U.S. Marines Join Breast Cancer Battle

File photos, courtesy Single Marine Program, Camp Lejeune, NC

Wilmington, NC – Seventy-one U.S. Marines and Sailors, all of whom are members of the Single Marine Program, have volunteered to handle logistics for the Third Annual Susan G. Komen Historic Wilmington Race for the Cure®.

“The Single Marine Program (SMP) has three components,” said Susan Goodrich, Branch Head of SMP at Camp Lejeune, Camp Johnson and New River Air Station. “One of the components is community involvement which is very important to the Marines. The Marines and Sailors are always looking to give back to the community.”

Scheduled for Saturday, March 7, Wilmington’s Race for the Cure® features a timed 5K run, a 5K walk and one-mile walk in the Historic district, preceded by an invigorating Zumba warm-up. Activities include a Kids’ Dash for ages 3-5, a breast cancer survivor’s breakfast, and a survivor’s celebration with group photo. On-stage entertainment will be provided.

“Marines and Sailors will arrive early in the morning and assist with traffic control, watering stations, the aid station, registration, and any other mission required by race officials,” said SMP Activities Programmer and Coordinator Michelle Dunkle.

Transportation for Marines and Sailors will be provided free of cost by Daniels Tours of Wilmington.

“We’re pleased to share our historic riverside community to support the ongoing battle against breast cancer,” said Bill Saffo, Mayor of Wilmington. “Each year, we witness a tremendous outpouring of love and support for this event from local citizens and people across the nation.”

Voted America’s best riverfront community by readers of USA Today and 10Best, “the Wilmington race provides a unique combination of history, family travel and fitness, while supporting a great cause,” noted Pam Kohl, Executive Director of Susan G Komen’s Triangle to the Coast Affiliate. “Participants from 50 counties and 18 states attended the inaugural race.”

Breast cancer survival rates continue to improve because of early diagnosis, improved treatment and research. According to the Komen organization, in 1980, the 5-year relative survival rate for early stage diagnosis was about 74%, but today, that number has increased to 99%. Even so, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the United States.

“In eastern North Carolina, the incidence of breast cancer and mortality rate of breast cancer are higher than average,” said Kohl, a breast cancer survivor. “No woman’s life should be dependent on her geography.”

Seventy-five percent of the net funds raised by Komen North Carolina Triangle to the Coast stay in local communities to support education programs, screenings and treatment programs. The other 25% helps fund Komen’s national research programs.

In 2014, Komen announced more than $2 million in research grants at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, a total research investment in North Carolina of $31 million since 1982.

Over 50% of the Marine Corps population is single and most are far away from home. “They enjoy getting off base, seeing new places, meeting new people, and making a difference,” said Goodrich.

To register for the 2015 Historic Wilmington Komen Race for the Cure® on March 7, visit:

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