susan g. komen for the cure 2013
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Susan G. Komen for the Cure 2013 INsert for San Antonio WomanTRANSCRIPT
RACE DAY:Saturday,April 6, 2013komensanantonio.org
16th Annual Race for the Cure
A Special Supplement to SAN ANTONIO WOMAN
Saturday, April 6th, will mark 16years that Susan G. Komen SanAntonio has been serving ourcommunity. Thanks to donor supportand Race for the Cure participation, theSan Antonio Affiliate has invested morethan $14 million in local breast cancerscreening, treatment, education and re-search.
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sis-ter Susan G. Komen that she would doeverything in her power to end breastcancer forever. In 1982 that promise be-came Susan G. Komen for the Cure, andlaunched the global breast cancer move-ment. Thanks to events like Komen Racefor the Cure and 3-Day for the Cure, wehave invested nearly $2 billion to fulfill ourpromise, becoming the largest source ofnonprofit funds dedicated to the fight toend breast cancer in the world.
Established in 1997 by a small group ofsurvivors in honor of a friend that hadlost the battle, the San Antonio Affiliateis proud of our humble beginnings. Thefirst San Antonio Race had 1,800 partic-ipants and raised $50,000. Today, theRace for the Cure is the largest event ofits kind in San Antonio with more than30,000 participants, volunteers and spec-tators running and walking the down-town streets. Annually, this event helpsraise more than $1 million for ourmission to end breast cancer.
Thank you, San Antonio, for
incredible years!16TOP RACE SPONSORS
TITLEH-E-B
PRESENTINGClear Channel Media + Entertainment
Time Warner Cable
DIAMONDSAN ANTONIO WOMAN Magazine
Univision Radio
PLATINUMBaptist Breast CenterMagi Real Estate Services
The RK GroupUniversity Health System
Check out additional sponsors at www.komensanantonio.org
PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS
2012 RACE PARTICIPANTS• 80 percent female; 20 percent male• 1,200 breast cancer survivors• 46 percent part of a Race team
2012 TOP RACE TEAMSLargest Fundraising Team: Cindy’s Pink Ninjas - $25,728
Largest Corporate Team:H-E-B with 336 Team Members
Largest Non-Corporate Team:96-Minute Miler’s with 207 Team Members
Largest Hospital Team: University Health System with 128 Team Members
Largest School Team: San Antonio Independent School District with 126 Team Members
Ages 35-44Ages 25-34
Ages 45-54Ages 13-24
Ages 0-12
Ages 55-64Ages 65+
San Antonio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the CureP.O. Box 6678, San Antonio, Texas 78209 • (210) 222-9009 • www.komensanantonio.org
A Special Supplement to SAN ANTONIO WOMAN
OUR VISIONA world without breast cancer!
OUR PROMISETo save lives and end breast cancer by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.
OUR MISSION CONTINUES...WITH OUR COMMUNITY’S SUPPORTThe San Antonio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is dedi-cated to serving the breast health needs of all women, men and fam-ilies regardless of age, race, gender or socioeconomic status. Ourtop priority is to fund local programs with the best outcomes and communityimpact. We will continue to do this, as we have for 16 years, by working in collaboration with excellent serviceproviders, demonstrating role model performance that deserves your trust and loyalty.
Since inception in 1997, the San Antonio Affiliate has invested more than $14 million in our community. Of the money raisedby Komen San Antonio through events like the Race for the Cure, 75 percent of net funds stay in Bexar County to supportannual grant programs. The remaining 25 percent is sent to Komen Headquarters for the Komen Award and Research GrantProgram, which funds research on an international level. Typically, more than 100 percent of Affiliate funds sent to Komen Head-quarters for research programs return to our community in the form of research grants taking place at The University of TexasHealth Science Center at San Antonio.
YOUR MONEY AT WORK IN SAN ANTONIO
We all know someone touched by breast cancer…The Race for the Cure raises funds and rallies support around our grandmothers, mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, aunts,friends, and even men who have been affected by this disease.
With your continued support, activism and participation, Komen San Antonio looks forward to further developing leadershipand service in our mission to end breast cancer. We are working diligently to save lives and build a future where breast canceris no longer a threat to the quality or length of one’s life.
For more information, visit www.komensanantonio.org.
MONEY RAISED25 percent Breast Cancer Research75 percent Screening, Treatment and Education Grants
GRANT DOLLARS AWARDEDScreening/Diagnostics 40 percentTreatment 24 percentResearch 25 percentEducation 11 percent
American Cancer Society –Women diagnosed withbreast cancer in need of transportation for treatment,screening or diagnostic appointments.
