Rieana Paul, an 18-year-old Registered Nursing major at Antelope Valley College, is excited for her first Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cure.

“I like to help give back,” says Paul.

This sentiment is alive among many students, as several colleges in the Southland are sending teams to walk at the event to support breast cancer research. It’s the kind of experience that students like Paul expect to repeat, especially when they have someone close to them who have suffered from breast cancer or any cancer for that matter (A family member of Paul’s passed away from multiple myeloma several years ago.).

There’s also more to be excited about: Komen for the Cure founder, Nancy Brinker, makes a rare appearance to speak at the event. It is Brinker who made a pact with her ailing sister Susan Komen to start a breast cancer research foundation. Now, the Orange County race is in its 19th year, and 1,700 volunteers and 30,000 attendees are expected to attend.

Paul encourages college students to participate in fundraising and the event itself and recommends speaking to the program specialist at your school for ways to get involved and “give back” as she says. Also, Komen for the Cure is utilizing Facebook for fundraising this year, so you can use the full power of social networking for a wonderful cause.



For more information, visit komen.org.