Race for the Cure ’99

Elise Gee

NEWPORT BEACH -- There was a time, not too long ago, when Los Angeles

resident Happy Johnson couldn’t even walk.

It was two years ago while undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and

radiation treatment for breast cancer. But on Sunday, as she lifted her

bright pink cap to show off her sprouting hair, Johnson had a message for

the world.

“I’m a survivor,” Johnson said. “I’m here and I’m moving.”

Johnson wasn’t the only one moving. In addition to the estimated 10,000

volunteers, onlookers and supporters, a record 25,000 walkers and runners

showed up at Newport Beach’s Pacific Life Building early Sunday morning.

They were there to show their support en masse in memory of breast cancer

victims and in celebration of the disease’s survivors.

Organizers from the Orange County chapter of the Susan G. Komen

Foundation estimate the event raised $1.3 million through a combination

of registration fees, corporate sponsorships and pledges earned by

walkers and runners.

The money will be used to fund Komen research grants, provide services

such as mammogram screenings, help treat underserved women and educate

the public about breast cancer, said Cathy Wills, president of Komen

Orange County.

The event has raised $3 million in the last eight years. Organizers were

overwhelmed at the turnout, which was 4,000 more than last year.

“If we continue to grow, we’re going to have to find another venue,”

Wills said.

The race featured women’s, men’s, survivor’s and family runs throughout

the morning. It was one of 98 Komen Foundation Race for the Cure events

held throughout the nation and is billed as the largest series of 5K

races in the country.

Three-fourths of Newport Center Drive, along with parts of Farrollon,

Avocado and San Miguel streets, was shut down Sunday as throngs of

runners and walkers took to the course.

The sea of people, with bobbing heads highlighted occasionally by bright

pink survivor caps, converged in a human wave around Fashion Island. The

coed 5K race, which included more than 15,000 runners, had some runners

circling back to the starting line even before everyone had had a chance

to cross it.

“This is the most people I’ve ever seen,” said Rebecca McCune of Aliso

Viejo. “It’s really turned into its own phenomenon.”

Aside from the races, the event also featured live entertainment, food,

informational booths, an awards ceremony and a tear-filled survivor

tribute.

“It’s a very emotional race,” Wills said.

Some of the participants wore pictures of loved ones who were lost to

breast cancer. Many others wore placards listing names of people they

knew who had succumbed or survived the disease, which read “In memory of

my mom,” or “Cancer-free: 15 years.”

For Johnson, the event was a tribute to the past, present and the future.

“I walk now for people who can’t, because when I couldn’t, they walked

for me,” she said.