The 10^th annual Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure drew nearly 64,000 participants bright and early June 21^st. Contributions totaled over $3.3 million, surpassing this year's goal! Each year Race for the Cure brings a greater awareness to the fight against breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded twenty-five years ago by Susan's sister, Nancy G. Brinker. At that time, when breast cancer was diagnosed before it spread beyond the breast, the five-year survival rate was just 74 percent. Today, it is 98 percent. Nearly 75 percent of women over the age of 40 now receive regular mammograms compared to just 30 percent in 1982.

Attending the race in St. Louis was a great reminder that even though the stats are improving, we still have far to go. The people I spoke with had such a positive attitude and glowed with hopeful inspiration given by the more than 4,000 survivors present at this year's race. Even with so many smiles seen in such a large turnout, no one overlooks the very serious reason we are there.  Names of sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, uncles and friends flashed by in the thousands on the backs of participants that were walking in memory of or in celebration of their loved ones. These names were listed on their backs but the sentiment did not take a back seat. This symbolized one of the ways people are leaving the pain behind and racing forward for a cure. 

Everyone showed up sporting different shades of pink and accessorized with crazy pink wigs, pink rabbit ears, and pink antennae.  One of the most popular accessories seen on participants were pink laces provided by New Balance. The pink shoelaces were given to survivors and offered to others for a minimal donation, with the proceeds going directly to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The pink lace donation is just one of the ways New Balance contributes to the cause.

New Balance is the longest running sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series.  They have made financial contributions of more than $6 million since 1989. To promote increased breast cancer awareness, New Balance has created the Lace Up for the Cure^® Apparel & Footwear Collection as a reminder that the ultimate finish line is a cure for breast cancer.

In 2008, New Balance will contribute 15% of wholesale sales from the Lace Up for the Cure Apparel & Footwear Collection with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000. Find your favorite Lace Up for the Cure item here. One of my favorites is the pink laces. Brown's Catalog donates 100% of the proceeds from the pink lace to Komen for the Cure. Check out our footage from the race posted below. This was my fourth race attended and will not be the last. Hope to see you there next year!

Take OFF your shoes!

We put shoes on every day for many purposes. The 768 is for the morning run. The 801 goes on while we get ready for work. The 844 gets us to work, for a lot cheaper than a gas guzzler. And the Maddie or Burlington takes us in style through the rest of the day. That's 4 pair before noon! Shoes. Something we take for granted when 300 million children in the world have never owned one pair. We are concerned with comfort and style while they are concerned with health problems caused by a lack of proper footwear. Now don't panic! I'm not going to flash sad pictures on your screen but I do want to introduce you to a wonderful organization that has recently been creating smiles all over the world.

Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls runs on a simple concept. They get shoes and give them away.
Originating in reaction to the 2004 tsunami that hit Southeast Asia and then the catastrophe of hurricane Katrina, Soles4Souls is currently working in over 35 states and 50 countries. The  organization not only provides disaster relief but provides solutions for a more day-to-day need.  They accomplish this by contributing to summer camps for disadvantaged children (abused or neglected), Indian reservations, domestic abuse shelters and inner city hospitals. To find out more about Soles4Souls click here.

"How can I help?" you ask.  "Take off your shoes!"

If you live in Missouri or Kansas stop by one of our retail stores and donate your new and slightly worn shoes. Over the past two months we have sent over 150 pairs to Soles4Souls. It is recommended to replace your shoes every 5-8 months, highly understandable considering the average person takes between 8,000-10,000 steps a day. So retire your slightly worn 992's or 965's. We all have those dusty boxes in the back of our closets but do you really think those orange patent leather flats are going to get another day in the limelight? Are hightops with two layered "scrunch" socks gonna make a comeback? Bring them in and get fitted for some new kicks, with the peace of mind knowing you'll have good foot karma from donating to those in need.

*If you don't live in Missouri or Kansas, print the donation form by clicking the link above the donation box pictured. Send us this form along with any new or slightly worn shoes you would like to donate and we will send you a Brown's Shoepon in appreciation for every pair received. Brown's Shoepons can be redeemed in our stores, through Brown's catalog or BrownsCatalog.com for $5 off any regular-priced pair. *One coupon per pair.

S4S Donation Form.pdf (158.15 kb)