Komen Race Raises $2.6M and Counting

September 30, 2011

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zrace1-web — Some of the 30,000 racers get under way at Newport Center.

Photos by Jim Collins

Pink ruled at Newport Center last weekend as some 30,000 runners, joggers, walkers and rollers turned out for the 20^th Annual Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cure.

Event organizers expected to break their $3.1 million goal, topping last year’s record $3 million. Preliminary totals for the 2011 Race stood at $2.6 million the day of the race, with fundraising set to continue through Oct. 31, the deadline for participants to turn in pledges and matching employer donations.

zrace5-web — Rep. Ed Royce and Dr. Mehmet Oz were among the participants.

In honor of the milestone 20^th year, Dr. Mehmet Oz, best-selling author and host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” addressed the crowd during the breast cancer Survivor Tribute. Dr. Oz also participated in the 5K race and met with top fundraisers and breast cancer survivors. Also in attendance at the Race was reigning Miss USA Alyssa Campanella, a strong supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

“It is great to be here today for the 20^th Race for the Cure,” said Dr. Oz. “I am touched to be surrounded by these beautiful survivors. We must raise our voices in memory of the women we have lost to breast cancer and demand more funding for cancer research. Our work together is not over until we find the cure.”

zrace4-web — Racers formed a river of giving on Newport Center Drive.

The Komen Orange County Affiliate’s 2011 Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor, Cindy Thomsen was acknowledged during this year’s tribute.

Jackie Fellows of Dana Point was the top individual fundraiser, having raised $14,472 to-date for this year’s Race. Following close behind was Carla Cammack, a 14-year breast cancer survivor, having raised $11,725. Cammack is one of the Affiliate’s top lifetime fundraisers, nearing the $200,000 mark in addition to many years of volunteer service.

The top fundraising team was Team PIMCO, whose team fundraising total is currently at $83,270, with an anticipated total of more than $100,000; Team I Survived Real Estate follows closely behind with a current fundraising total of $61,948.

Stephen Tippett of Mission Viejo won the 7:30 5K, crossing the finish line at 17:12; Patrick Boivin of Lake Forest won the 9:45 5K with a time of 15:44. Top finishers of the breast cancer survivors were Brenda Edgell of Lake Forest for the 7:30 5K with a time of 24:29; and Michelle Lewis of Newport Beach for the 9:45 5K with a time of 29:25.