Dear Missoula Community members, family, and friends,

We are students from the University of Montana Physical Therapy program who are traveling to San Diego, CA to be a part of the volunteer medical staff during the Susan G Komen 3-day breast cancer Race for the Cure event. The event will take place November 14-16, 2025. Participants of this event walk for 3 days and up to 60 miles to raise awareness and donations to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Donations pledged by participants support research efforts and financially assist people fighting breast cancer and seeking treatments. This year’s slogan is “walk with us to end breast cancer.”

University of Montana Physical Therapy (UMPT) program, where we are 3rd year students, is the only Physical Therapy program in the country attending the Race for the Cure event in San Diego. As Doctorate of Physical Therapy students, we will be volunteer Sport Medicine crew members of the medical staff. Our role as a medical crew physical therapists will be to assess and treat musculoskeletal injuries and ailments, provide basic first aide, and provide soft tissue massage. We will have the opportunity to make clinical decisions that will help participants stay safe and finish strong through the 3 day walk. In 2024 there were 1,850 walkers, and our UMPT colleagues were the only sports medicine providers at the event.

We have also had the opportunity to work with survivors from the Missoula community in class and learn about the life long effects of breast cancer and associated treatments. Breast cancer has made an impact on people in our lives, and we know the importance of having a support system. As a class we want to be part of the community supporting breast cancer fighters and survivors, and help raise awareness about breast cancer.

UMPT is seeking monetary donations to help assist 18 students travel to this event. Once at the event, we will be eating alongside and camping in pink tents next to participants of the event. We are looking forward to fully immersing ourselves into this experience and being part of an inspiring community. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.

Any additional funds raised will be donated directly to the Susan G. Komen Fund!

Thank you for helping support UMPT on our journey to the 3-day Race for the Cure in San Diego! GO GRIZ!