CentroMed – Education, screening, diagnostic and casemanagement services for prevention and detection of breastcancer for low-income, uninsured women.
CommuniCare Health Centers – Provides breastcancer screening and diagnostic treatment for medically un-derserved women.
Martinez Street Women's Center – Breast cancereducation, outreach and support services for low-income,minority women.
SLEW (Support Lending for Emotional Well-Being)Wellness Center – Emotional and physical support forlow-income women who are recovering from and/or un-dergoing breast cancer treatment.
ThriveWell Cancer Foundation – The DIVA pro-gram helps women with breast cancer incorporate exerciseand healthy eating into their lifestyles.
University Health System – Assists low-income,at-risk women with breast cancer screening and diagnosticservices.
WINGS (Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Shar-ing) – No-cost patient navigator services and comprehen-sive treatment for uninsured women diagnosed withbreast cancer
A Special Supplement to SAN ANTONIO WOMAN
In 2012, the San Antonio Affiliate of SusanG. Komen for the Cure awarded grants to-taling $900,000 to local nonprofit pro-grams providing breast cancer services forthe medically underserved of our commu-nity. Additionally, $325,000 was invested inbreast cancer research. Funds generatedprimarily through the Komen San Anto-nio Race for the Cure supported grantsthat specifically addressed breast cancerscreening, treatment and education.
To learn more about Komen San An-tonio and the many ways to get in-volved in our mission to end breast cancer, visit www.komensanantonio.org.
DONATIONS AND RACE DOLLARS
AT WORK
2012-2013 KOMEN SAN ANTONIO FUNDED PROGRAMS
“This ACS transportationprogram funded by Komenis a lifesaver. I don’t have acar so it is a comfort know-ing you have a ride to thedoctor. I thank God for it.”Gloria, Breast Cancer Patient
“If it wasn’t for Susan G. Komen and their support of SLEW, I’m not surewhere I’d be today. Thank you! SLEW is a haven for people who feel likethey can be themselves. Bald, short hair, long hair, we got each other’sback. No judgment. We heal together.” Amanda, Survivor
“When I found a lump, Iwas unemployed. Afriend told me aboutCommuniCare’s Komen-supported program. Inever thought this wouldhappen to me. Withouthelp, my cancer wouldhave likely spread. Ithank everyone involvedin assisting me.”Janice, Survivor
A Special Supplement to SAN ANTONIO WOMAN
Chris on Co-Surviving CancerOne cancer diagnosis is enough to make even the strongestpeople dispirited. Imagine watching your spouse endure threediagnoses while building a career and raising a family. Breastcancer patients undergo harsh cancer treatments, radicalchanges and worries about the future. Co-survivors standsteadily by their side, seeing them through fears and keepingthem focused on overcoming. Chris Louviere knows this alltoo well—co-surviving breast cancer with his wife, Julie, onmore than one occasion.
The couple met in Corpus Christi and 26 years later are stillgoing strong with three cancer victories. With her larger-than-life and vibrant personality, it’s easy to see why Chris fell forJulie. Even to this day, he says her “spirit, resolve and spunk” stillattract him.
In the early years of their lives together, they received unwel-come news: breast cancer. A needle biopsy confirmed it andChris was blindsided, afraid for her life. As a young lieutenantin the U.S. Navy flying A4s in Puerto Rico, not to mention rais-ing four-year old daughter Ava, he recalls the mental anguishthat comes with diagnosis. The perpetual weight of goingthrough cancer with his bride felt overwhelming. Eventually,through family support and uplifting words, optimistic thinkingbalanced the situation.
As Julie endured treatment, the family grew stronger, learningthe most essential aspects of their worlds: life and love. Chris ad-mits to sounding a bit cliché, but insists that even though lifeseemed upside down, the end result is a fuller life—one whereyou take nothing for granted.
Perhaps thisinitial victoryover cancerf o r t i f i e dthem forwhat wouldcome next;the seconddiagnosis re-turned as be-fore, movingbeyond the
breast and into other locations. Only this time, things in the Lou-viere home were a little more complicated. Julie was pregnantwith her second child. Cancer. Pregnancy. Treatment Options. Chrisand Julie had much to consider and made a decision they describeas “surprisingly easy.” This Valentine’s Day, February 14th, Alis Lou-
viere will turn 15, and ambitiously plans to become a med-ical professional.
