Komen Race for the Cure returns to UT Dallas for a second year on Oct. 17

The Susan G. Komen Dallas North Texas Race for the Cure is coming back to the University of Texas at Dallas campus on Saturday, Oct. 17, the university said Wednesday.

It is the second year UT Dallas has hosted the breast cancer fundraiser. The first run on campus, last year, drew nearly 7,000 participants and raised $1.2 million, according to the university, and Komen hopes to match or top that total. Money raised supports research, patient services and public policy work.

Race day

Runners and walkers can pick a 5-kilometer course or a 1-mile route. The race site, at the campus Activity Center and parking Lot J, opens at 6:30 a.m., and the opening ceremony starts at 8:30 a.m. Registration is through komen.org/dallasrace.

UT Dallas students, faculty and staff can sign up for a discounted rate by joining the university's official team, Comets for the Cure, when they register. Team members will be emailed details, including how to get a free T-shirt.

Students from the lab of Nikki Delk, an associate professor of biological sciences whose research looks at how inflammation affects breast and prostate cancers, plan to show their work during the event.

The numbers behind it

Organizers estimate more than 24,000 people in Texas will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 3,400 will die of it, the university said. Nationally, the National Breast Cancer Foundation says 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed during their lifetime.

"This deeply meaningful event is not only an impactful fundraiser and a great occasion to invite the North Texas community to campus, but it is also a valuable opportunity to support and celebrate members of our community whose lives have been personally impacted by breast cancer," said Mercy Wenger, assistant director of university events.

Sofia Olivarez, executive director of Susan G. Komen North Texas, said the race "shows the power of community."

Sources

news.utdallas.edu

komen.org