"Got Pink" prepares for Race for the Cure

Much like the famous slogan Kim Todd and her Race for the Cure team put an inspired spin on, the members of Got Pink? know how to get people’s attention...and have fun while doing it.

They tote big pink signs and let their voices be heard; they take over restaurants, making the wait staff honorary members; some members wear crazy costumes, but all wear the team shirt, which shows their solidarity and has a new twist each year.

“It’s so much fun,” said Kim Todd, the original and now one-of-five coaches of Got Pink?

“Every year we make different themed shirts; this year it’s camo – with pink camo for our survivors.”

In their sixth year, Got Pink? is ready to make more memories, share old memories of those they’ve lost and lend a fighting spirit to support finding a cure for the disease that has affected so many of their loved ones, as well as team members.

It all started in 2009, at Race for the Cure, when Todd ran into Deb Praetorius, a breast cancer survivor, and her daughter, Britney, who both lived in her home town of Odessa; Todd asked them if they would be interested in starting an Odessa team.

“Our community has several breast cancer survivors, so we were pretty sure we’d be able to get at least 10 people – the minimum required to be considered a team.”

That first year, their team numbered 80 members.

In 2014, they won “The Many and the Mighty Award” for having the most members at 136.

“This year, so far it looks like we’ll have over 100,” said Todd.

Got Pink? has won many awards – and some years, they’ve won multiple awards – including runner up for “Rookie of the Year” their first year, “Pretty in Pink” for having the most survivors on their team, “KoMen for the Cure” for having the most men, and “The Many and the Mighty” for having the most team members in the Friends and Family division.

And their financial contributions have been no drop in the bucket either; they’ve raised over $16,500 over the past five years.

“Wow, I had never added that up…pretty sweet that my teammates are so dedicated,” said Todd.

With 16 survivors joining their team over the years, this year there are 10, with four of them in treatment and some not able to make the actual event.

However, all will be present in spirit, including original member, Deb Praetorius (or Deb Fred, as she was known), who lost her battle with the disease in February, 2014.

Commemorating her positive spirit on the back of their shirts in 2014, Got Pink? will continue to make sure that everyone gets a chance to experience Deb through her favorite quote, “Our greatest gift is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall,” Deb’s favorite quote.

“Deb always had a smile and a hello for everyone. People would talk to her for inspiration to deal with having cancer themselves or a loved one having cancer because she was such a fighter and continued on her daily life like nothing was going on,” as described by all the Got Pink? coaches.

This year, Todd and her team are continuing the fight, stronger than ever and ready to make some noise and win more awards, all in the name of bringing light to this serious disease and finding a cure.

“I wanted to start this team because I know so many survivors and so many stories about those who have lost their battle,” said Todd. “And we will continue this fight until we find a cure!”

Todd gave kudos to the Best Western motel and Azteca restaurant in Spokane for being so accommodating and supportive through the years. Their many supporters in Odessa and Spokane have raised funds for them and allowed them to raise funds via their businesses.

This year’s Race for the Cure will be held Sunday, April 26, and begins at Riverfront Park in Spokane at 9 a.m.

Renée Sande is a volunteer writer for the Eastern Washington Race for the Cure organization.