Many Americans plan to take part
in Race for the Cure at Frankfurt
By Rick Scavetta,
Stars and Stripes
When the Race for the Cure kicks off Sunday in Frankfurt, several Americans will be
among the charity runners helping fight breast cancer.
The race starts breast cancer awareness month, a worldwide effort to inform people
about the disease. Teams from U.S. military bases in Stuttgart, Heidelberg, and Wurzberg
will be among the 5,000 participants at the event, held along the southern banks of the
Main River.
One runner, Lisa Riha of Stuttgart, is a nurse educator who first raced in Boston in
1986. Her team is made up of 20 Stuttgart Health Clinic workers and family members, all
who understand the importance of the race, Riha said.
"We all know someone who has had breast cancer," Riha said. "That is the
motivating factor."
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a grassroots organization started in 1982,
sponsors races worldwide. The first race began in 1982 in Dallas, Texas, when 800
participants ran for the cause. This year, 1.3 million people are set to race in 109 U.S.
cities and three European countries.
Nancy Brinker began the foundation in memory of her sister Susan, who died from breast
cancer at age 36. Over the past two decades, the foundation has since grown into a leading
organization to eradicate the disease through research, education, screening and
treatment.
While last year only limited race information trickled down to military communities,
this year corporate sponsor Ford International advertised the race through base car sales.
Dealers distributed 3,000 applications on bases in Europe, car sales manager Simon
Williams said. While Williams did not have exact numbers on U.S. runners, he said the
response was enthusiastic.
"It’s been excellent," William said. "Just the fact that people
asked us for sponsorship."
When runners sign up through Ford’s Web site, the company pays the entry fee. Car
sales fronted 400 German marks to Riha’s team, she said.
Some of the stateside races were canceled following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,
Riha said, but the Frankfurt race is still on. Contestants can sign up until the day of
the event, she said.
"It would be super if more Americans got involved," Riha said. "Breast
cancer has touched every one."
On Saturday, the night before the race, event planners will hold a pasta party at the
race site in Frankfurt. During the event Sunday, there will be an entertainment program
including live music and presentations by local celebrities.
Additional information can be found at the Komen Frankfurt Race for the Cure Web site: www.raceforthecure.de, or by
calling the race hotline at 069-6860-7010.
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