Support Komen! Meet a Star!

Charlie Sheen and Maria Schechter on the set.

Maria Ocana-Schechter attended the Komen Pink Tie Ball in June and had a great time, dancing and dining with her husband, her sister and many friends. Little did she know that she would soon make a new friend, a famous one by the name of Charlie Sheen.

Maria and her husband Bruce participated in the Live Auction at the Ball, winning a VIP package that took them to the CBS studios in Burbank for a taping of the hit television show “Two and a Half Men.” How much fun was it? Maria, Bruce and guests had front row seats for the taping, got to meet stars Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer afterward, plus enjoyed wine and appetizers before a tour of the set, backstage and props. They also met the show’s creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre and received two signed vanity cards. (If you watch the show, you know what they are.)

“Charlie is as handsome in person as on screen,” Maria reports. “It was a fabulous experience that my husband and I enjoyed immensely thanks to Komen.”

Save the date: the 2010 Pink Tie Ball will be May 15.

Mammograms Save Lives

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force this week made recommendations that significantly change breast cancer screening approaches, recommending against routine mammograms for women 40-49 and questioning the value of breast cancer screenings for women older than 75.

What do these recommendations mean? The Task Force’s recommendations are not binding, but are often consulted by medical professionals and by third-party public and private medical funders.

What is the reaction from Susan G. Komen for the Cure? Key points given by Komen headquarters include:

* Mammograms save lives in women 40 to 49 and over 50.

* Komen would not want to see a change in policy or reimbursement for screening mammography at this time.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure continues to recommend annual mammography beginning at age 40 for women of average risk and earlier for women with known risks for breast cancer. Komen’s current screening guidelines can be found at www.komen.org. Komen is constantly evaluating its guidelines and would not change them without serious consideration.

* Our real focus should be on the fact that one-third of the women who qualify for screening under today’s guidelines are not being screened due to lack of access, education or awareness.  That issue needs focus and attention: If we can make progress with screening in vulnerable populations, we could make more progress in the fight against breast cancer.

Local women talk to the Orange County Register about the new suggested guidelines http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mammogram-219910-women-cancer.html including survivor Jane Hill, on staff at Orange County Komen.

Committed to the Community

 

Monica Olmos, Telenova Star Adamari Lopez & Jorge Castaneda are committed to educating and reinforcing the importance of early detection and diagnosis among the Hispanic community

Komen OC in partnership with Unidos Contra el Càncer de Seno, is presenting a Breast Cancer Healing Mass to raise breast cancer awareness among Orange County’s Hispanic community. The Healing Mass will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish at 7:00 p.m. tonight.  Featuring local leaders who are active in the fight against breast cancer, the goal of the inspirational community event is to help educate Latinos about breast cancer and empower them to be advocates of their own breast health.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish is located at 110 S. Center St., Santa Ana, CA 92704

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and breast cancer mortality is higher among Latinos due to various factors including language barriers and cultural stigmas. Unidos Contra el Càncer de Seno is a collaborative of community organizations and stakeholders working with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to improve the breast heatlh of Latinos in Orange County through outreach, education and empowerment of the community.

 

More Volunteers to Love

Jill Jelnick with Cindy Brenneman

Lisa Wolter with James Kawakami

Here are more special people who were honored for their volunteer efforts on behalf of the Komen Orange County Affiliate. The party at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana gave everyone a chance to socialize, eat great food and share their passion for Komen. “We are continuously humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support from our volunteers, who are so vital to our work in finding a cure for breast cancer,” said Lisa Wolter, Executive Director.

Outstanding Youth Volunteer Jill Jelnick: Jill is a senior at Aliso Niguel High School and has been volunteering with Komen for the past six years to honor her grandmother, who passed away from breast cancer. She is the founding president of the Pink Ribbon Club at her school.

Outstanding Youth Volunteer Daniel Angarita: Daniel is a senior at Cal State Fullerton and a new volunteer this year. He gave his time and talent as a videographer for the Pink Tie Ball and Race for the Cure.

The Promise of One Award, Pat MacKenzie, Huntington Beach: Pat has volunteered for the Race for the Cure for the past 17 years, taking on responsibilities for set up, clean up, and everything in between. She has also given her time to the Pink Tie Ball and Breast Health Symposium committees with a willingness to fill any role needed.

The Promise of One Award, James Kawakami, Costa Mesa: Kawakami has been a volunteer for the past eight years, performing various vital roles at the Race for the Cure. He draws inspiration from his mother, who passed away in 2001 after living with breast cancer for 18 years. His attention to detail and enthusiasm for any task makes even trash duty fun and important.

Applause for Volunteers

ED Lisa Wolter with Jill Krum.

Cindy Brenneman with Marica Pendjer.

How do you say thank you? Often and with heartfelt sincerity.  In the case of the Komen Orange County Affiliate, you say thank you to volunteers with a little party and awards.

On a recent night at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, Cindy Brenneman, Komen’s Director of Volunteer Services, put her appreciation into words. “It takes a village. I am so inspired and impressed by our volunteers, some who have been involved for over 18 years and many who have just started. Without each and every one of our volunteers, the Komen Mission would not have the momentum and global recognition it has.”

