The 28th annual Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure has been postponed until September due to the coronavirus.
Originally scheduled for May 10, the event will take place Sept. 13 at Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park. Raising money for the Susan G. Komen Greater Pennsylvania nonprofit organization, it attracts over 15,000 participants each year to help in the fight against breast cancer.
“The health and safety of our community always has been and always will be our top priority, therefore, we are rescheduling the race until later this year,” CEO Kathy Purcell said in a news release. “Women and men will not stop being diagnosed with breast cancer. Now is not the time to walk away from our mission. That is why it is imperative that the race goes on.”
Officials have been monitoring the spread of the virus that causes covid-19 and are following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By Tuesday morning there were 58 confirmed cases of the virus in Allegheny County. Two people died in the county due to complications from covid-19.
“The Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure has become one of the city’s largest races and the region’s favorite Mother’s Day tradition,” Purcell said. “We are grateful for our community who continues to support us and ensure the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure is not lost, but rather, just moved to a time where we can celebrate together, as we all love to do.”
At Susan G. Komen, funds raised through the event are used toward breast health education, screening and treatment programs like the Mammogram Voucher Program and Patient Treatment Assistance for men and women who are under or uninsured.
More information about the race can be found at komengreaterpa.org or by calling the Komen Greater Pennsylvania office at 412-342-0500.
