Olympic Gold Medalist Amanda Beard To Serve As Honorary Race Chair For 21st Annual Komen Phoenix Race For The Cure®

PHOENIX, July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympic Gold Medalist Amanda Beard has teamed with Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona® as the Honorary Race Chair for the 21^st Annual Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure®. A breast cancer co-survivor, Beard is a long-time advocate and is serving as the Honorary Race Chair in honor of her paternal grandmother, "Nana," a 10-year breast cancer survivor.

Beard is an icon both inside and outside of the pool, becoming much more than the 14-year-old Olympic gold medalist with the teddy bear. At 14 in 1996, Amanda made her first Olympic swimming debut, winning one Gold and two Silver medals, which set the tone for the rest of her career. She went on to win another Gold, two Silvers and a Bronze at the next two Olympic Games. Beard also holds an impressive eight national titles and is a former world record holder.

Beard applies this same drive and determination in the community and has played an integral role in multiple breast cancer movements, organizations and events through the years.

"Everyone knows someone touched by breast cancer and it's affected me personally and deeply. I'm proud to give back and be a part of this Race that brings people together and does so much for our community in the promise to end breast cancer forever," said Beard.

With the theme of the 21^st Annual Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure "I CAN," Beard encourages each individual to commit to doing something in the fight against breast cancer and register today. As for Beard, "I CAN be a warrior and fight for my Nana."

As Honorary Race Chair, Beard will officially kick-off the Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure and has formed the team "Swim Like A Mom," with the fundraising goal of $4,470 - $1 for every woman in Arizona who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. The public is welcome to join her team and/or donate to her fundraising goal at phoenix.info-komen.org/goto/swimlikeamom.  

The Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure will take place Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 at the State Capitol District. It is one of Arizona's signature 5K events and also features a one-mile family fun run and walk.

In 2012, more than 20,000 race participants raised $1.6 million to support year-round mission impact work by Komen CAN Arizona. The Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure is the Affiliate's signature fundraising event, with 75 percent of all monies raised staying in the community and 25 percent going directly to research. Since its inception, Komen CAN Arizona has distributed more than $18.8 million in community grants and $5.4 million to research, making the organization the largest private grantor of community breast cancer funds in Arizona. 

Key to the Affiliate's fundraising efforts is sponsor support, which allows Komen's dollars to go even farther. Komen CAN Arizona is grateful to welcome back Fry's Food Stores as its VIP Partner for the 2013 Race. This will mark the ninth year in a row that Fry's has participated as VIP Partner, contributing more than $2.1 million in cash and in-kind contributions through the years.

Race registration is now open. Teams consisting of 10 or more individuals must be registered by 5 p.m., Sept. 29 to qualify for Team Awards. Individuals may register up until Race Day, but Race registration fees for individuals increase from $30 to $35 (adults) and $15 to $20 (ages 12 and under) beginning 5:01 p.m. Sept. 29, 2013. Registration for breast cancer survivors is $20 through Race Day.

To learn more, or register, visit www.komenCANaz.org or call 602-346-CURE (2873).

About Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona
Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona, the 2011/2012 Affiliate of the Year, is one of more than 120 Affiliates around the world dedicated to combating breast cancer at every front. Its service area encompasses all of central and northern Arizona, including Apache, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal and Yavapai counties. Through events like the Susan G. Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure®, the Affiliate has invested more than $24.2 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in central and northern Arizona, and breast cancer research. Join us by calling 602-544-CURE (2873) or visiting us online at www.KomenCANaz.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona