Kristi Blair’s grand vision of raising $100,000 this year at the second annual Wings of Karen Bra Dash 5K at Lake Wilderness is nearly reality.
According to information Blair provided in an email interview, the Bra Dash raised a little more than $95,000 as of Tuesday, with 100 percent of the proceeds set to go to researchers in the Northwest looking for answers to the breast cancer riddle.
“We are taken back by the amount of support and morale this dash has brought to our cause,” Blair wrote. “It’s everything we could have hoped for and more. The spirit of the participants was something we dreamed of but it’s not until you are there that you really realize just how powerful it all is. It’s amazing what a community can do!”
After the dust settled in 2012 on the inaugural event, $30,000 was raised and 800 people participated in the 3.1 mile walk and run at Lake Wilderness Park. This year the event grew by leaps and bounds with greater sponsor participation, a different route for the 5K, along with triple the money raised and double the number of participants.
Blair wrote that the Bra Dash is for the next generation, to find answers so today’s children don’t have to fight breast cancer.
“I hope someday their memory of breast cancer will be about tossing bras and running for fun with their friends,” Blair wrote. “May they never face this disease as I and so many others have. Their future is in our hands. Thank you everyone for bringing us closer to a world without breast cancer. (The) 5K Bra Dash is what tangible hope looks like. In support of our world-renowned researcher community, almost $100,000 through Wings of Karen will reach the hands of those vigilantly searching for a cure. I am forever grateful to so many.”
Men, women, teens, and toddlers, wore bras over their shirts while some donned costumes for the event. There were Seattle Seahawks themed bras, others decorated their garments with pinwheels, flowers, owls, tassels and names of loved ones fighting breast cancer or lost to the disease. Runners and walkers from all over the region who heard about the event through word of mouth descended on Lake Wilderness Park dashing in honor of friends, mothers, aunts, sisters, wives and grandmothers.
Blair founded the nonprofit in February 2012, naming it after her mother Karen, who died in 2007 after a battle with breast cancer. In October 2011 Blair was diagnosed with the disease. It wasn’t long before she began to fight back. The foundation’s mission is to raise money for research in the Puget Sound region with a particular focus on supporting the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a collaboration between University of Washington Medicine, Seattle Children’s Hospital and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Next up for Blair is the Pink Carpet event. Set for Oct. 11 at the Olson Mansion it will be an evening of pinked-out glitz, glamour, art and music. It sprang from the success of the first Bra Dash, which at first was considered for expansion this year, but instead the choice was made to offer something different to appeal to those who want to support Wings of Karen in a way where they can more involved with the nonprofit. Because the foundation is based in Maple Valley, Blair wanted to bring a fun night out to the community.
For now, though, Blair is celebrating the success of the Bra Dash but is ready to gear up for future events and next year’s 5K.
“We are already planning our next Bra Dash as we continue our race to save lives,” Blair wrote. “To many more successful events and funds raised until the cure is found.”
