The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Announces 2006 Komen Race For The Cure(R) Series

DALLAS, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- To kick-off the 2006 season of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure(R) Series, the Komen Foundation announces event dates and welcomes its new partnership with Frito- Lay’s SunChips(R) brand as National Series Sponsor of the Volunteer Recognition Program. Now in its 23rd season, the Komen Race for the Cure(R) is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world with 114 events in 2006. This year’s Series will begin Jan. 21 in West Palm Beach, Fla. and conclude Nov. 5 with Races in Austin, Tex. and San Diego. To learn dates and find a local Komen Race for the Cure(R) event visit http://www.komen.org .

SunChips(R) brand joins the following national sponsors who have renewed their commitment to the Komen Race for the Cure(R) and the fight against breast cancer. National Series Presenting Sponsor Yoplait, and other Official Race Series Partners American Airlines, Coldwater Creek, Ford Division, Kellogg’s(R), New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., Quilted Northern Ultra(R) and Silk Soymilk. In addition, RE/MAX and Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity are continuing co-sponsorship of the Komen Race for the Cure(R) National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program, celebrating breast cancer survivorship and honoring those who have lost their battles to the disease.

The Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series began in 1983 with one local event in Dallas with 800 participants. Today, more than 1 million participants join together to fight breast cancer one step at a time in this public health event to learn the vital importance of early detection and good breast health.

“The continued growth of the Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series is due in large part to the support of our Series sponsors, efforts of our Affiliates and committed participants who know that getting involved in a Race can help save thousands of lives,” said Cindy Schneible, vice president of cause- marketing and sponsorships for the Komen Foundation. “The support we receive from Official Race Series Partners enables the Komen Foundation to further our mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease and educate families about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.”

Funds raised at Komen Race for the Cure(R) events help to support community outreach programs in more than 15,000 communities. Up to 75 percent of the net income from each Race stays in the local community to fund breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects. The remaining 25 percent supports the Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program, funding groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific conferences around the world.

Pulling off the world’s largest 5K series is no easy feat with volunteers clocking thousands of hours each year. In celebration of the 2006 Race season, the following facts showcase the thousands of volunteer hours and tasks that make the Series possible.

1. Power in Numbers

In 2005, more than 92,000 people volunteered for the Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series. Larger Komen Races like those in Denver and St. Louis need more than 2,000 volunteers to implement a single event.

2. I’ll Drink to That

More than one million participants will take part in the 2006 Komen Race Series, walking over 3.7 million miles and drinking more than 3.6 million cups of water along the way!

3. Yards of Stories

More than 73,000 Komen Race for the Cure(R) volunteer T-shirts will be printed -- using more than 100,000 yards of cotton fabric! An internationally known event, just wearing a Race T-shirt often sparks conversations with others about breast cancer and personal connections with the disease.

4. Quite a Workload

Volunteering for the Komen Race Series means a variety of jobs from trash pick-up to security, data entry to registration, directional help to cheerleading -- Komen volunteers do it all. Thanks to their hard work, the Komen Foundation is able to keep overall administrative expenses to less than 25 percent.

5. People of All Ages

Most Komen volunteers are between the ages of 35-54 although volunteers come in pint-sized versions too. Kids and teenagers frequently pitch in on Race day joining their parents in this family fun event.

With one-mile family walks, 5K runs/fitness walks and post-Race celebrations honoring breast cancer survivors and co-survivors, the Komen Race for the Cure(R) invites people of all ages and fitness levels to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Visit http://www.komen.org to learn more about the Komen Race Series including how to volunteer or sign up to participate and donate to the fight.

About the Komen Foundation

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Komen Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 active volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure(R) to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Through fiscal year 2005, the Komen Foundation, together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, has invested $630 million in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

For more information on breast health or breast cancer, visit the Foundation’s Web site at http://www.komen.org or call the Foundation’s National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1.800. I’M AWARE(R) (1.800.462.9273).

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

CONTACT: Rebecca Gibson, +1-972-855-4319, or rgibson@komen.org , or JillCoody Smits, +1-972-855-1682, or jsmits@komen.org , both of Susan G. KomenBreast Cancer Foundation

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