Welcome Letter

Imagine a world without breast cancer. 

This is our motivation, pushing us one step at a time, in the Race for the Cure. This race is year-round for us and the goal is always there. Once a year, however, it takes shape in downtown Columbus as the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure. The 2010 Race is just around the corner on May 15. How will you be involved this year?  

Leading up to the race there are many events going on around Komen Columbus. On March 15, 16 and 17 we will have our Distribution Days, a great time to swing by the Komen Columbus office to pick up Race posters and yard signs to increase awareness about the Race. The Komen Columbus Young Professionals will be hosting fundraising events in March and April, all the details of which can be found on our Facebook page. 

Also make sure to check out the Outreach Activities section, that lists many opportunities for free breast health screenings.  Early detection saves lives, so take care of your body this spring and take advantage of these programs.

Katie, Jill, Beth, Megan, Becca and Natalie
The Staff of Komen Columbus

Komen Columbus Race for the Cure®

Online registration for the Race is now open! Click here to register as an individual or as part of a team.

Heather and Stefanie's Team
To honor two breast cancer champions who have inspired millions in Central Ohio and throughout the country, we’re proud to introduce Heather and Stefanie’s team, powered by WBNS-10TV and 97.1 The Fan, and sponsored by Charles Penzone Salons Inc., Wolfe Enterprises and the James Cancer Hospital.

While Heather and Stefanie may have lost their battles to breast cancer, they continue to be an inspiration for the courageous way in which they lived their lives and served as role models for others.

All are welcome to join this team by clicking here or by mailing in the completed registration form. Participants will receive a Heather and Stefanie’s Team t-shirt, Race for the Cure t-shirt and pink wig. The registration price also includes shipping to your home. Survivors who wish to be identified may also receive the pink Survivor t-shirt.

2010 Race Sponsors
Komen Columbus is once again pleased to recognize our corporate partners for the 2010 Race for the Cure. Each year, central Ohio companies answer the call to help us underwrite Race expenses by participating as a corporate sponsor. These companies provide both cash and in-kind donations and account for nearly 30 percent of Race revenue. We could not make this Race happen without their continued support. 

As a consumer you have many choices in today’s market place. Please consider patronizing companies that give back to the community in a meaningful way. Click here to see who's partnering with Komen Columbus in our mission to end breast cancer forever.


I Am the Cure
As you walk or run along the Race course this year, you might hear some encouragement from energetic students cheering for you and promoting breast cancer awareness. These groups represent I Am the Cure, a breast health program from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure that teaches people simple steps to take charge of their breast health.

If you know of a cheerleading squad that might be interested being a part of the I Am the Cure program on Race day, please contact us.
 
Your registration fee will only get you to the start line. Fundraising will get you to the Cure. Consider going the EXTRA MILE and forming a team or participating in our fundraising program. Read more for tips on getting started. 

Komen Columbus Events

Cocktails at the Conservatory with KYP
On Thursday, March 11th, please join the Komen Young Professionals (KYP) at the Franklin Park Conservatory for its weekly Cocktails at the Conservatory night. Beginning at 5:30 pm, KYP Committee members will be on hand to help you register for the Race for the Cure, welcome new members and provide educational materials. No RSVP is necessary. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Distribution Days
Help PINK UP Columbus! Stop by the Komen Columbus office during the following days and times to pick up Race registration brochures, yard signs and posters.

Monday, March 15th: 12pm – 6pm
Tuesday, March 16th: 12pm – 6pm
Wednesday, March 17th: 7am – 12pm

Our race registration platform has changed so if you would like help setting up your Race team or registering yourself, please plan on stopping by the office during the above times and our staff members and volunteers will be happy to assist you. For directions to our office, please click here.

Nordstom Fits America
Please join Nordstrom on Saturday, March 20th at Easton Town Center for a special event. Receive a complimentary bra fitting from one of Nordstrom’s certified fit specialists. Nordstrom will donate $2 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every bra that is purchased. Contact the Nordstrom Lingerie department at (614) 416-7111 ext.1240 to make an appointment, although one is not necessary.

Can’t make it on the 20th? Come in at your leisure prior to the event and have a Girlfriend Party of four or more friends and receive a complimentary bra fitting with food, drinks and someone from Cosmetics providing mini-makeovers. Enter your name in for a prize and let Nordstrom take care of you. Bras will be rung up on the 20th and will be sent FREE of charge to your home. Click here for more information.

Volunteer Trainings
Want to learn more about what it takes to be a Komen Columbus volunteer? Attend one of our Volunteer Trainings to learn about Komen Columbus, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and basic breast health knowledge. Trainings will take place on Wednesday, March 24 from 5:30-7 pm or Saturday, March 27 from 9:30-11 am. Speakers Bureau trainings will immediately follow. Click here for more information.

