20th Annual Komen Portland Race for the Cure Raises Nearly $2.5 Million

Breast Cancer survivor, Mimi Wiitala

Portland, September 15th, 2013. Downtown Portland was awash with pink as tens of thousands took to the streets for the Komen Portland Race for the Cure. Organizers say the Portland race is among the top five most successful in the nation. 630 teams raised nearly $2.5 million. “Team Janine” was the top fundraising group raising over $32,600.

Donations for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure can still be made if you click this link.

Here’s are some of the images that made us smile:

Komen for the Cure’s Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Bruner was cheering on walkers at the finish line. He reports the Portland race is one of the “Greenest” walks in the city with a 90% recycle rate.

Songs for the Cure. Julianne Johnson and the Sisters in Survival Choir made the Survivor Tribute at Race for the Cure very moving with their voices.

Kathy’s Ko-Ko Nuts brought crew members of all ages.

Portland’s ‘everywoman’ Shannon Fischer goes face to face with her promotional photo–the image that inspired thousands to join in the local race.

The cheerleaders from Central Catholic High School raised their voices.

Slow and steady wins the race for Myrtle’s Turtles.

HooLA-Hooters brought their topical flare.

It was no drag for these folks.

Sandy Castillo is a 62 year old survivor who wore her hot pink sweatshirt with pride.

Pink looked good on everyone.

The “Inspired” tee-shirt logo resonated with walkers.

The Honorary Race Chair was Don Pearson, Regional President of Wells Fargo. Here’s a list of the top teams (in order) and their totals:

Team Janine, $32,643.26; CONSUMER CELLULAR, $14,795.00; Kickin’ and Grinnin’, $13,185.00; Komen Kommandos – The Breast Team Ever, $11,193.00; #TEAMKAREN, $10,076.00; Team Tektronix, $9,369.00; Tough Mothers, $6,210.00; Nonnie’s Warriors, $5,255.00; 5K Warriors, $3,800.00; Project Hummingbird, $3,590.00.

Top fundraising individuals included: Neeley Wells, $6,285.00; Judy Billings-Behensky, $3,390.00; Julie Seiber, $3,390.00; Lance Bachman, $3,075.00; Toni Mountain, $3,050.00, Julie Papke, $2,905.00; Linda Harris, $2,500.00;

From Susan G. Komen for the Cure:

Our Vision: A World Without Breast Cancer

Mission: To save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.

Company Overview

We’ve made tremendous progress in the fight against breast cancer, with mortality rates down 31 percent in 20 years, and the five-year survival rates from early stage cancers now 98 percent versus 74 percent when we started, Women are benefiting from more personalized treatments for this disease. But until no one fears a diagnosis of breast cancer, we still have a lot of work to do.

Description

As your trusted local resource, we are here through the fear of a potential diagnosis to a life well lived with breast cancer. It’s our privilege to support breast cancer survivors by providing resources, offering our annual Breast Cancer Issues Conference, and empowering women to be their own healthcare advocates. Funding research is core to our promise to end breast cancer forever.

General Information

Find us all over!

Twitter:www.twitter.com/KomenOregon

Instagram: www.instagram.com/KomenOregon

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/KomenOregon

From Charity Navigator – For the fifth year running, Susan G. Komen for the Cure received the coveted 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent evaluator of charities.

We were also named Advocacy Champion of the Year in 2012 for our work to pass Senate Bill 433, a bill that expands Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (OBCCP) eligibility for women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer, changing the law to serve all eligible women, regardless of where they receive their diagnosis.
Here’s a recent promotional video.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.