It’s race day. Thousands of people are lacing up their tennis shoes to hit the pavement. Competitive runners, casual walkers and even some wheelchair jockeys are stretching, fueling up, and setting their stop-watches.
But when the starting gun goes off for the Susan G. Komen Austin Race for the Cure , it’s much more than just a race - it’s a day to celebrate, remember and honor everyone affected by breast cancer. It’s a day when fitness, exercise and community are about something more than who’s across the finish line first. It’s a day when a sea of pink runners and walkers gets us closer than ever before to a cure for breast cancer.
Since 1999, more than 150,000 people have participated in the Komen Austin Race for the Cure including breast cancer survivors, co-survivors, advocates and volunteers. The Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure hosts events like the Race as a platform to unite the community to give purpose to those fighting breast cancer and a chance to remember those lost. But even more importantly, these races are raising much-needed funds to eradicate this disease.
Through the Komen Austin Race for the Cure and other philanthropic endeavors, the Komen Austin Affiliate has invested more than $10.5 million in community breast health programs in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties as well as research for the cures. Seventy-five percent of funds raised are directed to local non-profit healthcare organizations for breast health services for the uninsured and underinsured women and men in their five-county service area. The remaining funds are sent to the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program for groundbreaking breast cancer research. This year, the organization announced more than $1.139 million in grants to eleven non-profit healthcare organizations - their largest single community investment to date.
Watch the video below to see the power of play in fighting breast cancer.
What was the 'aha' moment that got you started in your current career/line of work?
About three years ago I had a family member become very ill and we spent about 100 days at MD Anderson. It was during that time I realized that I would come back to Austin and find something that allowed me to make an impact. Although my career at GSD&M was very rewarding I needed something that provided me with an opportunity to give back what so many friends, family and even strangers gave to us. Then one day the opportunity presented itself at the Komen Austin Affiliate and I knew it was the right direction for me. 
