WASHINGTON, D.C. – The hot muggy conditions of June didn’t keep nearly 50,000 participants for the 19th Annual Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure at bay, including nearly two dozen of AV’s own.

Twenty AV representatives, joined by family and friends, strode through our nation’s capital for the 5- kilometer race (3.1 miles) held on June 7. The celebrated event raised $4.9 million in funding towards breast cancer research and community health programs. In its first year of participation, the AV team raised nearly $1,000 in donations, “a pretty good start for the kick-off year,” according to Team Captain Krista Jenusaitis.

“It’s nice that those people who did decide to become involved also included their friends and family members, which increased our numbers and spirit,” said Jenusaitis, who, individually, has participated in the race the past five years. “It’s always good to give back, and when you can do so with an event or cause that your employees really believe in, it makes it all the better.”

Pre-race events were a who’s who of celebrities with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, actress Gabrielle Union, boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr., and the District’s own Mayor Adrian Fenty joining the ranks. Singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton, additionally, gave a post-race performance.

The pre-race rally and Parade of Pink kicked off the day’s events, with more than 3,800 breast cancer survivors – along with their individual networks of support – queuing up and marching across the National Mall, honoring loved ones and celebrating triumphs over the disease. Susan G. Komen for the Cure Founder Nancy G. Brinker, accompanied by Sex in the City star Cynthia Nixon, led the way.

“It was a morning of fun and camaraderie, and also a time of hope-filled emotion,” said AV Human Resources Director Adam Calli of the day’s events. Calli looks forward to participating again next year.

Jenusaitis agreed, adding that she hopes many more AV employees will want to become involved in the annual race.

“At the end of the day, it’s about giving support to the fight against breast cancer and also uniting our staff by being involved in a special event together.”

Atlantic Video is a full-service production management and development organization with broadcast centers in Washington D.C. and New York City, New York. It operates remote cameras for live shots in Chicago, Denver, Boston and Dallas, which are connected full-time to the company’s broadcast centers. The company specializes in management and development of broadcast series and specials. The mission of the organization is to deliver unparalleled, quality production and post-production services that set the standard for excellence in the marketplace. For more information on Atlantic Video, please visit our website at www.atlanticvideo.com or call 877-777-1118.

###