A total of 142 breast and ovarian cancer survivors selected from across the nation will walk in the 2016 Longines Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade Presented by Kroger, Churchill Downs, Bright Pink and Horses and Hope announced Wednesday. The 142 selected survivors are listed here.
The eighth annual survivors parade will take place on the Churchill Downs racetrack immediately prior to the running of the 142nd GI Longines Kentucky Oaks May 6. This year's parade participants were selected through an online process in which the public nominated and selected the individuals. More than 500 survivors were nominated from across the U.S. and Canada.
The online process also raised over $25,000 for Bright Pink, a national breast and ovarian cancer organization. The public may read the survivors' stories and make donations to Bright Pink through May 8 at www.kentuckyderby.com/survivors.
“Churchill Downs is excited to welcome the survivors in this year's Parade,” said Ryan Jordan, General Manager of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “This will be the eighth year that we have banded together with survivors, our partners and our fans in an effort to make a real difference in the fight against breast and ovarian cancer.”
The survivors parade is part of Churchill Downs' Pink Out, during which the track conducts fundraising, provides outreach and drives national breast and ovarian health awareness. Churchill Downs has donated more than $740,000 to breast cancer organizations through the Pink Out celebration during the past seven years.
“Bright Pink is so honored to be part of this special tradition and to receive such incredible support from the Kentucky Oaks community,” said Lindsay Avner, Founder and CEO of Bright Pink. “We hope the 142 breast and ovarian cancer survivors will walk tall and proud, knowing that Bright Pink and Churchill Downs are committed to the prevention and early detection of these diseases for generations to come.”
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