Komen Race Attracts Thousands

Bryan Mims, WRAL, speaks with Tamara Nuckols and Kimberly Blackwell at the start of Saturday’s Komen Race For The Cure. Nuckols, 45, was referred to Duke when her HER2-positive breast cancer metastasized to her brain. Nuckols headed up Team Breast Friends.On Saturday, June 13, more than 10,000 participants and guests turned out for the 2015 Komen Race For the Cure at Meredith College in Raleigh. The event, locally presented by Duke Cancer Institute, is expected to raise more than $1 million to support scientific research to find better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

“It’s great to be here,” said guest speaker Geralyn Drayton, a three-time breast cancer survivor who is currently on a Komen supported clinical trial at Duke.  “I have a great support system helping me stay the course. It starts with Dr. Blackwell and finishes with my wonderful family and friends.”

Left to right: Kerry Minor, nurse practitioner, ABMT, and her husband, Holden; Jessica Jin, research technician II; Renee Welch, transplant coordinator, and her husband Gerry.Physician assistant Tanya Helms, Duke Blood & Marrow Transplant Program and member of Team Duke Cancer Institute, won the competitive women’s race in her age category. Duke ABMT is celebrating its 30th anniversary and expecting to conduct its 5,000th transplant by the end of June.

Kimberly Blackwell, MD, served as this year’s honorary captain for the Duke Cancer Institute fundraising team. The team, which hosts more than 20 members, has to date raised $906 toward its $1,000 goal. Fundraising continues through mid-July. For more information or to donate to the DCI team, visit Duke Cancer Institute Komen NC. Photo coverage below.

• Sophia Smith, PhD, director of Duke Cancer Survivorship Center; Tina Piccirilli, program manager, Duke Cancer Center; and Holly D’Addurno, director of Cancer Patient Education; pose at the DCI tent, where they volunteered on event day.
• Tamara Nuckols, breast cancer survivor, and Kimberly Blackwell, MD, stand for the National Anthem, sung just before the start of the race.
• Tamara, Nuckols, who lives in Virginia, speaks with WRAL about her care at Duke Cancer Center.

• Kimberly Blackwell, MD, honorary captain for Team Duke Cancer Institute, poses with Gayathri Devi, PhD, associate professor, Departments of Surgery and Pathology; and three-time breast cancer survivor and guest speaker Geralyn Drayton, of Prince George, Virginia.
• Geralyn Drayton speaks to thousands of participants at this year’s Komen race. Drayton shared her story of battling breast cancer. She is treated by Kimberly Blackwell, MD, and is part of a Komen supported clinical trial at Duke.

• Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) survivor Lydia Aldridge signs the DCI banner of hope. Prior to the race, Aldridge teamed up with the DCI to help raise awareness for IBC. Her story is featured on WRAL.com.
• Kimberly Blackwell, MD, poses with Gayathri Devi, PhD, and her IBC team members.

Bottom photo: Maritza Morales, Raleigh; Aurora Alfaro, Apex; Elga Moreno, Raleigh; Xiomara Boyce, Durham; and Maria Diaz, Durham. Morales is a 15-year cancer survivor, Alfaro is a 10-year cancer survivor, Moreno is a 9-year cancer survivor, Boyce is a 23-year cancer survivor and Diaz is a 4-year cancer survivor. Xiomara Boyce, MS, is a patient navigator with the DCI’s Office of Health Equity and Disparities (OHED).