Runners race for the finish line during the 2012 Run for Her Life. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comPut on your running (or walking) shoes. At 9 a.m. Sunday, April 14 the Los Alamos Chapter of Hadassah, the Los Alamos Jewish Center and Atomic City Roadrunners will present the third annual Run for Her Life.
The event is a 5K and 10K race in Los Alamos to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer.
This is the only race specifically targeting breast cancer to be held in Los Alamos. This year, 1.3 million people will be diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 500,000 will die from the disease.
The race will begin at East Park on East Road, also known as N.M. 502. This is a good opportunity to celebrate spring with a brisk walk or run and help out an important cause.
Register at the race for a fee of $30, which net the registrants a T-shirt with the race logo. Those not inclined to walk or run are invited to register, wear their T-shirt, and cheer at the finish line. Call 992-1416 for race information.
All donations and race proceeds will be donated to Hadassah for breast cancer research, education and treatment.
In 1995, scientists at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, working with the National Institutes of Health, made the breakthrough discovery that a genetic mutation was linked to breast cancer.
Hadassah Medical Center is one of the foremost centers for cancer research in the world. Since then, research around the world has focused on the role of the BRCA genes in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Hadassah advocates for women at risk to be tested for this gene, and as a result of Hadassah’s grassroots lobbying efforts, the GINA Act, the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act, was passed.
This law prevents insurance and employment discrimination against those who are tested and discovered to be a carrier for any type of genetic disorder.
“As the largest non-profit volunteer organization, as well as the largest women’s group in the US, Hadassah has fought tirelessly to raise awareness and promote breast cancer research,” said Los Alamos Chapter President, Carmen Rodriguez.
Atomic City Roadrunners will handle race logistics such as timekeeping and marking the course. The Los Alamos Chapter of Hadassah is very pleased to be partnering with the Roadrunners to bring this event to Los Alamos, Rodriguez said.
The race is sponsored by donations from Sam’s Club of Santa Fe, Los Alamos Daily Post, Santa Claran Hotel and Casino, Ruby K’s Bagel Café, KRSN Kommunity Radio, Chalmers Capitol Ford, Los Alamos Monitor, Lincoln, Zia Realty Group, CB Fox, White Rock Sewing, Mary Deal Realty, Los Alamos Medical Center, Kendra Henning/ReMax, Desert Tees & Sporting Goods and Real Estate Associates Los Alamos.
