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Pink brightens a gray day
Denver's Race For the Cure fills the streets with inspiration, hope
By Ruthanne Johnson
rjohn180@mscd.edu

Photo by Johanna Snow • snowj@mscd.edu Attendants walk on the pink-paved streets of downtown at the 14th annual Susan G. Komen Denver Race for the Cure held Oct. 8. There were over 65,000 participants this year with almost $5 million raised for breast cancer awareness, treatment and research.

Early on the overcast, chilly morning of Oct. 8, thousands of people clad in pink gathered in front of the Pepsi Center for the 14th annual Susan G. Komen Denver Race for the Cure in an effort to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

The Women’s 5K Run/Walk started at 7:15 a.m. followed by the Coed 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. and the one-mile Family Walk at 9:15 a.m. Pedicabs were available for those unable to run or walk the course on their own.

Since 2004, the Denver Race for the Cure has been listed as the largest in the Race for the Cure series, with 63,458 participants last year, in contrast to 3,500 at its inception in 1993. Race for the Cure reports that $2.8 million was netted in the 2005 race, of which the Denver affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation gave $2.62 million to area nonprofits and $900,000 to research in 2006.

More than 65,000 participated in this year’s event.

The day began around 6:30 a.m. with a VIP breakfast at the Pepsi Center’s Blue Sky Grill and an expo with dozens of booths in the center’s parking lot that ran until the closing ceremony at 10 a.m.

A separate area for survivors was decorated with a 30-foot-high pink balloon arch at the entrance and offered giveaways, pink carnations, a pancake and sausage breakfast and a booth selling a variety of Race for the Cure merchandise.

Metro alumnus Brian Troccoli, a 2001 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communications, brought Julia Temple Nursing Home resident Anna Gonzales to the event.

“She is a 24-year breast cancer survivor and has been coming to Race for the Cure for the last nine years,” he said of Gonzales, who could not speak due to Alzheimer’s disease. Troccoli said that Gonzales won second place in her age category in the walking event when she was in her eighties. This year Troccoli procured a pedicab for the 94-year-old cancer survivor so she could continue with the tradition.

Metro English professor and 30-year breast cancer survivor Sandra Doe participated in Race for the Cure for the first time this year.

“I decided to participate at the last minute and it was a very emotional experience for me, especially seeing all the pink ‘In Memorial of’ signs that people wore on their backs...I had several moments when I almost broke down into tears,” she said.

Doe now writes about her experience with breast cancer.

According to Race for the Cure statistics, it is estimated that approximately 211,000 individuals will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.

“It is the leading cause of death among women ages 40-59, second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths,” according to the organization’s website.

Signs of breast cancer can include change in breast size, a hard or thickening lump in breast tissue, swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the tissue, dimpling or puckering of the skin, rash on the nipple, a sudden onset of nipple discharge and new pain in one spot. Early detection through monthly breast self-examination for women age 20 and older, and annual clinical exams and mammograms after age 40 can improve chances for survival.

Lisa Cutter, a 1992 Metro marketing graduate, has worked as a public relations consultant and committee member for the Komen Foundation Denver affiliate since 2001.

“My 63-year-old mom is a two-time survivor of breast cancer and a testament to getting checked regularly,” Cutter said, adding that she also gets checked annually.

Heredity, cigarette smoking, exposure to radiation, asbestos and overexposure to the sun can increase the risk of an individual getting breast cancer.

Studies in the United Kingdom have shown that people who eat too many fatty foods and not enough fruits and vegetables are also at risk.

Since its founding in 1994, The Susan G. Komen Foundation Denver affiliate has raised more than $17 million for Denver-area nonprofits that help families and individuals receive cancer education, treatment, screening and ongoing support services.

The foundation is coming to the Auraria campus for their National Education Tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 16 in St. Cajetan’s courtyard to hold an informational on breast cancer.