LOUISVILLE, KY – Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), home of the Kentucky Derby and Longines Kentucky Oaks, and its charitable beneficiaries Bright Pink® and Horses and Hope today announced the 141 breast and ovarian cancer survivors selected from across the nation to walk in the 2015 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade Presented by Kroger with supporting sponsor Kindred Healthcare>
The seventh annual Survivors Parade is a march along Churchill Downs’ historic homestretch to drive awareness of ovarian and breast health and champions all those whose lives have been impacted by breast and ovarian cancer. The seventh annual Survivors Parade will take place immediately prior to the running of the 141st running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks, the premier race for 3-year-old fillies on Friday, May 1, 2015, the day before the famous Kentucky Derby.
The 141 survivors were selected through a national six-week online process in which the public nominated and voted for the individuals they wished to see represent all survivors of breast and ovarian cancer in the Survivors Parade. More than 1 million people voted in this year’s process, a 345 percent increase from last year. A total of 541 survivors were nominated, up 24 percent from 2014. The 141 survivors selected come from cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Weymouth, Mass.; and Louisville, Ky.
The online process also allows the public to donate to Bright Pink®, a national breast and ovarian cancer organization, through the Kentucky Derby weekend. The process has raised nearly $20,000 this year, a 270 percent increase from 2014.
“We are pleased by the dramatic increase of support from across the country for the Survivors Parade,” said Ryan Jordan, General Manager of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “The Survivors Parade has become one of the Kentucky Derby’s most important traditions, helping us drive national awareness and raise critical funds for important health issues. We look forward to walking with the 141 survivors in this year’s Survivors Parade.”
The Survivors Parade is part of Churchill Downs’ Longines Kentucky Oaks seventh annual Pink Out, during which the track conducts fundraising, provides outreach and drives national breast and ovarian health awareness. Churchill Downs has donated more than $620,000 to breast cancer organizations through the Pink Out celebration during the past seven years.
“Bright Pink is grateful to be a part of this beautiful tribute and to receive such meaningful support from the Kentucky Oaks community,” said Lindsay Avner, Founder and CEO of Bright Pink. “We hope that the 141 breast and ovarian cancer survivors will walk tall and proud, knowing that Churchill Downs and Bright Pink are committed to the prevention and early detection of these diseases for generations to come.”
The Kentucky Oaks 141 Survivors
Missy Mars – Lexington, KY
Suki Avery – Los Angeles, CA
Cat Logan – Mount Sherman, KY
Bonita Carter – Shiloh, IL
Michele Middleton – Nashville, TN
Lorene Ward – Lancaster, KY
Pamela Snead – Grundy, VA
Lesa Rahschulte – Ludlow, KY
Bonnie Esterle – Crestwood, KY
Annie Roution – Springfield, KY
Sherri Barney – Albany, KY
Guyanna Ackison – Pittsburgh, PA
Holly Westbrook– Campbellsville, KY
Lori Lober – Kansas City, MO
Lyla McGlinchey – Liberty Township, OH
Sara Pollett – Louisville, KY
Angie Durnwald – Fremont, OH
Janet Newton – Paoli, IN
Carla Cissell – Mt. Washington, KY
Coleen Klensch – Edgewood, KY
Diana Garrett – Bowling Green, KY
Lisa Riley – Glasgow, KY
Tammi Poole – Louisville, KY
