure went to fund outreach programs and initiatives that address the unmet breast health needs of the area. The remaining net proceeds support cutting-edge breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Program.
The National Presenting Sponsor of the 2008 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series is Yoplait. Official Race Series Partners are American Airlines, Coldwater Creek®, Energizer®, Ford Division, FUZE Beverage, New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. and Quilted Northern Ultra®. The National Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program is co-sponsored by RE/MAX and Zeta Tau Alpha.
