PROVIDENCE’S PURPLE SEA BREAKS RECORD
FOR LARGEST AREA RACE FOR CURE TEAM

Sept. 12, 2005

PORTLAND, Ore. -  It should be quite a sight.
More than 3,300 people wearing purple Providence T-shirts will be pounding the pavement for Team Providence during the annual Race for the Cure on Sept. 18. Team Providence is the second largest Race for the Cure team in the event’s U.S. history covering 20 years and 115 cities. It’s also Oregon’s largest ever team, breaking the previous record of 819 members in 2004, and the largest team ever assembled on the West Coast.

“The people of Providence really rallied around this event,” said Rick Cagen, chief executive of Providence’s Portland Service Area. “It’s another example - along with our new Providence Cancer Center of our commitment to the fight against cancer. We know that what we are doing today will affect generations of lives.”

“This amazing achievement more than triples the record for the largest local team,” said Kyle Camberg, Susan G. Komen Portland Race for the Cure manager. “The support and commitment from the 3,300 Providence team members is unlike anything we have seen.” 

Proceeds from the race benefit breast cancer education, screening, treatment and research.
Coincidently members of Team Providence represent each of those areas - physicians, nurses, health educators and researchers are joining with survivors and friends.

This year’s Race for the Cure comes at a pivotal time for Providence Cancer Center. Construction is underway on a new 11-story, 480,000 square foot facility that will open in 2008.

The unique center will house all cancer services in one building, from cutting edge immunotherapy research to an innovative health spa designed specifically for cancer patients.

The thousands of Team Providence participants are proud to be running and walking on Sept. 18 to remind the community there is much work to be done with breast cancer - and Providence will lead the way.

News Contact:
Paula Gunness
503-215-6433
paula.gunness@providence.org

Providence Health System in Oregon, ranked as the fourth most integrated health care system in the nation, offers a comprehensive array of health and education services through its seven hospitals, medical clinics, health plans, long-term care facilities and home health services. With more than 14,000 employees, Providence is the state’s second-largest private employer. Visit www.providence.org/oregon.