Saturday, May 7, 2005 -- Charleston, WV
Susan G. Komen West Virginia Race for the Cure (iPO Event Id#: 6786)

[2001] [2002] [2003] [2004]

2005: [Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5]
[Set 6] [Set 7] [Set 8] [Set 9] [Set 10]

Survivor Photos: Sets 1-3, Kid's Race Photos: Sets 4-6
Awards & Misc Photos: Sets 7-10 ... Go to the [Run and Walk Photos]

Story and photos by Julie Black with additional photos by Katy Black.

One person can make a difference...

One person can make a difference. Never before has a motto meant so much. To see it all for the first time is a moving thing. There were tears of joy and sorrow, exchanges of hope, and the overall feeling of faith.

It's a close-knit family of people who know the challenges of cancer first hand, either by having it themselves, or by witnessing it.

The Komen Race for the Cure is the largest series of 5K run/walk events in the world. Growing from one 5K with 800 participants in 1983 to a national series of 112 races, 1.5 million participants, and over 20 years of breast cancer community outreach and awareness.

The kids race uptown

In Charleston, West Virginia over 3,500 people lined the streets and steps in front of the capital building. The event started with a warm-up, and as soon as everyone's limbs were stretched, it was time for the big send-off, the 3.1-mile celebration.

An amazing number of breast caner survivors adorned with pink hats and shirts, some with silk scarves, crossed the finish line with smiles. Family members and friends, community volunteers, and local celebrities joined the group.

Many participants wore pink tags with names of loved ones in memory or celebration of their life.

Celebrating life and hope for all

The Race for the Cure is organized by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The mission of this organization is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by funding research grants and supporting education, screening and treatment projects in communities around the world.

It's founder, Nancy Brinker was appointed by President Bush to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary in 2001. The number of national and international affiliates continues to grow.

Thanks to all involved

This year, the foundation has raised more than $740 million for innovative breast cancer research and community outreach programs. Most recent in the Komen Foundation News is that the organization has developed a new Co-Survivor Program (read more about the program.)

The new Komen Co-Survivor Program is a two-part initiative that includes an educational program and a recognition program to give survivors an outlet to share their gratitude for their co-survivors. A co-survivor is defined as extended family members, friends, and health-care providers of breast cancer survivors.