Fundraising for Landmark Breast Cancer Race Continues Through March 31, 2011
LOS ANGELES, March 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 14,000 turned out Sunday March 6th for the 15th Annual Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County Affiliate Race for the Cure® at Dodger Stadium. This represents a 10% increase of registered participants over last year's event.
Breast cancer survivors, clad in pink T-shirts and hats, raced beside family, friends and advocates honoring loved ones touched by breast cancer in an effort to create a world without the disease.
Event organizers hope to reach the $1.5 million goal, as preliminary totals for the 2011 Race are at $1.2 million. Fundraising for the Race for the Cure® will continue through March 31, which is the deadline for participants to turn in pledges and matching employer donations.
The top fundraising teams were:
- Kelli's Krew at KPMG
- Gigi's Crew
- A Thousand Joy's
- 5 K's for Karen
- Anthem Blue Cross
Corporate sponsorship totaled $340,000.00, a 25% increase over 2010. Local Presenting Sponsors for the event were Ralphs & Food 4 Less and Chevron. Media Presenting Sponsors were CBS 2 and KCAL 9. Diamond Sponsors were Alliance for Women in Media, KJLH 102.3 FM, AMP 97.1, K-EARTH and 93.1 JACK FM. Platinum Sponsors were Anthem Blue Cross, Don Francisco's Coffee, Wescom Credit Union, Univision 34 and Telefutura 46. Gold Sponsors were Amgen, Power Automotive Group, Los Angeles Sentinel, Aetna, KLVE 107.5 FM, La Nueva 101.9 FM, Recuerdo 103.9 FM and KTNQ 1020 AM. Silver Sponsors included Neutrogena, Westfield Shopping Centers, 100.3 The Sound, Power 106 and L.A. Parent. Bronze Sponsors were Cancer Treatment Centers of America, KPMG, Minute Rice, Going Green for Pink, Rocketdyne, St. Vincent's Medical Center and Tiger Balm.
Deb Anthony, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Los Angeles County Affiliate said, "Truly, my heart is full. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. The spirit of giving and solidarity of women, families and community to fight this disease was overwhelming. The generous participants, volunteers and sponsors make it possible for us to provide more underinsured and uninsured women with vital breast health services and programs. We are proud to be part of a community that gives so selflessly and shares our goal of winning the fight against breast cancer." Anthony continued, "But we're still $400,000 away from reaching our fundraising goal. That's the equivalent of 3,200 life saving mammograms for women in need! The good news is that there is still time to make a difference. Our fundraising continues through the end of March and together we can reach our goal and make an impact for the women in our community."
Fundraising continues through March 31, 2011. Donations are welcome and appreciated and will be accepted at www.komenlacounty.org, or by mail to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Los Angeles County Affiliate, 11845 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 645W, Los Angeles, CA 90064.
Seventy five percent (75%) of the funds raised are invested in local breast cancer awareness and education programs, breast self-examination classes, medical and diagnostic services for uninsured and underinsured women, and other unmet community needs through grants to community breast health organizations. The remaining 25% is dedicated to the Komen Award and Research Grant Program to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research.
At the event, the entertainment community rallied to support the cause. Grammy nominated recording artist Kelly Price gave a spine tingling performance of the national anthem. Price expressed how the cause hit close to home as both her mom and mother in law had bouts with breast cancer.
Australian rock group, Juke Kartel was a dynamic highlight of the day with performances during the Opening Ceremony and after the Race. The group is donating partial proceeds from its single "Brightest Star", originally written as a response to the news that drummer Jay Pinfold's mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The single is now experiencing a groundswell of support as the new anthem of hope. The song is available exclusively on iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brightest-star/id399476200, with a portion of the proceeds (65 cents of each dollar) benefiting Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County Affiliate.
A highlight of the Race was the Survivor Tribute, during which breast cancer survivors were recognized for their fight against and triumph over the disease at a special ceremony in their honor.
"This day of celebrating breast cancer awareness was a tribute to the thousands of amazing survivors whose strength inspires us to contribute to this meaningful cause – and it was also a day to honor those who have lost their battles, but continue motivating us to find a cure," said Jerri Johnson, 2011 Race for the Cure® chair. "The energy and enthusiasm of these survivors, families and friends are the driving forces behind Komen's promise to achieve a world without breast cancer."
For more information about the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Los Angeles County Affiliate, call 310-575-3011 or visit www.komenlacounty.org.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Through events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, nearly $2 billion has been invested to fulfill that promise, making Komen for the Cure the world's largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to fighting breast cancer.
Contact:
Jeanine Taylor
JCEC Public Relations
Phone: (213) 399-5301
E-Mail: jcecpr@gmail.com
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