Welcome Letter

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While curing breast cancer and supporting survivors in our community are on our minds year-round, now is a special time to encourage others to get involved in the fight against breast cancer. There are dozens of ways to get involved this month, and we've highlighted some of these opportunities in the "Events" section of the e-newsletter.

Whether it's taking part in Committed to the Cure™, our annual educational conference on October 3rd, attending "Hockey Fights Cancer" night on October 17th or hosting a Passionately Pink Day at your workplace, there are plenty of ways to join the fight against breast cancer all month-long.

We'd also like to encourage you to check out our new Web site. The address is the same – www.komencolumbus.org – but much of the content is brand new. Add our Web site to your favorites and check back often for upcoming events, local news and a complete list of local resources. We've been working hard to make it as user-friendly as possible, and hope you'll agree. Be sure to check out our video to get a better idea of what Komen Columbus is all about – from volunteers to donors to survivors, every aspect is crucial to supporting our community.

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

Komen Columbus Race for the Cure®

If you registered for the race, but did not receive a t-shirt, please let us know.

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

We'd love to see your photos from Race day. Please post them to our Facebook page to share with other fans of Komen Columbus.

News from National

Lifestyle Factors Increase Risk of Second Breast Cancer

Obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking significantly increase the risk of second breast cancers among breast cancer survivors, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Approximately 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the United States alone. Treatment for the disease has improved and five-year survival rates are now greater than 90 percent; however, survivors have a significantly increased risk of developing a second breast cancer in the opposite breast.

Researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle conducted a study that involved 365 women who were diagnosed with an estrogen-receptor (ER) positive first primary breast cancer and then were later diagnosed with a second primary breast cancer. These women were compared to 726 matched controls who were diagnosed with only an ER-positive primary breast cancer.

The researchers reviewed medical records and conducted patient interviews to ascertain data on obesity, alcohol consumption and smoking. The results indicated that women who were considered obese (body mass index [BMI] over 30 kg/m2) were 50 percent more likely to develop a second breast cancer than women who had a BMI lower than 25 kg/m2. Furthermore, women who consumed more than seven drinks per week after their first breast cancer diagnosis had a 70 percent higher risk of developing a second breast cancer compared with non-drinkers. Finally, women who smoked were more than twice as likely to develop a second breast cancer compared with nonsmokers.

The researchers concluded that lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking and drinking could significantly increase the risk of developing a second cancer. Modifying these factors might provide breast cancer survivors with a way to reduce their risk of developing a second cancer.

Komen Columbus Events

Committed to the Cure
Our annual educational conference will be on October 3, 2009. If you were unable to attend this year, check our Web site in the coming weeks for presentations featured at the conference.

We'd like to thank our event sponsors this year and acknowledge that their generous contributions help us get closer to the cure.

Presenting Sponsor: The Mark H. Zangmeister Center
Media Sponsor: WBNS-10TV
Exhibitors:
• Mount Carmel
• Myriad Genetic Laboratories
• Oncology Supply
• Solis Women's Health
• Varian Medical Supply

Hockey Fights Cancer

To order tickets call 614-246-4236 or download the ticket order form. The first 50 people to purchase tickets will be entered into a drawing to be part of the "Tunnel of Pride" section and able to greet the players as they enter the ice before the game begins.

True to Form

The figures will be on display and available for bidding through December 5th. All proceeds from purchasing the figures will benefit Komen Columbus.

The exhibit will be on display until January 23rd. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 am – 4pm. For more information, please click here.

Condos for the Cure
Whether you're a first-time home buyer, empty-nester or someone looking to relocate, consider one of the properties available from Epcon Communities. For each condominium that's sold during the month of October, Epcon will generously donate $1,000 to Komen Columbus.

The six properties in Columbus participating in Condos for the Cure are listed below.

• The Woods at Sugar Run
• Cobblestone at the Preserve
• The Woods at Hayden Run
• The Villas at Canterbury Woods
• The Village of North Falls
• The Villas at Glenealy

Epcon also will be hosting an open house on Sunday, October 25th, to celebrate survivors and welcome potential buyers into their community at The Woods at Sugar Run. Real estate experts will be on hand to answer questions while attendees are treated to samples from Mukha Cosmetics and Over My Head Wig and Hat Boutique. Survivors also will be sharing their personal experiences with breast cancer. For additional information, please click here.

Volley for the Cure
Know a teenage volleyball player? Encourage them to get involved in the fight against breast cancer through Volley for the Cure, a program available for high school athletes through the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association. Teams choose which match during their season will benefit breast cancer and can register online now.

If you're already participating in Volley, post photos from your game on our Facebook page.

