More than 4200 walkers and runners participated in the annual ‘Komen Maine Race for the Cure’ on Sunday. The annual event sustains breast cancer survivors and raises money for education, screening and treatment programs for breast cancer. This years event saw an all time high of more than $250,000 being collected in donations. 

The first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was held 25 years ago in Dallas, Texas. In 2007, the event attracted 3,800 participants while in its history, the Race for the Cure has raised more than $1,000,000 for programs in the state of Maine since it began in 1997.

The breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, (one in eight women will develop breast cancer), but finding it before it spreads can mean a 98% chance of survival. There are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Healthy lifestyles, regular self breast exams, clinical exams and yearly mammograms are stressed as the key by health professionals. 

75% of the money raised from Sunday's race will stay here in Maine to help fund education, screening, and treatment programs. The will rest funds research via the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Programs.

Apart from fundraising, the event is held to bring awareness to the public that people fighting cancer still need support and highlights the fact that experts are still searching for a cure. The National Breast Cancer Recognition program celebrates breast cancer survivors as they and other participants walked in this year’s Race for the Cure wearing complimentary pink hats and t-shirts while the supporters wore white T-shirts, with pink lettering.

One survivor said, "There's a lot of supportive people here; and as a survivor, that's wonderful to see." Yet others carried memories of loved ones and messages. "Have faith, be positive, and a miracle will happen."