Welcome to the Susan G. Komen Arkansas Affiliate Blog. We are excited to have a presence on the web and to be able to connect with all Komen fans. One of the first things we want to call your attention to is our date for the 16th annual Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock. It will be held on Oct. 17, 2009! We want to see you there.

 Registration for this year’s Race kicks off July 19, at our team captain’s party. Remember that date and be one of the first to register!!

 Our theme this year is “It’s MY RACE to win.” This year, as you walk in celebration of survivors or in memory of loved ones, please remember to also walk for yourself, take care of yourself. Early detection is so important in curing breast cancer. This year, walk the race for yourself also. Remember, together, we can run and finish the Race to eradicate breast cancer.

 We have a lot of things planned building up to the Race and we welcome your involvement in all of our activities. This blog will allow us to tell you more about our fun events and let you know how you can participant.

 This year, we kicked off Kids for the Cure. Children registering for the Kids for the Cure program will get their very own T-shirt with the Kids for the Cure logo.  But we’re only ordering 3,000 shirts, so register early and be sure to designate Kids for the Cure on the registration form.

 In conjunction with our theme this year, we are also offering Fit for a Cure, a six-week fitness program that will train women to walk or run the Race this year. This program will be held twice a week, Monday and Thursday nights, from 6:30 to 7:30 at War Memorial Stadium. It is limited to the first 500 women who register for the Race and sign up for the program.

 We also will have all the other fun activities associated with the Race. The night before the Race, we have the Pink Duck walk at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Little Rock, followed by our fun Pasta Party, which this year will be held at Dickey-Stephens Park on Oct. 16th. Dickey-Stephens Park is home to the Arkansas Travelers baseball team. We are excited about our new venue.

 We will also host the Survivor Breakfast, Survivor Luncheon and Survivor Parade on Race morning. Come celebrate with survivors and cheer them on in the parade.

 And, one of my favorite parts of the Race is Three Miles of Men. We want men to be a part of our Race. So ladies sign the men in your life up for the Three Miles of Men Program. Men, sign up to support the ladies. And, then join of Three Miles of Men participants on Oct. 9 for a beer and pizza party at Diamond Bear Brewery.

 Our Race Space will open on October 2 and will be held again this year in Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center, same place as last year. If you don’t sign up on line, you may register there. Or come there to find Race goodies. We always have unique and fun items that you can buy for yourself or for the survivor in your life!!

On a personal note, I’m excited to be able to chair this year’s Race. I’m an eight-year survivor of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, diagnosed as a young mother at the age of 33. So many people offered their support to me by reaching out to me in friendship and in prayer. I’m thankful to be able to pay it forward in our Race to eradicate breast cancer. Remember, working together, “It’s OUR Race, to win.” Some day, I’m sure that collectively we will cross the finish line as my children grow up in a world without breast cancer.