Presented By First-Time Sponsor Presence Health: Komen Chicago Honors More Than Pink Heroes, Including Actor Jon Seda, In Celebration Of 20th Anniversary Mother's Day Race For The Cure On May 14

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Apr 19, 2017, 13:16 ET

CHICAGO, April 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan G. Komen Chicago is announcing its More than Pink Heroes who are being honored for their bravery and compassion, in celebration of the 20^th anniversary of Mother's Day Race for the Cure Presented by Presence Health: where cancer treatment becomes cancer care. The iconic 5K Fun Run/Walk will be held May 14 and has been moved to a new lakefront location, Montrose Harbor, for the grand anniversary celebration.

Melinda Linas, 41, is a mother of two young children and a Sergeant in the Chicago Police Department who is currently fighting breast cancer. She is being honored as a More than Pink Hero in Komen Chicago's Mother's Day Race for the Cure Presented by Presence Health, which takes place May 14 at Montrose Harbor. Komen Chicago is honoring Heroes for their bravery and compassion, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Race for the Cure.

Komen Chicago is thrilled to have Jon Seda, formerly a star of NBC's "Chicago PD" and currently on "Chicago Justice," as the celebrity guest of honor and a More than Pink Hero. "He's the perfect choice, as he plays a hero on TV and is Komen's real-life hero, thanks to his commitment to Race for the Cure," says Bonnie Gordon, Komen Chicago executive director.

Seda is being recognized along with other activists, caregivers and those who have lost loved ones or faced the disease themselves. This includes Chicago Police Lieutenant Jessica Jones, 39, and Chicago Police Sergeant Melinda Linas, 41. Both are mothers of young children and are fighting breast cancer. As real-life police heroes, Jones and Linas are thrilled to join TV police hero Seda to help Komen achieve its goal of reducing breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Another Hero being honored is Kathy Webb, founder of Komen Chicago 20 years ago and now a breast cancer survivor.

The More than Pink Heroes, this year sponsored by Presence Health for the first time, will be honored on Race Day during the Survivor Parade.

Gordon says she's thankful and excited about the significant presenting sponsorship support from Presence Health, which will help Komen Chicago provide screenings for those who can't otherwise afford them and empower people with knowledge. "More than 1,000 Chicago-area women and men die each year from breast cancer, and there's a large disparity in the city, with the mortality rate of African-American women being 40 percent higher than white women," she says. "Funds raised through Race for the Cure will help close this gap."

"Komen Chicago shares the Presence Health mission of compassionate care to save lives, and many of our patients at Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center have benefitted from health services made possible by Komen grants. This wonderful event also creates further awareness regarding the new Cancer and Specialty Care Center at Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center, serving many in need of cancer care and treatment on Chicago's West and North sides where previously there was a cancer care desert," says Michael Englehart, president and CEO of Presence Health. "We are proud to partner with Komen and sponsor Race for the Cure and the More than Pink Heroes, helping to make this one of the most successful events ever and to have a truly positive impact on the lives of many."

At the event's Presence Health tent, public and participants will have the opportunity to learn more about Presence Health's oncological care and treatment programs, and how they can sign up for mammography testing. Presence Health physical therapists also will be available to provide information on injury prevention and orthopedic care.

Registration is open at www.KomenChicago.org. Participants are asked to raise at least $180, the average mammogram cost. Participants who donate a minimum of $180 will be part of the national Pink Cape Campaign and receive a cape for the Race, plus enjoy brunch at the Hero Cafe. Registration fees are adults $40, survivors $35 and kids $25 (four/under free). The Run/Walk starts at 9 a.m., program begins at 8. This year's Race includes an optional Shades of Pink Powder Path.

About Presence Health
Presence Health is the largest Catholic health system in Illinois, serving over 4 million people in 11 counties. With over 150 sites of compassionate care including 12 hospitals, over 17,000 associates and more than 4,000 medical professionals, Presence Health has annual revenue of $2.6 billion.

MEDIA CONTACT: MICHELLE MEKKY,
[email protected], 312-305-0181
WWW.KOMENCHICAGO.ORG

PRESENCE HEALTH CONTACT: ROBERT SCAROLA,
[email protected], 312-308-3373
WWW.PRESENCEHEALTH.ORG

SOURCE Komen Chicago