CT Breast Health Initiative’s “RACE IN THE PARK” Returns on May 11

The popular RACE IN THE PARK proudly returns for its 21st anniversary in 2024, bringing people from throughout the region together to raise money to advance breast cancer education and research initiatives in Connecticut, and to make a difference locally in the fight against breast cancer. It is the largest fundraiser to support leading-edge breast cancer research in Connecticut.

A statewide nonprofit organization, the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative (CT BHI), hosts the annual fundraising event in New Britain’s historic Walnut Hill Park, to be held on Saturday, May 11. This year’s theme – the Power of One – emphasizes that every individual can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Registration for individuals and teams is now open at www.ctbhi.org; to register or pledge for the event, which includes a 5K Race and Walk and 4K and 1 Mile Walks, and Kids’ Challenge.

Honorary Co-Chairs for the 2024 RACE IN THE PARK, all CT BHI breast cancer grant awardees, are

• Anees B. Chagpar, MC MSc, MPH, MA, MBA, FRC(s), FACS, Professor in the Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine;
• Liisa Kuhn, PhD, UCONN Health;
• Christina Metcalf, surgical oncologist and Director of Breast Surgery at the Karl J. Krapek Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford;
• Jean M. Weigert, MD FACR, previously as Mammography Section Head at the Hospital of Central Connecticut and currently with Jefferson Radiology PC in Hartford.

Dr. Kuhn is Professor and Associate Department Head of Biomedical Engineering at UCONN Health; a biomaterials scientist who develops innovative solutions to medical device challenges. Two of her ongoing projects are customized breast prosthetics for breast cancer survivors and bone grafts for elderly patients that deliver anti-aging drugs to stimulate more rapid bone repair. CT BHI funding supported the purchase of a specialized 3D printer that launched a novel manufacturing approach for customized, 3D printed silicone breast prosthetics.

Dr. Chagpar is the lead author on a landmark clinical trial published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine that demonstrated that a simple surgical technique of taking a little more tissue at the time of the initial surgery for breast cancer patients can save roughly half of them a return to the operating room. The CT BHI grant supported her work in leading a national multicenter trial that corroborated the same, and has led to a change in surgical practice for breast cancer.

“Research is hard; finding funding is harder... the CT BHI's funding was instrumental in funding our multicenter trial, which ultimately led to practice changing results. I am very grateful for their support," Dr. Chagpar said.

“At St. Francis Hospital, we were recently awarded grant funding from CTBHI to support our Community Health Worker which focuses on reducing the rates of late-stage breast cancer diagnoses within our service area,” Dr. Metcalf explained. “This position serves to provide education to women on the importance of regular screening for breast cancer and connect them with the healthcare system as many of these women belong to an underserved population.”

Dr. Weigert, in practice for 38 years, has been involved in Breast Imaging research and has published papers on Molecular Breast Imaging and Breast Ultrasound as an adjunct for women with Dense Breasts. She is Past President of the Radiological Society of Connecticut and is currently Vice-President of the National Consortium of Breast Centers.

“100% raised in Connecticut. 100% stays in Connecticut,” said Joyce Bray, president of the CT BHI Board of Directors. “It is our duty, necessity and privilege to keep Breast Cancer research funded locally. Every person who participates, every dollar donated, brings us closer to the next breakthrough and ultimately a cure."

The RACE IN THE PARK brings statewide benefits. The money raised has funded grants provided to breast cancer research and education initiatives across the state, including in Bridgeport, Danbury, Farmington, Hartford, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk and Stamford. With generous public and corporate support from the annual Mother’s Day weekend event for two decades, more than $4.3 million and 107 grants have been provided for research and education initiatives, with 100% of money raised staying in Connecticut.

The rate of female breast cancer in Connecticut’s population is the second highest in the United States. It is estimated that more than 3,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Connecticut women this year. A breast cancer diagnosis is second only to lung cancer. Nationally, 30% of female cancers diagnosed are breast cancer, and there were 298,000 new cases among women in 2023; 2,000 cases among men. A woman living in the United States has a 12.3 percent, or 1 in 8, lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

“There is groundbreaking research underway right here in Connecticut that we are proud to support, thanks to our dedicated donors, participants and volunteers. And we appreciate the dedication of our grant recipients – researchers who are advancing knowledge and developing breakthroughs that are impacting lives, in Connecticut and beyond,” Bray added.

The RACE IN THE PARK – always a family-centered day - will again offer options including a 5K run, a 4K walk, a 1 mile walk, and two Kids’ Challenges (1 mile and ½ mile). Each course includes a loop around Walnut Hill Park, and participants in the 5K also run through the surrounding neighborhood. The RACE IN THE PARK celebrates survivors with a wonderfully upbeat RACE Day Survivor Breakfast at the start of the day and Merchandise will be available. RACE IN THE PARK activities include Food Trucks, Silent Auction/Auction Raffle Tent, on-site Touch-a-Truck for kids, and live music.

In recent years, researchers at MidState Medical Center, UConn Health Center, Yale University, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Middlesex Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, Hospital of Central Connecticut and Stamford Health have been among the grant recipients, as CT BHI has continued to provide grants to Connecticut facilities on the frontlines of breast cancer healthcare and research.

Supporting the RACE IN THE PARK are sponsors including: Hartford Healthcare – The Hospital of Central Connecticut, Manafort Family Foundation, FIRST Student, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Petit Family Foundation, BYK, Achieve Financial Credit Union, Cohn Birnbaum & Shea P.C.,

Highland Park, Farrell Funeral Home, New Britain Mayor's Charitable Fund, Standard Oil and Thomaston Savings Bank. Additional sponsorships are available.

Once again this year, the RACE IN THE PARK will bring people together, affirm community spirit, and reflect a camaraderie of respect and honor, resilience and remembrance. Individuals of high school age or older can volunteer on the day before, or the day of, the event. For more information about volunteering, the RACE IN THE PARK and the Connecticut Breast Health Initiative, or to make a donation or learn about corporate sponsorships, visit www.ctbhi.org.