By the time the third cancer notice came, the news was easierto handle. They knew the ropes, understood the process andremained confident that when Dr. Sharon Wilkes said everythingwould be Ok…everything would be Ok. Ava and Alis wereolder at this juncture, and Chris remembers them strong, com-posed and fact-oriented, possibly due to living with the “‘what-if ’ cancer game” over the years.
The Louvieres developed a tough fiber, surviving the disease threetimes and closely bonded as a family. Julie remains a 20-year sur-vivor and is still larger-than-life. Without question, nothing couldbring them down, not even invasive breast cancer. Chris and Juliemake that known every year at the Susan G. Komen San AntonioRace for the Cure with their team, “Julie’s Sole Sisters and Bros.”Over the past 12 years, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, brothersand sisters gather at the Alamodome to celebrate Julie’s survivaland ownership of cancer. To some, Komen elicits Race images andglimpses of pink. To Chris, it signifies vision and support to thoseaffected by breast cancer when they need it the most. An organ-ization with a visible power of mission and sisterhood.
Straight Talk: Chris’ Advicefor Co-Survivors
• Love them. No matter what.• Listen to them. • Don’t pretend to know what they’re going through. Getthem in touch with a breast cancer survivor who does.
• Keep your eyes and theirs on the silver linings. Stay pos-itive.
• Keep busy. Encourage them to give of themselves in ameaningful way, perhaps through Komen. Julie is happywhen she’s busy and giving to others. It takes them outof their immediate concerns.
How to Save a Life
A Special Supplement to SAN ANTONIO WOMAN
Amber Gillespie, a San Antonionative, remembers the day shewas diagnosed with breast cancer.
“The Monday before was a rainyday, I'll never forget. My doctorsaid it might be a good idea forme to bring my sister along. Iknew it was bad news. That nextday, January 10, 2012, will foreverbe a day that changed my life inso many ways.”
At the age of 26, she was a graduate of Texas A&M University,had landed a full-time job in Houston and was well on her wayto becoming a successful professional. After a mammogram andultrasound, Gillespie’s doctor delivered the news that womenof any age, especially those in their mid-20s, are often not readyto hear.
“I knew I wasn't going to die,” Gillespie said. “I knew I was goingto kick breast cancer's ass. Telling people about it and being com-pletely open about my experience really helped me a lot. I’ll behonest, there were times when ‘I have cancer’ was hard to swal-low,” she said. “Depression did set in after a few months ofchemo. Loneliness and self-pity got me, but thankfully they wereshort-lived.”
She was introduced to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, where shebecame actively involved in supporting their cause to raisemoney for breast cancer research. She championed the goals ofearly detection, hoping to spread the word that breast cancercan affect women of all ages.
“I want other young women to know that breast cancer affectswomen of all ages and self-breast exams are so important,” Gille-spie said.
Her oncologist set her up with another young woman to be her"cancer coach" this past summer, and she will continue to mentornew, young patients. Gillespie has had the privilege of speakingto groups of college students, and she is active in Bright Pink.
“I am an advocate for women now,” she said. “I want to sharemy story and information with as many women as possible.”
On October 29, 2012, Gillespie returned to the same doctor toreceive the news that she was cancer-free. She will spend the2013 Race for the Cure walking alongside her peers who gavethe support to fight it.
“I kicked its butt by the grace of God, a loving family, amazinglysupportive friends and co-workers and a positive attitude,” shesaid. “Now, I just want to live my life to the fullest each day anduse my story to help others. Breast cancer sucks, but I havemet so many incredible people since my diagnosis, includingsurvivors, media, and just people who care who have made allthe difference.”
Jennifer Franz held her sister Amber’s hand while the doctordelivered the news to 26-year old Amber that the results fromthe mammogram and ultrasound showed Amber had breastcancer. Jennifer called their mother, Amy Gillespie, who spranginto action.
“When [Jennifer] called me after they saw the doctor, I stoppedeverything and found the oncologist in my clinic for any infor-mation I could get, made plans to be with them next day for herappointment and biopsy,” said Amy.
As co-survivors, the two took on as much of Amber’s burdenas possible: taking her to doctors’ appointments, chemotherapyand emotionally supporting her through the complex and over-whelming disease as much as they could while coping with thegravity of the diagnosis themselves.
“I kind of just took everything step by step,” said Jennifer. “Dealingwith each day and each bit of new information as it came. I don’tknow that I could have handled it any other way.”
