Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure becomes More Than Pink Walk

Susan G. Komen Wisconsin is making big changes to its annual fundraiser known as Race for the Cure. This year the fundraiser will be part of the new nationwide pilot program known as the More Than Pink Walk, on Sunday, September 23. Milwaukee is one of eight cities chosen to test the pilot program.

The More Than Pink Walk will kick off at 9:00 a.m. on the Summerfest grounds. This year’s new route will wind around the picturesque Lakeshore State Park before culminating at Summerfest and Urban Park for activities designed for the entire family. Komen Wisconsin’s annual walk event is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, and 75 percent of the money raised stays right here in Wisconsin to fund local projects which help meet the most critical needs of the local breast cancer community.

Much of what the community has loved about the Race will continue with our More Than Pink Walk,” said Nikki Panico, executive director for Komen Wisconsin. “These changes are intended to enhance the experience and increase people’s understanding of our work beyond breast cancer awareness.

This year’s walk aims to raise more than $600,000 for Susan G. Komen Wisconsin. The funds raised at the event are directed back to the community to provide Wisconsinites access to breast exams and mammograms, diagnostic services, support services such as transportation and copays, as well as breast cancer education. In 2017, Komen Wisconsin was able to provide 32,830 life-saving services to the community and granted more than $1 million to 11 organizations in its 22-county service area.

As the name implies, the theme for the reimagined fundraiser incorporates more colors than the traditional pink that is normally associated with breast cancer research and awareness. The new colors: purple, blue, green and orange, represent the four pillars of Susan G. Komen’s mission. Research, Community, Care and Action are vital to the organization’s bold goal of reducing the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026.

“The four pillars really represent what Susan G. Komen is all about,” said Panico. “We are advancing towards our goal and it’s not possible without activating all four of these components.”

The opening ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. at the Summerfest grounds with a special presentation of the new colors, dedication to survivors and those currently living with Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Registration for the More Than Pink Walk is available online at www.komenwisconsin.org or on the day of the event beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Summerfest’s North Gate. Participants may register as a team or as an individual. Adult registration is $30 per person and youth (12 and under) registration is $25, which includes entry to the event and a More Than Pink Walk t-shirt for each participant.

For more information about the More Than Pink Walk, visit the events page at www.komenwisconsin.org.