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Complete Forecast for  Sep 07 2008

TOP JOBS

By JACQUE HILBURN
Feature Writer

A banner year for this month’s 10th annual Susan G. Komen for the Cure race means even more support can be shared with lives touched by breast cancer, said Ellen Peirce, publicity chair for the event.

The May 10 event attracted thousands of supporters, surpassing initial projections on turnout.

“We were just overwhelmed by the response in the community,” Mrs. Peirce said. “We had 5,501 confirmed entries. That’s more than ever before. It’s a record for us. Last year was about 5,200. We’re thrilled.”

Even more exciting are initial projections on the amount of money earned — about $225,000 after the bills are paid.

“We really don’t have all of our income and expenses in yet,” said Mrs. Peirce. “That’s just a ballpark figure.”

It may be several weeks before final figures are available, she said.

Tyler cancer patients are among the thousands who are benefiting from new research, funded in part by the Komen foundation, dedicated to furthering the study, education, screening and treatment of the disease.

The organization was built on a promise Nancy G. Brinker gave to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, to eradicate cancer.

In the 25 years since its inception, the organization has given more than $1 billion to the cause, making it the largest source of nonprofit backing in the fight against breast cancer.

“The Komen Race Series is the world's largest and most successful education and fundraising event to fight breast cancer,” Mrs. Peirce said.

This year an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among American women; another 1,990 new cases will be detected in men.

Survival rates continue to improve, officials said. The five-year survival rate, when caught early before it spreads beyond the breast, is at 98 percent, compared to 74 percent in 1982.

“People can see that their support is helping with advances in treatment,” Mrs. Peirce said. “They can see their money is working to make a difference.”