THE RACE
The first Race for the Cure was held in Dallas, Texas back in October 1983. 800 runners and walkers took part.
The Race for the Cure soon grew into a mass event. By 1999 the Race was attracting 500,000 participants in 99 US cities. In 2003 some 1.3 million people took part in the 5 kilometer Race. The event went global in 2000 with Races held in Rome, Italy and Frankfurt, Germany. Susan G Komen for the Cure® and Think-Pink entered into a partnership together and Antwerp was chosen as te Race venue in Belgium.
The aim is to raise funds for and awareness about breast cancer prevention.
The message of Think-Pink is that plenty of exercise and healthy living may reduce the risk of breast cancer. Scientific studies show that the risk of developing breast cancer is significantly lower among women that exercise regularly. In addition exercise is recommended for women with breast cancer during or after their therapy. Physical exercise and sports have positive effects on the physical performance, mental state and quality of life of cancer patients.
The Race for the Cure is now held in 121 US cities (including one Global Race every year in Washington, D.C.), but Susan G. Komen for the Cure® continues its commitment to rolling it out to the rest of the world. Frankfurt, Rome, Bologna, Bari, Dan Juan (Puerto Rico), Sarajevo and Dar es Salaam already have their own Race for the Cure. The European cities of Athens, Tbilisi, Zurich Münster and Meppen will hold their own Race for the Cure for the first time this year.
The Race for the Cure is
- POSITIVE: a celebration of survivorship
- TANGIBLE and LOCAL: proceeds go to a local breast cancer project
- AWARENESS RAISING: it targets the widest possible group of women