More than 10,000 register for Race for the Cure

A sea of bubble gum colored feather boas, Barbie pink shirts and pink hats made their way down the streets of Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall Saturday morning (April 27) to raise awareness of breast cancer and contribute funds toward research for better medical treatment and an eventual cure.

A total of 408 teams and 10,035 people registered for the 15th Annual Susan G. Komen (Ozark) Race for the Cure and its activities, including a survivor’s breakfast, a 10k race, a 5k race, a Fun Walk and other family-centric activities.

“I’m most proud (of the fact) that the level of awareness is up so much,” said volunteer Gay Cipert. “It didn’t used to be that way. I hope that our children and grandchildren won’t need to go to a Race for the Cure because we’ve found a cure.”

Participants were united by a shared desire to end breast cancer.

More than one million people were diagnosed with breast cancer this year, making the task a daunting one, but contributors say their donations are put to good use. Of the proceeds collected from the annual event, 75% is sent back into the community to provide “education, screening and treatment support services to women, men and families in our service area,” according to a Susan G. Komen brochure. The other 25% of funds is contributed to breast cancer research.

In the past 15 years, that means $7 million has been contributed to the Northwest Arkansas community and approximately $2.5 million has gone toward further research in breast cancer. This year, the foundation awarded $737,000 to 15 grant recipients, a variety of clinics, medical centers and hospitals in the region.

One of the people who benefitted from those grants is three-year cancer free survivor Benna Sloopi.

“I’m in Clay for Cancer, a program in the Nadine Baum Studios that the NWA Regional gives grants for,” Sloopi said. “I live at home alone, my kids are gone, so the program has just been great (for me).”

The program is a chance for survivors like Sloopi to connect to each other and offer mutual support. No matter how long you’ve been cancer free, “you get panicky each time you go back in for a checkup,” she said. “My mom died of cancer, my sister has (breast) cancer. They say it doesn’t run in families, but you have to wonder.”

A special part of Saturday’s festivities is the Survivor’s Breakfast, a perks area of the Susan G. Komen Race where survivors and their families can enjoy a meal, massages and complimentary hats, t-shirts and more before the race.

Some take the chance to get to know other survivors and share their stories.

On the day that Stacey Culotta found out she had breast cancer, she was watching her grandson, who was four at the time and had a penchant for getting into things and tearing stuff up. He got a hold of Culotta’s Bible off the shelf and tore a page out. Once she caught up with him, she read the page.

“It said ‘Don’t worry about it. God had it taken care of before it happened,’” Culotta said. “I knew then that I was going to be ok.”

Within two weeks of being diagnosed, she had a double mastectomy and would start chemotherapy treatments a month later alongside two of her coworkers, one of whom has passed away since. Culotta attended Saturday’s events with her sister, who is one of her biggest supporters.

Those who were passionate about donating to breast cancer research but weren’t passionate about getting up early on a Saturday were able to contribute through “Sleep in for the Cure.”

Kari Nikolish, president of the Susan G. Komen Board of Directors, took time to express gratitude to the events speakers, Arkansas Head Coach Bret Bielema, Rev. Pamela and Gay Cipert, as well as all participants.

“Everyone makes a difference,” she said. “I’m an eight year survivor and I feel a heck of a lot better than I did eight years ago.

Nikolish ended official remarks with encouragement.

“We may be afraid, but we are not alone.”