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Survivors, Loved Ones Turn Out For Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Tens of thousands turned out for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Sunday.

"You see us here today in New York funding so much of the local community. We have over 140 of these events throughout the world today and we are working in over 50 countries," said Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure.

"We tend to get the most aggressive form of breast cancer and we tend to die more frequently from it," said actress Gabrielle Union.

Survivors are using their energy to raise money to fight the disease.

Blythe Masters works for JP Morgan Chase and raised the most money for Komen.

"We have 450 running and we already raised $435,000 for the cause and we're not done yet," he said.

Singer Martha Wash, whose biggest hit was "It's Raining Men," sang the national anthem for the race. The race stirred memories of a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer more nearly 30 years ago.

"It was just something that wasn't talked about during that time," she said. "To see so many people supporting the Susan G. Komen foundation is amazing."

Actress Jill Eikenberry, a two-time breast cancer survivor, says she was terrified at first to go public with her illness.

"Every year I'm more heartened by the number of people that turn out because the first time I was diagnosed, this disease was in the closet. Nobody was talking about it," she said.

One in every eight women will get breast cancer in their lifetimes. CBS 2's Maurice DuBois lost a cousin a few years ago, and said he felt the least he can do is to be at the race to show some love and support.

"It's killing 500,000 people around the world. Every 69 seconds a woman somewhere around the world dies of breast cancer," Brinker said.

CBS 2HD's Special Report: Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure:


Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure (Part I)


Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure (Part II)


Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure (Part III)


Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure (Part IV)


Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure (Part V)

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