Churchill announces 141 participants in Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade

Churchill announces 141 participants in Kentucky Oaks

Survivors Parade

Churchill Downs, along with its charitable beneficiaries Bright Pink

and Horses and Hope, on Thursday announced the

141 breast and ovarian cancer survivors

selected from across the nation to walk in the 2015 Kentucky Oaks Survivors

Parade.

The seventh annual Survivors Parade is a march along

Churchill Downs' historic homestretch to drive awareness of ovarian and breast

health and champions all those whose lives have been impacted by breast and

ovarian cancer. The seventh annual Survivors Parade will take place immediately

prior to the 141st running of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) for three-year-old fillies

on Friday, May 1, one day before the Kentucky Derby (G1).

The 141 survivors were selected through a national six-week

online process in which the public nominated and voted for the individuals they

wished to see represent all survivors of breast and ovarian cancer in the

Survivors Parade. More than 1 million people voted in this year's process, a 345

percent increase from last year. A total of 541 survivors were nominated, up 24

percent from 2014. The 141 survivors selected come from cities across the United

States,

including Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Weymouth, Massachusetts; and Louisville, Kentucky.

The online process also allows the public to donate to

Bright Pink, a national breast and ovarian cancer organization, through the

Kentucky Derby weekend. The process has raised nearly $20,000 this year, a 270

percent increase from 2014.

The public may read the survivors' stories and make

donations to Bright Pink through May 2, 2015 at

kentuckyderby.com/survivors.

"We are pleased by the dramatic increase of support from

across the country for the Survivors Parade," said Ryan Jordan, general manager

of Churchill Downs Racetrack. "The Survivors Parade has become one of the

Kentucky Derby's most important traditions, helping us drive national awareness

and raise critical funds for important health issues. We look forward to walking

with the 141 survivors in this year's Survivors Parade."

The Survivors Parade is part of Churchill Downs' seventh annual Pink Out, during which the track conducts

fundraising, provides outreach and drives national breast and ovarian health

awareness. Churchill Downs has donated more than $620,000 to breast cancer

organizations through the Pink Out celebration during the past seven years.

"Bright Pink is grateful to be a part of this beautiful

tribute and to receive such meaningful support from the Kentucky Oaks

community," said Lindsay Avner, founder and CEO of Bright Pink. "We hope that

the 141 breast and ovarian cancer survivors will walk tall and proud, knowing

that Churchill Downs and Bright Pink are committed to the prevention and early

detection of these diseases for generations to come."

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