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Susan G. Komen Inland Empire 2nd annual More Than Pink Walk is going virtual for 2020

RIVERSIDE – Susan G. Komen Inland Empire, second annual More Than Pink Walk will be held virtually Sunday, Oct. 11.

The decision to conduct its signature fundraising event virtually this year was made in the interest of protecting the health and safety of its participants from COVID-19, many of which are breast cancer survivors and those living with the disease.

Registration is $15 for all participants, and participants are encouraged to form teams and fundraise and join a community of virtual walkers. Leading up to event day, the Komen Inland Empire affiliate will curate a virtual community experience that will engage participants, motivate and incentivize fundraising through supported local Facebook groups; a national mobile app, participant challenges and participant generated content.

The virtual opening ceremony on Walk Day will honor survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer, celebration of participants and inspiring stories of resilience and more.

The impact of COVID-19, including rising unemployment, quarantines and an overburdened health care system are causing the perfect storm for breast cancer patients who have questions or need care. Funds raised through the virtual More Than Pink Walk will address urgent needs in the local breast cancer community, including: patient navigation to reduce systemic, programmatic and social barriers to breast care and services, resulting in improved outcomes for women and men in Riverside and San Bernardino counties; financial assistance for cost of living expenses for those in active treatment; advocacy for transformative health policies and improved access to affordable, high-quality breast health and cancer care services and breast cancer screening for uninsured or underinsured women in need.

The funds will also provide for virtual educational experiences facilitated by experts to provide critical, timely information related to breast health and COVID-19 and addressing questions and concerns on how to cope with stress and anxiety; research and clinical trials to discover new treatments and operational support in partnership with local breast health organizations to help meet higher demands they are seeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This year 2,300 women living in Riverside and San Bernardino counties will be diagnosed with breast cancer. With the current pandemic and economic climate, we are all facing, coupled with the barriers to care that impact so many women and men in our communities, our work is more important than ever," Jill Eaton, executive director at Susan G. Komen Inland Empire, said. "The decision to go virtual allows us to care for those that are immunocompromised and/or currently living with breast cancer. This transition does come with some big changes, but our goals remain the same – to raise critically important funds to support research, access to care and advocacy and to one day see a world without breast cancer."

To gear up for the new virtual edition of the More Than Pink Walk, Komen Inland Empire began hosting the "Ten Days of Pink" Thursday, Oct. 1, with Murrieta City Hall turning pink.

On Sunday, Oct. 4, Komen Inland Empire will host a car parade at BMW of Murrieta. Inviting all the Virtual More Than Pink Walk registered participants and highlighting survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer, participants of the car parade will stay in their cars as they enjoy a drive behind the scene tour of BMW of Murrieta. Awards will be given for the most spirited car. The car parade will be livestreamed on the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire Facebook page.

Komen Inland Empire supports local patients, caregivers and survivors with resources including patient navigation, research, transportation, diagnostics services, education and financial assistance. Community members are encouraged to register for $15 to participate in the 2020 Komen Inland Empire Virtual More Than Pink Walk as individuals or teams. For more information on this event, visit http://www.komenie.org/morethanpinkwalk.

The 2020 Komen Inland Empire More Than Pink Walk is presented by Bank of America and Walgreens, with sponsors including Abbott, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Bank of America Inland Empire, Milgard Windows and Doors, The Teamsters Local 1932, BMW of Murrieta, City of Murrieta, The Camp Transformation Centers, Sam's Club of Corona, New Day Solar, Corinthian Title and Escrow, Riverside Sunrise Rotary, Reeder Media, Katy Radio and Borrego Health.

Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen was founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life.

Komen Inland Empire is working to better the lives of those that face breast cancer in the local community. Through events like the Komen Inland Empire More Than Pink Walk, Komen Inland Empire has invested more than $6.5 million in community breast health programs and has contributed more than $2.5 million in groundbreaking research. For more information, visit https://komenie.org/.

Submitted by Komen Inland Empire.

 

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