Welcome Letter

Even though National Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be over, there are still plenty of ways to get involved in the fight against breast cancer. We are here year-round and our work will not be done until there is a cure. 

We loved seeing all the pink during October (including a rather large ribbon at the White House) and are excited about the people that may have taken time to learn their risk or get screened during the month.

Build on the excitement from October and encourage your co-workers or friends to go Passionately Pink and brighten up your office or party. Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping by purchasing a loved one something from ShopKomen.com. Send a friend battling breast cancer a survivor kit to revive their spirit.

Whether you're getting involved with a committee, attending an event or volunteering, we hope to see you soon! 

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

Komen Columbus Race for the Cure®

Now more than ever we are dependent on community members and their organizations for support as corporate sponsors for the 2010 Komen Columbus Race for the Cure. View our video of some of our dedicated corporate sponsors and why their contributions are so crucial.

If you’re interested in learning about the various sponsorship opportunities, please contact Beth Waldren, Director of Development.

The 2010 Race for the Cure will be held on Saturday, May 15th, 2010.

Komen Columbus Events

Mingle for the Cure

Join the Komen Columbus Young Professionals for our inaugural event at The Social, Friday, November 6th from 7-9 p.m., and mingle with young professionals interested in working toward a cure for breast cancer while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres, drink specials and a fabulous atmosphere. Click here for more information.

True to Form
Columbus Center for Paper and Book Arts, an art gallery in downtown Columbus, recently opened its latest exhibit entitled True to Form. This installation features three-dimensional torsos as the basis for artists’ work. There will be 25 figures on display including several focusing on breast cancer. The figures will be on display and available for bidding through December 5th. All proceeds from purchasing the figures will benefit Komen Columbus.

Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 am – 4pm. For more information, please click here. The gallery is located at 539 East Town Street, Columbus.

Ford Cares
Now through December 31st, Ford will donate 100 percent of the net proceeds from the sale of the Warriors In Pink merchandise to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Affiliates. Simply type in the promotion code for the Columbus Affiliate –  COLUMBWIP – when prompted and all proceeds will benefit women in Central and Southeastern Ohio.

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.

Interested in attending a program on survivorship or a support group? 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: 1st and 3rd 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 2nd Tuesday of every month,  5:30pm 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 pm – 3 pm
Location: Riverside Hospital, 3535 Olentangy River Road
Description: The 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 am - 12 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.

Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition
Event: Filling in the Gaps during Difficult Economic Times: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Resources, a webinar
Date: Thursday, November 12th 
Time: 10:30 - 11:30 am
Description: The webinar will cover free and reduced-cost breast and cervical cancer screening resources available across Ohio and will feature a resource guide specifically created for each region of the state. Healthcare providers, public health professionals, social workers, and others interested in learning about these resources are encouraged to participate.
To register for the webinar, please call 614-293-7020. Once you register, you will receive access information to the webinar. A replay will be available 30 days after the event. Registration will end Friday, November 6th at 5:00 p.m.
Additional questions can be directed to Krista Kopperud, (888) 227-6446, Ext. 8406.

Event: Follow-Up Testing 101 Teleconference
Date: Wednesday, November 18th
Time: 7 – 8:15 pm
Nancy U. Lin, MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, will provide practical information about follow-up testing, including:
• The National Cancer Institute’s guidelines for follow-up testing
• Why follow-up care may vary from doctor to doctor
• The differences in follow-up care between early-stage and advanced breast cancer
• The importance of a long-term survivorship plan
• How to communicate post-treatment concerns with your doctor
Click here for more information.

Event: Look Listen and Feel Lymphedema Care Class
Date: Tuesday, November 24th
Time: 5-7 pm                                                            
Location: Mount Carmel East Women’s Health Center
Description/Participant Eligibility: Breast Cancer Survivors, Family, and Friends
Cost: Free
Contact Info: Sharon Inzetta, 614-234-8124, to register for the class

Event: Relaxation and Guided Imagery for Symptom Management
Date: Two workshop offerings: November 28th and December 5th
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Location: Nov 28th at the Jeffrey Mansion; December 5th at Martin De Porres Center
Description/Participant Eligibility: Survivors who have completed initial treatment and who have interest in relaxation and other integrative healing modalities.
Cost: No cost
Contact Info: Sharon Stout-Shaffer, 614-236-6363

