History of Race for Breath

The Race for Breath started as a common bond between the daughters of Phyllis Emanuel Gilbert and Blakely G. Burke –Stacy Emanuel Peterson and Kelly Burke Jennings, – who lost their mothers to lung cancer in 2004. After experiencing this difficult loss, these two daughters wanted to prevent others from losing a loved one to this disease. Cathi Reade took over as Race Director for the 2008 race after completing treatment for Stage lllb lung cancer as a never-smoker. Each year Race for Breath uses its proceeds to help fight lung cancer through education, research, and advocacy. Lung cancer can be cured if caught in the early stages, Race for Breath is working to educate people and to help fight this disease.