UT students will participate in the annual Race for the Cure this Saturday, Oct. 20 at World's Fair Park.
This year's 5K Run/Walk race will begin at 8:30 a.m. from Clinch Avenue in front of the Knoxville Convention Center. The Family Fun Run/Walk will begin at 9 a.m.
Members of UT's chapter of the Gamma Sigma Sigma service sorority will be participating in the race, as well as raising money for the cause.
Shea Brickell, president of Gamma Sigma Sigma, said that their original fundraising goal was $200, but because they exceeded that goal, they have increased it to $900. So far the sorority has raised $750. She also said that some members are selling Arbon products and giving their commission to the cause.
Race for the Cure is an annual event by Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is dedicated to raising money for breast cancer research, education and health services, its web site said. The foundation started in 1982 and has since grown into "the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists," said the web site.
The first race was held in Dallas, Texas in 1983 with 800 participants. In 1990 the first National Race for the Cure was held in Washington, D.C. In 2002, there were more than 100 races in the U.S., and more than 1.3 million people took part. 2008 will mark the 25th anniversary of the race, the web site said.
Since its beginning, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has donated $1 billion to research and education. The goal of the Knoxville race is to raise $250,000, said its web site. It further said that 75 percent of the proceeds would go to local education, screening and treatment support. The remaining 25 percent will go to research grants.
There is still time to register to run. Registration will be at West Town Mall in front of Coldwater Creek on Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Oct. 19 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also sponsor a participant or team or make a general donation.
Knoxville's race is expected to bring in 12,000 participants on Saturday.
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