For the sixth year, the University of California San Diego men’s and women’s crew teams will raise money to help fight breast cancer by hosting Row for the Cure at North Ski Beach on Mission Bay on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 7-11 a.m.

“Breast cancer is a disease that has affected the families of several of our team members in recent years,” said UCSD rowing coach and Row for the Cure coordinator, Pattie Pinkerton. “As a team, we wanted to find a way for the San Diego water sports community to support Komen San Diego in their fight against breast cancer, so six years ago we launched Row for the Cure. Since then we’ve raised more than $80,000 for Komen San Diego, and at the same time we’ve gotten the community involved in a cause that is very near and dear to us.”

Pinkerton said that she helped spearhead the event locally six years ago, because several members of the crew team wanted to participate in Race for the Cure, a similar run and walk fund-raiser, but the event always took place on the weekend of another team regatta. “I searched the Internet and found, Row for the Cure, which allows members of the rowing community to come together and do our part while having fun and doing what we love,” Pinkerton said, noting the rowing community is a tight-knit community of very passionate people.

This year, more than 270 people, once again including teams from San Diego State University and the all women’s rowing team called ZLAC are expected to join in the event that Pinkerton said will include both experienced and non-experienced rowers.

“We have even received interest from a gondolier company that plans to have a team,” she said.

Row for the Cure began in Portland, Ore., in 1994, with rower Kathy Frederick, who brought rowers to support the local Race for the Cure, raising $1,500. Today, Row for the Cure is a multi-sport regatta that includes canoe, kayak, dragon boat and Native American canoes participating in regattas in 11 cities across the United States. In the last 13 years, the regattas have raised more than $500,000 for local Komen affiliates, which organizers ensure stays locally to benefit those fighting this disease that affects one in eight women, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Proceeds from all Komen San Diego events held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month benefit the foundation and help us carry out our mission to increase breast cancer education, screening and treatment in San Diego,” said Samm McDonald, president of the San Diego Affiliate of the Komen Foundation. “The contributions and involvement from local community members are what allow us to provide San Diegans with the research and education programs necessary to continue the fight against breast cancer.”

Members of the GLBT community have also joined in the efforts to help raise funds for the upcoming event.

For the second year, Margie Palmer, a member of ZLAC, coordinated a Row for the Cure beer and beverage bust at Urban Mo’s last weekend. By selling tickets for drinks and raffle items donated by Urban Mo’s, Tan Line, Ono Sushi and Bourbon Street, Palmer raised more than $600 in four hours for the ZLAC team.

“It’s been great to witness not only the generosity of members of the GLBT community who came out to support us at the event, but to also help get a dialogue started in the community about breast cancer,” Palmer said, explaining that several people at the event approached her with stories about how breast cancer has touched their lives.

“People always hear statistics about breast cancer, but it’s not until the dialogue gets started that they realize how many people really are affected,” she said.

Palmer noted that women who are part of the GLBT community may be at higher risk of developing breast cancer.

“According to ACS statistics women who choose not to bear children are in a higher risk group than women who become pregnant and carry a child to term,” she said.

While many may think breast cancer is only a concern for women age 40 and older, the statistics prove otherwise. In fact, the number one cancer diagnosis for young women is breast cancer and, more importantly, the leading cause of death from cancer is breast cancer for this age group. Each year, 10,000 women between 19 and 39 will be diagnosed and 1,500 will die.”

Entry forms for Row for the Cure must be received by today, Thursday, Oct. 25. The cost to participate, which includes a Row for the Cure T-shirt, ranges from $25 for an individual to $90 for the eight-oared rowing shell. Participants can register online at www.regattacentral.com. There is also a special category for non-rowers who would like to participate.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the San Diego Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has planned a number of local events in which San Diegans can participate to show their support and help promote breast cancer awareness in San Diego County, including the 2007 Komen San Diego Race for the Cure which will take place on Sunday, Nov. 4, in Balboa Park.

For information about all of Komen San Diego’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month events, visit the Komen San Diego Web site at www.sdkomen.org.