Susie Stockinger – Duluth, MN
Ellen Zehnder – Shelbyville, KY
Calinda Young – Louisville, KY
Carolyn Sullivan – New Durham, NH
Elise Sulick – Byron, MI
Judy Kalbhin – Louisville, KY
Cindy Crabtree – Louisville, KY
Karen Grayson – Charlestown, IN
Linda Herp – Louisville, KY
Susan Lindsey – Avon Park, FL
Brenda Skelton – Muskego, WI
Susan Morrison – LaGrange KY
Jeri Graham – Aurora, CO
Patti Conway – Edgewood, KY
Stephanie Virgin – Louisville, KY
Cindy Poeschl – Lincoln, NE
Diana Adams – Shelbyville, KY
Linda Maciag – St. Clair Shores, MI
Jessica Hayes – Louisville, KY
Trina Amos – Henryville, IN
Paula, McCarty – Ashcamp, KY
Brittany Duran – Clarksville, IN
Lisa Belanger – Weymouth, MA
Nancy Wojcik – Crown Point, IN
Donna Thompson – Mt. Washington, KY
Beverly Hennegan – Jeffersonville, IN
Michele Scheldorf – Louisville, KY
Lynette Murphy – Mesa, AZ
Geraldine Pascute – Bristolville, OH
Megan Wilkins – Winchester, KY
Ruthie Barker – Benton, KY
Samantha Courtney – Hendersonville, TN
Kelly Heavrin – New Albany, IN
Helen Roggenkamp – Fisherville, KY
Tami Parker – Roanoke, IN
Diana Pierce – Jeffersonville, IN
Ronda Ashenfelter – Tye, TX
Julie Hall – Clinton, MA
Deana Lichtey – Mt. Washington, KY
Christina Bender – Lima, OH
Michelle Hayes – New Haven, KY
Alexis George – Lebanon, KY
Tilka Marzolf – Shelbyville, KY
Jia Lindsay – Huntsville, AL
Sarah Sorg – Ft. Wayne, IN
Karen Kampschaefer – Louisville, KY
Shawn Temple – Lanesville, IN
Patti Rucker – Seymour, IN
Diana Koonce – Lawrenceburg, KY
Laurie Lucas – Northville, MI
Patti Marrinan – Edina, MN
Cindy Mann – Crestwood, KY
Wilma Morris Smith – Asheville, NC
Teresa Baker – Louisville, KY
Amy Mosier – Austin, TX
Suzanne Brown – Northport, AL
Harlie Corneliusen – Salol, MN
Diana Braun – Carmel, IN
Nydia Bors – Shelbyville, KY
Meredith Esarey – Louisville, KY
Janet Galvin – Vine Grove, KY
Una Goosey – Louisville, KY
Kim Muncy – Shepherdsville, KY
Emily Caudill – Clarkson, KY
Annette Wachtel – Louisville, KY
Vicki Dawley – Hodgenville, KY
Pixy Jones – Louisville, KY
Emily Tisheuar – Louisville, KY
Tonya Higdon – Versailles, KY
Colleen Zimmerman – Platteville, WI
Hope Proctor – Louisville, KY
Carol Fogle – Elizabethtown, KY
Anita Wetter – Owingsville, KY
Wanda Hall – Jeffersonville, IN
Angela Bertholf – Frankfort, KY
Susie Keys – Brandenburg, KY
Melissa Gross – Shepherdsville, KY
Patty Holleran – Elizabethtown, KY
Della Eaves – Burkesville, KY
Mary Cooksey – Louisville, KY
Donna Duvall – Louisville, KY
Lee Hoegler – Louisville, KY
Reanna Smith-Hamblin – Louisville, KY
Suzie Stammer – Lexington, KY
Trish Shaver – Louisville, KY
Melissa Pratt – Shelbyville, KY
Ina Bice – Punta Gorda, FL
Alecia Graves – Crestwood, KY
Tammy Shrode – Louisville, KY
Pam Cox – Owensboro, KY
Pamela Stevens – Floyds Knobs, IN
Dawn Kelty – New Albany, IN
Wilma Fugate – Scottsburg, IN
Yvonne Trapp – Taylorsville, KY
Brenda Bosse – Louisville, KY
Kyann Cummings – Corydon, IN
Debbie Stone – Louisville, KY
Ceal Vish – Louisville, KY
Sandy Hazelrig – Louisville, KY
Tanja Smith– North Platte, NE
Kimberly Vinegar– Louisville, KY
Virginia Roby Head – Bardstown, KY
Peggy Igleheart – Louisville, KY
Stephanie King – St. Augustine, FL
Kimberly Gronefeld – Louisville, KY
Hugh Campbell – Louisville, KY
Sandra Followay – Louisville, KY
Kathy Deaves – Crestwood, KY
Phyllis Lee – LaGrange, KY
Jill Tanner – Owensboro, KY
Diane Glynn – Louisville, KY
Ashley Wilkerson – Owensboro, KY
Ronna Nichter – Louisville, KY
Delisha Forte – Louisville, KY
Mary Ann Storch – Louisville, KY
Elizabeth Nahra – Lexington, KY
Lori Glass – Louisville, KY
Sheryll Barnett – Louisville, KY
