Plans are moving forward for the 30th annual Especially for You® (EFY) Race Against Breast Cancer. This year, given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, EFY race organizers are planning to hold the event virtually. Registration is open now at www.especiallyforyourace.org. Additional information on the virtual format will be coming soon to the EFY website.
“The safety of our participants and our community is our top priority,” said Jeff Decker, EFY race director. “As a healthcare provider, Mercy has been closely monitoring the virus and following CDC guidelines to continue to limit its spread. This has been a guiding consideration as we put race plans in place. Most important, we will still be keeping true to our mission to help local individuals in need get the services they need.”
As always, race registration proceeds provide financial assistance for breast-care and gynecological cancer services. The EFY Fund covers breast, ovarian, uterine, cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancer services at participating local medical providers. Throughout the years, the EFY Fund has helped more than 10,000 individuals in need access more than 23,000 services. This year’s race will help EFY continue to provide those services, recognizing that breast cancer doesn’t stop for COVID-19.
“These are challenging times and individuals in our community need help now more than ever,” said Dr. Vincent Reid, medical director at the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center. “We look forward to supporting and honoring those who have fought the disease, as well as those individuals currently battling breast cancer. As we navigate this new normal, our goal is to celebrate the amazing sense of community that our race represents, while we continue to raise funds for breast-care and gynecological cancer services.”
Team registration is open through Sept. 15. Additional online registration is available through race day. Reduced pricing is offered for those who register early.
This year’s Especially for You® Race Against Breast Cancer T-shirt color is neon pink. The color was determined by the outcome of an online public poll.
Mercy Medical Center and General Mills are co-founders of the race. The race and the EFY Fund are dedicated to the memory of Sandy Knight, a Whittier resident and General Mills employee who died of breast cancer in July 1991. She helped organize 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.
For more information, visit www.especiallyforyourace.org or call the EFY race line at (319) 398-6582.
