Race For The Cure Raises $3.3m This Year

In what could be termed as a noble way to celebrate breast cancerdefine survivorship, thousands of breast cancer survivors, co-survivors, celebrities and activists, gathered to participate in the 2008 Komen Puget Sound ‘Race for the Cure’. The official figures of funds collected during this year's event are nearing $3.3 million by about 64,000 participants, authorities disclose.

While three-quarters of the amounts raised goes into funding breast-cancerdefine research, education, screening and treatment programs to help ailing women, the other 25 percent goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for funding new research projects for finding new cures.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation founded by Nancy Brinker in 1983, as a tribute for her 36-year-old sister, killed by the disease, the event involves a five kilometer run or walk for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Throughout the 5 km run, the participants raise money and spread awareness for breast cancer, promoting screening and early detection of the killer disease.

Over 180, 000 women in the United States are expected to be diagnosed positive for the invasive breast cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. One of the leading cause for death among women, breast cancer engulfs an estimated 500,000 lives per year worldwide.

The world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting against the disease, the Susan G. Komen for the cure has an explicit mission "to end breast cancer forever".

Since its inception in 1982, the foundation has invested $1 billion in research, education and health services. With over 75,000 volunteers nationwide and nearly 122 affiliates across the United States, Komen is the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has also received the Charity Navigator's highest rating, four stars.