Virtual Komen events encourage walking, fundraising at one's own pace

Findlay's eighth annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure — set for Sept. 26 — will be a virtual race, but its mission and the heart behind it remain very real. Mary Westphal, executive director of Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio, said the decision to conduct the signature fundraising 5K and family walk virtually this year was made in the interest of protecting the health and safety of its participants from COVID-19. "The reasons are very simple," said Westphal. "Number one, our breast cancer survivors all have compromised immune systems and they are at risk. So we want to make sure that we are keeping them as safe as possible, as well as everyone. We want to make sure we're keeping everyone safe." The organization's current tagline is "Breast cancer doesn't stop. Neither do we." "It's so true," said Westphal. "The truth of the matter is, we are seeing more outreach for help right now than we have ever seen because people are losing their insurance. They're losing their jobs. People who thought they were very secure are simply left hanging without any resources, so we are facing big challenges right now." "Without the race, we literally can't help breast cancer survivors," she said. Instead of traditional races, all of Komen's Ohio events will be virtual, said Westphal. Despite the change, fun events are in place leading up to what would have been the race date. "So people will still get their T-shirts. And we still will encourage people to walk in their neighborhoods or where they're comfortable," she said. "The No. 1 way that we raise dollars to support direct services and research and public policy is through our Race for the Cure events." Participants can register for the virtual event at komennwohio.org/virtual or by calling the Toledo office at 877-604-2873. Registration is $30 for adults and survivors/those living with metastatic disease and $20 for youth ages 18 and younger. Participants are encouraged to walk throughout the month of September, said Westphal. "We're also looking at giving some prizes to the people who walk the farthest, if they track their steps," Westphal said. "So from a health standpoint, we're encouraging them to walk even further." A mobile app is available to help participants track their steps, post pictures directly to social media, earn badges and more. Special theme weeks are also being offered. This week, for example, members of the public are battling it out to be named Entertainer of the Year. Community members are encouraged to submit a video of themselves or a group performing an inspirational song, a skit celebrating breast cancer warriors, or a poem encouraging others to join the fight. Email performances to Kacy@komennwohio.org. The week of Sept. 14 is "Mix it up Pink Week," with community members encouraged to make a pink mocktail or cocktail and share a photo online. "Paint the Town Pink Week" begins Sept. 21, and this is the chance to pink out everything! Jazz up a T-shirt, throw on a pink boa, and take fun photos of yourself or your entire team. Again, share them online for a chance to win prizes. "We encourage the walking before Sept. 26. And then we encourage people to stay home and watch WTOL on Sept. 27 and watch what's happening online with the pictures that everybody submitted," Westphal said. "There will be some flashbacks to previous years for both Findlay and Toledo, showing the start lines and those sorts of thing." Survivors will also be celebrated and top fundraisers recognized. Westphal said all of these activities are meant to create a sense of community. "I know it's going to be hard to do. It's just not the same when we're not all together, but we're trying to do the best we can," she said. "And we're optimistic that our true participants and friends will register again and fundraise again so we can continue to do the good work that we do." Wolf: 419-427-8419 jeanniewolf@thecourier.com