Calling All Heroes: Registration Opens for 24th Annual Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cur

COSTA MESA, Calif. - July 7, 2015 - PRLog -- Dan McManus of La Habra is a proud supporter of the annual Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cure® (http://www.komenoc.org/race) and walks in memory of his wife Karen. Last year, he joined thousands of supporters, survivors and families with a common purpose: a vision for a world without breast cancer. McManus continues to race and raise money for a future when no other husband will lose a spouse to this disease.  He is just one of the heroes highlighted in stories about Orange County Race for the Cure participants who are committed to defeating breast cancer.

Registration is now open for the 24^th annual Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cure on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. This year’s theme, “There’s a HERO in YOU” symbolizes extraordinary acts of service by Race participants who fundraise, donate and raise awareness to support the Komen promise of saving lives. New this year, the PLUS Timing Chip option, allows runners to test their hero speed on the course for an additional $5 fee. PLUS Timing Chip registrants receive a Komen-branded timing chip to place on their shoes and must run the 7:15 a.m. Race to be placed in a corral ahead of all participants to ensure accurate timing. Results will be posted immediately after the Race. General registration for adults is $35; breast cancer survivors, seniors and youth ages 6 to 17 are $25; children five and under is $5; and Race day registration is $40 for all.

Race for the Cure is the largest fundraiser of its kind in Orange County. The signature event raises vital funds for mammograms, community outreach, education programs and life-saving research. Features in 2015 include a survivor parade and tribute to honor local breast cancer survivors, the walks/runs, a wellness expo, and a platform for survivors, advocates, family and friends to inspire one another to become educated on breast cancer and breast health.

For the second consecutive year, Doug McKay (https://komenoc.wordpress.com/2014/07/14/first-male-commi...), district grant chair for Macy’s Orange County, is Race chair. He leads the charge with strategic leadership of the Komen Orange County Race committee, to help ensure a successful fundraising event.  McKay lost his wife to cancer and is no stranger to the challenges families must overcome when faced with a terrible disease.

“Breast cancer is a devastating disease that touches all of us, including me,” said McKay. “This year, we’re introducing unique elements to inspire individuals of all ages to step up and be a hero.”

Komen Orange County includes heroes of all ages and levels at the event.  Attendees are encouraged to take on the course at their own pace. The first 5K will begin at 7:15 a.m. for PLUS Timing Chip participants and those who wish to run. The Kids One-Mile Fun Run & Walk presented by Knott’s Berry Farm (https://www.knotts.com/) begins at 8 a.m. A second 5K will begin at 9:45 a.m. for those preferring a slower pace.

“More than 40,000 women in the U.S. are expected to die from breast cancer this year, and to decrease that number, we need support from more heroes,” said Lisa Wolter, executive director of Komen Orange County.

“Heroes don’t require special powers to be heroic, just a commitment to participate at this year’s Orange County Race for the Cure – and maybe a cape.”

Angelique Fong of Rancho Santa Margarita is a wife and two-year breast cancer survivor who will join thousands at this year’s Orange County Race for the Cure.  In 2013, six weeks into remission, she crossed the Race for the Cure finish line as a first-year breast cancer survivor. Fong has been a Race for the Cure supporter for nearly a decade and continues to walk/run for breast cancer survivors like her and their families. Fong is an inspiration and true HERO.

In addition to the walks/runs, more than 1,200 local survivors will be celebrated. Survivors donning pink beads, one for each year of survivorship, will march the steps of the Pacific Life Building during a Breast Cancer Survivor Parade at 8:45 a.m. Following the parade, the Survivor Tribute will include an uplifting ceremony and release of white doves to honor survivors for their courage and triumph over the disease, and to remember loved ones lost.

Seventy-five percent of all money raised through the Race is distributed locally to help women in diverse communities receive breast health education, screening, treatment and support services. The remaining 25 percent raised supports the Komen research and scientific grant programs, funding groundbreaking breast cancer research. In 2014, nearly 20,000 participants raised $2.4 million at the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure.

Local Presenting Sponsors include The Allergen Foundation, Chevron, Knott’s Berry Farm, Ralphs and Food 4 Less.Platinum Sponsors are ABC7, Fashion Island, First American Title Insurance Company and Pacific Life Insurance Company (Home of the Race). Diamond Sponsor is 100.3 FM The Sound. Gold Sponsors areBlaze Pizza, Spa Gregorie’s and C.H. Robinson. Silver Sponsors include Chase and J.P. Morgan, Macy’s, Monarch HealthCare, Myriad Genetics, Rutan & Tucker, LLP and Halyard Health.

Race Day Schedule

The 24th annual Komen Orange County Race for the Cure will take place Sunday, Sept. 27, beginning with a Wellness Expo from 6:30 a.m. to noon near the Pacific Life Building at 700 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. At 9 a.m., breast cancer survivors will be recognized at a special tribute. Three separate start-times, which will begin on Newport Center Drive at Santa Barbara Drive, are as follows:

·         5K Run/Walk – 7:15 a.m.; Separate corral for runners/PLUS Timing Chip participants

·         Kids One-Mile Fun Run & Walk – 8 a.m.

·         5K Run/Walk – 9:45 a.m.

Register Online

Participants can register individually or as a team online at http://www.komenoc.org/race. Those unable to attend, but wish to support the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure, can register to “Sleep In for the Cure^®” for $40 and will be mailed a T-shirt and bib after the event.

This year, celebrate 24 years of Racing for the Cure by making a self donation of $24 at the time of registration to receive a limited edition 2015 Race for the Cure hero pin.

About Susan G. Komen®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Suzy, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Today, Susan G. Komen^® works to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world by investing more than $750 million in breast cancer research and $1.5 billion in community outreach programs over the past 30 years; providing funding to help low-income and uninsured women get screened and get treatment; advocating for cancer research and outreach programs; and working globally in more than 30 countries. Visit komen.org. Connect on Facebook (http://www.komen.org/facebook) and Twitter (http://www.komen.org/twitter).

For more information on Susan G. Komen Orange County, please visit www.komenoc.org or call 714-957-9157.