Promise of One Awarded to Jack Wing

Around 1995, as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure continued to broaden its scope across the nation, three Tulsa residents - Barbara Schwartz, Susan Ford Bales, and Bill Donahue - determines the national fight against breast cancer should be brought to Tulsa, Oklahoma. This trio knew that creating a team to pull off such an event was crucial. One man stood out as the preeminent figure in Tulsa to approach about becoming Race Director. That man was Jack Wing.

Jack's experience as Race Director for the Tulsa Run as well as other 5k races in and around Tulsa made him the ideal candidate for the job. Jack knew how to put on a road race! He accepted the challenge of putting on the first ever Race for the Cure in Tulsa and immediately went to work.

For each of teh past fourteen years of the Komen Tulsa Race, Jack has enthusiastically performed his duties as Race Director. In addition to his various roles behind the scenes, Jack can be found at the finish line behind the microphone, cheering participants to finish strong. Breast cancer survivors and their supporters have come to expect Jack's familiar voice at the end of each Race as they run, walk or roll beneath the finish line.

As we approach the 15th anniversary of the Race of September 17, 2011, Jack has bee busily planning the logistics, but his perspective this year is a little different. Jack has been waging his own fight against cancer. His battle has been against multiple myeloma, a rare bone cancer. Now more than ever, Jack appreciates that any advancement in breast cancer research is an advancement for every cancer.

Jack has often said that he chose his involvement with Susan G. Komen for the Cure because he has a mother, a wife, daughter-in-laws and a granddaughter - none of whom he wants to watch suffer at the hands of breast cancer.

Our Race would not be what it is today without Jack and we are pleased to present him with the Promise of One award!