Komen Atlanta Partners with Buckhead Coalition in Response to I-85 bridge collapse

Atlanta – April 17, 2017 - In light of the collapse of the I-85 bridge, Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta will postpone their biggest fundraiser of the year, Race for the Cure held at Lenox Square, to prevent additional traffic from affecting the Buckhead community and its businesses.

The annual event that attracts more than 8,000 participants is Komen Atlanta’s largest fundraiser and attracts participants from around the state. This year, to prevent adding to the traffic congestion in the area and to show support for the Buckhead community and its businesses, Komen Atlanta has taken the unprecedented decision to postpone the Race. With the support of the Buckhead Coalition, Inc., the Komen Atlanta organization will move the date of Race for the Cure from Saturday, May 13 to Saturday, June 24, when the I-85 bridge will be reopened.

Coalition President Sam Massell praised the civic spirit of Komen Atlanta and that of Lenox Square for making the changes to avoid closings of roadways that are now managing more than 250,000 cars rerouted by the closure of the I-85 bridge.

“We applaud Komen Atlanta for undertaking the massive logistical change of moving the date of their race,” said Mr.Massell. “The Race takes months of planning and we are grateful to all parties accommodating this emergency situation”. He added: “Let’s hope that this show of community concern will attract even more Race participants and raise even greater contributions to help the women of Atlanta with breast cancer screenings.”

Komen Atlanta will contact all Race for the Cure participants to thank them for their understanding and to alert them to the date change of Saturday, June 24 at Lenox Square.

“Race for the Cure is a special event for us, as its one of the many initiatives Lenox Square hosts in support of Susan G. Komen and the fight against breast cancer,” said Robin Suggs, general manager of Lenox Square. “We know this year’s event will be bigger and better than before, and we look forward to welcoming breast cancer survivors on June 24 for a great fundraising event.”

“We understand how this date change will affect many of our participants and sponsors,” said Cati Stone, Komen Atlanta Executive Director. “We appreciate everyone’s understanding of the necessity of this change. As a part of the community, Komen Atlanta is determined to support Buckhead in every way we can.” She added, “We are looking forward to one of the best Races ever.”

The Komen Atlanta Race for the cure will now be held Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Lenox Square at 8am. To register for Race, please visit www.komenatlanta.org/race.

About Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta

Metro Atlanta women are dying of breast cancer more often when compared to women in the U.S. as a whole. And that has to change. Komen Atlanta fights breast cancer on two fronts: at home in metro Atlanta by providing breast health and breast cancer services for those who cannot afford them, and globally by funding cutting edge research to find cures. Komen Atlanta has raised more than $46.5 million since its inception in 1991, with 75 percent of net funds staying in Metro Atlanta to save lives locally and 25 percent of net funds funding research to save lives all over the world. Komen Atlanta is part of the national Susan G. Komen organization, the largest private funder in the fight against breast cancer. For more information visit KomenAtlanta.org.