On Your Mark, Get Set, Go – the Race for the Cure is Back!

The Lowcountry Race for the Cure, one of Charleston’s most esteemed and popular fundraising events, will take place this Saturday, October 17, marking the event’s eighth year on Daniel Island. More than 6,400 participants have already registered for this year’s race — an amazing number considering when the Race began in 1994, they had less than 800 people take part! The event raises money and awareness for breast cancer research.

During the past eight years, Daniel Island residents and businesses have joined together to support the Race as it made its home on the island. And this year, the support is even more overwhelming throughout the entire Charleston region.

Business windows and storefronts from Charleston to Daniel Island are painted pink with pictures, words of inspiration and hope for finding a cure. The streets on Daniel Island are lined with pink banners and ribbons. And the giant Lowcountry Race for the Cure banner hanging from the Family Circle Tennis Center can be seen from I-526 and the Wando River Bridge, encouraging local commuters to get involved.

“The Race for the Cure is one of my favorite races of the year,” says island resident and avid runner Rachel Sweeney. “It’s heartwarming to see the town start to turn pink at the beginning of October, with street banners going up and merchants decorating their storefronts. Everyone in the community really comes together for this great cause.” This year, Rachel is running for breast cancer survivor Whitney McDaris of Greenville, S.C. “Whitney’s husband died of brain cancer just last week, so this is going to be a particularly emotional run for me,” she said. “But I think it’s a wonderful way to honor his memory and her ongoing fight to survive.”

The Lowcountry affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure has raised more than $3 million for local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in the Charleston region, and the Race is their largest fundraising initiative of the year. If you’d like to get involved in helping find a cure, visit www.Lowcountrykomen.org.

And don’t forget to register for Saturday’s race – this is your chance to make a difference!