Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"This Saturday morning thousands of New Yorkers will come together for the first-ever Revlon 5K Run/Walk in New York City, the largest 5K event in the nation," Mayor Giuliani said. "In many respects, the Revlon 5K Run is unique because it begins in Times Square, a symbol of the revitalized spirit of optimism in the City. I cannot think of a more meaningful backdrop than Times Square, a symbol of progress and hope, to start a race dedicated to fighting cancer. Like Times Square itself, the Run/Walk has come to represent the power of what our collective energy, will and determination can achieve.
"Each year, breast and ovarian cancer affect hundreds of thousands of women in this nation," the Mayor continued. "In fact, 2.6 million Americans live with the disease, and 200,000 more women will be diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer during this year alone. In New York City, approximately 6,000 women are diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer every year.
"I want to thank the Revlon Group, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the many sponsors and supporters for their work on behalf of the battle against cancer. Because of their efforts, we are much, much closer to finding a cure for cancer," the Mayor concluded.
Mayor Giuliani will help kick off the Revlon Run/Walk this Saturday at Times Square. Opening ceremonies for the Run/Walk will be hosted by entertainer Bill Cosby and Revlon spokespersons Cindy Crawford and Halle Berry. Closing ceremonies, held at Central Park's East Meadow, will feature a performance by The Max Weinberg Seven.
The Revlon Run/Walk for Women, founded by the collaborative efforts of Lilly Tartikoff, Ronald O. Perelman and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), is dedicated to the thousands of women who have battled cancer. Thirty-five thousand men and women participated in last year's Los Angeles event, raising over $2 million for local women's health programs.
Mayor Giuliani is Honorary Chair of the New York City Revlon Run/Walk. Joining the Mayor at this evening's event were Revlon Run/Walk Co-Chairs Lilly Tartikoff, co-founder of the Revlon Run/Walk and the Revlon UCLA Women's Cancer Research Program; Ronald Perelman, Chairman of the Revlon Group; Janet Robinson, President and General Manager of the New York Times; and Suzanne Wright of the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Board of Governors.
Individuals who wish to register or volunteer for the Revlon Run/Walk for Women should call the Event Information number at (212) 423-2284 or can pick up an entry form at any Duane Reade store in the New York City area.