Carroll's Jewelers
As if shopping for jewelry wasn't fun enough, now you can support breast cancer education and research while picking out diamonds! During the month of October, Carroll's Jewelers in Marion, Ohio, will donate 5 percent of all sales (excluding batteries and repairs) to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Columbus Affiliate. Happy Shopping!
Carroll's Jewelers
207 W. Center Street
Marion, Ohio 43302

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 Name: OhioHealth Multi-Specialty Second Opinion Clinic - Breast Cancer Clinic
Date: Wednesdays
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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 Name: Pink Strides - Wellness Walk for Breast Cancer
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009
Time: Registration begins at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Downtown Newark (around the courthouse)
Cost/Eligibility: Free, however donations will be accepted. T-shirts are free for breast cancer survivors, but $10 for the general public.
Contact Info: www.phplc.org

Event Name: Journaling your Breast Cancer Journey
Date: Saturdays, October 10, 17 & 24, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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 Name: Relaxation and Guided Imagery for Symptom Management Presented by the Center for Complementary Alternatives for Breast Cancer Survivors
Date: October 17 and November 28
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Location: Jeffrey Mansion, 165 N. Parkview Ave., Bexley, OH 43209
Cost/Eligibility: There is no registration fee. Open to survivors interested in relaxation or other alternative therapies, are post-completion of primary treatment and able to practice.
Contact Info: Sharon Stout-Shaffer, PhD, RN, Capital University School of Nursing, at sstoutsh@capital.edu or 614-236-6363.

Event Name: Gentle Chair Yoga Wednesday
Date: October 28, 2009
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Location: Grady Memorial Hospital, Delaware County
Description: Leading the class is Kit Spahr, a certified yoga instructor. The class is designed for women with breast cancer and supported by a grant from the Columbus Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This 90-minute workshop will provide gentle movements, breath awareness, meditation and relaxation techniques suitable for anyone, but especially for those who cannot get up and down from the floor. Handouts will be provided so attendees can practice these techniques at home.
Contact Info: Susan Miller RN, at 740-615-2403 to register.

Grantee Spotlight

Recognizing….The Latina Breast Cancer Project

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everyone should be aware of his or her risk for breast cancer and follow the recommended guidelines for breast cancer screenings. But what if you find out you have breast cancer? What resources are available to help? For newly diagnosed patients, one local resource wants you to know your options and be comfortable with the treatment decisions you make.

OhioHealth's Second Opinion Clinic provides you with a physical exam, multiple specialists' review of your pathology and imaging studies, plus a one-on-one interactive session with a room full of medical experts who are gathered solely to discuss your case.

"A woman shouldn't have to depend on one opinion, one course of treatment, one plan of care," a breast health nurse said. "A complete and continuous flow of care means giving our patients the tools they need to reduce their anxiety, increase their comfort level and feel confident about their own personal treatment plan."

In the past few years, the Second Opinion Clinic has offered peace of mind to dozens of women prior to treatment, along with additional options from a team of professionals. Each time a second opinion if offered, the breast health nurse follows up with the original physician to be sure that the patient's continuum of care is not interrupted.

The Second Opinion Clinic also offers a unique glimpse of the support services available to breast cancer survivors in Columbus; volunteers for the program are breast cancer survivors who take the time to meet with the patient and families at the clinic and provide any support or resource referral needed.

The Second Opinion Clinic operates every Wednesday at Riverside Medical Center and is free of charge. Appointments are required.

OhioHealth's Breast Health Second Opinion Clinic
180 East Broad Street, 31st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-566-4321 or 1-800-752-9119
E-mail: prudmose@ohiohealth.com
Eligible Participants: Women diagnosed with breast cancer in Central Ohio who would like a second opinion before treatment.

Volunteer Focus

A special thanks goes to the members of our education committee, Susie Blair Joni Clair, Amy Crandall, Sherry Hull, Rachel Kosanovic, Megan Knapke, Molly McCafferty and Tammy Weis, who helped stuff survivor kits during their September meeting.

Survivor kits are designed to bring feelings of hope and empowerment to anyone who receives one. If you know of someone who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, is going through treatment for breast cancer or is struggling with survivorship issues, a survivor kit could brighten their day and show you care.

Recipients of the kits will receive a wooden box that has been colorfully decorated by local community groups and filled with items designed to comfort anyone affected by breast cancer. Survivor kits are free of charge and will be shipped to the recipient at no cost.

To request a survivor kit, please contact us.

Young Professionals Committee
Thanks to some outstanding volunteers, the Komen Columbus Young Professionals Committee had its first meeting in September. The group plans to host quarterly activities and fundraising events as a way to engage the young professional community and continue the fight against breast cancer. If you or someone you know is interested in joining the committee, please contact us.

Komen Columbus News

Start shopping early and send your clean lids to:
Komen Columbus
855 Grandview Avenue, Suite 250
Columbus, OH 43215

Send in those lids! The supporter who sends in the most lids to our office by October 30, 2009, will win a special prize from Komen Columbus. Enjoy your favorite yogurts while supporting breast cancer research. Sounds like a delicious deal!

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

Komen Columbus is on a Social Network Near You
Komen Columbus is using social networking tools to connect with our supporters and instantly update them about our latest news and activities. Using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, we are bringing together supporters from throughout our 30-county service area and encouraging them to interact with us.

If you follow us on Twitter, you'll get our short, always under-140-character posts that include updates from our affiliate, as well as news from national and upcoming event information. We post updates on Twitter every day to announce local events, contests and promotions, and to share pictures and provide links to breast cancer news. We also encourage all of our followers to respond to our Tweets, send us feedback, ask questions or mention us in their own postings to help us grow our following!

Our LinkedIn group connects members from a wide range of occupations and areas of expertise. Members can communicate with us and with one another, participate in discussions or send group or individual messages. LinkedIn offers our supporters a great opportunity to keep up with us while also expanding their professional networks.

If you aren't yet connected with us, please do so soon! Make sure to check back with us often so you don't miss out on any of our exciting news, contests and upcoming events.

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