one by one®: Especially for You
The Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer achieved a new record in October 2023 with more than 16,500 people participating. Every year, festivities start a couple of days before the race with The Power of Pink event—a kickoff to National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—to promote awareness and early detection and to honor survivors. Last year, the more than 500 survivors who attended received a unique breast cancer giveaway—a light-up pendant necklace shaped like an awareness ribbon.
“It’s a very inspiring event as survivors share their stories and oncologists share about their groundbreaking work,” said Christina Djerf, race community liaison. “Then we light the main entrances to our hospital and a downtown landmark building in pink, and they remain lit through October. Finally, we shoot pink fireworks to raise awareness more broadly.”
Breast cancer giveaways promote a cause
In addition to the necklaces, pink LED light bulbs were also handed out at the event. People who received one were encouraged to put them in their porch lights during October to remind neighbors to get screened for breast cancer. Survivors who were given light-up necklaces were encouraged to wear them to the race on Saturday.
Another 600 cancer survivors who couldn’t attend the kickoff attended last year’s race. In addition to honoring survivors and promoting awareness of breast cancer, the race raised more than $530,000 for individuals who can’t afford breast care services, including mammograms, biopsies and ultrasounds, as well as gynecological cancer care services.
Annual race held for more than 30 years
The Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer started in 1991 and remains popular, as evidenced by last year’s totals. Participants simply pay an entry fee to walk or run in the race—no additional fundraising is required. More than 80% register as teams, and there aren’t any requirements for which types of people make up the team. Some are businesses or co-workers, and others are families who want to honor a breast cancer survivor or remember someone who lost their battle.
“One of the unique things about this event is that everyone wears the annual race T-shirt,” said Djerf. “We change the color every year, and even though we have a lot of teams that like to pick a theme and dress accordingly, most people still wear the T-shirt. The shirts are almost like a collector’s item.”
A note from Cheryl
We love knowing that cancer survivors and those who’ve lost their battle were honored at the Especially for You Race Against Breast Cancer and kickoff event. The breast cancer giveaway light-up necklaces were the perfect complement to illuminating buildings and shooting pink fireworks to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To learn more about a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.com.