The Bloomington-Normal branch of the Susan G. Komen organization is hosting its 14th annual “More than Pink” walk in early September to raise money for the nonprofit, and unite supporters and survivors in the goal of curing breast cancer.
The one-mile walk will take place at the Corn Crib, followed by other family activities and time to visit other participants. Development Director Jordan Clum outlined what the event will consist of and why it’s important.
“We will have a beautiful opening ceremony that recognizes our sponsors, recognizes our top fundraisers and celebrates survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer,” Clum said. “As soon as the opening ceremony is over, we’ll head out for a one-mile walk."
The stadium will remain open for people to celebrate, visit with sponsors and friends, play games and visit the kid's zone.
Besides the family-friendly activities is the much more serious cause of raising money for breast cancer research, community outreach and advocacy.
“As part of our morning set-up, there’s a tent called ‘We Remember,’” Clum said. “It is a place where people can come; we have note cards and markers, people are encouraged to bring pictures if they’d like, and we have ribbons hanging in there where people can write a note to a loved one that is no longer with us — or they can bring a picture."
The Susan G. Komen foundation launched 1983 and was built off a promise between sisters Nancy Brinker and Susan Komen. Nancy promised Susan, who died of breast cancer, that she would do everything in her power to eliminate the disease. Nancy founded the non-profit and it has become the largest private breast cancer research donor, raising about $3.6 billion for research and advocacy in its 43 years.
Clum has been a part of all 14 “More than Pink” walks in Bloomington-Normal. While many details have changed, she's found a constant in all the community support.
“What I’ve loved to see over the 14 years is just the engagement with the community, and the way that the community comes out to support the cause of breast cancer,” she said.
“Everyone is there because they know someone that had it, or they had it themselves. It’s just a beautiful morning to see everyone come together, and see the fundraising efforts that have [been] put in and what kind of an impact we as the Bloomington-Normal community can have.”
The “More than Pink” walk will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Corn Crib in Normal. Registration is still available on the event's website.