MEN AGAINST BREAST CANCER: Partners In Survival
Save the Date for an educational workshop targeting the male co-survivors and partners in the fight against breast cancer. This free workshop, sponsored by Komen Columbus and the Young Survival Coalition, will be held the morning of Saturday, April 10th, 2010.

Both partners should plan on attending; survivors and co-survivors will work with trained facilitators separately and together to discuss common and unique struggles. Lunch will be provided.

Contact us or call 614-470-0300 for more information or to add your names to the list and pre-register. 

Outreach Events

Interested in attending a program on survivorship or helping out with a service program in the community? Check out our list of upcoming events sponsored by Komen Columbus Grant Programs and be sure to visit our web site for more outreach events.

Event: YSC Central Ohio General Support Group for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer
Date: First and third Tuesdays of every month
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: YSC Central Ohio Office, 7716 Rivers Edge Drive, Suite A, Columbus, OH, 43235
Our Support group for young women living with metastatic breast cancer is the second Tuesday of every month, 5:30 pm at the YSC Central Ohio office.
Contact: For more information, contact Christine Walker at 614-470-0300 or e-mail ysccentralohio@youngsurvival.org.

Event: OhioHealth Multi-Specialty Second Opinion Clinic - Breast Cancer Clinic
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Riverside Hospital, 3535 Olentangy River Road
Description: Clinic is open to anyone with a positive diagnosis of breast cancer who would like a second professional medical opinion.
Contact Info: Call to schedule an appointment, (614) 566-4321

Event: Journaling your Breast Cancer Journey
Date: Saturday Mornings
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Grady Memorial Hospital, Delaware County
Description: Instructor Kim Byerly, is an Art Educator & Breast Cancer Survivor
Explore color, texture, bookbinding and journaling in this fun three-session class. All levels of ability are invited to paint beautiful papers, learn several amazing book structures and finish them by adding words, doodles, images, etc of your personal journey. Dress for mess.
Contact Info: Susan Miller RN, Grady Breast Health Nurse at 740-615-2403

Event: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Host Organization: Ohio University Healthy Adult Project
Date: Tuesday, March 9
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Location: Ross County
Description/Participant Eligibility: Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Cost: Free
Contact Info: For appointment please call 1-800-844-2654

Event: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Host Organization: Ohio University Healthy Adult Project
Date: Wednesday, March 10
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Meigs County Health Department, Pomeroy
Description/Participant Eligibility: Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Cost: Free
Contact Info: For appointment please call 1-800-844-2654

Event: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Host Organization: Ohio University Healthy Adult Project
Date: Tuesday, March 16
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Rutland Civic Center, Meigs County
Description/Participant Eligibility: Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic in conjunction with the Meigs County Think Pink Program
Cost: Free
Contact Info: For appointment please call 1-800-844-2654

Event: Women's Health Day Health Screening with the Think Pink Program, coordinated by Meigs Co. Cancer Initiative and funded by Komen Columbus
Date: Tuesday, March 16
Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Location: Rutland, Ohio Civic Center
Description: It includes low-cost (or free, to Think Pink Clients ages 35 to medicare age or who qualify) screenings with the OSU Mobile Van Mammography, OU COM Gyn and Clinical Breast exams, Dexa Scans for Osteoporosis risk, Glucose and Cholesterol blood testing, blood pressure, fitness evaluation, nutrition counseling, healthy snacks and "Ask a Nurse" station. 

Event: Taste of Home Expo
Date: Tuesday, March 16
Time: 5-9 pm
Location: Meigs County High School Auditorium
Description: Think Pink will be at the Taste of Home expo providing more breast health information, educational materials and door prizes.

Event: ACS Survivors Dinner
Date: Friday, March 19
Location: Mulberry Center, Pomeroy, Ohio
Description: Think Pink will have a booth and will provide more breast health information and educational materials

For more information or questions on any of these Think Pink Program events, contact Norma Torres, 614-264-6344 or  740-992-2161, ext. 236. 

Event: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Host Organization: Ohio University Healthy Adult Project
Date: Tuesday, March 23
Time: 10 am - 3 pm
Location: Sciotoville Church of the Nazarene, Sioto County
Description/Participant Eligibility: Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Cost: Free
Contact Info: For appointment please call 1-800-844-2654

Event: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Host Organization: Ohio University Healthy Adult Project
Date: Wednesday, March 24
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Central Christian Church in Ironton, Lawrence County
Description/Participant Eligibility: Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Cost: Free
Contact Info: For appointment please call 1-800-844-2654

Event: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Host Organization: Ohio University Healthy Adult Project
Date: Tuesday, March 30
Time: 9 am - 3 pm
Location: Parks Hall, Athens County
Description/Participant Eligibility: Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Clinic
Cost: Free
Contact Info: For appointment please call 1-800-844-2654

Event: James Stitching Sisters' 6th Annual Quilt Day
Date: Saturday, April 17
Time: 9 am - 5 pm
Location: Bethel United Methodist Church
Description: To continue our project of making lap quilts for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at JamesCare in Dublin. Click here for more information.
Contact Info: Contact Joanne Lester at 614-519-8995, Carol Monson at 614-353-8621 or Betty Panthana at 614-235-1657.

