2011 Komen Lubbock Race for the Cure Approaching, Spokeswoman Discusses New Goals, No Local Ties to Planned Parenthood

An area charity is gearing up for their largest annual event.

The 2011 Komen Lubbock Race for the Cure is slated for Saturday, October 1^st, to help fight against breast cancer.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure began in 1982, and is the worldwide leader of the breast cancer movement, investing over $1.9 billion dollars in its 29 years of existence.

The Lubbock Area Affiliate was established in 1995, and currently has more than 600 volunteers. The Komen Lubbock group has raised over $4.5 million to help fight breast cancer.

Komen Lubbock Executive Director Ashley Hamm said “We are very proud of how our money stays in the community. When you give a dollar to Komen Lubbock, 75 cents of that dollar stays right here in Lubbock and our 15 surrounding counties that we service. The remaining 25 cents goes to a national research grant.”

Komen Lubbock has received some unusual attention this week, as Trinity Christian School has announced that they will no longer support the organization, due to some affiliates around the nation associating with Planned Parenthood.

Hamm responded, saying “Some Komen affiliates across the nation have treatment and screening grants with their local planned parenthood. I believe 19 of our 125 affiliates currently have that grant. Lubbock does not have a grant with our local planned parenthood, but even those affiliates that do, those dollars, like any of our grant dollars, are restricted to breast health, education, screening, and treatment.”

“They are not funding abortions, or anything unrelated to breast cancer awareness, education, and treatment,” Hamm continued.

Currently, there are 5,579 people registered to participate in this year’s Race for the Cure. Their goal for this year is 10,000 people and $550,000 in proceeds. Last year, 8,599 participants took part, raising right at $500,000.

To register for the 2011 Komen Lubbock Area Race for the Cure, visit www.komenlubbock.org.