Event: Young Survival Coalition of Central Ohio "You Are Not Alone" Holiday Wine Tasting Party
Date: Thursday, December 10th
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Camelot Cellars, 958 N. High St
Description/Participant Eligibility: Open to YSC support group participants and other young women affected by breast cancer, along with a guest
Cost: No charge, food and gift bottles of wine included
Contact Info: Please register for this event to ysccentralohio@youngsurvival.org or call 614-470-0300 

Grantee Spotlight

Recognizing….The IMPEDE Program

IMPEDE (IMportance of Prevention and Early DEtection) Program, Grady Memorial Hospital, Delaware

The overall goal of Grady Memorial Hospital’s IMPEDE program is to educate women on the importance of prevention and early detection of breast cancer and support and assist women diagnosed with the disease. The IMPEDE program is committed to:
(1) promoting and providing community-wide breast health education;
(2) identifying women who are at high-risk of developing breast cancer in conjunction with Grady’s recently introduced genetics counseling program;
(3) encouraging women to participate in clinical trials;
(4) offering follow-up care to patients who have undergone breast surgery; and
(5) providing emotional support to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

A few of the services the IMPEDE Program has provided during 2009 are listed below:

• Breast cancer awareness materials, including literature on breast self-exam and early detection through health fairs, open houses, special displays and community presentations to 150 women directly and 985 indirectly. 
• Patient navigation services, lymphedema screening, wigs, wig accessories, breast prostheses, prosthesis accessories and or reimbursement of transportation expense vouchers were given to more than a dozen women.
• 27 screenings, 18 diagnostic mammograms and 17 ultrasounds to uninsured/underinsured/low-income women from Delaware County. After having diagnostic exams, surgical consults, breast biopsy and follow-up have been provided.
For more information, contact Susie Miller, 740-615-2403.

Komen Columbus News

Komen Columbus Awards 2009 Public Service Award
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland Recognized for Support of Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Project

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland was awarded the 2009 Komen Columbus Public Service Award on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the 2009 Komen Columbus Race for the Cure. Rosemary Riley, Komen Columbus Board President, presented the award to Gov. Strickland just before the start of the race in front of a sea of runners, walkers and supporters dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.

Gov. Strickland was honored for his role in helping to secure first-of-its-kind funding of $5 million in the 2008 biennial state budget for breast and cervical cancer screenings and services through the Ohio Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Project (BCCP). In the face of economic hardship this year, Gov. Strickland’s as-introduced version of the 2010 state budget maintained that level of investment in BCCP.

Joyce Beatty, Senior Vice President of Outreach and Engagement at The Ohio State University and 2008 Komen Columbus Public Service Award recipient, nominated the governor for the public service award, saying, “Gov. Ted Strickland’s dedication to this cause makes him a wonderful partner and champion for women across our state.”

Ohio House of Representative Majority Floor Leader Jennifer Garrison (R-93rd District) supported the Governor’s nomination by saying that "Governor Strickland has shown his dedication to this cause and is committed to Komen Columbus’ mission of eradicating cancer as a life-threatening disease."

Komen Columbus is working to keep you informed of critical local, state and federal policies that may affect the fight against breast cancer. If you would like to have your voice heard on issues related to breast health, please visit www.komenadvocacy.org to become a Komen Advocacy Insider.

Thanks to everyone who attended Hockey Fights Cancer night on October 17th. See the photo for many of our attendees who participated in making a human purple ribbon on the ice, with purple representing awareness for all cancers.

Save Lids to Save Lives
The Save Lids to Save Lives program from Yoplait is almost over for the year. For every clean lid you send back to Komen Columbus, 10 cents will be donated to fund crucial breast cancer treatment, education and screening programs right here in Central Ohio.

Please send your clean lids to:
Komen Columbus
855 Grandview Avenue, Suite 250
Columbus, OH 43215

Ways to Give
Federal employees will find Susan G. Komen for the Cure® listed as an option in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Please locate Susan G. Komen for the Cure in the alphabetical or federation index. Our CFC number is 14545.

In addition, we participate in numerous state, county, municipal and university employee campaigns:
Franklin County: 4060
Ohio State University: 8886
Columbus State, Columbus City Schools: 3050

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