TRIPLE STEP TOWARD THE CURE HOSTS THEIR FOURTH ANNUAL STEPPING TOWARD THE CURE 5K FUN RUN & WALK
For the fourth year in a row, Triple Step Toward the Cure steps out to bring awareness to the need for targeted treatments and a cure for triple negative breast cancer
Los Angeles, Calif. (September 2013) – California based non-profit organization Triple Step Toward the Cure® is gearing up for its Fourth Annual “Stepping Toward the Cure®” 5K Fun Run & Walk. The day of fitness, festivities and fundraising will begin at 8:00 am on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the scenic Alondra Park in Lawndale, CA. NAACP Image award nominee, cancer activist and star of Emmy award winning show “Felicity” and Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Family Reunion” Tangi Miller, along with multi-talented singer, songwriter, and producer Sheléa Frazier who has worked with renowned artists such as Chanté Moore, Take 6, and Stevie Wonder, and whose song, Love Fell on Me, was chosen as the musical theme to the romantic comedy Jumping the Broom, will join this year’s event. Major support for the event is being provided, in part, by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas in whose district the walk will take place and who along with other local leaders have been invited to help kick-off this year’s festivities.
Fueled by a desire to do something powerful and positive after losing her sister to triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in 2009, Lori Flowers along with her mother Carole Flowers-Clement and friend and TNBC survivor Louisa Gloger, teamed up to launch Triple Step Toward the Cure® to fight the disease on a larger scale. The goal of the organization is to educate communities about this particular sub-type of breast cancer, while supporting women suffering from the disease.
“We are thrilled with the community support and overall success of our first three 5K events and are excited to be in our fourth year. Many people still believe that breast cancer is no longer an issue because a lot of progress has been made and survival rates have increased substantially. Unfortunately, this is not always the case with certain subtypes like triple negative, especially since the current TNBC treatment options are limited. Our ultimate goal is to raise awareness about this breast cancer subtype that is still taking our loved ones in the prime of their lives. We believe that the Annual “Stepping Toward the Cure®” 5K Fun Run & Walk is the perfect forum to do just that,” says Lori Flowers, Cofounder and CEO of Triple Step Toward the Cure®.
Based in California, Triple Step directly supports women diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer nationwide and all of the proceeds from the 5K events go towards the organization’s programs that provide services ranging from financial aid for rent, transportation, groceries, and childcare to assistance locating clinical trials and quality medical care.
Triple negative refers to a subtype of breast cancer that lacks the three important receptors — known as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) or Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER-2/neu)- shown to fuel most breast cancers and are used as targets for treatment. Triple negative breast cancer does not respond to hormonal therapy, making chemotherapy, radiation and surgery the current treatment standard.
“Even though they represent a small proportion of breast cancers overall, this is the group that is responsible for a large proportion of breast cancer death,” says Melinda Telli, MD, an assistant professor of oncology at Stanford University. Although any woman could potentially be affected, triple negative cancers tend to hit early, disproportionately affecting pre-menopausal women and women of color.”
Online registration for the 2013 Fourth Annual “Stepping Toward the Cure®” 5K Run and Walk is now open and early registration is strongly recommended. The registration fee is $25.00 per person and groups are encouraged to sign up and join the fun! 5K participants will receive an official T-shirt, walker/runner number, goodie bag and an opportunity to win additional prizes, including jewelry pieces from Tiffany & Co. Morning refreshments will be provided by Noah’s Bagels and Starbucks and the event will also feature a Wellness Expo with health and wellness experts, products, music provided by 92.7 The Wave, massages provided by Southern California Health Institute, face painting and more!
“We are encouraged by the recent strides made in breast cancer research, but we still have a long way to go. We want to put more focus on this subtype of breast cancer so that increased efforts will be made to develop better treatment options and ultimately a cure. In the meantime, we will continue to support women battling this illness.” said Triple Step Co-founder and TNBC survivor, Louisa Gloger. “I was extremely blessed to have the support of my community along with access to incredible doctors during my fight and we at Triple Step feel that every TNBC patient deserves the same experience. Our Annual 5K Run and Walk is a chance for all of us to step out and show these women that they are not alone.”
For more information and complete “Stepping Toward the Cure®” 5K Fun Run and Walk details visit Triple Step Toward the Cure® . For additional questions, volunteer or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lori Flowers at (424) 258-0313 or lorif@
Triple Step Toward the Cure®
Triple Step Toward the Cure® is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that seeks to promote awareness and education for the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of triple negative breast cancer and to provide support to affected individuals and their families. The organization is based on the West Coast and provides resources throughout the U.S.
Barbara Jacoby is an award winning blogger that has contributed her writings to multiple online publications that have touched readers worldwide.