Especially for You® Race marks its 30th year with virtual event
Registration is open through race morning, Sunday, Oct. 11
The 30th annual Especially for You® (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer is almost here! This year, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the EFY race will be held virtually to ensure the safety of participants and our community. To date, about 9,500 people have registered.
Registration is open at www.especiallyforyourace.org until race morning, Sun., Oct. 11.
A virtual race means that, once participants register and get their EFY t-shirt, they can run or walk on their own time and in the location of their choice. That could be on a treadmill, around the neighborhood or on a favorite trail. Participants are then encouraged to share their race achievements by posting pictures and updates on social media:
The virtual race will allow EFY to stay true to its mission of helping local individuals in need. As always, the race supports the Especially for You Fund, providing financial assistance for mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and other breast-care and gynecological cancer screenings and services. Throughout the years, more than 11,000 individuals have accessed nearly 24,000 services through the EFY Fund.
“Now, more than ever, it is important that EFY continues its efforts to raise funds for breast-care and gynecological cancer services for individuals in need in our community,” said EFY Race Director, Jeff Decker. “The EFY team has been working hard to reimagine the 2020 event and find ways for our participants to engage with the race they know and love.”
The EFY website offers further information on this year’s virtual race, including a downloadable course kit, finisher certificates, instructions to upload race results and a photo mosaic. An optional take-and-make breakfast kit can also be purchased as part of online registration.
In place of the traditional EFY health and wellness fair, a breast cancer prevention lunch and learn event will be held tomorrow. The event will be moderated by Mercy healthcare providers and provide an opportunity for participants to listen, learn and ask questions. Join the Zoom event from noon to 1 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 25. For details, visit the EFY website at www.especiallyforyourace.org
The EFY race and fund are dedicated to the memory of Sandy Knight, a Whittier resident and General Mills employee who died of breast cancer in July 1991. Knight co-founded Mercy’s Especially for You After Breast Cancer Support Group. Her dream was to establish a race to raise funds for breast cancer awareness and education.
Breast cancer is most treatable and curable when detected in its earliest stages. Even so, breast cancer claims more than 40,000 lives each year. This number can be reduced with early detection through clinical breast exam and mammography.