Although their struggle was nothing like Amber’s, Jennifer andAmy assumed the difficult task of being Amber’s “brave ones”while she battled the disease that claims the lives of 39,000American women each year.
Co-survivors often feel they need to be everything for theirloved one, but Jennifer and Amy conceded that it is importantto not be everywhere, but to be there where they need you.
“My sister turned to different people in different ways,” said Jen-nifer. “There’s no need to be everything to your friend, sister, wifeor mother, just be what they need you to be.”
Amber said it was the support from her family and friends thatgave her the strength to beat the disease. After completing fourmonths of chemotherapy, Amber, Jennifer and Amy walked theSusan G. Komen Race for the Cure as a family in May 2012.
“It is always inspiring to see that many people coming out tosupport the cause,” said Jennifer. “I remember being astoundedby the survivors. Their strength was just so awe-inspiring. I neversuspected that I would be walking alongside one so near anddear to me one day. My advice to anyone who is trying to sup-port a friend or relative with cancer is very simple, and the mostdifficult thing, all at once: Just be there.”
How to Save a LifeAmber’s Story
Jennifer andAmy’s Story
A Special Supplement to SAN ANTONIO WOMAN
Twelve year-old girls look up to their mothers for fashion ad-vice, makeup tips and all the questions and guidance thatcome along with becoming a woman. The young Isis Romerolooked up to her mother’s determination and strength whenfaced with adversity.
Although the prognosis of Stage 4 breast cancer did notsound good, Romero’s mother pulled through, continuing towork as a teacher, volunteer and support her family.
“Even at the time when she was so sick that she could barelyfunction, she was a woman of grace, intelligence and com-passion,” said Romero.
Romero supported her mother by continuing to be the bestdaughter possible.
“I think all parents want the best for their children,” saidRomero. “So for me to do well in school, reach my goals andmake strides toward a successful future meant I was ensuringmy mother’s wish for me would come true.”
At the age of 54, after a mastectomy, radiation and numer-ous rounds of chemotherapy, Romero’s mother lost her 16-year battle with cancer. Romero flew to her mother’s bedsidebefore she passed.
“I will never forget the last day I ever saw her alive,” shesaid. “She was in the hospital. We had an emotional privatechat between the two of us. In the back of my mind, I knewthis would be my last opportunity to tell her everything I
ever wanted to sayto her. I am sograteful I got thattime. Her nick-name for me was,‘baby doll,’ andwhen I got up toleave, she smiledat me, and saidsweetly, ‘I loveyou, baby doll.’That memorywill be with me forever.”
Romero kept focused on the determination and goals hermother instilled in her. Now an anchorwoman in charge ofthe nightly 10 p.m. newscast for ABC affiliate KSAT-12, Isis at-tributes the person she is today to her mother’s strength.
“My mother’s fight against cancer has inspired me to be morelike the woman she was – full of strength, love and kindness,”Romero said.
Every year for her mother’s birthday, Romero has committedto do something in her honor.
“Whether it’s to demonstrate more patience, do somethingkind for a stranger or provide help to someone who needsit, I made a commitment that day to see it through,” saidRomero. “My mother was just that kind of woman, and I’minspired to be a better person because of her. “
Strength Instilled:
The story of Isis Romero and her mother’s fight against breast cancer
A Special Supplement to SAN ANTONIO WOMAN
1.Know your risk• Talk to your family to learn about your family’shealth history
• Talk to your doctor about your personal risk ofbreast cancer
2. Get screened• Ask your doctor which screening tests are rightfor you and if you are at a higher risk
• Have a mammogram every year starting at age40, if you are at average risk
• Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20, and every year starting at 40
3.Know what is normal for youSee your health care provider right away if you no-tice any of these breast changes:
• Lump, hard knot or thickening
• Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
• Change in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
• Pulling in of nipple or other parts
• Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
• New pain in one spot that does not go away
4.Make healthy lifestyle choices• Maintain a healthy weight
• Add exercise into your routine
• Limit alcohol intake
For more information, visitwww.komen.org or www.komensanantonio.org
Call 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)
or 210-222-9009
Join us on Saturday, April 6, 2013,for the 16th Annual Susan G. Komen San Antonio Race for the Cure®
Help us fulfill our promise to save lives and endbreast cancer forever by empowering people,
ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures!
Help us go Green. Visit www.komensanantonio.org
to sign up online today.
Thank you to our local title sponsor:
BreastSelf-Awareness
Register Today!
