National Race For The Cure

THE SUSAN G. KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
2001 NATIONAL RACE FOR THE CURE® ATTRACTS RECORD CROWD TO NATION’S CAPITAL
IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER

12th Anniversary Race Supported by Country Music Singing Sensation, Jo Dee Messina, Salutes Breast Cancer Survivors
From Across The Nation

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 2, 2001 – The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation National Race for the Cure®, surpassing last year’s record field and registering more than 72,000 people to rally against breast cancer, today in the nation’s capital was joined by country music singing sensation, Jo Dee Messina. The Komen National Race for the Cure®, the world’s largest 5 kilometer footrace, will provide at least $1 million for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The remaining funds will directly support the Komen Foundation Research Program, regarded as one of the most innovative and responsive programs in breast cancer today.

Thousands of breast cancer survivors, whose strength in numbers has moved us closer to the finish line in the fight against this devastating disease, their families and friends, many of whom wore bright pink back signs in memory or in celebration of friends or relatives who have faced this disease, were joined by Members of Congress, their spouses, Mayor Anthony Williams and his wife, Diane. A record 720 teams participated in this year’s Race – 120 more than last year.

"I'm so thrilled to be participating in this year's National Race for the Cure", said Messina. “I'm accustomed to contributing a song or a performance to a worthwhile cause from time to time, but I knew that for the fight against breast cancer, I had to do more. I'm hoping that by actually running the 5K and performing in concert after the Race, I'll be helping in some small way to bring the Komen Foundation closer to their goal."

The record turnout is a reminder that this entire nation strongly supports the millions of people affected by this devastating disease. Throughout its 12-year history in Washington, DC, the Race has grown exponentially from 7,000 participants in 1990.

“It is inspiring to see the overwhelming participation in the Komen National Race for the Cure, our signature Race,” said Nancy Brinker, founding chair of the Komen Foundation. “It is a testament to the community’s commitment to further the Komen mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life threatening disease.

“Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology is proud to be the Horizon sponsor of the Komen National Race for the Cure®. Since its inception 12 years ago, BMS has been committed to the Race and to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as a partner in the fight against breast cancer. This year, we are excited to bring a team of over 1,200 BMS employees, family and friends to Washington, DC to participate in this important and exciting event. The individuals that make up Team BMS exemplify our mission at Bristol-Myers Squibb to extend and enhance the lives of those living with cancer. Their participation in the Komen National Race for the Cure is a shining example of how we live our mission every day,“ said Rick Winningham, President of Bristol–Myers Squibb Oncology/Immunology and Global Marketing.

High-profile Washington policy-makers participating in this year’s Race included: Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson; Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao; Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman; Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN); Rep. Jane Harmon (D-CA); Honorary Washington, DC Chairs, Mayor Anthony Williams and his wife, Diane.

Net proceeds from the Komen National Race for the Cure® provide vital funding for breast health programs that serve a diverse cross-section of the country, including the Washington, DC metro area. Hospitals and research centers have earmarked Race dollars for programs that include free screening mammograms for the uninsured; support programs for medically underserved African American women diagnosed with breast cancer; and breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs designed specifically for Latina women, to name a few.

Of the net proceeds from the 2000 Race, 14 Washington, DC-area hospitals, research centers and breast health organizations were awarded grants totaling more than $1 million dollars. The remainder of the 2000 National Race proceeds, totaling nearly $1.7 million, directly funded the Komen Foundation Research Program.

Beneficiaries included: Betty Ford Comprehensive Breast Cancer at Columbia Hospital for Women; Cancer Research of America; Catholic Charities of Washington; Creative Solutions Unlimited; DC Department of Health; George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates; Georgetown University Medical School; Greater Southeast Community Hospital Auxiliary, Inc; Howard University Cancer Center; La Clinica del Pueblo, Inc.; MedStar Research Institute/Washington Cancer Institute; Nueva Vida, Inc; Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. and YWCA of the National Capitol Area.

At the end of this year, an estimated 182,800 women and 1,400 men will have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease is the leading cause of death, from all causes, in women between the ages of 40 to 59 and will claim the lives of more than 40,800 and 400 men this year.

For more information about the Komen National Race for the Cure®, visit the website at www.nationalraceforthecure.org or call (703) 848-8884. The goal of the Komen National Race for the Cure® is to emphasize the importance of saving lives through education and early detection.

Credited as the nation’s leading catalyst in the fight against breast cancer, the Komen Foundation and its powerful network of volunteers continues to lead the fight against the disease. Established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36, the Komen Foundation’s mission is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. The Komen Foundation has local Affiliates in more than 100 communities around the world and has raised in excess of $300 million since its inception. For breast health or breast cancer concerns, call the Komen Foundation's National Toll-free Breast Care Helpline (1.800 I’M AWARE®), or visit the Foundation’s award-winning website: www.breastcancerinfo.com/.

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