(Naples, FL) – For the third straight year, Mary Hernandez will be walking in the annual Susan G. Komen Southwest Florida Race for the Cure taking place on March 13, 2010.
  
Hernandez has experienced, first-hand, the devastation caused by breast cancer. Not only is her mother a breast cancer survivor, but two of her friends lost their battle to the disease – one in late 2008, and the other in September 2009. Hernandez will walk in memory of her friends and all women who have lost their battle with breast cancer.  

Hernandez will participate in the race this year with the team LAURIE’S ANGELS. Laurie Banker is a breast cancer survivor, and is one of the valuable friendships that Hernandez has made through her participation with the Susan G. Komen Southwest Florida Special Events Committee. Hernandez and Banker served on the committee for the 2009 Bowl for the Cure, an annual event that is held at Beacon Bowl in Naples, Friendship Lanes in Cape Coral, and Bowland in Port Charlotte. Last year’s event raised $18,000 in the fight against breast cancer.  

This year’s Race for the Cure, being held at Coconut Point Mall in Estero, will support the local chapter in providing breast health research, education, treatment, and services for uninsured or underinsured women in Southwest Florida. Last year, over 5,000 people participated in the event, and over $750,000 was raised. This year’s event will also feature the “Think Pink, Drive Green” Ford Car Giveaway Sweepstakes. As part of the sweepstakes, Southwest Florida Ford Dealers will not only donate a car, but they will also donate $20 to the Komen Southwest Florida Race for the Cure for every sweepstakes entrant up to $20,000.  

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. For more information, visit www.komenswfl.org.