Future of Race for the Cure in question as Komen Foundation closes local chapters

The Susan G. Komen Foundation will close all of its local offices across the country by year’s end, leaving the future of Pittsburgh’s annual Race for the Cure up in the air, the nonprofit announced Tuesday.

The foundation, which raises money for breast cancer research, screenings and treatment, plans to centralize its operations, leading to the closure of local affiliates like the Greater Pennsylvania chapter.

“For three decades, the community has helped us to deliver services to individuals who were touched by breast cancer,” said Kathy Purcell, chief executive officer of the Greater Pennsylvania affiliate. “Every contribution helped, in some way, to ease the journey of family, friends and neighbors, and we are enormously grateful for the heartfelt support shown to our affiliate over the years.”

Pittsburgh’s Race for the Cure was initially postponed from May to September and ultimately was held as a virtual race and fundraiser.

Purcell said no decisions have been made as to the future of Pennsylvania’s Komen events, including the Race for the Cure events in Pittsburgh and Scranton.

Those decisions, she said, will be made at the national level.

“They still talk very much about the future races and walks,” she said. “For this area, I can’t imagine that the race would not continue. It’s a good fundraiser, and it’s also become a very special event for everyone.”

The nonprofit will centralize its work and advocacy at its Dallas headquarters. The organization’s help line and treatment assistance program will remain intact.

The money the Greater Pennsylvania chapter divided its remaining funds to five other nonprofits in the area that provide breast cancer education and treatment: Adagio Health, the Cancer Caring Center, Our Clubhouse, Candy’s Place and the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.

The first Race for the Cure was held in Pennsylvania in 1991, the same year the Northeastern Pennsylvania affiliate was formed, according to a statement from the foundation. The first race in Pittsburgh was organized in 1993 by the National Council of Jewish Women, and Pittsburgh became an affiliate in 2005. In 2018, the two affiliates merged to form the Greater Pennsylvania affiliate.

“We are proud of our work,” Purcell said. “Although there are still some details of this transition to be determined, there is one thing I know for certain: the Greater PA Affiliate of Susan G. Komen would not have flourished without your support.”