Palm Coast’s Pink Army 5K race this week raised over $37,000 for breast cancer screenings and diagnostics, the city government announced on Tuesday. The race, which had its fifteenth annual running on Sunday, was coordinated in partnership with AdventHealth.
According to the City of Palm Coast, this year’s running of the Pink Army 5K hosted a record-breaking 950 participants. That’s out of over 1,500 attendees who came out to support the event in one form or another. Those who participated ran either the 5K race or the pet-friendly fun walk that spanned one mile, sponsored by the Flagler County Human Society.
“When you see hundreds of people moving together in pink, it’s not just a race,” said John Subers, executive director of the AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation. “It’s a visible show of solidarity and proof that our community won’t face cancer alone.”
Race starter Regan Hansen, a recent breast cancer survivor. ⓒ AdventHealth
Proceedings began at AdventHealth Palm Coast, located on Memorial Medical Parkway off of SR-100. From there, participants took off running through Palm Coast Town Center. Several in attendance reportedly participated to honor and support loved ones who’ve battled breast cancer.
The money raised from the event eclipsed $37,000. Over $3,500 of that total was from donations alone. AdventHealth says it will use this money for breast cancer screenings, cancer-related education, and for the materials needed to conduct diagnostic testing in Flagler County. Organizers say that, since the Pink Army 5K was first held in Palm Coast in 2010, the funds raised have gone toward serving some 564 patients. Additionally, 918 breast cancer screenings and diagnostics procedures have reportedly been covered by the event.
“It was kind of like taking a breath of fresh air,” said breast cancer survivor Regan Hansen, the race’s honorary starter. “You realize you’re not just done with treatment — you’re part of a community that helped you get here. You don’t have to go through this alone. Listen to your body and don’t put off your screenings. It doesn’t have to be a death sentence. The sooner you come in, the sooner you can begin your healing.”
