Houston Komen race sees decline in registration, fundraising

CORRECTS TO REMOVE REFERENCE TO NUMBER OF YEARS AND RACES, TIGHTEN 2ND HALF OF CAPTION - In this April 14, 2012, photo walkers and runners stop for the Star Spangled Banner before the start of the Cure in Fort Worth, Texas. Organizers of Race for the Cure events across the country have reported drops in participation following a controversy involving Planned Parenthood. In Fort Worth, the participation declined by 23 percent. (AP Photo/Star-Telegram, Joyce Marshall) MAGS OUT less CORRECTS TO REMOVE REFERENCE TO NUMBER OF YEARS AND RACES, TIGHTEN 2ND HALF OF CAPTION - In this April 14, 2012, photo walkers and runners stop for the Star Spangled Banner before the start of the Cure in Fort ... more Photo: Joyce Marshall Photo: Joyce Marshall Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Houston Komen race sees decline in registration, fundraising 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

This weekend's Komen Race for the Cure in Houston could see 3,000 fewer participants than in 2011 after the breast-cancer charity was thrust into a heated abortion controversy earlier this year.

In January, the Dallas-based charity announced it would stop making grants to Planned Parenthood for breast-cancer screening, prompting widespread criticism. It reversed its decision after three days.

Komen Houston says it has raised about $2 million including online, mail-in and corporate donations for the race. The charity hopes to reach its goal of $3 million - a million less than it raised last year - by Nov. 15.

A tally of donations on the Komen website shows its Houston affiliate has reached only 35 percent of its goal for this year's race as of Wednesday evening, but spokeswoman Lisa Bustamante said that only represents online pledges. She said they are hopeful to be at or near the $3 million goal by the end of the campaign.

As a result of the controversy, many Komen supporters around the country abandoned the 5K run and walk, which is the main event for the charity's fundraising. Participation dropped between 10 percent and 30 percent in some cities. The charity, however, has had a few races bring in more money and participants.

Houston's Komen affiliate could not provide exact numbers for registration for the 2012 race, set for Saturday, but acknowledged it had seen a decline since last year. As of Wednesday, the number of registrations was down 6,000 from the same time last year.

Still registering online

More Information How to register Houston's race is Saturday, predominantly along Allen Parkway. Online registration: Visit komen-houston.org. You must pick up a race packet at walk-in registration. Walk-in registration: Available at IKEA Houston from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday; and 6-7:30 a.m. race day in downtown Houston.

Affiliate spokeswoman Tania Cruz said 25,000 people have registered for the race so far and up to 30,000 could be expected to participate. In 2011, 33,000 took part, including 2,400 breast cancer survivors. The event raised more than $4 million for breast-cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs. About 3,000 people signed up between Wednesday and Saturday before last year's race.

Komen Houston did not immediately comment on why participation and fundraising are down this year. Online registration is open, and people are registering daily, Cruz said.

'We are encouraged'

Adriana Higgins, the executive director of Komen Houston Race for the Cure, said that some 80 percent of eventual participants will have registered by the weekend before the race.

"We are pretty much on target with how Houston responds," she said. "I don't think we were hit quite as hard as some areas of the country. ... We are encouraged and looking forward to a good day."

She reminded people that Komen is a fundraising and grant-making organization, with the money raised going back into the community.

Houston's Komen affiliate was established in 1990 to provide breast-cancer education, screening and treatment projects for the medically under-served and uninsured in Southeast Texas.

In its 22-year history, the affiliate has granted more than $9 million for research nationally and more than $28 million for community grants in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty and Montgomery counties.

"We hope Houstonians show up for the race. ... We don't want to be on the political side of anything," Higgins said.

erin.mulvaney@chron.com