Employees of UNMC, and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, are encouraged to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer by participating in the 2003 Komen Nebraska Race for the Cure on Sunday, Oct. 5 at the Civic Auditorium, 19th & Capitol. The race begins at 8 a.m. with registration and pre-race rally and photo beginning at 6 a.m.
The Nebraska Medical Center and the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center are bronze sponsors of the event. Anyone interested in fighting against the disease may join The Nebraska Medical Center and UNMC Eppley Cancer Center team by registering online at http://www.omaharaceforthecure.org. Click on “registration” and select “on-line.” Click “register now,” select “team registration” and check the waiver before hitting the “continue” button. Select the UNMC/ Nebraska Medical Center team and use the team password, “Eppley,” to complete your registration.
The online team registration deadline is Sunday, Sept. 28. Team registration is $20 per participant and can be processed online.
By joining the team individuals will receive a team T-shirt in addition to the Race for the Cure T-shirt. Team race packets and T-shirts may be picked up Friday, Oct. 3, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Eppley Institute, Room 2006.
This year, the Nebraska Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation awarded the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center two grants to support cancer research training and screening efforts. Specifically, awards were made to support the Breast Cancer Training Program and cancer screenings done with the help of the UNMC Mobile Nursing Unit and the Section on Women and Minority Outreach.
The Omaha race has grown from 1,300 participants in its first race in 1994, to 7,000 participants in 2002. Fund raising has grown as well from $42,000 in 1994 to more than $250,000 in 2002. Seventy-five percent of all proceeds stay in Nebraska and are used to reach underserved women statewide, providing education, mammograms and treatment assistance. The remaining 25 percent is contributed to the Foundation’s national research grant program.
Call Kristi Berger, UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, at 559-4232 with any questions.