The Triangle

Issue date: 5/20/05 Section: Sci-Tech

Media Credit: Jennifer Brooks Many people turned out for the Race May 8 to raise breast cancer research funding money.

May 8 marked the third collaborative effort between University's College of Medicine and School of Public Health at the 15th Annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Race for the Cure.

The University's team was put together by Melissa Whipple, a masters student at the SPH, and Ari Brooks, a breast cancer physician at CoM. Since disciplines of the SPH and CoM, are often similar and because many students often obtain MD and MPH degrees, both schools felt that it made sense to come together for a common cause.

In past years, the Komen foundation also awarded Brooks a grant to provide free mammography screenings and treatment to uninsured women in the Delaware Valley region. "We love the Komen foundation because they use the money raised to help those in need directly," stated Brooks, who is in his fourth year as coordinator of the Drexel team.

Breast cancer is a prevalent public health issue and affects women of all races and backgrounds. According to the Center for Disease Control's Web site, it is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and is second only to lung cancer in causing preventable-cancer related deaths.

In 2005 alone, it is estimated that 211,240 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. However, if detected early enough, breast cancer patients have a high survival rate.

The Race for the Cure took place on Mother's Day at Eakins Oval, located near the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Although the race is said to be a 5K run, participants also had the ability to choose a 5K walk or a one mile fun run. This enabled a wide variety of individuals to participate, including breast cancer survivors, family members and friends of survivors, or those who walked in memory of a loved one who had succumbed to the disease.

The day included raffles for a 2005 Ford Mustang and a weekend getaway, along with performances by Amfibian and Gwynedd-Mercy College Choir.

Media Credit: Jennifer Brooks College of Medicine Dean Stephen Klasko, right, with his wife at the Race May 8.

The University was one of the Race's sponsors. Between the Hahnemann hospital, CoM, and SPH, over $15,000 was donated to the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The event in itself also provided the University with an occasion to advertise the merits of its CoM and SPH.

On the day of the Race, the University had a booth set up near the starting line to distribute paraphernalia promoting both the SPH and the CoM. The University's team consisted of approximately 100 members which included students, faculty, nurses, doctors and their family members and friends.

In addition to the sponsorship donation, team collected over $2500 in pledges. The CoM is heralded as the nation's largest private medical school and also includes a College of Nursing and Health professions. The SPH is only one of two such schools in all of Pennsylvania.

However, most importantly, Whipple stated that the Race enabled both schools to interact and give back to the greater Philadelphia community, which is "an intrinsic part of our mission statements."

Since the University and Philadelphia are so intimately connected, the Race provided the perfect opportunity for the SPH and the CoM to come together for a good cause and to have fun outside the classroom.

"To be one of 50,000 people in one place at one time with a common experience and desire that unites us all is really a powerful and unforgettable experience," Brooks said when asked to describe the overall feeling after completing the race.

Individuals who are interested in getting involved in future events with the University's team should contact Dr. Ari Brooks at the CoM, Dr. Gold at the SPH, and Dr. Donelly of the College of Nursing.

The team's next event is in June at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

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