Continuing their commitment to breast health awareness, the Sacramento Monarchs and Maloof Sports & Entertainment recently participated in the ninth annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure at Cal Expo.

Since its origination in 1983, the Race for the Cure has grown from one local race with 800 participants to a national series of more than 100 races with over 1.4 million participants. Proceeds fund global research efforts and local breast health outreach programs. At every race event, breast cancer survivors celebrate their survivorship by donning pink caps and T-shirts. It is Sacramento's largest run/walk. This year, more than 22,000 entrants participated in Race for the Cure.

Monarchs players were on hand to encourage participants at the start line of the 5K run/walk and helped with an interactive expo known as the “Monarchs Experience.” Complete with a sport court for participants to shoot baskets, bounce house and face painting for children, a Mother’s Day card making station and entertainment by 2Krayze and the Hip-Hop Crew, the “Monarchs Experience” provided race goers with entertaining activities and exciting opportunities to interact with the Monarchs.

“This was my first time doing something like this and I enjoyed being with my teammates and talking to the people and the fans,” said Sui Feifei, the Monarchs’ new addition from China.

Forward Erin Buescher added, “It was inspiring to see the women out there who fought through it. It was a lot of fun, upbeat and nice to cheer everyone on and it was important to show the community that we’re involved and we do care about it.”

“We always have a great time, and to me the most fun part is interacting with the people,” said veteran guard Kara Lawson. “It’s a big issue, and for us to support it, is something that we really believe in.”

Sacramento Monarchs Race For The Cure 2005