By Judaea Ingram
Special To The Carolinian
For many gathered Saturday morning at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the walk was more than a race. It was a tribute, marked by names on bibs, pink clothing, and the shared understanding that nearly everyone there had been touched by breast cancer in some way.
More than 2,000 participants attended the 30th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Triangle Race for the Cure, a community event centered on awareness, remembrance, and hope.
The annual 5K walk and run, part of the national Susan G. Komen initiative, raises funds for breast cancer research, patient support, and community outreach. This year, the Triangle event raised $360,602.81 to support those efforts.
Participants arrived early as the site opened at 7 a.m., leading into the Parade of Hope and opening ceremonies before the race began at 9 a.m. While some chose to run, many walked, often in honor of loved ones.
“We all either know someone or have been affected by breast cancer,” was a shared sentiment throughout the crowd, echoed in conversations as participants prepared to begin the route.
Handwritten names filled race bibs, each representing a story. Some walked for friends, others for family members, and many for survivors still in the fight.
“I’ve lost an aunt to breast cancer and over the years, some of my very best friends on my team have gone through a diagnosis,” said participant Mary R. “While I hate adding names to my Race bib, I know the money I raise supports crucial work to help find the cures to end breast cancer.”
The race followed a large loop through surrounding areas, with participants making their way along the course as volunteers provided water, Gatorade, and other electrolyte drinks at stations along the route.
Support extended beyond official race staff. Residents in nearby neighborhoods stepped outside to wave, smile, and cheer on participants as they passed, adding to the sense of community that defined the event.
The walk also served as a space to uplift survivors and those currently facing breast cancer. The organization highlights stories like that of Tina Pickett, a breast cancer survivor first diagnosed in 2020 and again in 2025, who continues to advocate for early detection and support for others navigating the disease.
“I am still a believer that early detection can save lives,” Pickett shared in a message supporting the event.
Events like the Race for the Cure are rooted in the legacy of Susan Goodman Komen, who died from breast cancer in 1980 at age 36. Her sister, Nancy G. Brinker, founded the organization in 1982, fulfilling a promise to help find a cure and improve outcomes for those affected by the disease.
While progress has been made, disparities remain. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, affecting roughly one in eight women. Though incidence rates between Black and white women are similar, Black women face significantly higher mortality rates, about 38 percent higher overall, and nearly double among women under 50.
Advances in early detection and treatment have reduced deaths in recent years, but advocates note that these improvements have not reached all communities equally.
Saturday’s event reflected both that reality and a shared determination to continue the fight. Participants of all ages came together in a show of unity, many wearing shirts with the message: “Stronger together. Ending breast cancer needs all of us.”
By the end of the morning, the message was clear. Beyond fundraising, the walk remains a reminder that no one faces breast cancer alone.
