Middletown Woman Runs for a Statewide Cause

HARTFORD – February 18, 2008 –  Some run for fun.  Some run for a cause.  Some run for hope.  And if you are like Lindsay Holmes of Middletown, women’s division winner of the 2007 Komen CT Race for the Cure for breast cancer, it’s all three!  The 15^th annual breast cancer event is set for historic Bushnell Park Saturday, June 7. 

“At first, I thought it was just a great cause and would be fun, but after my experiences in last year’s race, I cannot wait for this year’s.  I am already training for it,” said Lindsay Holmes, a physical therapist who was not only the women’s division winner but placed 30^th overall in the 2007 Komen CT Race for the Cure.  The CT event has poured more than $17 million into breast cancer projects, causes and research since it began.

 Originally recruited by several friends who are nurses at Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH), the 27-year-old joined the YNHH team shortly before the 2007 Komen CT Race.  She was surprised and pleased to come away as the winner of the women’s division during her first year competing.

 Holmes’ incredible achievement comes as part of a long line of race accomplishments tallied since high school.  She was a prolific high school runner was part of the state championship team for the 4x8 relay, twice made the All-New England team, and won All-State honors throughout her four years at East Hampton High School.  She is a graduate of Quinnipiac University.

 The Track Coach Behind the Running Shoes

Holmes, who has seven marathons under her belt, coaches the track team at Daniel Hand High School in Madison and is currently training for the 2008 Komen CT Race for the Cure and this year’s Boston Marathon. An avid Boston Red Sox fan and a novice on the guitar, she hopes to begin competing in triathlons.  And, for the Komen CT Race, she is striving to again finish better than her high school-age brother, David Fitol, of East Hampton, who also runs in the Komen CT Race for the Cure. 

“Nearly 3,000 CT people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, giving our state the unpleasant distinction of ranking high on the list for incidence of breast cancer in the U.S.,”  said Ann Hogan, 2008 Race chairperson of New Britain.  “This year, our honorary chairperson is Norma Gyle, Deputy Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.  We are hoping Norma’s involvement will shine an even greater light on the devastation this disease causes in our state.”

$17 MILLION IN 15 YEARS IN CONNECTICUT

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® CT Executive Director Anne Giliberto praises the progress made by the non-profit since 1993.  “Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Connecticut’s funding for statewide programs and Komen international research funding -- together -- have made a stunning $17 million impact on Connecticut over 15 years.  Not only has the Komen CT Affiliate made substantive distributions statewide to local breast cancer organizations and programs and to international research, but international research dollars are being funneled back into this state in a big way.

“Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Connecticut’s efforts alone are approaching $9 million --  $6.7 million distributed statewide to local breast health organizations and $2.2 million to Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s® international Award and Research Grant Program.  At the same time, Yale University, UCONN Health Center, and other organizations are among the institutions that have received more than $8 million from the international Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Award and Research Grants Program in which we participate. Our exceptional new round of statewide awards will be announced in March in Hartford,” Giliberto said.  “In 2007, more than $650,000 was earmarked for 32 Connecticut organizations.”

THE KOMEN CT RACE FOR THE CURE®

The Komen Connecticut Race is part of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Race for the Cure® Series, the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer.  The largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, the Komen Race for the Cure® Series has grown from one local Race with 800 participants in Dallas, Texas, in 1983 to a series of more than 100 Races with 1.5 million people participating 26 years later. Money is made through pledges to runners and walkers and through corporate and institutional sponsorships.

The Komen Race for the Cure® celebrates breast cancer survivors and empowers women to take charge of their breast health.  At each Race, breast cancer survivors in pink caps and pink T-shirts provided by Zeta Tau Alpha are celebrated and honored for their strength and courage.