CHICAGO, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An estimated 30,000 runners, walkers, and supporters - most impacted in some way by breast cancer - turned out on Sunday in Chicago to support the Windy City's largest breast cancer event: the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization's' 20th Anniversary Race At Your Pace. Y-ME organizers reached their fundraising goal of $3 million.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110509/DC98608)
Y-ME depends on this annual event to help deliver free breast cancer support programs and services including its YourShoes® 24/7 Breast Cancer Support Center.
"As a 15-year breast cancer survivor, a mom, and the new CEO of this important organization, I was incredibly moved by this heartwarming outpouring of support on this Mother's Day," said Cindy Geoghegan, chief executive officer of Y-ME. "So many of us in the breast cancer community came together to support a national need. We recognize that no one should face breast cancer alone."
For more than 30 years, Y-ME has been providing patients and their families with one-on-one peer counseling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Peer counseling can be provided in 150 languages.
Geoghegan said what Y-ME offers is unique. "No other organization did this kind of counseling 32 years ago when this organization was founded, and no other organization does that today. We've made advances in treatments and awareness, but the 30,000 people who came today were with us to help raise funds for breast cancer support."
Supporters at this year's Race had the choice of running a certified 5K run or enjoying a walk at their pace in the 1K or 3K walks.
McDonald's was the presenting sponsor of this year's Y-ME Race At Your Pace. United Airlines and Harley-Davidson are platinum sponsors, and Bumble Bee Foods, Mueller and Company, JC Penney, and Eisai are gold sponsors.
One-on-one peer counseling about breast cancer is available by calling the YourShoes® 24/7 Breast Cancer Support Center at 1-800-221-2141. Spanish speakers can call 1-800-986-9505.
SOURCE Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
