8,500 Participate in the 2012 Race for the Cure

Approximately 8,500 people came together at the Susan G. Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure® Sunday, June 3 to walk, run, celebrate and raise $1.1 million in critical funds. Seventy-five percent of the net funds raised will help provide mammograms, treatment support and education for local women. Twenty-five percent of the net funds will go directly to global research to find a cure for the disease. Thirty-four percent of all funds raised annually by Komen Puget Sound have come from the Race for the Cure.

“We are so grateful for everyone who joined us at the Race for the Cure to support women in our community, sharing our commitment to fight breast cancer on all fronts,” says Cheryl Shaw, Komen Puget Sound Executive Director. “By running or walking, the steps taken today will bring us closer to a future free of breast cancer. These funds will provide over 7,300 free mammograms for low-income and uninsured women, as well as breast cancer prevention and patient support.”

Participating in this morning’s festivities were several area leaders and celebrities including Race Grand Marshal and UW Head Football Coach Steve Sarkisian. Also present were KING 5 TV’s Jean Enersen, Christie Johnson and Kim Holcomb; MOViN 92.5 Brooke and Jubal, WARM 106.1 Maya and Seattle Sounder Servando Carrasco.

The race also provided over 900 breast cancer survivors with an opportunity to come together as a supportive community and be a part of a festival of life. "We've faced some big obstacles in planning the Race this year, but there is no bigger obstacle than Breast Cancer” said Char Davis. “Working on this Race, to help other women and get to a Cure, has really helped me heal," said Lynda Weatherby. Both Davis and Weatherby are Co-Chairs of the 2012 Race for the Cure and breast cancer survivors. The Race day ended on a high note with an inspiring parade of survivors led by KIRO News Anchor Michelle Millman and Komen Puget Sound Executive Director Cheryl Shaw, both breast cancer survivors.

In 2013, Komen Puget Sound will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Race for the Cure at Seattle Center on Sunday, June 2, 2013.