Sign Up Under Way for the Komen Race for the Cure
Baylor University faculty, staff and students can take part in one of the country's most visible fundraising races - the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Central Texas Race for the Cure to be run April 28 from Heritage Square in downtown Waco to the Baylor campus.
Baylor is the host sponsor for Race for the Cure, known throughout the world for its pink ribbons and inspiring ceremonies that honor breast cancer survivors and the women and men who are fighting the disease.
Forms also are available at Richland Mall in Waco, Temple Mall or Killeen Mall, the McLane Student Life Center on the Baylor campus or the Student Involvement Board in the Bill Daniel Student Center.
The pre-registration fee for the 5K and the walk/run is $16 before April 20, $18 from April 21-27 and $25 on race day. Runners can have their race timed for an additional $2. T-shirts for supporters are $16.
Baylor's Mulkey Official 'Race Starter'
The one-mile walk/run begins at 8:15 a.m. April 28, with the 5K beginning at 8:45 a.m. Baylor head women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson will serve as the official race starter.
Race day events include a Kiwanis pancake breakfast, a visit from popular book and television show character Arthur, a live performance from singer/songwriter Angie Paris, who will premier her newest release "I Wanna Live," a survivors' ceremony, an awards presentation and drawings for door prizes.
Proceeds Stay in Central Texas
The Komen Race for the Cure was established in 1982 and has raised more than $200 million to fund one of the most innovative and responsive grant programs for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.
The Central Texas affiliate of the Dallas-based volunteer organization has set a goal of 5,000 participants for the race, which would make it the largest ever held in Central Texas. At least 75% of the proceeds will remain in six local counties, including Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, McLennan and Milam, and will be available through a local granting process.
"The most significant contribution made by this community-hosted event is educating and screening the medically underserved within our affiliate area," said Vivian Stidvent, co-chair of the event. "The Komen Race for the Cure has proven to be an enormously effective way to reach many women and their families with the message that breast cancer is not necessarily fatal if mammography and breast self-exam become a routine."
Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 59. In 1999, more than 11,000 new cases of breast cancer and 2,800 deaths from the disease were reported in Texas.
Documentary to Air Throughout April
Baylor's public television affiliate KWBU-TV has produced a documentary special on the "Central Texas Race for the Cure (2001)." The program, which airs throughout April on KWBU Ch. 34, KCEN-TV Ch. 6 and College Channel 18 on Time-Warner Cable, tells how the race came to Waco/Temple/Killeen, what's happening on race day, poignant personal stories and why it's important for everyone to be part of the Race for the Cure on April 28. The personal stories will include a son's perspective on his mother's fight to survive the disease and interviews with survivors and Race for the Cure committee members.