WASHINGTON, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration is now open for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation National Race for the Cure(R) on June 5th, 2004. Celebrating its 15th year, the Komen National Race for the Cure(R) continues to be an event for tens of thousands of breast cancer survivors and supporters to converge on the nation’s capital in the fight against a disease that strikes more than 200,000 men and women every year.
On June 5th, an expected 60,000 runners and walkers will once again take to the streets to raise crucial funds for programs servicing the Washington, D.C. area. A minimum of $1 million of the funds raised through the Komen National Race will remain in Washington, D.C. community -- including Virginia and Maryland -- to fund outreach programs and initiatives that address the specific unmet breast health needs of the area. Washington, D.C. has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the U.S. Registering for the Komen National Race offers residents a chance to make a direct impact on breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment in the community.
“Much of the funds raised from the Komen National Race for the Cure(R) go directly to local programs that serve the Washington, D.C. population,” said Susan Braun, president and chief executive officer of the Komen Foundation. “We are determined to fund programs that address the needs of people facing the disease today, while searching for a cure for the future.”
The remaining net proceeds support cutting-edge breast cancer research through the Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program, with a number of grantees in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. In 2003, the program awarded more than $21.4 million in grants to support cutting-edge breast cancer research projects.
The 15th Anniversary brings the Komen National Race for the Cure(R) back to the National Mall in the shadows of the Capitol Dome. In proud non- partisan tradition, President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, and Vice President Dick Cheney and Mrs. Lynne Cheney will serve as Honorary Co- Chairs of the event in 2004. During the past 15 years, numerous policy makers -- both Democrat and Republican -- have served as Honorary Chairs and demonstrated tremendous support for the Komen Foundation and for the fight against breast cancer.
To join the Komen National Race for the Cure(R), runners and walkers can register online, by mail, at one-stop registration sites and through late registration. Visit http://www.nationalraceforthecure.org/ for details. Entry forms are now available at several merchants in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Registration sites throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia will open in May 2004. A complete list of sites, including dates and times, is posted on the Web site.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established more than 20 years ago by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Komen Foundation is an international, grassroots organization with more than 100 Affiliates in the United States, as well as in Germany, Italy and Puerto Rico. The Komen Foundation invests more than $96 million dollars annually to support its mission, primarily through its annual Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series, making it the nation’s largest private funding source for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs. The 2004 Komen National Race for the Cure(R), one of more than 100 Komen Race for the Cure(R) events nationwide, will take place on Saturday, June 5 in Washington, D.C. Celebrating 15 years in the Nation’s Capital, the 2004 Komen National Race is expected to attract nearly 60,000 participants.
The latest information on the 2004 Komen National Race for the Cure(R) can be found by calling (703) 848-8884 or visiting http://www.nationalraceforthecure.org/ . For information about breast health or breast cancer, visit the Komen Foundation’s Web site, http://www.komen.org/ , or call its National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline, 1.800 I’M AWARE(R) (1.800.462.9273).
For more information: Jennifer Cawley, (703) 243-6530 x19 jcawley@beap.com
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
CONTACT: Jennifer Cawley for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation,+1-703-243-6530 x19, jcawley@beap.com
