"It's a day of celebration:" 15,000 take part in annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE -- It was a sea of pink along Milwaukee's lakefront on Sunday, September 27th as 15,000 turned out for the 17th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Thousands of survivors, and those currently fighting breast cancer gathered Sunday morning with one common goal: To find a cure for breast cancer.
The local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure began 17 years ago with 500 participants. This year, nearly 15,000 packed onto Lincoln Memorial Drive for the 5K run and one-mile walk. 75% of the money raised at the event stays here in southeastern Wisconsin.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
"It provides access to healthcare, treatment, insurance premiums, transportation to and from treatment," Amy Siewart said.
Siewart was diagnosed with breast cancer three times. In 2014 she learned her cancer was Stage 4.
On Sunday, Siewart walked with her family. Their team name: Amy's Capped Crusaders.
"It`s a day of tears, but it`s joyful tears and so it`s a day of celebration because there`s so many days where we are struggling through our disease and this is the day that we just get to enjoy ourselves and each other," Siewart said.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
Breast cancer affects one in eight women -- but it can also affect men -- like Mark Goldstien.
"Men should not die from breast cancer out of ignorance -- and that is why I participate in race for the cure event," Goldstien said.
Goldstien had a radical mastectomy in 1988 after he was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
"And here I am 27 years later a conqueror. Because you survive the disease, which is the clinical part of it and you conquer the emotion and that`s up to you," Goldstien said.
Sunday marked Goldstien's 233rd Race for the Cure event!
Since the Race for the Cure began in Milwaukee, more than $8 million has been raised for breast cancer research and treatment.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
CLICK HERE to learn more about Susan G. Komen Southeast Wisconsin and the Race for the Cure event.