Monday, 5/12/97 Racing for a cure Approximately 35,000 people
gathered at UCLA on Saturday to run for people whose lives were cut
short by deadly cancer
By Monica Paknad Daily Bruin Contributor hat caused thousands of
people to wake up early on a Saturday morning to challenge their
bodies and a deadly disease? The fight against cancer.
Approximately 35,000 people rose at dawn on Saturday for the fourth
annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women. The race through and alongside
the UCLA campus closed off parts of Sunset Boulevard and Veteran
Avenue but raised millions of dollars toward the fight against
breast and ovarian cancer. Uniting cancer survivors, their
loved-ones, supporters of the cause, students, community members,
athletes and plenty of celebrities, the event transformed Drake
Stadium and the IM Field into a sea of people and tents. Even
talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, who was welcomed by the mayor of Los
Angeles, Richard Riordan, made a surprise appearance at the event.
After finishing her run, Winfrey was followed by a crowd including
a swarm of reporters. But before the race, she warned them, "don’t
be looking for my time because it doesn’t matter." The Revlon
Run/Walk is the largest 5K race in California and was moved to UCLA
this year because "it got so huge," said Sally Bowman, team
coordinator for the Revlon Run/Walk. Bowman said that the campus
could better accommodate the amounts of parking and people. UCLA
students found it more convenient to participate in the event this
year because of the location. Michelle Chang, a fourth-year
psychology student and campus Nike representative, ran alongside
her team of 40 UCLA students from a weekly running group. She said
the group had conditioned themselves for the 5K event. "Some of
them were running hard, trying to win, and some were just here for
the cause," she said. Chang noted that, although the run was more
challenging than last year, the race’s move to UCLA was positive in
order to "attract a whole UCLA audience." Many participants, who
attended the event in previous years, noted the course was more
challenging this year. Giancarlo Verano, a fourth-year psychology
major, ran and walked in support of his mother, who suffers from
cancer. He considered the fact that he was running on his "home
turf" as an advantage. "I’ve run the perimeter before so I knew
when the uphills and downhills were coming," he said. Verano said
that this event is important because he thinks it "brings (the
cause) to the forefront and makes people aware of how many people
are affected (by) cancer." Rachel Estrada, a high school freshman
at Flintwood Sacred Heart Academy, ran in the race because she
wanted to "raise money for charity and get in shape for
cross-country." "It’s great that it’s at UCLA this year," she said.
"UCLA is the center of L.A. and Westwood." Estrada followed the
"cheering and chanting" of the Marines holding flags as they ran,
helping her to keep up her pace. According to Bowman, 80 percent of
the money raised from the Run/Walk goes to the Revlon/UCLA Women’s
Cancer Research Program, whose main goal is to find a cure for
cancer. Funds are allocated to the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer
Research Program on a need basis. Possible uses include salaries,
patient care and supplies. Lilly Tartikoff, co-founder of the
Revlon/UCLA Cancer Research Program, dedicated this year’s event to
her husband Brandon, who inspired her involvement in this cause
through his own battles with Hodgkin’s disease. Together with
Permanent Charities of the Entertainment Industry and Ronald
Perelman, CEO of Revlon, Tartikoff created the Revlon Run/Walk for
Women in 1993. Previous Run/Walk events have raised more than a
total of $3 million. "The last run raised $1.3 million net and we
will probably net $2 million this year," Tartikoff said. Although
the Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research program is the main
beneficiary of the Run/Walk, the remainder of the money goes to
various other charities devoted to the cause of fighting breast and
ovarian cancer. The Wellness Community (TWC) is one of these
additional beneficiaries which has been involved every year.
According to Bonnie Schuman, director of communications at TWC,
this event helps by bringing "visibility to women to let them know
that they’re not alone." She said the Run/Walk helps patients,
"find out ways they can get involved in their own recovery." TWC
had one of the top three largest teams at the event, with over 500
members participating, most of who are cancer survivors or those
dealing with the illness. TWC uses the funds it receives from the
event to support new breast cancer support groups, workshops for
patients, and enables them to reach out to more women. There are
approximately 2.6 million women in the United States alone living
with breast cancer today, but Saturday’s event was a token of
inspiration and hope for many. "It is so inspiring when you see all
of the cancer survivor hats," Bowman said, "these are people who
have really fought hard against a gruesome disease". Opening
ceremonies set the tone of the Run/Walk as actress Candice Bergen
announced that, "the Revlon 5K has no real finish line because
we’re going to keep racing for a cure." A moment of silence was
observed by Kevin Eubanks and the Tonight Show Band for those whom
Eubanks called the "soldiers battling the disease." By noon the
crowd started to disperse, but after the race the day ended with a
concert, sponsored by KBIG 104, and featuring the rock band Chicago
who opened their performance with their hit "Saturday in the Park."
For many, that’s exactly what it was. Actress and television
personality Marilu Henner participated in the Run/Walk with her
family. "It’s nice to bring your kids out to something that brings
out small town community spirit, because you usually don’t see that
in Los Angeles," she said. (Top) Roughly 35,000 people turned out
to participate in the 5K Revlon Run/Walk for Women on Saturday, in
order to help researchers find a cure for the deadly
disease.(Above) Lynn Hogan watches the band Chicago after
participating in the run/walk in support of her friend Jean Manos,
who is fighting breast cancer. (Right) After the run/walk,
thousands of medals were distributed, one for each participant.
(Below) The band Chicago performs for the weary, post-race crowd.
CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin Lynn Hogan watches the band Chicago after
participating in the Run/Walk in support of her friend Jean Manos,
who is fighting breast cancer. JAMIE SCANLON-JACOBS The band
Chicago performs for a weary, post-race crowd. CHARLES KUO/Daily
Bruin After the run/walk, thousands of medals were distributed, one
for each participant.