Susan G. Komen Party Kicks Off ‘More Than Pink’ Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness
Many often think of a pink ribbon or breast cancer when hearing the name Susan G. Komen, but the organization's mission is much "more than pink."
To launch the 2024 "More Than Pink" walk , at Balboa Park on Nov. 3, Susan G. Komen San Diego hosted a party, featuring honorary survivor Claudia Bitterlin , at Mission Brewery in the East Village.
The brewery approached Komen officials last year with a pitch for a pink brew, according to Leia Brune, executive director of Susan G. Komen San Diego, which will benefit from all proceeds from the beer.
"[It was a] way for our community to gather and highlight what the brewery is doing in support of our mission," Brune said.
Friday's event, filled with smiling pink-dressed party-goers, was relaxed with live entertainment from Chloe Lou , a San Diego Music Awards ' nominee for best pop artist, and Joe Bigham .
The purpose was to socialize, get to know those who were registered to walk and enjoy Mission's special edition brew while grooving to Lou and Bigham's covers of songs by Amy Winehouse, Dolly Parton, Fleetwood Mac, Adele and more.
The pink brew, named "Do it for the Brewbies," is an extra pale ale, designed for people who enjoy light and easy beers, according to Samantha Gilbert, Mission Brewery's marketing and events coordinator.
Bitterlin set a goal of raising $5,000, but has exceeded it, raising $23,814 so far.
The mother of three was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer when four months postpartum in April. While still completing treatment, she hopes to be an inspiration to other women battling breast cancer.
The "More Than Pink" walk "means that I can reach out to all women and let them know that they're stronger than they think they are," Bitterlin said. "If I can do this as a mother of three young children, they can do it, too."
"I'm hopeful to reach one woman to get a mammogram, to get a screen," she said, adding that she wants to be, "an inspiration" to anyone "struggling to get through the process or see the other side."
This is Bitterlin's first time being a part of an event for Komen.
"I'm excited to be able to be there [at the walk] with my family and friends who have supported me the most along this journey," Bitterlin said. "To give back to the women who are going through this, to give back to the research to raise money."
The "More Than Pink" walk is a day for the community to come together to memorialize those who have died and give others hope for the future, according to Brune.
Komen's mission, though, goes beyond advocacy for healthcare access and fundraising for cancer research, according to Brune. That explains the name "More Than Pink," to represent that Susan G. Komen embodies more than just the pink ribbons that are so visible during breast cancer awareness month in October.
"We want people to know that we do more than just awareness; we also support folks going through treatment with financial aid, addressing disparities in care through research and advocacy. And that's more than pink — we wanted to embody that," Brune said.
On Nov. 3 about 12,000 people will come together to walk the two-and-a-half mile route through Balboa park, along state Route 163.