Event: Breast Cancer Survivorship Symposium
Date: Tuesday, April 27
Time: 12:30-4:30 pm
Location:  Longaberger Alumni House, Building 022, 2200 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH  43210. 
Description: This event provides breast cancer survivors the opportunity to learn how to manage common symptoms that may occur after treatment, as well as important health behaviors to improve cancer survivorship. A buffet lunch will be provided. The event is FREE, parking is FREE, food is FREE.....through the support of Komen Columbus and James Cancer Hospital, The Ohio State University.
Contact Info: Register by calling JamesCare for Life at 614-293-6428.

Event: Berger Health Foundation – 2010 Ladies Night Out Charity Event
Date: Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time: 7:00-11:00 P.M.
Location: Amvets Banquet Hall, Circleville, OH 43113
Description: Ladies Night Out is a casino-themed event  for women that will financially benefit bringing additional digital mammography services to Berger Health System. This event is a chance for ladies to enjoy great food and drinks, with an opportunity to participate in a variety of casino games, as well as the chance to bid on numerous items through a silent auction, or to participate in a diamond raffle. Tickets are $50 each and sponsorship opportunities are available.
Contact Info: For information or to reserve tickets, please call Jerad Wood at (740) 420-8209. 

Volunteer Spotlight

Introducing:  The Race Committee
The Race Committee is comprised of 40 volunteers that work together year-round to help organize the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure.  It’s hard to imagine coordinating all the details of an event for 48,000 participants, but this group has thought of everything!

Have you heard of Muscle for the Cure?  Pink it Up?  The Survivor Express?  All of these are projects of Race Committee volunteers who work together, right under walkers’ and runners’ noses, to bring you the Race for the Cure.  Here is a little insight into what they do.

Downtown Columbus will be covered in pink the day before the race on May 14, as Pink it Up, led by Hana and Ashley, covers all 3.1 miles of the Race course in pink ribbons, signs and chalk. The Pink it Up volunteers will also host a contest for local businesses located along the course to see who can best "pink up" their storefronts.

April coordinates the activities of the Road Marshals, the more than 100 volunteers who are stationed along the race course to help facilitate a safe and enjoyable Race for all participants. Road Marshals direct racers to stay on route, protect racers from road hazards, assist any distressed participants and cheer on racers.  April says, “It is a terrific way to experience the event up close.”

Two trolleys make up the Survivor Express and provide transportation for those survivors who wish to participate, but are unable to walk the course. Patti coordinates the Survivor Express program and said, “I believe my real role for Survivor Express is to make each individual feel as though they are 'Queen for a Day', to put a smile on their face and a skip in their step. When they step off Survivor Express and I see that smile and skip, then I know I’ve accomplished what I set out to do . . . make them feel special and alive for a day.”

Ever wonder who sets up the exposition area filled with vendors, sponsors and grantees? The Muscle for the Cure of Komen Columbus donates time and brute strength to help set up before the race and tear down after.

These are only a few of the many parts that will make the Race for the Cure so special.  Monthly meetings bring the committee together, where members can collaborate outside of their individual roles. In May the committee is supported by more than 1,000 volunteers, who help with registration, water stops along the race route and more!  All of these volunteers do a phenomenal job in making this event a success. 

As you run or walk the Race for the Cure on May 15, try to thank your road marshals, scope out the spectacular survivor ceremony or just appreciate the sea of pink. Planning has been ongoing all year and reflects the hard work, dedication and pride of the Komen Columbus Race Committee. 

Volunteer opportunities for this year’s Race will be posted online later this month. Feel free to contact us if you’re interested in volunteering for a specific task.

Komen Columbus News

Facebook Donor Challenge
Are you on Facebook? You can help us meet the DONOR CHALLENGE! An anonymous donor and breast cancer survivor has stepped up with the promise to make a generous contribution once our Facebook Group adds its 5,000th fan. Help us get there by asking your friends, colleagues and long-lost-but-recently-reacquainted Facebook friends to join our group and the 5,000th fan will receive a prize.

By joining the group, you’re helping to spread the word of breast cancer awareness while staying up-to-date on the latest Race for the Cure and event information. Click here to visit or join our fan page.

Kroger Community Rewards Program
Consider taking part in Kroger’s Community Rewards program and the money you save while shopping will benefit Komen Columbus, providing treatment for those that need it and contributing to life-saving research. Click here for easy instructions on how to select the Columbus Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure as your community rewards program.

Please contact us if someone you know should be getting this newsletter, but doesn't have access to e-mail.