Oaks Day’s Survivors Parade taking submissions for participation

A Churchill Downs press release and photo from the 2023 Survivors Parade

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024) – Submissions to participate in the 2024 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade on Friday, May 3 are now open. 

The launch of the Survivors Parade submissions coincides with the milestone mark of 100 days until the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 4. 

This year’s Survivors Parade will honor 150 Breast and Ovarian cancer survivors and fighters with tickets for the selected recipient and a guest to attend the 150th Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 3, and include an unforgettable march on the historic track at Churchill Downs.

Those who have overcome or are battling a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis who have never participated in the Oaks Survivors Parade are encouraged to submit their story at www.KentuckyDerby.com/Survivors-Parade until Tuesday, Feb. 20. 

Those who wish to nominate a potential participant for consideration are encouraged to share the submission link directly with the candidate so that they may submit the relevant qualifying information.        

For the 16th Survivors Parade, Churchill Downs will support and recognize the meaningful work of two beneficiary organizations that provide critical services and care to underserved women across the region who may lack access to breast care screenings: Derby Divas in partnership with the Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program and Horses and Hope in affiliation with the Kentucky Cancer Program that provides breast cancer screening, education and treatment referral among Kentucky’s signature horse industry workers and others who lack access to health services. The Kentucky Oaks charitable initiative has raised more than $1 million to drive breast and ovarian health awareness and life-saving interventions over the past 15 years. 

          As was the case last year, the 2024 Survivors Parade participants will be chosen randomly rather than by public vote to optimize equal opportunity and consideration. Winners will be announced Monday, Feb. 26.

In addition to a call for submissions, fans are encouraged to join the effort to raise money to support breast and ovarian health by donating to the Kentucky Oaks charitable partners at www.kentuckyderby.com/survivors.

Tickets for the 150th Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby have seen unprecedented demand with limited premium and luxury experiences still available. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets by visiting www.KentuckyDerby.comwww.Derby150.com andwww.DerbyExperiences.com or by calling (502) 636-4447 to be a part of the most extraordinary Kentucky Derby yet.

Churchill Downs also provides a secure, official resale marketplace to purchase Derby and Oaks tickets via the Churchill Downs Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange on www.KentuckyDerby.com.

Jennie Rees is a communications and advocacy specialist in the horse industry who spent 32 years covering horse racing for The (Louisville) Courier-Journal before taking a corporate buyout. In addition to handling communications for the Kentucky HBPA, Rees is Kentucky Downs’ publicity director, manages in-season racing publicity for Ellis Park and serves as a consultant to the National HBPA. Other projects include the Preakness Stakes, Indiana Grand’s Indiana Derby Week and work for various HBPA affiliates and horsemen’s associations.