Thirty years. It’s still hard to believe.
When Komen first raced in Columbus in 1993, 875 people came to a new event with the hope that steps together could fight a far too often fatal disease.
How far we’ve moved since then.
Columbus hosts one of the nation’s largest Komen races. Together, the race proceeds empowered Komen Columbus to invest more than $30 million toward our goal of ending breast cancer forever and contributed to over $1 billion invested globally. This funding has helped women find access to screening, care coordination, and support services and supported invaluable advances in science and treatment that coupled with early detection, has significantly decreased national breast cancer mortality rates.
^imple steps save lives. We’re grateful for your support. We also know the journey is far from over. Ohio ranks 6th in the nation in breast cancer mortality rates and anticipates 10,610 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis this year and more. With a staggering 1 in 8 women in the United States at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, we must come to grips with the notion that anyone reading this knows someone or is someone fighting breast cancer. We’re all in this mission together.
While we want to celebrate the past, we must try something new for our future. COVID disproportionally harmed cancer patients. Research slowed, and many clinical trials stopped enrolling during the pandemic. The result are delays when time is of the essence.
Our goal this year is to embrace tradition and innovation simultaneously. Let’s start with an all-new racecourse based in the North Bank Park area. We will start at Long Street and travel east toward downtown, turn south onto Rich Street, veer North onto High, and head west on Nationwide Boulevard to the finish line on Spring near the North Bank Park Pavilion. After two years of not being able to come together in person, to call the new course thrilling would be an understatement.
We also must appreciate that some still can’t congregate because of COVID and other health issues; so, we’re keeping the virtual option available as well. Being together in spirit matters too, and nobody will walk or run alone.
In addition to the event, The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure developed an app that will enable users to post fundraising messages on social media or send them directly to the contacts saved on your phone; earn badges for watching inspirational videos and taking educational quizzes; and participate in activity challenges and log steps to earn a Virtual Finisher Medal.
We all have a breast cancer story. Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Over the last 30 years, Komen has brought billions to the battle, one dollar and one step at a time. Everyone at Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures. Join us in the journey in person, online at www.komen. org, or on social media at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow. Together we are stronger in this critical mission to end breast cancer forever.
Sincerely,
Alyssa Petrella, Race Director Komen Columbus Race for the Cure