Churchill Downs Presents $100,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, $30,000 to Horses and Hope

Jun 14, 2009 By John Asher

Two organizations dedicated to raising funds for the ongoing search for a cure for breast cancer shared the spotlight Saturday at Churchill Downs as the historic home of the Kentucky Derby presented donations totaling $130,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure©, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, and Kentucky-based Horses and Hope.

The track presented a check for $100,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure as part of the first-ever partnership between the worldwide breast cancer organization and the Kentucky Oaks, the historic race for 3-year-old fillies witnessed by 104,867 at Churchill Downs on Friday, May 1. 

Many of those fans were dressed is Komen’s signature pink to show support for the effort to find a cure from breast cancer as the spectacular day of racing was filled with outreach and information activities.  One of the most dramatic moments of Oaks Day was a parade of breast cancer survivors on the track beneath the venerable Twin Spires prior to the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks.

Churchill Downs Director of Community Relations presented the $100,000 check for Komen for the Cure to Edward Addams, director of Susan G. Komen Lexington, and Dee Vance of the organization’s Louisville office.  The check presentation was conducted in the winner’s circle after Saturday’s sixth race at Churchill Downs.

    Komen for the Cure Vice President, Marketing Katrina McGhee had been scheduled to participate in the presentation of the donation, but problems with air travel prevented her from making the journey to Louisville.

    Johnson also presented a $30,000 check from Churchill Downs to Horses and Hope, a Kentucky-based breast cancer outreach and awareness initiative launched by First Lady Jane Beshear and the Kentucky Cancer Program.  Horses and Hope focuses on workers in Kentucky’s horse industry who might not otherwise have access to breast cancer education, screening and early detection programs. 

    The check is part of Churchill Downs’ ongoing partnership with the First Lady’s initiative.  Accepting that donation in the winner’s circle ceremony were Connie Sorrell, director of the Kentucky Cancer Program regional office at the University of Louisville, Mary Midkiff of Horses and Hope, Anita Cauley of the First Lady’s “Pink Team,” and Patricia “P.J.” Cooksey, the all-time leading female jockey at Churchill Downs and a breast cancer survivor who is active in the “Horses and Hope” program.

For information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877-GO KOMEN.

Information on Horses and Hope is available at www.horsesandhope.org.