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Race for the Cure draws thousands, raises millions

    By
  • Jonathan Wilson
    • May 15, 2017
  • Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and Salute to Forever Fighters wave to supporters on Eakins Oval during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event.

    Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and Salute to Forever Fighters wave to supporters on Eakins Oval during the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Runners in the 5K Race for the Cure take off from the starting line.

    Runners in the 5K Race for the Cure take off from the starting line. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Printed signs await team members at the start.

    Printed signs await team members at the start. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Noel Murray blows up balloons for the balloon arches that cancer survivors walk through on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Noel Murray blows up balloons for the balloon arches that cancer survivors walk through on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Noel Murray (left) and Lavon Mason set up the balloon arches on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Noel Murray (left) and Lavon Mason set up the balloon arches on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Voices of Gwynedd perform on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Voices of Gwynedd perform on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Julia Wylie recently completed her final chemotherapy treatment.

    Julia Wylie recently completed her final chemotherapy treatment. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Breast cancer survivors stand at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Breast cancer survivors stand at the top of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Mother and daughter Maureen and Rebecca Beall during the national anthem. Maureen Beall is a 10 year cancer survivor. Rebecca is a 1 year survivor.

    Mother and daughter Maureen and Rebecca Beall during the national anthem. Maureen Beall is a 10 year cancer survivor. Rebecca is a 1 year survivor. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Breast cancer survivor Sherri Kramer (third from left) poses with family members Mia Rodriguez, Jayli Rodriguez, and Britney Kramer.

    Breast cancer survivor Sherri Kramer (third from left) poses with family members Mia Rodriguez, Jayli Rodriguez, and Britney Kramer. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and Salute to Forever Fighters prepare to walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and Salute to Forever Fighters prepare to walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Jane Lopoten School of Dance members entertain participants.

    Jane Lopoten School of Dance members entertain participants. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and the Salute to Forever Fighters walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

    Participants in the Survivors Parade of Pink and the Salute to Forever Fighters walk down the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Race for the Cure participants gather on Eakin's Oval

    Race for the Cure participants gather on Eakin's Oval. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Runners take off from the starting line at the 5K race during the Race for the Cure.

    Runners take off from the starting line at the 5K race during the Race for the Cure. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Runners head for the finish line of the 5K event during the Race for the Cure.

    Runners head for the finish line of the 5K event during the Race for the Cure. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Runners cross the Schuylkill River during the last leg of the 5K race.

    Runners cross the Schuylkill River during the last leg of the 5K race. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

  • Hunter Landon (center) heads to the finish line of the 5K race.

    Hunter Landon (center) heads to the finish line of the 5K race. (Jonathan Wilson for NewsWorks)

Thousands gathered on Eakins Oval Mother’s Day for the 27th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Families and friends gathered to walk or run, celebrating breast cancer survivors and honoring loved ones lost to the disease.

The race traces its roots to a promise that Nancy Brinker made to her dying sister, Susan Komen, in 1980. After a 3-year battle with breast cancer, Komen succumbed at age 36.

Brinker promised she would do everything she could to end the suffering and social stigma caused by this disease. She founded the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1982. The first Race for the Cure was held a year later in Dallas, drawing 800 runners.

The Philadelphia race, one of the oldest in the Race for the Cure series, raises approximately $2 million annually for breast cancer education, research, and social services throughout the region.

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