A warehouse fire in Chattanooga burned Komen T-shirts.A fire last week scorched 4,000 hot-pink T-shirts that were to be worn by participants in Chattanooga's 15th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
"This is the first time we have had an accident where we have had to replace a substantial amount of material," said Karen Edmondson, executive director of Komen Chattanooga.
"Every year we have had the race there have been little challenges, but this year has been the hardest," Edmondson said.
The fire destroyed the T-shirts and many of the race participant giveaways but will not prevent cancer survivors and Komen supporters from lining up on the starting line at Finley Stadium on Oct. 12.
The giveaways have been replaced from the national office in Dallas, said Edmondson, but the personalized T-shirts had to be reprinted. That's delayed the dates that participants can pick up their race packets.
The cause of the fire at the Executive Business Park at 6025 Lee Highway remains under investigation. There is no reason to believe that someone started the fire on purpose, and insurance is covering the loss, Edmondson said.
Melissa Blevins was diagnosed with cancer in January 2012 and participated in the race for the first time that year.
"The first year I raced I was completely bald," Blevins said. "I said that if I beat cancer and got healthy, that I would do the timed race. This is my third year racing and the first year I will be timed."
Blevins said the race was inspiring to her when she was first diagnosed, as it allowed her to talk to people who were 15 to 20 years past their diagnosis.
"The race gives you the courage to keep going forward. Courage to keep fighting," she said.
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderon at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.