Cindy calculated that volunteers in Orange County gave 22,863 hours in the past year to help with Race for the Cure, office duties and at countless health fairs, events and meetings.  Volunteers spotlighted with awards included:

Volunteer of the Year –Jill Krum. Jill has been a Komen volunteer for 10 years,  helping at the Race, in the office and at health fairs. She is passionate about breast health education and awareness.

Komen Warrior Award – Marica Pendjer. Marica started as a volunteer with the 1999 Race and hasn’t stopped since. She has served as president of the Board, Race Chair and has been a grant reviewer, committee chair for Pink Tie Ball and the Breast Health Symposium,  to name a few of her contributions.

Join this distinguished group! Go to www.komenoc.org and click on Volunteering for an application.

Save Lids to Save Lives!

Yoplait is sponsoring a payback to the Komen Orange County Affiliate by paying our local organization 10 cents for every pink lid turned in. It’s simple, enjoy your yogurt, rinse the lids and mail or drop off the lids and Komen OC receives a donation to save lives and end breast cancer.  To drop off your lids come by the office located at 3191-A Airport Loop Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary to drop off lids.  For more information visit komenoc.org

White House Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month

AP Photo

The Obama administration paid tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a big way Monday, as workers hoisted a massive pink ribbon in the front of the White House. In 2009 it is estimated that  more than 21,000 Californians will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 4,030 will die from the disease. Get involved to end breast cancer forever today. Donate, volunteer or become and activist. For more information visit www.komenoc.org  

Tough Guys with a Soft Side

L to R, Braden Peters, Fire Capt. Jeff Peters, firefighter Andrew Harris, firefighter Philip Storey, firefighter/paramedic Anthony Vitello

Firefighters are tough guys who do tough work, right? It turns out that they clean up well AND they have a soft side. The Komen Orange County Affiliate was blessed to have members of the Costa Mesa fire department on hand at Race for the Cure as volunteer “Tux Men.” The Tux Men and Tux Women assist during the Survivor Tribute – escorting survivors safely up the stairs and to their seats, wearing formal attire as one more way to honor the ladies in pink.

When Costa Mesa Captain Jeff Peters was asked to volunteer, he recruited a rookie fireman and his teen-aged son (Tesoro High School), then brought two more firefighters along for good measure.  Were these “tough guys” touched by the emotional tribute? Yes, just like the rest of us.

Capt. Peters said after the Race: “What was truly eye opening was how many peoples’ lives this disease touches. You hear the commercials and the statistics and you know it is a big disease, but seeing the people firsthand and their supporters really brings it home.”

“Watching all the survivors walking up had me happy and sad at the same time. I found myself smiling and crying. Me and my son knew two of the survivors.”

“We were a very small part of this event but it appeared the ladies enjoyed having us there and we enjoyed being there to assist them,” Capt. Peters said. Sounds like a repeat volunteer, doesn’t he? In fact, both Jeff and Braden Peters plan to volunteer again at the 2010 Race.

Thank you to the firefighters and all the Race volunteers, and to Friar Tux for donating the classy tuxedos.

SB161 Oral Cancer Drug Bill Veto

 

 

Thank you to everyone who signed petitions, responded to Komen for the Cure’s e-mail blast or sent letters asking Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger not to veto SB161, Senator Wright’s oral cancer drug bill.  Unfortunately, the governor vetoed the bill stating that those with health insurance already have coverage for oral anticancer medications and that the bill would limit a plan’s ability to control both the appropriateness of the care and the cost by requiring them to immediately cover every medication as soon as it receives federal approval regardless of the provisions of the health plan’s formulary, placing them at a severe disadvantage when negotiating prices with drug manufacturers.

 However, the governor said that he believes that oral anticancer medications can be more cost-effective and efficacious in some instances and if there is a way to provide greater access without increasing overall costs he would be willing to reconsider such a measure next year.  He is encouraging a collaborative approach with his administration, health plans and the pharmaceutical manufacturers on this topic.

 Senator Wright’s office has indicated that they want to pursue new legislation in this area next year, so the fight is not over and we will continue to try to effect positive changes to our health care system.  We hope that you will continue to support the Advocacy Alliance and our efforts to empower people, ensure access to quality care and energize science to find the cures.

If you are interested in becoming more involved in Public Policy with Komen Orange County, please contact Erin Touslee at etouslee@komenoc.org. National advocacy information is posted at www.komenadvocacy.org/

A Big Cheer Back at You

Costa Mesa High School cheerleaders at the Race

Did you notice all the high school students at Race for the Cure? Being at the Orange County Race as a volunteer is now cool, and the OC Affiliate is better for it. One group, the Costa Mesa High School cheerleaders, has been volunteering for Komen for five years. Besides volunteering at the Race, the cheerleaders have helped out at events at Angels stadium and the Honda Center, to name a few. They give meaning to the word “pep.”

 For many of the Costa Mesa cheerleaders, and for their coach, breast cancer has touched someone in their family or circle of loved ones. It has become personal. They’ve learned about their risks and about breast health, along with cheer routines. The high school added a Pink Ribbon Club last year.  Pink Ribbon Clubs are the perfect way for high school girls to learn awareness, do community service and raise funds to fight breast cancer.

 To learn about volunteer openings at the Komen Orange County Affiliate, visit www.komenoc.org, and to see all the cool activities at Pink Ribbon Clubs, go to www.prc-foundation.org.

 Join us in giving a spirited thank you to the Costa Mesa cheerleaders and all the other squads who bring energy and service to the Race.