On Mother’s Day, several thousand people participated in the 23rd annual ‘Twin Cities Race for the Cure’ at the Southdale Center in Edina.

The race is organized every year by the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Minnesota. Events like this have raised more than $44 million for breast cancer awareness, education, research and treatment. They held a 1K, 5K and ‘Kids for the Cure’ fun run this weekend.

Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, spanning 30 countries worldwide.

One woman participant of the race told that it has become a family tradition in her family and they have done for 20 years on very Mother’s Day.

Bobbi Elliott said she might be getting older year after year but she is always ready to participate in the race on Mother’s Day.

Amanda Nesbitt said it is quite amazing to see that the participants grow every year and more pink means more survivors which means the cause is working.

Last year’s event raised $162,000, said Michelle Holmes, board president for the Siouxland Susan G. Komen, based in Sioux City. Susan said she expects that this year’s race will raised even higher finds.

This year, funds will go to the June E. Nylen Cancer Center in Sioux City, the Promises Community Health Center in Sioux Center, Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Health.

Kristi Quinn, executive director of the Komen Siouxland affiliate, said 75 % of the funds support he local organizations and 255 of the collected funds goes to breast cancer research.

Around 200 volunteers put on the Race for the Cure, and well over 1,200 people walked and ran on Sunday, Holmes said.

Komen board member Missy Gomez said the race started and ended at Komen board member Missy Gomez.

Jill Patee, team captain for the Country Vet Pet Food team, said it has been a five-year tradition. Her family always comes to town, and 50 of Country Vet’s employees and their families participate.