Komen Chicago to hold 21st Mother's Day Race for the Cure May 13 at Montrose Harbor
Award-winning actress and beloved Chicagoan Bonnie Hunt has been named honorary race chairwoman of Susan G. Komen Chicago's 21st Mother's Day Race for the Cure, which will return to Montrose Harbor Sunday, May 13.
Hunt will be a special guest at the iconic event, locally presented by Jewel Osco - local since 1899.
Supporters are encouraged to register now at www.KomenChicago.org, to help Komen achieve its Big Bold Goal of reducing the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Race for the Cure, the organization's biggest fundraiser of the year, will enable Komen Chicago to fund more research, offer more Chicago-area support and provide more time for those who are living with breast cancer. Komen Chicago donates 75 percent of net funds raised to community grants that provide access to lifesaving screenings and/or treatments, dedicating the remaining 25 percent to global research.
Komen Chicago board member Mika Stambaugh is chairing the 2018 race. Returning as co-chairs are Chicago Police Sergeant Melinda Linas, a breast cancer survivor, and Chicago Police Lieutenant Jessica Jones, who is living with metastatic breast cancer. Linas and Jones, who were the top fundraisers at last year's race and honored as More than Pink Heroes in 2017, recently won the 2018 Women's History Month Resilience Award from the Chicago Association of Women in Law Enforcement.
Caleb Watkins, oncology account specialist at Pfizer, also has signed on as co-chairman of the race. He recently lost his sister, a young mother, to metastatic breast cancer. She fought the disease for two years and passed away in late 2017. Watkins says he has teamed up with Komen Chicago because he wants to ensure that breast cancer does not win.
"We can pull together to leverage support, resources and each other's experiences to help foster strength, courage and love for all those impacted," he says.
Race for the Cure organizers are thrilled to have Hunt on board as honorary race chair, the perfect choice given her Chicago roots and the fact that she was an oncology nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital while studying at Second City. Hunt, a celebrated Hollywood writer, director, producer and actress, has volunteered with many cancer organizations, dedicating herself to patient advocacy and fundraising for medical research.
Race for the Cure registration begins at 7:30 a.m., the Survivor Parade is at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K Fun Walk/Run steps off at 9 a.m. There's a Finish Fest Celebration at 9:30 a.m., with awards and a live band. Registration fees are: $40 for adults; $35 for survivors; $25 for youth, ages 5 to 12; and free for ages 4 and younger. Virtual registration for those who can't make it on Race Day is $40. Registration fees increase on May 12. Register at www.KomenChicago.org.