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SALT LAKE CITY -- Thousands of friends and families -- moms, daughters, brothers, sisters, best friends -- all met near the Gateway Saturday morning for one reason: to race for the cure.
While the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure run is an effort to raise money for cancer research, more than anything it's an opportunity for cancer survivors and those recently diagnosed to support one another.
"Whether you have it yourself, someone in your family, someone you know -- it's everywhere," said survivor Laura Gliedman.
It's awesome. There's great energy here and everybody's here working together to help find a cure.
–Jae Cramer
Many who ran in Saturday's race don't have cancer, but wanted to show support for those who do.
"It's awesome," said Jae Cramer. "There's great energy here and everybody's here working together to help find a cure."
And while cancer is prevalent, so is determination. That determination was present on the faces of all the cancer survivors and patients hoping, praying and walking for a better future.
"I want to help find a cure so my daughter and my grandkids don't have to go through it," said survivor Debbie Neff.
Gliedman said, "It's just critical that we find a cure for this. Too many people are affected by it."
Thousands of people participated this year, uniting against a disease that impacts the lives of millions of people, including the friends, family and loved ones of those battling breast cancer.
"It is going to be incredible," said Neff. "This is going to be, I think, the best year we've ever had."
The goal this year was to have more than 17,000 racers raise more than $550,000. All just a giant step closer to the ultimate goal: a cure for cancer.
"I think it brings more awareness to the community," Laurie McIntosh. "It brings everybody together. It's a great cause."
Even those who didn't feel like getting up and fighting traffic to hit the pavement were given a chance to get involved.
"Sleep for the Cure" also took place Saturday -- meaning you make your donation, get a T-shirt and snooze the morning away.
E-mail: lprichard@ksl.com
