EVENT PICS: 2008 Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure

Usually when a mall parking lot is this full, it's probably Christmas Eve and there's a plethora of last-minute shoppers trying to get gifts to put under the tree.

But this past Saturday (9/20), the parking lot of St. Vincent Mall wasn't packed with shoppers, it was packed with people who got up bright and early to help a worth cause.

The 2008 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure took place with an estimated 6,000 people in attendance (as both participants and spectators).

I'm sure the event raised a boatload of money and it was exciting to see young and old (and even some four-legged friends) come out to help the fight against breast cancer.

My godmother is a survivor ... and one of my close friend is new to the cause after her mother was diagnosed a couple of months ago (and soon had a double mastectomy).

I could go on with medical jargon about what breast cancer is, what it does, and how to prevent it ... but the truth is, if you want to be educated ... You'll seek the information. You can start HERE.

One weird fact I found in MY research was that frequent exposure to secondhand smoke increases your risk by 70%. So smokers, please ... help a sista out!

The best prevention is to do self-breast-examinations and for those over 35, get a yearly mammogram. Squeeze your boobs and Save the Hooters! :)

And men, don't think it doesn't affect you ... even though maybe 1% of cases are men, they do exist. Richard Roundtree (of Shaft fame) is a survivor of male breast cancer. So inspect your pecs!!!

I didn't get to race this year because of a prior engagement, but I did go to take some pics for blogland :) ... Take a look:

This pink bike was raffled off at the event ... Cool huh?

Some Sam's Town employees taking a team photo.

Getting the girls ready for the 1 mile Kids Run/Walk

That's a big ol' dog!!!

The Greeks were in the house! Members of Delta Sigma Theta (above) and Alpha Kappa Alpha (below) sororities came out for the cause.

A Times reporter (?) interviews a survivor.

KMJJ was in the house too (Cumulus was a sponsor of the Race)

Speaking of The Times ... They have a great gallery of photos from the event. Check them out HERE. Now, back to MY shots :)

Fun was had by all ... it was a GREAT event (even though I wasn't there the whole time lol) ... If you didn't go THIS year ... then make sure you go next year.

Also ... check out the Susan G. Komen Foundation for more upcoming events. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So support the cause!!!