Team WRAL:  Largest Team in the Largest Crowd Ever Races for the Cure

Several members of Team WRAL pose for a shot before the Race for the Cure, with our very own hero, 2-time breast cancer survivor WRAL-TV Accountant Nancy Vester front & center.

The runners, walkers and strollers have all the crossed the finish line, the tents have been taken down, and the results are in. The 2007 Triangle Race for the Cure was a huge success by all measures, and Team WRAL is a big part of the story.

WRAL-TV and WRAL-FM set out to have the largest team and to raise the most money.  And they did it in spades!  Team WRAL ended up with 365 members, winning the award for the largest team, alongside Duke Health.  And Team WRAL won the fundraising challenge with $26,364.50, surpassing their seemingly impossible goal of $25,000. 

It’s Not Too Late to Give Fundraising is open for another week or so It’s not to late to contribute! Donate with Team WRAL here.

WRAL-TV’s Shelly Leslie shows off Team WRAL’s winning plaque for having the largest team & raising the most money…her two original goals.

“It was a truly amazing event; called by Komen ‘the most successful ever’ in the Triangle,” said WRAL-TV Promotion Manager Shelly Leslie.  In fact, this year’s Susan G. Komen Triangle Race for the Cure broke records for both turnout and fundraising.  Incredible!”

Over 22,000 people signed up to participate, and organizers expect a grand total of over $1.5 million after all pledges are collected.  Seventy-five percent of that total will stay in the Triangle to nonprofits and health-care providers for screenings, tests and general education about breast cancer.

WRAL-TV and WRAL-FM were proud to be involved as a major sponsor.

“We got so many positive comments about our involvement,” said Leslie.  “It seemed like every person I talked to with Komen talked about the awesome power of WRAL bringing so many people to the event. It’s truly a testament of the combined forces of TV, radio and online.”

Shelly’s Favorite “Shots” of the Day
	A four foot tall spotted Great Dane wearing a “4 Judy” tank top strolling with her person, Nancy, in the Women’s 5k.
	Our own 2-time survivor Nancy Vester proudly sporting a ponytail out the back of her “I’m a survivor” pink hat!
	A survivor decked out in pink from head to toe, cast on her leg, grinning from ear to ear, zipping through the crowd on a motorized scooter proclaiming “I couldn’t let a broken leg keep me from doing this!!”
“Isn’t that what it’s all about? So, so inspiring to be part of something so much bigger than ourselves. It’s so important for Capitol Broadcasting to really take on a big event like this. Not just sponsor it, but really become part of it. Personally, it’s the most inspiring thing I’ve done in a very long time. I’m already looking forward to next year.” – WRAL-TV’s Shelly Leslie

FOX 50’s Gayle Hardy (l to r) joins former WRAL-TV staffer Cindy Sink and her daughter, Rachel, on the course.	WRAL staffers man the WRAL-TV tent at the Race for the Cure.	WRAL-TV Anchor Ken Smith shows that real men wear pink.
WRAL-TV’s Stacie Holyfield (left) & Jay Yovanovich talk to Race walkers and runners in the festival-like atmosphere of the event.	Pretty in pink: WRAL-TV’s Debbie Strange (left) & Anita Normanly celebrate the culmination of all their hard work on promoting Team WRAL.	Thanks to all who helped make Team WRAL’s quest to help Race for the Cure such a success!

Snores Like Team Spirit
Here’s an example of REAL teams spirit at CBC. WRAL-TV Director of IT Jeff Ritchie demonstrates good form for “sleeping in for the cure!”

Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Shelly Leslie for these capcom photos.
Jeff Ritchie photos courtesy of Jeff Ritchie.

Learn more about breast cancer on WRAL.com:

• WRAL.com slideshow from the Race
• See the WRAL-TV video story about the Race
• Breast Health Awareness 
• Remind 5 Friends

CBC’er Walks With Nursing Mothers CBC’ers had many personal reasons for walking, including CBC Corporate Communications Specialist Andrea Osborne. The Nursing Mothers of Raleigh rally behind one of their own for the race. Amy Veatch-Wright (right) has been battling breast cancer since Christmas. She & her daughter, Helon, show up to support the Race. What could be more appropriate to an event for breast health than a group that helps mothers nurse their babies?  The Nursing Mothers of Raleigh rallied behind one of its members by forming a team for the Race for the Cure.  Osborne, a volunteer in the group, walked with fellow Counseling Mothers in honor of long-time member Amy Veatch-Wright.  Veatch was diagnosed with breast cancer this past Christmas, and then underwent a double mastectomy.  For over 16 years she has helped mothers in the Triangle successfully nurse their babies, and nursed her own two daughters when they were infants.  Ironically, one of the benefits of breastfeeding is reduced risk of breast cancer.  The team from the Nursing Mothers of Raleigh is one of many stories of friends walking to support a friend. Breast cancer touches many lives. CBC’s Andrea Osborne walks with her daughter, Alicia, in honor of their friend. Veatch saw her team off at the starting line and then set up in a lawn chair under a shade tree near the main stage during the walk.  She underwent her last chemo treatment the Thursday before the race but wanted to be there for her team. Veatch will begin a battery of radiation in the coming weeks. “It was a blessing and a privilege to walk for Amy,” said Osborne.  “I’m thrilled that we were able to celebrate her and her bravery in the face of all she’s been through in the past few months.  She really deserves it, as do all the survivors we saw on Saturday.”

Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Shelly Leslie for many of these capcom photos.