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TUCSON - Registration for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is significantly down compared to last year.

The local chapter of the Komen Foundation is suffering the consequences of a controversy involving the national Komen Foundation and Planned Parenthood.

"Southern Arizona is its own independent organization," chapter director Jamie Leopold said, "and we're making grants right down on the ground for the six counties that we serve."

About 10,000 people ran the race last year. This year, organizers only expect about 8,000.

About 85% of their income comes from the Race for the Cure.

Earlier this year, the national Komen Foundation said Planned Parenthood would not be eligible for grants. They later changed their mind.

That has nothing to do with the local chapter, according to Leopold.

Planned Parenthood is eligible for grants from the Southern Arizona Komen Chapter. But in 13 years, they never applied, so they never received any money.

Many people are still running in spite of the controversy.

"We really care for the cause," Melanie Sutton said, "and we really disregard all the hoopla."

The Komen Southern Arizona Chapter fights breast cancer in several ways.

They educate the community about breast cancer.

They help pay for mammograms and early detection.

Patients receive money for medical bills and assistance after surviving.

Volunteers will set up at Hi Corbett Field from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday for registration. Not only do they need runners, they need volunteers.

The race starts Sunday morning at 7 a.m.