Komen Sets New Date For Signature Race
By: Karen E. Butler, Director of Communications
Kimberly Blackwell, MD, poses at the 2016 race with breast cancer survivor and race chair Diane Kerkhoff.The 21st Annual Susan G. Komen® Triangle Race for the Cure, presented locally by Duke Cancer Institute, will be held this year in May. The race, formerly held in June, will take place at The Frontier in Research Triangle Park (RTP) on Saturday, May 6.
“We are excited to change the Triangle Race to early May when average temperatures are in the mid 70s,” said Pam Kohl, executive director of Komen North Carolina Triangle to the Coast (NCTC). “We’re planning for the ‘coolest’ Triangle Race for the Cure ever with a goal of raising $1 million to support local programs and national cutting-edge breast cancer research.”
The annual fundraising event features a 5k run/walk and a Survivor Celebration that honors participants who have battled breast cancer. Plans also include an expanded Tailgate Zone with the Triangle's most popular food trucks, including Cousins Maine Lobster, a beer-tasting garden and fun-filled activities for all ages.
“For a 16th consecutive year, Duke Cancer Institute is partnering with Komen Race For The Cure® to serve as local presenting sponsor,” said Michael Kastan, MD, PhD, executive director of Duke Cancer Institute. “The longtime relationship unites the organizations’ shared passion to end breast cancer by ensuring science continues to move forward toward a cure.”
Susan G. Komen currently funds more than $5.9 million in active grants at Duke. Current award recipients include:
- Gerard Blobe, MD, PhD
- Neil Spector, MD
- Donald McDonnell, PhD
- David Kirsch, MD, PhD
- Zachary Hartman, PhD
- Kimberly Blackwell, MD
- Jian Chen, PhD
- Tian Hongyu, PhD
Seventy-five percent of the net funds raised through Susan G. Komen races remain in local communities to support breast health education, screening, treatment and programs for women and families in a 29-county service area. The remaining 25 percent supports Susan G. Komen’s national research program.
For more information or to register for a Duke Cancer Institute team, led by Kimberly Blackwell, MD, please visit Team Duke Cancer Institute.