Registration open for 31st Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K in October
July 7, 2021
For more than three decades, Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K have brought thousands of walkers and runners together in the fight against breast cancer. More than $11.2 million has been raised to fund the latest in digital mammography technology and enhance programs and services for breast cancer patients and their families. Registration for the 31st Walk for Life, presented by Dominion Energy, Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon and 5K in Oct. 2021 is now open at WalkforLifeColumbia.org.
Walkers and runners may choose a virtual registration option to walk, or run a 5K or half marathon, in their favorite location, anytime in Oct. Walkers and runners who are comfortable participating in person will come together on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Segra Park in Columbia. Registration for the walk and 5K is $35. Registration for the half marathon is $55. Registration fees will stay the same through Oct. Each registration, virtual or in-person, includes a shirt. Half marathon registrants will receive a finisher’s medal. Registrants who choose a virtual walk or race option will have a $5 shipping fee added. Those who register for the Oct. 23 in-person event will be invited to a local pickup day in Sept.
“Whether you choose to go virtual or join us in person at Segra Park in Oct., we’re more connected than ever in the fight against breast cancer,” said Kristin Hudson, event director at Prisma Health Midlands Foundation. “The impact of this event is incredible because lives will be saved by our runners, walkers and supporters. We have our sights set on funding a 10th 3D mammography unit, the latest technology to detect breast cancer, for Prisma Health Breast Center.”
As planning continues for an in-person event on Oct. 23 at Segra Park, the Prisma Health Midlands Foundation team is staying in close touch with the Prisma Health medical team on any new COVID-19 developments and considerations.
“The safety of our participants and supporters, especially those who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer, is important. Many of our participants’ immune systems may put them at a higher risk for COVID-19, so we want to do everything we can to protect them,” said Hudson. “We’ll continue to keep participants and our community updated over the coming weeks.”
Proceeds from the 2021 event will fund a 10th 3D mammography unit for Prisma Health Breast Center and will continue to fund post-mastectomy camisoles, post-surgery breast bears and support materials for patients and families.
On Oct. 12, 1991, 200 people walked through downtown Columbia at the first Walk for Life, an event founded by former first lady of Columbia, Beth Coble. Walk for Life was created to elevate awareness of breast cancer in our community and to raise funds for the former Baptist Medical Center’s breast health program, now part of Prisma Health Breast Center. Over the past three decades, tens of thousands of people have come together to send a strong message about the importance of early detection and funding innovative technology. More than $11.2 million in proceeds has funded the latest advancements in mammography and breast ultrasound technology for Breast Center locations in the Midlands and in the mobile mammography unit. With system-wide mammography technology, funded through community support, the Breast Center performs an average of 40,000 mammograms each year.
About Prisma Health Breast Center
As the largest provider of screening and diagnostic breast imaging services in our community, Prisma Health Breast Center is critical to the health of women and men in our community. An average of 40,000 mammograms are performed each year at the Breast Center. It was the first program in South Carolina to be fully accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, administered by the American College of Surgeons, which ensures that patients will have access to comprehensive care, an interdisciplinary team approach to coordinate the best treatment options, breast cancer conferences, nurse navigators, information about ongoing clinical trials and quality breast care close to home. The Breast Center also provided the first mobile mammography unit in South Carolina in 1988.
About Prisma Health Midlands Foundation
Prisma Health Midlands Foundation’s mission is to engage community partners to enhance health care for patients and families served by Prisma Health—Midlands. For more information, visit PrismaHealthMidlandsFoundation.org or call 803-434-7275.
