COUNTYWIDE : 10,000 Runners, Walkers Expected at Breast Cancer Benefit

The runners you may see encircling Fashion Island in Newport Beach on Sunday will be “racing for a cure” for breast cancer.

About 10,000 people--including about 700 breast-cancer sufferers donning pink visors marked with the number of years since they were diagnosed with the disease--are expected to participate in the “Race for a Cure.” The 5K run and walk will raise funds for breast cancer research and intervention.

The Orange County chapter of the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation is the main beneficiary of the race, which is expected to raise about $400,000 this year. About $300,000 was raised last year.

“It’s a moving event,” said Sandy Finestone, chapter president of the Koman Foundation. “The breast cancer survivors are either newly diagnosed or long-term.”

The cause of breast cancer is still unknown, and the incidence of the disease is increasing. Orange County has one of the highest rates of breast cancer, one in seven women, compared with one in nine nationwide. This year 1,745 have been diagnosed in the county.

“That’s why it’s important to be there to provide support and to provide dollars for research to find a cure,” said Finestone, who will wear a “12” on her pink visor.

Three-fourths of the funds raised will benefit local Koman programs. The remainder supports the Koman National Breast Cancer Research Grants Program.

Race sponsors have organized a Health and Fitness Expo for today from noon to 5 p.m., featuring dance-exercise instructors demonstrating aerobics through dance.

The race begins and ends at Newport Center near the Pacific Mutual Insurance Building. Registration is today at the expo or before the race Sunday, which begins 8:30 a.m. Adults are asked to pledge $25; $15 is requested for children age 12 and younger and senior citizens.

Information: (714) 547-0373