Churchill Downs to Open Submissions for the 2023 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade
149 Breast and Ovarian Cancer Survivors will be Honored on the Historic Racetrack
LOUISVILLE, KY. (January 18, 2023) – Churchill Downs announced today that submissions to participate in the 2023 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade will open on Saturday, January 21. This year’s Survivors Parade will honor 149 Breast and Ovarian cancer survivors and fighters with tickets for the selected recipient and a guest to attend the 149th Longines Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 5, 2023, and include an unforgettable march on the historic track at Churchill Downs. Those who have overcome or are battling a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis who have never participated in the Oaks Survivors Parade are encouraged to submit their story at www.kentuckyderby.com/survivors between January 21 and February 22, 2023. Those who wish to nominate a potential participant for consideration are encouraged to share the submission link directly with the candidate so that they may submit the relevant qualifying information.
For the 15th Survivors Parade, Churchill Downs will feature and support Derby Divas through the Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program and Horses and Hope through Kentucky Cancer Program. Both organizations provide critical services that help deliver care to underserved women across the region, including those on the backside of racetracks across the state, who lack access to breast health screenings and services. The Kentucky Oaks charitable initiative has raised approximately $1M to drive breast and ovarian health awareness and life-saving interventions over the past 14 years.
For the first time, the 2023 Survivors Parade participants will be chosen randomly rather than by public vote to optimize equal opportunity and consideration. This year’s submission process will be the first open to the public in 2 years since the Survivors Parade was held in a virtual format for 2020 and 2021 in adherence of COVID19 safety protocols. Last year, the survivors selected in 2020 were enthusiastically welcomed to Churchill Downs for one of the most moving, memorable and long-awaited tributes yet.
To celebrate the Road to the Kentucky Oaks qualifying races, Survivors Parade submissions will open on Saturday, January 21, to align with Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds Race Course and the selected participants will be notified on Saturday, February 25, on the day of the Cincinnati Trophy Stakes at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming. In addition to a call for submissions, fans are encouraged to join the effort to raise money to support breast and ovarian health by donating to the Kentucky Oaks charitable partners at www.kentuckyderby.com/survivors.
About Churchill Downs Racetrack
Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world’s most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The saddling paddock and the stable area have barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.
About Derby Divas
Derby Divas is a group of dedicated volunteers committed to raising significant funds for breast health initiatives. Their focus is making sure underserved women have access to mammograms and other key services to help prevent, detect and treat breast cancer. During the past decade, the group has raised more than $1.75 million for breast health programs and initiatives, including Norton Healthcare’s mobile prevention center that provides free mammograms and wellness exams to women with limited access to these care services. One of the group’s highlights has been to see the Derby Divas Breast Health Center dedicated at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
About Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program
The Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. The program provides comprehensive prevention, diagnostic and treatment services to patients in our community. Along with clinical services, the program provides education and support through a team of certified breast care navigators. These registered nurses are specially trained in breast health issues and breast cancer treatment, and are available to assist patients and their families from the point of an abnormal mammogram through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. In 2022, breast health nurse navigators had nearly 8,000 interactions with patients. The Breast Health Program also cares for the person within by offering support groups and community education, including events and groups aimed at supporting patients affected by breast cancer.
About Horses and Hope
Horses and Hope was started in 2008 by former First Lady Jane Beshear and the Kentucky Cancer Program, University of Louisville, with the support of the Pink Stable, a committee of Kentucky horse owners, riders, trainers, farm owners, jockeys and others. The mission is to increase breast cancer awareness, education, screening and treatment referral among Kentucky’s signature horse industry workers and their families, many of whom are uninsured and underserved. Today, Horses and Hope has been expanded to offer cancer prevention and early detection programs along with screening and treatment referrals for many different cancers through the mobile cancer screening van operated by UofL Health Brown Cancer Center. Their Breast Program was the first in Kentucky to be accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). For more information, contact the Kentucky Cancer Program 1-877-326-1134.
About Kentucky Cancer Program
Created by legislation enacted in 1982, Kentucky Cancer Program (“KCP”) was established to reduce cancer incidence and mortality through education, research and service. The program is administered jointly by UofL Health Brown Cancer Center and UK Markey Cancer Center. KCP has 14 office across the state, staffed by cancer control specialists, who coordinate cancer prevention and early detection programs; patient and family services; professional education and training; and who mobilize communities through coalitions and partnerships to address local cancer problems.
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