141 Selected for Churchill's Survivors Parade

Churchill Downs and its charitable beneficiaries Bright Pink and Horses and Hope announced the 141 breast and ovarian cancer survivors selected from across the nation to walk in the 2015 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade.

The seventh Survivors Parade is a march along the Churchill Downs homestretch to drive awareness of ovarian and breast health and champions all those whose lives have been impacted by breast and ovarian cancer. The Survivors Parade will take place immediately prior to the running of the 141st running of the May 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

The 141 survivors were selected through a national six-week online process in which the public nominated and voted for the individuals they wished to see represent all survivors of breast and ovarian cancer in the Survivors Parade. More than one million people voted in this year's process, and a total of 541 survivors were nominated, up 24% from 2014. The 141 survivors selected come from cities across the United States.

The online process also allows the public to donate to Bright Pink, a national breast and ovarian cancer organization, through May 2. The process has raised nearly $20,000 this year, a 270% increase from 2014. The survivors' stories are posted at www.kentuckyderby.com/survivors, where donations to Bright Pink can be made.

"We are pleased by the dramatic increase of support from across the country for the Survivors Parade," said Ryan Jordan, general manager of Churchill Downs. "The Survivors Parade has become one of the Kentucky Derby's most important traditions, helping us drive national awareness and raise critical funds for important health issues. We look forward to walking with the 141 survivors in this year's Survivors Parade."

The Survivors Parade is part of Churchill's seventh "Pink Out," during which the track conducts fundraising, provides outreach, and drives national breast and ovarian health awareness. Churchill has donated more than $620,000 to breast cancer organizations through the Pink Out celebration.

"Bright Pink is grateful to be a part of this beautiful tribute and to receive such meaningful support from the Kentucky Oaks community," said Lindsay Avner, founder and chief executive officer of Bright Pink. "We hope that the 141 breast and ovarian cancer survivors will walk tall and proud, knowing that Churchill Downs and Bright Pink are committed to the prevention and early detection of these diseases for generations to come."