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Dogs Joined Human Companions at Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Portland, OR. Dogs were welcome alongside their human companions for the first time at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The 26th annual fundraiser for breast cancer support and research drew tens of thousands to Portland’s waterfront September 17th. Organizers say many patients say their pets are a comfort so they deserve a place in the race.

So far the 2017 Komen Portland Race for the Cure® has raised over $375,600. The ambitious goal is $800,000 and donations will be collected through October 31st.

The top fundraising teams so far are:

Consumer Cellular	$21,460
TEAM JANINE	$20,275
Team Tektronix	$7,269
Columbia SportswearTough Mothers	$6,855.24
Pacific Power- Powerful Pink	$5,980.22
Nonnie’s Warriors	$4,850
Team Sharon	$3,375
Meeting of the Mounds	$2,925
DATELINE EXPORTS	$2,700
Survive and Thrive	$2,502

Donations can still be made by clicking here:

Race for the Cure donations.

There was also a new route. Stepping away from the downtown streets, participants looped around the Willamette River over the Hawthorne and Steel bridges and along the Tom McCall Waterfront Park walkway and the Eastbank Esplanade. This move eliminated street closures and provided a pleasant view for the racers.

Here are some snapshots from the colorful race:

Team Compass Oncology (photo credit, Jason Hill Photography)

From Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure:

Seventy five percent of the funds from Sunday’s event support critical, local programs: screening, diagnosis and treatment services, safe and accurate breast cancer information, and patient navigation programs.

The remaining 25 percent will go toward understanding metastasis and how to prevent recurrence and develop more effective treatment. Two leading research centers in Portland, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and Providence Cancer Center, have received significant grants from Susan G. Komen.

Komen is the largest non-governmental funding source of breast cancer research in the world, with $12.2 million dedicated to researchers at Providence Cancer Center and Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.