Churchill announces 141 participants in Kentucky Oaks
Survivors Parade
Churchill Downs, along with its charitable beneficiaries Bright Pink
and Horses and Hope, on Thursday announced the
141 breast and ovarian cancer survivors
selected from across the nation to walk in the 2015 Kentucky Oaks Survivors
Parade.
The seventh annual Survivors Parade is a march along
Churchill Downs’ historic homestretch to drive awareness of ovarian and breast
health and champions all those whose lives have been impacted by breast and
ovarian cancer. The seventh annual Survivors Parade will take place immediately
prior to the 141st running of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) for three-year-old fillies
on Friday, May 1, one day before the Kentucky Derby (G1).
The 141 survivors were selected through a national six-week
online process in which the public nominated and voted for the individuals they
wished to see represent all survivors of breast and ovarian cancer in the
Survivors Parade. More than 1 million people voted in this year’s process, a 345
percent increase from last year. A total of 541 survivors were nominated, up 24
percent from 2014. The 141 survivors selected come from cities across the United
States,
including Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Weymouth, Massachusetts; and Louisville, Kentucky.
The online process also allows the public to donate to
Bright Pink, a national breast and ovarian cancer organization, through the
Kentucky Derby weekend. The process has raised nearly $20,000 this year, a 270
percent increase from 2014.
The public may read the survivors’ stories and make
donations to Bright Pink through May 2, 2015 at
kentuckyderby.com/survivors.
“We are pleased by the dramatic increase of support from
across the country for the Survivors Parade,” said Ryan Jordan, general manager
of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “The Survivors Parade has become one of the
Kentucky Derby’s most important traditions, helping us drive national awareness
and raise critical funds for important health issues. We look forward to walking
with the 141 survivors in this year’s Survivors Parade.”
The Survivors Parade is part of Churchill Downs’ seventh annual Pink Out, during which the track conducts
fundraising, provides outreach and drives national breast and ovarian health
awareness. Churchill Downs has donated more than $620,000 to breast cancer
organizations through the Pink Out celebration during the past seven years.
“Bright Pink is grateful to be a part of this beautiful
tribute and to receive such meaningful support from the Kentucky Oaks
community,” said Lindsay Avner, founder and CEO of Bright Pink. “We hope that
the 141 breast and ovarian cancer survivors will walk tall and proud, knowing
that Churchill Downs and Bright Pink are committed to the prevention and early
detection of these diseases for generations to come.”
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