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Support 'SISTERS who CAIR' and the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure® on June 6
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Photo courtesy of CAIR
Last year more than 50,000 people gathered at the National Mall in Washington, DC to support the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure®.
Participants and spectators alike dressed in pink, the color that has become universally associated with the fight against breast cancer. Among those was a group of women wearing pink hijabs, local sisters who have made it their mission to help the cause.
Nearly 30 years ago Susan G. Komen fought a courageous battle against breast cancer before it took her life. Susan's sister, Nancy, promised her "that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever." To fulfill that promise, Nancy founded Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, which is now the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to fighting breast cancer worldwide. Since its inception in 1982, the organization has invested more than $1 billion.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2005, the most recent year numbers are available, 186,467 women and 1,764 men were diagnosed with breast cancer. That same year, 41,116 women and 375 men died. Rates of dying from breast cancer vary among the states; DC, Virginia, and Maryland fall into the category with the highest rates. African-American women are more likely to die of breast cancer than any other racial/ethnic group.
This year the race is scheduled for Saturday, June 6. Spearheading the Muslim effort are Khadija Athman and Nadhira Al-Khalili, both of whom work for CAIR. They were approached by a member of S.I.S.T.E.R.S., a nonprofit women's advocacy group headquartered in Virginia, to be team captains and they enthusiastically agreed. CAIR and S.I.S.T.E.R.S. had participated in the race before. This year they decided to coordinate efforts--hence the name "SISTERS who CAIR."
Khadija has been involved in the race for the past 5 years. She always felt that by participating she was contributing in her "own limited way." But the cause took on new meaning two years ago when her sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. Khadija describes her sister-in-law as "a very strong woman and a survivor."
Last year the race raised over $4.9 million; most of which, $3.7 million, was donated to the National Capital Area Grants program to fund local screening, treatment, and education programs. The remaining funds supported the Global Promise Fund which helps medically underserved people living in areas where breast cancer mortality rates are the highest.
The Muslim Community Center Medical Clinic is a local recipient of race funding. The clinic provides free medical care to all persons over age 18 who do not have medical coverage, regardless of religion, country of origin, race, creed, or sex. To provide services, the clinic depends upon volunteer medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, as well as support staff.
Nadhira encourages "Muslims to participate in events and causes that not only affect the Muslim community, but the world at large," noting that "Muslims are a very active community--politically, socially, and economically."
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Those interested in participating in the race with SISTERS who CAIR can sign up until the day of the race online. The team will be meeting at CAIR at 7:30 AM before walking down to the National Mall at 7:45 AM SHARP. The race begins at 8:00 AM for runners and 8:15 AM for walkers. CAIR is located at 453 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003.
You do not have to run or walk in the race to support it. You also can donate to the team online.
SISTERS who CAIR has a modest goal to raise $1,000. Let's join this effort and blow that goal right out of the water!
For more information or questions contact Nadhira at 202-646-6034 or through email at nalkhalili@cair.com.
For more info: Race Details; Mayo Clinic on breast cancer
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