Five virtual course options offered for this year’s edition of annual fundraiser

Staff Report

Join Barbara Ireland, her family and other champions of breast cancer as they rally for the 21^st annual Barbara Ireland Walk and Run for Breast Cancer on Saturday, March 13. This year the Barbara Ireland Walk and Run offers five virtual course options: Shamrock Shuffle (1-mile walk/run), Leprechaun Leap (5K walk/run), Happy St. Paddy (5-mile walk/run), Irish Jig (10K), and the Pot of Gold (15K). The goal is to raise $50,000 for breast cancer research and programs in Santa Barbara.

Participants can complete as many of the five distances as desired on a course of their choosing — in their neighborhood, on a trail or at the beach — and upload their time. A presentation will be shown on March 13 to mark the event.

All of the funds raised from event registration fees and pledges benefit local breast cancer research and programs at the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center at Sansum Clinic. These programs include clinical research, which provides access to cutting-edge therapies here in our own community; genetic counseling, which provides patients with the chance to determine their genetic risk for cancer and possibly have their treatment modified as a result; and navigation, which offers patients a consistent care coordinator during their experience with breast cancer.

Registration is now open at www.cfsb.org/irelandwalk2021. The registration fee is $50 for adults and includes a bandana and goody bag. The cost for children 12 and under is $20. Participants who raise $100 or more will have their registration fees waived.

Everyone is encouraged to register either individually or as a team. The team that raises the most money will have its name engraved on the Pink Ribbon Barbara Ireland Walk trophy. An award will also be given to the largest team and the Spirit Award will be given to the participant who is dressed most festively.

New this year will be several awards that will be announced on Facebook and Instagram following the event: Most Creative Route; Best Quaren-team; and Social Media Influencer Award.