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Komen Maryland Race For The Cure Moving Back To Baltimore City

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Cancer is something that has affected nearly everyone.

Now, as Mike Schuh reports, the local race is coming back to the city.

Twenty-five years ago, a fun run came to town, its profits going to cancer research. Within a few years, the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure funded more breast cancer research than any other non-profit. Right now there are seven Komen-funded national research grants happening at hospitals in Maryland.

Three thousand people in pink first raced at Rash Field in 1993. It grew and moved over to the stadiums. Then it moved again to Hunt Valley, raising $39 million along the way.

Valencia McClure is on the board of Komen Maryland.

She became involved even before she got life-changing news.

"Once you get receive the word that you have breast cancer, it becomes surreal, your mind is just kind of in a bubble at that point, and you're just grabbing for whatever you can get... It does motivate me, it really does, because I know what the difference means in someone's life."

Today, it was announced that the race will be moved back to the city, McHenry Row to be exact.

It's a big deal for the city.

"Well, it's where it started," Mayor Catherine Pugh said at the announcement. "You know, I think it's always good to come back to where you start. I think this is the 25th anniversary, so, very exciting for Baltimore City.

And for the charity, since it wants to attract more runners from south of the city.

"You know, you do kind of have to give it something that makes people really want to kind of dig in and experience that," says Rachel Duncan, board president of Komen Maryland. "And I think that being down here and getting to go through Fort McHenry is going to be a huge benefit to that."

In all, they hope to raise $850,000.

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