Annual 5K fundraiser returns to Hood

By Aden Sievert

The 14^th Annual Pink Ribbon 5K fundraiser hosted by the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund is returning to Hood College Sunday, Oct. 9. 

Frederick County locals Patty Hurwitz and her husband, Jeff, established the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund in 1999 after Patty’s diagnosis of breast cancer. When Patty was diagnosed there were no comprehensive breast cancer centers in Frederick, so the Hurwitz’s wanted to create a fund that would bring the best cancer treatment center to the Frederick community.

Their goal was to provide the most innovative options in early detection and treatment of breast cancer in Frederick.

In 2008, nearly 10 years after Patty’s diagnosis and the creation of the Hurwitz Fund, the organization held the first annual Pink Ribbon 5K in Frederick as another way to raise money for the fund.

The connection between Hood and the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund started about 11 years ago. The men’s lacrosse team, under direction of head coach Brad Barber, volunteered to help with the 5K. Since then, every year that the event has been held, the team has helped direct the route of the race and provide encouragement to participants along the way. 

“They were there faithfully every race day at 6 a.m., the entire team, and helped with anything that needed to be done,” Hurwitz said. 

A few years ago, the Hurwitzes were looking for a new location for the race and felt that holding the event on the Hood’s campus was a natural fit. 

“Hood has been so very supportive in every way, and we are so grateful and proud to have our 5K there,” Hurwitz said. 

Registration for the event is open until the 5K begins. There is a timed race and an untimed race. Fees for signing up come in at just under $40. Additionally, for those who cannot race in person, the fund has added a virtual Pink Ribbon 5K that allows runners to race at their own time, pace and place. The virtual event spans from Friday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 9. 

Over the past 23 years, the fund has raised more than $2.3 million, and Huwitz’s dream of creating a comprehensive breast care center was realized with Frederick Health: the Woman’s Center at Crestwood.  This facility has state-of-the-art equipment for early detection of breast cancer.