Thousands walk for cure at annual Komen event
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON - More than 16,000 people turned out on Oct. 14 at Six Flags Great Adventure, Route 537, with the hope of raising more than $2 million in the fight against breast cancer. They participated as runners, walkers, volunteers and supporters.

"We think this is a fabulous day," said Nancy Healey, executive director of Susan G. Komen For the Cure Central and South Jersey, just after the first event, a 5K Race for the Cure. "This is our first year at Great Adventure and we've anticipated about 13,000 men, women and children running and walking in today's events and another 3,000 to 4,000 spectators and volunteers."

The day's events also included a 4K walk, a 1K walk and activities for cancer survivors.

Corporate sponsors included Bristol- Myers Squibb (1,200 people), Johnson and Johnson (751 people and a donation of $25,000), Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Point Grill, Abraxis, Novartis, Pfizer, Starbucks, Commerce Bank, the New Jersey Education Association, Yoplait, ShopRite, Ford, New Balance, Quilted Northern, Sun Chips and Coldwater Creek.

Radio station WKXW-FM, 101.5, supplied music for the morning event.

Healey said there were 303 teams on hand to lend support for the event.

Healy said McDonald's provided signs and Six Flags has been a great host for the event.

"They have provided everything we needed and we hope to be here for many years to come," she said.

Healey said the 14th annual Komen Race for the Cure was hoping to raise $2.1 million in pledges and donations. The event is held to raise money for research and awareness about breast cancer.

"People who are wearing pink shirts are survivors and some people have signs on their backs showing support of people who have passed away from breast cancer," Healey said. "They are running in celebration of people. There are cheerleaders along the way saying 'I am the Cure' because Susan G. Komen is all about the cure."

A final tally of the money raised is expected to be available at the end of November.

Angel Aristone, a spokesperson for Six Flags Great Adventure, said, "Today has been excellent. It's been very exciting. We have a very good size crowd here. It's a great cause and we're happy to be the host of it."

E.J. Davis of Chatham, a breast cancer survivor of six months, came to the event with Kristin Besanceney, a resident of Jackson who said she was there to support her friend.

"We're committed to the cure of breast cancer through the celebration of dance," said Joanne Liscovitz, co-founder of Dance for the Cure, who along with co-founder Kathleen Cirioli brought a group of teenage dancers, Hallie Schreiber, Mallory Davis, Brianne Betta and Katie Reddington from Hillsborough to perform for the crowds. "We do educational and entertaining programs."

Top finishers in the 5K women's race were Elizabeth Litten, 42, 19:42; Ashley Collimore, 12, of Jackson, 19:56; and Marsha Winrow, 35, of Brick Township, 20:09.

Top finishers in the 5K men's race were Ed Dutch, 22, of Havertown, 16:45; Carlos Martins, 32, of Kearny, 16:49; and Tom McCafferty, 29, of Shamong, 16:56.