They’ll run. In memory of their mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts. In celebration of their cousins, wives, girlfriends, colleagues. Some will run for their lives. But all will run for a cure.

Tomorrow, thousands of runners and walkers will gather in Bangor for the Komen Maine Race for the Cure, which raises money toward breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

Many of them will do it in style, sporting one of the now-legendary designer bandannas from Ford. These cotton scarves, given away to all race participants, have attained cult status – a coveted collector’s item.

This year’s fashion-forward scarf was designed by Ford’s in-house creative team. It’s long, narrow, gauzy and pink, and it would make an excellent headband. But what sets it apart is the “Warriors in Pink” theme, a bold print that symbolizes strength, protection, power and life.

“We wanted to make it stronger, more tribal, to really feel the warrior spirit,” according to company spokeswoman Kathy Meier. “These people are living this every day. It’s ugly. We want to give strength and power, but pretty power.”

When Ford introduced the scarves in 1998, they were basically a bandanna. In 2001, the company paired with designer Leonello Borghi, ushering in the high-fashion era. Borghi’s scarf included graphic polka-dots on a deep maroon background.

“That’s when it really started to take off,” Meier said.

Kate Spade’s red logo scarf followed, and then the pretty-in-pink designer Lilly Pulitzer made a splash with her bold, beachy designs. All of these scarves had a companion piece made in silk and sold for $35 in department stores.

This year, Ford decided to focus on “our creatives, our team, our passion,” Meier said, and the scarf is part of a larger line of clothing and accessories. A silk version of the Warriors in Pink scarf will be available for $35 online at www.fordcares.com by the end of September. All net proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Until then, the cotton scarf is an excellent stand-in – a design worthy of the women and men who will race tomorrow.

After all, what could be more stylish – more beautiful – than finding a cure for breast cancer?

ShopGirl would love to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions by e-mail to: kandresen@bangordailynews.net, by U.S. mail to Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329, or by fax to 941-9476. For exclusive online shopping tips, click on the ShopBlog icon on the bottom of the BDN homepage: bangordailynews.com.

Win me!

One lucky reader will win a pair of Size 8 ToeGoz flip-flops.

Designed and manufactured in Maine, these high-quality, limited-edition flip-flops are available online at www.komenmaine.com or www.toegoz.com through Sept. 30. ToeGoz will donate $20 of the $35 purchase price to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

ToeGoz co-founders Travis Holland and Dave Hoidal have pledged a minimum $10,000 donation to Komen for the Cure from the sales of the flip-flops. Hoidal’s mother fought and survived breast cancer, and Holland and Hoidal created the “Put Your Best Flop Forward” campaign to raise awareness of the disease and promote early detection among women of all ages.

Please note: You will need to fill in the “secret word” to enter. The word can be found on the ShopBlog at http://communityv1.bangornews.com/blog/4. There, you’ll also find Web-only shopping news, sales and products. Today’s entry will include a highlight of other Komen-related products. If you don’t have Internet access, call 990-8000 or (800) 432-7964 and ask for the secret word.

To enter by mail fill out the form below, cut it out and mail it to: ShopGirl Giveaway, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329. To enter by e-mail, include “Flip Flops” in the subject line and send your entry with your name, contact information and secret to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.

Name:

Address:

City:

Zip code:

Phone number:

E-mail address:

Secret word: