14th annual Komen Race For the Cure held to fight breast cancer

MILWAUKEE -- The 14th annual Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure was held Sunday, September 23rd along Milwaukee's lakefront near the downtown Milwaukee Art Museum. The event is held to raise money and awareness for breast cancer.

Amberlea Childs was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, but it was only 10 days ago she received her final reconstructive surgery. Childs was among hundreds of survivors and thousands of others who took part in Sunday's Race For the Cure.

Milwaukee's Race For the Cure is the single largest fundraiser for southeastern Wisconsin's branch of the Komen Foundation. Organizers said they expected this year's event to net over $1 million to fight breast cancer. Most of the money raised at Sunday's event will help provide women in southeastern Wisconsin with resources they need to diagnose and treat breast cancer.

"So many people don't know they can get free mammograms. There are resources available and Komen makes those things possible for women in southeast Wisconsin," Childs said.

Around 20,000 people sported pink and packed the course. The day's highlight came pre-race with the recognition of breast cancer survivors. Their stories and battles are a reminder of the ongoing fight against breast cancer.

"There's going to be someone diagnosed today, and someone tomorrow. We have to continue to stay involved in the fight. We can't close our eyes and we can't forget for a minute, because women are still dying every day, and that is unacceptable," Childs said.

Though this year's Komen Race For the Cure is over, donations are still being accepted. Anyone wishing to support a team or give a gift has until the end of October to donate.

CLICK HERE for more information on Milwaukee's Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure, or to make a donation.