The standard registration fee for the 25th annual Peoria Komen Race for the Cure is $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under, but many are finding ways to raise thousands more.
Linda Maricle, executive director of the race, said her goal for the Peoria area is to double last year’s efforts and bring in $2 million for this year’s event at the Metro Centre May 8.
This year, the Peoria affiliate is trying to encourage fundraising efforts for individuals as well as teams, Maricle said.
“We are really pushing the Power of 10,” she said.
She said that if each race participant received a $10 donation from 10 people, raising a total of $100, the Komen Peoria affiliate would raise an additional $2.5 million.
“I’m excited about the encouragement of teams and the impact that they can make,” Maricle said.
Ginny Friedrich, East Peoria resident and team captain of the Fon du Lac All-Stars, agreed.
“I think you can raise a lot more money as a part of a team than as an individual,” she said. “And a team effort is more fun.”
Friedrich was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2007. She had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in November 2007, which she said decreases the chances of the cancer returning.
“I was down for eight weeks after surgery,” she said. “That’s why it was such a feat for me to walk three miles just six months afterwards.”
Friedrich said the first Race for the Cure she walked as a survivor was May 10, 2008, her birthday.
Friedrich raised about $1,200 for Peoria’s 2008 Race for the Cure on her own. Last year, after a co-worker suggested they form a team, she led the Fon du Lac Park District All-Stars, who raised close to $4,000.
“This year, if we could raise a couple thousand I’d be happy,” Friedrich said.
Last year’s team was made up of 32 members. So far this year, Friedrich said the All-Stars have 18 members who have raised about $500.
“And we’re not done,” Friedrich said.
In 2009, Friedrich said the Fon du Lac All-Stars raised money by asking for donations, selling pink ribbons for cars and by having a garage sale where they served lunch.
The garage sale, which was made up of donated items from team members, was a big hit. Friedrich said her team raised about $1,800 from the day’s sales.
“I think we sold more food than anything else,” she said.
