JONESBORO – Breast cancer survivors, volunteers, and community leaders gathered at the Municipal Center in Jonesboro Tuesday to announce details of the inaugural Komen Northeast Arkansas Race for the Cure®.
The race is scheduled for Saturday, May 6, on the campus of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Candace Cooper, 2017 Northeast Arkansas Race for the Cure chair, says the goal is to raise $200,000 this year through the various Race for the Cure® events. This year’s race theme, “More Than Pink,” is a movement dedicated to shifting our focus from awareness to action in an effort to redefine our pink ribbon in a way that unites and empowers us so that, together, we can end breast cancer.
The Komen Northeast Arkansas Race for the Cure® is developing under the supervision of the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, whose race in Little Rock is the second largest race in the Komen series.
The race day schedule includes:
●Survivor Breakfast at the Woodard McAlister Family Club inside the Johnny Allison Tower of Centennial Bank Stadium starting at 7 a.m.
●Opening ceremonies will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the stage on the Centennial Bank Stadium field.
●A Survivors Parade and photo will be at 8:15 a.m. on the Centennial Bank Stadium field.
●The 5K Run/Walk begins at 9:00 a.m. on the north side of Centennial Bank Stadium. Chipped runners will line up at the front of the race.
Supporters may also participate without actually attending the race by registering as a virtual runner. These participants may change their mind and walk by picking up a bib when they get their shirt. Children Under 5 must register but are free of charge; they will receive a bib but no shirt. Kids for the Cure® participants, ages 5-12, will receive a custom youth size T-shirt. Participants may register online at komenarkansas.org, at an onsite registration and packet pick up (Race Space) at Ritter Communications located at 2400 Ritter Drive, at the Pink Pasta Party or on the morning of the race.
Susan G. Komen is pleased to announce St. Bernards Healthcare and Medical Group will be the founding sponsor of the Northeast Arkansas Race for the Cure. The founding sponsor represents a long-term commitment to the race and the breast health cause. St. Bernards has been a sponsor of the Arkansas Race for the Cure in Little Rock since 1996. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels including presenting sponsor.
In addition to race day activities, the “Pink Pasta Party” will be held the night before the event. By purchasing a $20 ticket, participants can enjoy a pasta dinner and entertainment on Friday, May 5. As part of the night’s events, children under 12 can participate in the Pink Pajama Dash starting at 6:30 p.m. Participation in the Pink Pajama Dash comes with the purchase of a $10 child’s ticket to the Pink Pasta Party (includes a child’s meal). Pink pajamas are encouraged. Also, men are invited to participate in the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event. Men are encouraged to dress up for the event, but must wear women’s
shoes for the one-mile walk that begins at 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to winners. The Friday night festivities are sponsored by NEA Memorial Baptist Hospital. The location for the Pink Pasta Party will be announced at a later date.
Teams are a crucial part of the Race for the Cure registration. Event organizers encourage churches, businesses, social organizations and family groups to form a team to support a survivor they know, or to help increase awareness and raise funds to end breast cancer. Individuals and teams are encouraged to raise funds for Komen Arkansas through the fundraising program. Donations can be made online at komenarkansas.org or mailed to the Arkansas affiliate. Top race fundraisers receive prizes and other recognition for their efforts. New this year, participants who raise $100 will receive a “I’m More Than Pink” Hero Cape to be worn on race day.
On site registration and packet pick up will be located at Ritter Communications at 2400 Ritter Drive in Jonesboro beginning Wednesday, May 3, through Friday, May 5. Registration will then move to the Pink Pasta Party event starting at 6 p.m. and registration will open race morning beginning at 6:30 a.m. at Centennial Bank Stadium.
