OTTUMWA — Every pair of sneakers at the Ottumwa Park on Saturday represented hope for many women.

Saturday was the 12th annual (11th annual sanctioned) Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Race Teams Co-chair Deb Littlejohn said 75 percent of the money raised stays within a 10-county area they cover to provide screenings, treatment and education to women who can’t afford it. The other 25 percent goes to the Komen Foundation for research in hopes of one day finding a cure for breast cancer.

Ottumwan Juanita Ware knows just how important those funds are too.

“In the beginning when I was getting checked I used some of the Susan G. Komen money to get my screening done,” she said. “It was a lifesaver.”

Ware said this is the fifth year she has participated in the race; the first year she was in treatment.

“I just think it is wonderful that the money can go to other women who might not be able to get checked otherwise,” she said. “All women should do self exams and get annual mammograms.”

Debbie Maloy, of Albia, said this is the first year she has ever run in the race, but thinks it is a very worthwhile charity.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2007.

“I was in chemo last year, so I couldn’t participate,” she said. “The race really does impact you when you have went through it.”

She and her husband participated in the Race for the Cure at other locations, but this is their first time for the Ottumwa event. She said she was even asked to be the honorary survivor next year.

This year’s honorary survivor was Vicki Artman.

But survivors were not the only ones who were running/walking in the race, there were friends, family, co-workers and others who took part in this fundraising effort.

Four Indian Hills Community College students, Caitlin Davis, Erin Downing, Allegra Tennis and Lauren Jones, said they thought it would be a nice thing to do. Some of them had never been around someone with breast cancer before, but for one of them it was a little more personal.

“My grandmother had breast cancer,” Davis said. “She is a survivor now. But the race takes on a stronger meaning for me. I’m running this partially for her.”

Right before race time there were around 2,440 people signed up for the race, including the sleep-in, 5K racers and the racers in the fun run/walk.