According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women in the United States aside from skin cancer. RaeLyn Swisher, Director of Impact Sports and Fitness in Abilene, sought to raise awareness about the disease and funds for local non-profits when she renamed the fitness center’s annual run to Impact the Cure in 2010.
The second annual Impact the Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Run/Walk will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, starting at Impact Sports and Fitness, 418 N. Broadway, Abilene. People of all ages and fitness levels are welcome to participate. The event will include a 5K race and 2 mile fun walk. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Pre-registration is $20, and registration the day of the event is $25.
The event will occur rain or shine, and will take participants through the scenic streets of Abilene and back to Impact Sports and Fitness. Volunteers will be on hand to offer water along the route.
Those who are unable to participate or attend but want to support the cause have the option of donating $20 for an Impact the Cure long-sleeved t-shirt, with proceeds going toward the fight against breast cancer. This year, the proceeds from the Impact the Cure will benefit digital mammography equipment for Memorial Hospital in Abilene.
Survivor Recognition & Pink Heals Fire Truck
An informal survivor recognition ceremony will begin at 7:45 a.m. outside of Impact Sports and Fitness. All cancer survivors will receive a special “Survivor” button and will be recognized as a group. All cancer survivors and family members will have an opportunity to sign the Pink Heals Fire Truck, which will be located across the street at the Abilene Fire Department. The bright pink fire truck, operated by the Wichita Chapter of the Guardians of the Ribbon, will lead the 5K Run and 2 mile fun walk.
Awards
There will be a ceremony following completion of all events. Awards will be given to overall male and female 5K winners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place 5K finishers in each age group, All finishers ages 13 and under will receive a participation award. The fun walk is noncompetitive, and will have no awards. All participants will be entered into a drawing for prizes.
Pancake Breakfast
A pancake breakfast will be sponsored by Eagle Communications following the event. “Chris Cakes” uses a custom designed grill that makes up to 40 pancakes at one time. Add some fancy pancake flipping and you’ll have a breakfast that is fun to watch be made and tastes delicious. The kids will love it!
Booths, Sports Bra Decorating, and Voting
Booths with information about breast cancer and local resources will be available. There will also be vendor booths with information about products local companies offer.
Vote for your favorite decorated sports bra at Aksent Boutique’s booth! Want to decorate a sports bra that will be displayed at Impact the Cure? Visit Aksent Boutique from 6 to 8 p.m on Thursday, Sept. 29 (must pre-register by Monday, Sept. 26) at 309 N. Buckeye and get creative! Cost is $25 and you may choose to purchase a bra at Aksent to decorate or purchase a new sports bra on your own. All proceeds benefit digital mammography for Memorial Hospital.
Buttons and Bracelets
Attendees will also have the opportunity to obtain pink breast cancer awareness buttons and bracelets for a suggested donation of $2 each. These are a great reminder of breast cancer awareness. Those who cannot come to the event may find buttons and bracelets at Impact Sports and Fitness, 418 N. Broadway; Aksent Boutique, 309 N. Buckeye; or Memorial Hospital’s Gift Shop, 511 N.E. 10th, during September and October.
Other area businesses are participating by giving customers the opportunity to donate funds to the cause. Donation sheets with pink ribbons on them will be available at Abilene businesses. The pink ribbon signs will hang in the windows of businesses in honor or in memory of friends or relatives who have battled cancer.
Win a Pink Electra Cruiser 7D Bike
Want to win a beautiful, pink Electra Cruiser 7D bike? Anyone can make a donation and have his or her name entered into a drawing for the bicycle. Suggested donation is $1 for an opportunity or $5 for six opportunities. Stop by Impact Sports and Fitness to learn more, or make your donation on the day of the event. The bicycle is sponsored by Big Poppi Bicycle Company in Manhattan. The winner will be announced at Impact the Cure. You need not be present to win.
Sponsors
Many area businesses are supporting Impact the Cure through sponsorships and donations. The event’s major sponsors are 92.7 FM The New Zoo, The Abilene Reflector-Chronicle, Duckwall-Alco Stores, Inc., Eagle Communications, Hoffman Construction, Impact Sports and Fitness, JACK FM 95.5, KCLY 100.9 FM, McDonald’s of Abilene, Memorial Health System, The Salina Journal, Salina Media Group, and United Radiology Group Chartered.
Registration and More Information
Registration forms can be accessed by visiting http://www.caringforyou.org and clicking on the Impact the Cure logo, or by visiting Impact Sports and Fitness at 418 N. Broadway in Abilene. Please fill out and return with payment to Impact Sports and Fitness, 418 N. Broadway, Abilene, KS 67410. Checks may be made out to Impact Sports and Fitness. Entry fee includes a long-sleeve t-shirt and pancake breakfast. Watch for more information about Impact the Cure on Memorial Health System’s Facebook page by visiting http://facebook.caringforyou.org, or call Impact Sports and Fitness at (785) 263-3888.
A pancake breakfast will be sponsored by Eagle Communications. A girl tried to catch a pancake flipped by an employee of Cris’ Cakes at the 2010 event. (Courtesy photo)