“Get ready to ‘Paint the Town Pink,’ as we begin to celebrate our 30th anniversary,” invites Susan G. Komen Executive Director Gretchen Awad. “We are planning the Pink Tie Ball, the event of the season, to kick off this momentous occasion.”
Breast cancer survivor and Komen board member Jackie Hylant Berenzweig and her husband, Bubba, with their committee, are planning the 30th anniversary gala to be held Saturday, April 29 from 6 to 11 pm at the Glass City Center in downtown Toledo.
Guests at the pink-tie formal event will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails from 6 to 7:15 pm when dinner and the program begin. Dancing to the music of the Bluewater Kings Band begins at 8 pm. Those attending will also receive a gift donated by Jane Wurth of Ragazza.
Hylant Insurance and Savage and Associates are the presenting sponsors; however other sponsorships are still available. Tickets are $150 each and tables of 10 people are available.
Race for the Cure
The anniversary celebration continues with the 30th running of the Race for the Cure. Participants may register online beginning April 20. “We are inviting participants to register early. This year, participants must register at least 30 days before the event to receive their t-shirts in the mail. If you register just before the race you will not receive your shirt until after the event,” Awad cautioned. “Also, anyone who raises funds totaling at least $130 before the event will receive a special long-sleeved limited edition t-shirt.”
“We are so excited about this year’s race,” Awad said. “For this landmark year, we have some other new twists. The Komen Race for the Cure will be held on Saturday morning, Sept. 23 followed by the Glass City Mini Marathon on Sunday, Sept. 24. We have partnered with Clint McCormick of Dave’s Running Shop to combine these two events on one weekend. We anticipate this to be the largest fitness and fundraising event in northwest Ohio this year.”
There are two events included within the Mini Marathon: The Half Marathon starts in downtown Maumee and the Quarter Marathon starts at Fort Miami School. Participants for both run along River Road and finish in the outfield of Fifth Third Field.
“Tying the two events together, we have introduced a Pink Ribbon Challenge. Those registering for both the Komen 5k and either the Half or Quarter Marathon will receive a unique bib and finisher medal with a pink ribbon commemorating their experience and completing the challenge,” McCormick stated.
Komen board member, breast cancer survivor, avid runner, and race chairman Cheryl Walter, with her 15-member committee, and Awad are hard at work organizing the myriad details in preparation for the race weekend. While McCormick and his team handle race logistics, the Komen committee organizes hundreds of volunteers, including the University of Toledo Avengers, who serve behind the scenes.
In addition to all of the regular displays, which include sponsor tents, water and fruit stations, high school cheer squads, entertainment, and live coverage by WTOL Channel 11 TV and iHeart radio, the committee is bringing back the Shop Komen tent offering Komen merchandise.
Meijer donates the fruit and snacks; Collingwood Water provides the bottled water; and Barry Bagels offers pink bagels on race day. The Mercy Mobile Mammogram will be on-site and free mammograms will be offered.
About Susan G. Komen
• Komen has collectively invested over $1.1 billion in life-saving breast cancer research since 1982.
• About 3,000 people in Ohio seek help and information from Susan G. Komen every week.
• All 88 counties in Ohio, are served by Susan G. Komen breast cancer services. These services include patient navigation, financial assistance, and individual support.
• Ohio has over 4,400 Ohioans advocating for breast cancer rights on a state and federal level through Komen’s Advocacy Program.
• In 2023, it’s estimated among women in the U.S. there will be 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 43,170 breast cancer deaths.
• In 2023, it’s estimated among men in the U.S. there will be 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 530 breast cancer deaths.