The race day Survivor Breakfast, sponsored by Arkansas State University, will begin at 7 a.m. in the McAlister/Woodard area of the second floor of Centennial Bank Stadium’s multi-level press box. This informal breakfast is free for survivors. At 8:15 a.m., family, friends and race participants are encouraged to fill the stands at Centennial Bank Stadium to watch survivors walk in solidarity during a survivor parade around the ASU football field. The survivor parade is sponsored by NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
The 2017 Komen Northeast Arkansas Race for the Cure Honorary Chair is Jane McDaniel. McDaniel has been a long time breast health advocate for the women of Northeast Arkansas.
“I am humbled by the honor given to me to serve this community as the honorary chair of the first Northeast Arkansas Race for the Cure,” said McDaniel. “This race will give our community the opportunity to reach women of our region in a whole new way.”
Brandi Lieblong is the 2017 Honorary Survivor for the inaugural Northeast Arkansas race. She was diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma and has recently completed her treatment.
“Faith, support and excellent medical treatment in this community, as well as family and friendships, have helped me along the many traveled miles of this marathon called breast cancer,” said Lieblong.
Following the 5K Run, an awards ceremony will be held at Centennial Bank Stadium. Awards will be given to the top three female, the top three male and the top three survivor winners of the race. Prizes will be provided by Gearhead Outfitters, Inc.
Parking will be available on campus. Special survivor and sponsor parking will be located adjacent to the stadium. Survivors must wear a survivor T-shirt or survivor bib for entry. Space is limited.
Several community leaders are stepping up to help kickoff the local fundraising effort as “Big Wigs.” A Komen Northeast Arkansas Big Wig is a very important person who is on a mission to end breast cancer by raising awareness and funds in the local community, while wearing a ridiculous-looking pink wig for an element of fun. This year’s Big Wigs, who will raise a minimum of $1,000, are Chris Barber, president and CEO of St. Bernards Healthcare, Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin, Trey Stafford and Jim Frigo, on-air radio personalities for Jonesboro Radio Group’s 104.9 The Fox, and Dr. Kim Wilbanks, superintendent of Jonesboro Public Schools.
Local restaurants may also join in the fundraising effort by participating in the Dine Out for the Cure program. Restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds on race day.
Go Pink Week is a time for the whole community to show that it is more than pink. From May 1-5, all Northeast Arkansas businesses and organizations are encouraged to find a way to decorate to show support for those battling breast cancer and to honor survivors.
For a full schedule of race-related events, contact the Susan G. Komen Arkansas Affiliate at (501) 202-4399 or visit http://www.komenarkansas.org.
The Arkansas Affiliate sponsors for the Northeast Arkansas race include: Founding Sponsor: St. Bernards Healthcare and Medical Group Premiere Sponsors: Arkansas State University, Jonesboro Radio Group, KAIT 8, Master Print Group, NEA Baptist Hospital, East Arkansas Broadcasters, Ritter Communications and The Solutions Group; Platinum Sponsors: First Community Bank and Occasions Publishing Group; Gold Sponsors: Engines Inc., The Everyday Chef and Premium Refreshment Services; Silver Sponsors: Fat City Apparel and NEA Baptist Hospital Auxiliary; Bronze Sponsors: Centennial Bank, Jonesboro Sun, Kroger, MOR Media, Inc., Olympus Construction, Inc. and Southern Management Corporation; Crystal Sponsors: Amy Long Photography, Arkansas Methodist Medical
Center, Cavenaugh Ford, First National Bank, Gearhead Outfitters, Inc., Jonesboro Prosthetic and Orthotic Laboratory, Sara Howell Gallery, Sissy’s Log Cabin and Sue’s Kitchen; Race Friends: Bartels Farms, Glen Sain Ford, Inc. and Southern Pioneer Property and Casualty Insurance Company.
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About the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Komen was founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Komen Arkansas is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community. Through events like the Komen Northeast Arkansas Race for the Cure®, Komen Arkansas has invested $16.8 million in community breast health programs in its 63 county service area and has helped contribute to the more than $920 million invested globally in research. For more information, call 501.202.4399 or visit our website komenarkansas.org.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit outside of the federal government while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $920 million in research and provided more than $2 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at ww5.komen.org/social.
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