Greater Evansville Affiliate

Milestones - Celebrating ten years of Komen Greater Evansville Affiliate

1998 - First Komen Evansville Race for the Cure® chaired by Mary-Beth Owen and Julie Blevins
A determined group of volunteers brought the first Race to Evansville with over 5,000 participants. Evansville's inaugural Race not only surpassed all local and national predictions, but at the time was second only to San Francisco as the largest first-time local Race for the Cure® event.

1999 - Awarded first grants
These grant programs provided funds for local education, screening and treatment programs. Race participation this year doubled to 10,000 participants.

2000 - Co-recipient of Outstanding Komen Affiliate award
In the year 2000, Race participation grew by another 5,000 people, and the Race became the second largest 5K in Indiana. Additionally, the Affiliate formed its first Board of Directors as it obtained individual Incorporated status. In July, we held the first Bowl for the Cure® event at Willow Bowling Center.

2001 - Our year-around Affiliate office opened and we hired our first staff member
Even though our 2001 Race fell just eleven days after the September 11th tragedy, the Race Committee decided to proceed with Race. The Tri-State Community rewarded us by turning out in larger numbers than ever to support for this cause and our local Tri-State community. A huge flag drop off the side of Eastland Mall moved many participants to tears.

2002 - Introduced Pink Sunday program
This educational outreach worked through local churches and provided over 10,000 women with breast health information on a single day. Greater Evansville also won the Komen Foundation Lee Denim Day® Media Splash Award this year.

2003 - Awarded Education Honor Roll Award at the Komen's Annual Mission Conference for Pink Sunday program
This year, at the request of the Evansville Police Department, we changed our Race to Sunday for safety of participants. We also held our first--hugely successful--Service of Hope church service in 2003.

2004 - Received Komen Training Award for outstanding participation in Volunteer Training opportunities
In 2004, we also conducted a Breast Cancer Public Forum and Symposium led by Komen Chairman of the Board Dr. LaSalle Leffall, Jr..

2005 - In March 2005, recorded an all time high for Affiliate in fundraising and grants awarded for the Fiscal Year
Greater Evansville also received a second Education Honor Roll Award for the introduction of the 2004 Kids for the Cure® program. And once again, tragedy strikes our nation with Hurricane Katrina just before the Race. As with September 11th, our Tri-State Community shows its strength and commitment to the cause by increasing support.

2006 - Race participants raise an amazing amount in pledge funds in addition to their registration fees

2007 - Evansville is proud to celebrate our 10th Annual Race for the Cure®
Nationally Komen unveils a brand new look and name for the organization--more cause to celebrate our 10th year!