Indianapolis will be painted pink as thousands take to the streets to remember, honor, celebrate and learn about breast cancer. The 22nd annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure will be April 20 beginning at Military Park in downtown Indianapolis.
“One out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer so this is personal for a lot of people. People come out to support and really make a difference in somebody’s life,” said Dana Curish, executive director of the Central Indiana affiliate of Susan G. Komen. “Also, this race is just so much fun!”
On race day, participants can begin their day with Starbucks coffee and pastries, a Zumba warm-up and the Survivor Pink Parade featuring breast cancer survivors dressed in outrageous pink outfits and gathered by their years of survivorship. Kids will get their chance to support the cause during the Kids’ Dash.
Competitive runners will kick off the 5K race followed by non-competitive walkers and runners. Families can also choose to do the 1-mile walk.
Kroger will provide water and healthy snacks for participants after the race. People will also be able to get food from local food trucks.
Curish said the day isn’t just about a 5K walk but includes a bevy of fun and celebratory activities. There’s a survivor village, a kids zone, live entertainment, a Susan G. Komen grantee tent, a race day expo featuring information and giveaways from race sponsors and lots of other special gifts and prizes.
“When you’re standing there on the street and you see thousands and thousands of runners and walkers, they have signs on their back that say ‘I’m walking in memory of’ or ‘I’m walking in celebration of’ and they list these names. It’s more than a walk – you can feel the energy and excitement. It’s contagious,” said Curish.
Lisa Hayes, who is a six-year breast cancer survivor, is also excited for this year’s race.
“It’s another day to honor those who have fought and won their battle with breast cancer as well as raise funds to help other people get preventive services to help them through their cancer journey. It’s a great time,” said Hayes.
The first local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in 1992 had 2,400 participants and raised $35,000. This year, Curish expects 25,000 walkers and runners and their goal is to raise $2 million.
Seventy-five percent of the proceeds goes to community grants programs which serve 21 counties in Central Indiana. Curish said much of this money goes to early detection and screening services for low-income women. The other 25 percent of funds raised by the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure goes toward global research grants seeking the causes, improved treatments and cures for breast cancer. The Central Indiana affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure said nearly $14 million has come back to Indiana in the form of research grants the past 11 years and 14 are currently under way at Indiana University and Purdue University.
This research is imperative for all women, but particularly African-American women. Breast cancer incidence in Black women is lower than in white women overall. However, for women younger than 40, incidence is higher among African-American women than white women.
Breast cancer mortality is 41 percent higher in African-American women than in white women. Although breast cancer survival in Black women has increased in recent decades, survival rates remain lower than among white women.
“Participating in the race is fun, but it raises awareness among Black women that this disease affects them differently,” said Curish. “Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. We are raising money to specifically target the type of cancer many African-American women die from.”
All women (and even men) can still sign up for the race online or on race day. Participants will receive a special T-shirt on the day of the race.
This race is just around the corner, however the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Central Indiana affiliate is quite busy year round. Earlier this year, they hosted the Pink Tie Ball fundraiser. They also do a lot of education and outreach especially during Breast Cancer Awareness and Action month, which takes place each October. This year’s Pink Ribbon Celebration will be held in September where the organization will provide an inspirational speaker, shopping and a luncheon for breast cancer survivors and their friends and family. There’s also the Project Pink Fashion Show and the Circle of Hope, which celebrates volunteers, fundraisers and sponsors.
The Komen Central Indiana Race for the Cure is the affiliate’s largest fundraiser, the largest single-day fundraising event in Indiana and one of the largest Komen Races in the world.
“This is a day not to be missed. It’s so much fun and such a meaningful day,” said Curish.
For more information, call (317) 638-2873 or visit KomenIndy.org or Komen.org.
