Time to bust out those tennis shoes

By Jennifer Palmberg
The Collegian

Nancy Brinker established the Susan G. Komen foundation in 1982 in memory of her sister who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. The foundation is the nation’s largest private sponsor of breast cancer research and information distribution, the Web site said.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has teamed up with Fresno State to host Race for the Cure. The event features a men’s 5K competitive run, a women’s 5K competitive run, a co-ed 5K/1 mile (non-competitive) walk, kids for the cure races, a survivor recognition ceremony and an awards ceremony for the 5K competitors.

Race for the Cure was brought to Fresno by a breast cancer survivor. Carolyn Jorgensen, founder of Race for the Cure, was first diagnosed with breast cancer 14 years ago.

“I didn’t know anything about it, “ Jorgensen said. “Back then you didn’t talk about breasts.”

Jorgensen stumbled upon an advertisement in a running magazine that read “bring Race for the Cure to your town.” She gathered all the manuals and information necessary and in 1998 Fresno hosted its first Race for the Cure event at Woodward Park.

Jorgensen felt the event would offer a way for other survivors to come together and share their experiences and offer hope to other cancer victims. She called it a “sisterhood.”

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer again in March of this year and I wouldn’t have had the same support and rally behind me that I do if it wasn’t for all the great people I’ve met through the race,” Jorgensen said. “I’m also very grateful for my husband. He’s been my rock throughout the years and I couldn’t have done any of this without his support.”

Allison Malfatti, California Cancer Center facilities manager, said the event was designed not only to raise money for breast cancer research, but to raise awareness about the disease in general. She said it’s also a way to emphasize the importance of checking for breast cancer regularly.

The California Cancer Center held two pre-event training sessions Sept. 24 and Oct. 13 to help participants prepare for their competition. Training included physical training information and an optional walk or run to Woodward Park and back.

“[The training sessions] were really fun,” Malfatti said. “I participated in both of them.”

Malfatti said the training sessions were designed not only to help people prepare mentally and physically, but also to generate more interest in the event.

About 90 people participated in the event in its first year. Last year the event had more than 4,500 participants and about 200 of those were cancer survivors.

“The event grew every year until it was too big to be held at the park,” said Virginia Madrid-Salazar, PR chair for the race. “We went searching for other venues and Fresno State was gracious enough to offer to hold it. This year will be its third year held on campus.”

T-shirts will be given to the first 5,000 Race for the Cure participants and all participants will be given a race number. Breast cancer survivors who wish to be recognized will receive a pink hat and T-shirt.

Those affected by breast cancer can also get “In memory of” and “In celebration of” back signs to honor loved ones.

Race for the Cure will be held Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Satellite Student Union.

Race packet pick-up and on-site registration will be available at the Smittcamp Alumni House on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday, Oct. 21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Race-day registration will begin at the race site at 6:30 a.m. and registration for each event closes 15 minutes prior to the event.

“I want to encourage everyone to participate, especially cancer survivors,” Jorgensen said.

Breast cancer will affect 216,000 women and 1,450 men and more than 40,000 women and 470 men will die from the disease this year, according to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

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