4 months ago
The tenth annual Central Georgia Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure kicked off Saturday morning.
The 5K race looped around Central City park.
Race chair Mechel Mckinley says they've counted about 3,400 participants that took strides for breast cancer.
The race celebrates survivors, remembers those who lost the fight and continues the promise to end breast cancer.
"Was just feeling one day, sitting at the computer, and found it myself," said Michelle Kukshtel.
Kukshtel soon found out she had breast cancer. Now, she's been a survivor for more than three years.
"It was tough, but I think it's all in your attitude," said Kukshtel.
More than 20 vendors handed out educational breast cancer materials, oral cancer screenings and dished out pink pancakes to the crowd.
Volunteer Amy Tarpley says she signed up to help registration but didn't expect the large number of supporters.
"The outpouring is just overwhelming, I had no idea there would be this many people," said Tarpley.
Jim Mcmurran says he gathered a crew of co-workers to run together after his wife survived breast cancer. He says the hardest part of dealing with breast cancer in his home was the uncertainty.
"Just not knowing what's going to go on next, not knowing if she's going to recover, if its going to be a minor thing," said McMurran.
Last year, Race Chair Mechel McKinley says the race raised $271,000 dollars.
She says 75 percent of the money raised will go to Central Georgia breast health programs and 25 percent to national and international research.
She says last year, 3,400 people participated in the race as well.
