(BLACK PR WIRE) – The beautiful beaches of Paradise Island served as the backdrop for the Inaugural Susan G. Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure. More than 1,200 runners and walkers participated in the 5K Race, and were treated to an uplifting performance by Susan G. Komen Ambassadors and Grammy award-winning gospel recording artists, Mary Mary. Participants were also joined by the “Bahamas Mission Delegation,” a group of 100 Komen supporters from across the U.S., including Komen President Elizabeth Thompson, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer Katrina McGhee, and Margot J. Copeland, president of The Links, Inc., a Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Circle of Promise partner and donor.

The Bahamas Race for the Cure® was an important event for the women of the Caribbean, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Circle of Promise - an initiative focused on empowering Black women across the African Diaspora with information and tools they need to take charge of their own health, and their national community partner The Links, Inc., a non-profit focused on ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The goal was to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer programs in the Bahamas, where nearly 48% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are under the age of 50, and younger survivors tend to have more aggressive forms of breast cancer due to a the lack of preventative care and late detection.

Through the efforts of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Circle of Promise, The Links, Inc., and the support of over 1,200 Bahamian women, the Race was a success, serving as a celebration of life to honor breast cancer survivors and to remember those who lost the battle. For more information, visit http://www.komen.org/bahamas.

Quote from Susan G. Komen for the Cure® President, Elizabeth Thompson:

“The number of Bahamian women dying from breast cancer because of the lack of awareness and lack of access to care is unacceptable,” said Elizabeth Thompson, president of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “The entire Komen family, alongside our partners, is working together to address these issues and save lives here in the Bahamas and around the world through our global outreach programs.”