Bentonville-Even in a crowd of people dressed mostly in pink, Candyce Hinkle was hard to miss on Saturday.
Hinkle, one of many who attended the 15th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Pinnacle Hills Promenade, wore pink feather boas and a hat with even brighter pink feathers. She also waved a pink pom pom.
The Little Rock resident had at least two good reasons to take part in the event: Both she and her daughter, Cara Stewart of Fayetteville, are breast cancer survivors. Hinkle, 66, is a 15-year survivor and Stewart, 37, is a fi ve-year survivor.
“You like to think one case of cancer in the family is more than enough,” Hinkle said.
Hinkle was diagnosed with cancer in 1998. She not only survived, but went on to achieve notoriety by snagging a small part in the 2010 film “True Grit,” which was nominated for 10 Academy awards.
Hinkle and Stewart were among about 10,000 people who participated in the Race for the Cure, which is intended to raise awareness of and money for the fi ght against breast cancer.
Though final totals weren’t in yet on Saturday, off cials expected to meet their fundraising goal of $1 million, according to Mary Alfrey, director of the Ozark aff liate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Over the past 15 years the Race for the Cure in Rogers has raised more than $8 million for grants distributed locally and another $2.5 million for breast cancer research.
Saturday’s event included 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer races, a noncompetitive 5-kilometer run/ walk and a 1-mile family fun walk.
The day was mostly overcast with intermittent rain, but the weather didn’t spoil all of the fun.
“Despite the weather there was a rainbow in the sky, and I think that was significant,” Alfrey said. “That was perfect.”
Bret Bielema, the head a football coach of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, made a special appearance along with his wife, Jen, and their dog, Lucy. Bielema’s mother is a breast cancer survivor. “He was so gracious,” Alfrey said.
More than 40 businesses sponsored the event. Runners participated as individuals but also as teams, such as the one supporting Kristi Ralston of Springdale. Ralston, 42, is a three-year breast cancer survivor. She had about 20 friends and family members with her, all wearing T-shirts she designed. The shirts depicted an owl wearing a pink ribbon and the phrase “Save the hooters.”
Maria Ruic of Rogers led a group called Latinas for the Cure. The group of at least 60 had raised more than $2,000 and was running in memory of Panchis Damian, a Texas resident who died of breast cancer in December, Ruic said.
Joanna Cook, 66, of Fayetteville said she survived a bout with breast cancer eight years ago. She was with her friend, Susan Earnest, a 67-year-old who underwent a mastectomy after being diagnosed with cancer in 2011. Cook and Earnest are retired nurses who volunteer at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers.
Then there was Melanie Fitts, 26, of Farmington, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2011. “It came out of nowhere,” Fitts said, adding she had had no family history of breast cancer.
After numerous rounds of chemotherapy and radiation and eight surgeries, Fitts said she feels good now. Asked what she would tell someone who has just been diagnosed with cancer, Fitts said, “Just be strong, have a positive attitude and you’ll get through it.”