Komen News: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Celebrates 15th Anniversary of the Komen National Race for the Cure® with White House and Costa Rican Embassy Events
Washington - The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Celebrates 15th Anniversary of the Komen National Race for the Cure® with White House and Costa Rican Embassy Events
Washington - April 21, 2004 - President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush hosted the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at a White House ceremony on Wednesday, April 21, 2004 to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Komen National Race for the Cure® in Washington, D.C. The President and Mrs. Bush, who are Komen National Race Honorary Chairs along with Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, gave brief remarks highlighting breast cancer survivors and the funds raised by the event for the fight against breast cancer.
The Celebrate the Race! reception which followed, and which was hosted by the Embassy of Costa Rica, was the official kickoff for the 15th Komen National Race for the Cure® season. The event highlighted the Komen Foundation's work locally, nationally and internationally. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson was honored with the Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology Horizon Award.
Speakers at the Celebrate the Race! reception included Secretary Thompson; Congresswoman Sue Myrick, Komen National Race Honorary Survivor Chair; Former Costa Rican First Lady Mrs. Lorena Clare de Rodriguez; Jaime Daremblum, Ambassador of Costa Rica; Former U.S. Ambassador Nancy Brinker, Komen Foundation Founder; Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall, Jr., Komen Foundation Chairman of the Board; and Susan Braun, Komen Foundation President and CEO.
Both events were preludes to the Komen National Race for the Cure®, which will be held June 5, 2004. The Komen National Race raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.
Read/listen to remarks by the President and First Lady.
The Komen National Race for the Cure®
The Komen National Race for the Cure® has grown exponentially each year from 7,000 registered participants in 1990 to more than 60,000 in 2003. This year, the Komen Foundation celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Komen National Race, one of more than 100 5-K runs/fitness walks in its signature program, the Komen Race for the Cure® Series. The largest series of 5-K runs/fitness walks in the world, the Komen Race Series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrating breast cancer survivorship and honoring those who lost their battle with the disease.
