Detroit Family Dentistry

Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure unites silly sisters

They donned tutus and a sign letting everyone know who they were: Boob Fairies.

Wendy Winkel, a dental hygienist, recruited her family and colleagues to participate in the 20th annual Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure on Saturday to celebrate breast cancer survivors, honor loved ones who died and raise money for research.

The group said the energy downtown was great.

"Everyone's being positive," said Winkel of Rochester Hills.

Although the final number hasn't been tallied, the race is believed to have attracted about 40,000 participants, said Patricia Ellis, a spokeswoman for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

An estimated 10,000-plus pink ribbons lined the route down Woodward and circled Comerica Park, where the race ended.

The event has raised about $20 million since the first race in 1992, according to a news release. Ellis said it's not known how much was raised at Saturday's event, which consisted of a 5K competitive race, 5K walk and 1-mile walk.

Members of a metro Detroit Red Hat Society group, the Sassy Savvy Sistahs, came out to support two friends who are breast cancer survivors and to support the fight to end breast cancer.

"It's just a terrible disease," said Elizabeth Enoch of Southfield.

Contact Gina Damron: 313-223-4526 or gdamron@freepress.