Nominations open for Ky Oaks Day Survivors’ Parade
Churchill Downs Continues Partnership with Derby Divas and Norton Cancer Institute to Support Women’s Health in the Local Community
Churchill Downs press release:
LOUISVILLE, KY (Monday, February 17, 2020) – Churchill Downs, Derby Divas and Norton Cancer Institute today opened the online nomination process to select 146 breast and ovarian cancer survivors to participate in the Survivors Parade presented by Kroger at the 146th Longines Kentucky Oaks. The public can nominate and vote on survivors for the parade or donate to Norton Cancer Institute at www.kentuckyderby.com/survivors. Nominations and voting will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on March 22. The 146 winning participants selected by the public to participate will be revealed on March 23 at 12:00 p.m.
This marks the twelfth year of the Survivors Parade at the Longines Kentucky Oaks, which has become a platform to raise money in support of women’s breast health. Churchill Downs, Derby Divas and Norton Cancer Institute will continue their partnership to raise funds through the Oaks charitable initiative to help provide care to local women who lack access to breast health screenings and services.
Since the first Survivors Parade twelve years ago, Churchill Downs has donated and raised over $1 million for organizations that champion the cause of women’s health. For the fourth year in a row, Churchill Downs will donate $50,000 to the Breast Health Program at Norton Cancer Institute. Additionally, $1 for everyFinlandia Oaks Lily sold on Oaks Day will be donated to Derby Divas. The funds raised through this partnership has been used to renovate the Norton Prevention & Wellness Mobile Prevention Center, which provides free screening services to underserved patients age 40 and older in Jefferson and surrounding counties. The renovation included the addition of a digital tomosynthesis system, which is an advanced form of breast imaging, or mammography, that uses a low-dose x-ray system and creates multiple three-dimensional images to help with better diagnoses.
“The Survivors Parade has really come to represent the heart of Kentucky Derby week to many fans. The image of women celebrating their survival with family and friends, those still on their hard fought cancer journey and sadly, some walking in memory of a dear loved one is incredibly impactful and inspiring,” said Tonya Abeln, president of Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation. “We are grateful for a partnership with Derby Divas and Norton Cancer Institute that allows us to build on the great work they are doing in our local community to make a global impact.”
“Our partnership with Derby Divas and Churchill Downs means that more critical breast health programs are accessible to the women in our community. This includes providing access to mammograms and critical screenings through our Mobile Prevention Center and at centers throughout the region,” said Lynnie Meyer, Ed.D, R.N., CFRE, Norton Healthcare senior vice president and chief development officer.
“We are thrilled to be central to the fundraising and awareness for women’s health issues at the Kentucky Oaks for the fourth consecutive year,” said Derby Diva member Angela Tafel. “Derby Divas is a volunteer-driven community program, so the fact that the partnership focuses on making a difference locally means we can continue to raise funds and provide services to prevent breast cancer to underserved women here at home.”
