As has been recent tradition, Churchill Downs is decked out in pink today.  And once again, Kentucky Oaks day will focus on the outreach effort for women’s health issues.  But there is one change this year.

While the partnership with the Susan G. Komen foundation has raised $420,000 and created awareness about breast cancer the last three years, this year, a new non-profit steps in.  In response to input from Kentucky Oaks fans, the Churchill Downs marketing team opened a search last year for an organization that would represent a broader scope of cancers affecting women and their families.

The Stand Up To Cancer initiative raises money to accelerate groundbreaking cancer research that will deliver new therapies to patients quickly and save lives through a collaborative effort throughout the cancer research community.

“Kentucky Oaks Day is all about the ladies,” Churchill Downs President Kevin Flanery said. “When our female fans told us that cancer affects their lives in many different ways, we listened and responded with an opportunity for all of our fans to get involved in supporting the research and prevention efforts of the many types of cancers that need our attention. We think this is a really strong fit as Stand Up To Cancer seeks to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments and our exciting day of racing can help put them on the fast track to do just that.”

Churchill Downs will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer for every person in attendance on Kentucky Oaks Day. Last year, the Oaks attracted 110,122 people.  Churchill Downs will also donate $1 from each sale of Oaks Lilies, the official drink of the Kentucky Oaks, to Horses and Hope. Founded in 2008 by Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear and the Kentucky Cancer Program, Horses and Hope helps provide breast cancer awareness, education and early detection and treatment referral in Kentucky’s horse racing industry.

“We are so grateful to Churchill Downs for their generous support of Stand Up To Cancer. The Kentucky Oaks is such a prestigious event and we are honored to be the beneficiary,” Stand Up To Cancer co-founder Rusty Robertson said. “Through this collaboration, we will be able to raise much needed dollars to continue accelerating the most promising cancer research.”