More than 18,000 people, many in pink T-shirts, turned out over the weekend for this year's Race For The Cure. Eyewitness News anchor Paula Francis reports the numbers were down from last year, but spirits were high.

It was a major show of support for the local chapter of Susan G. Komen For The Cure — as 18,112 participants came out to Fremont Street for this year's race.

“The Pink Divas, we're about three to four years old – we're all survivors. We met in doctors offices, radiation, or something like that. We realized we had a common bond,” said Delores Hanshew. She and the Pink Divas, from northwest Arkansas, were among those who came.

The event makes a lot of things possible throughout the rest of the year.

“Our programs can get a clinical breast exam, a mammogram, a biopsy, an ultrasound. We can help women through breast cancer, we can help their families, we can help them after their treatments – and beyond,” said Jackie Brown. She is executive director of Susan G. Komen For The Cure of Southern Nevada.

She says it looks as though they will surpass their fundraising goal of $400,000 — even though participation appears to be just shy of their goal of 22,000.

“I am so happy with the way it turned out – the numbers, the people, the support. It was a great day,” said Brown.

Race manager, Stephanie Kirby says this year's event went smoothly with the help of some 500 volunteers — great weather and a can-do attitude.

“You know, you plan something all year long and when the day actually happens, you see the emotion and how people turn out for it. You can't help be so proud of this community. That's how we feel. We just feel very proud right now. Not that it was so successful for us, but that so many people came out and really showed the spirit that Las Vegas has,” said Kirby.

Most of the funds raised will stay in Southern Nevada while 25-percent will help support national breast cancer research projects.

You can still make a contribution by registering online and following the links to “Sleep-in For The Cure.”

This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 6:24 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.