Contact: Sunny Mindel/Jennifer Chait (212) 788-2958
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, joined by broadcast journalists Katie Couric and Matt Lauer and Revlon spokespersons Cindy Crawford, Salma Hayek and Emme, today officially started the second annual Revlon Run/Walk for Women, a five-kilometer race benefiting the fight against breast and ovarian cancer. More than 25,000 men and women from across the City participated in today's race which started in Times Square and concluded in Central Park's East Meadow, where runners enjoyed a post-race health fair.
"I can think of no better place to have the Revlon/Run Walk for Women than right here in the Capital of the World," Mayor Giuliani said. "Today, men and women from all walks of life have united at the Crossroads of the World, to raise money to help save lives. Each year, breast and ovarian cancer affect hundreds of thousands of women in the United States. In fact, 2.6 million Americans live with the disease, and 210,000 more women will be diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer during this year alone. In New York City, approximately 5,500 women a year are diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. The money raised today by runners and walkers will go toward lifesaving cancer research.
"There are many individuals and groups who have helped make today possible. I want to thank Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Cindy Crawford, Salma Hayek, Emme, the Revlon Group, the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the many sponsors and supporters for their work on behalf of the battle against cancer. But, in particular, I would like to recognize Revlon Run/Walk founders Lilly Tartikoff and Ronald Perelman for creating an event that raises money and awareness of these diseases," the Mayor concluded.
The Mayor also noted that New York City has more world-class medical research institutions than any other City in the world. This year, the City's top hospitals announced The New York City Cancer Project, an unparalleled consortium of over 20 of the City's leading research and community health institutions that have united to address the epidemic of cancer.
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. Last year's inaugural event with over 20,000 participants raised more than $700,000 toward cancer research.
Mayor Giuliani is Honorary Chair of the New York City Revlon Run/Walk. Joining the Mayor at today'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 O. 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.