Written and Produced By Melanie Huonker

Thousands laced up at Gene C. Reid Park for the 13th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Organizers estimated more than 11,000 people participated to honor survivors and those who have died.

“It’s wonderful,” said Sara Richey. “It means dollars are being raised and people are being made aware of what needs to be done, what could be done to prevent it.”

Richey and her friends came dressed in pink bras and wigs to support their friend who is currently battling cancer.

Breast cancer affects one in six women in Southern Arizona, said Julie Evans, development and communications manager for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Southern Arizona. One of those women with breast cancer is Alicia Fraire.

“Susan G. Komen helped me out in the past when I had breast cancer,” Fraire said. “I lost my job and they helped me financially and with medical treatments.”

Seventy five percent of the money raised by participant-fees and donations will go to help more local women by paying for their medical treatments and prevention. The other 25 percent will go to national research to help find a cure for breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen Southern Arizona’s goal was to raise more than $1.2 million