Picture Yourself in This T-Shirt

Volunteer Kelly Rotstan of Aliso Viejo models the Race volunteer T-shirt

Calling all volunteers — the 2009 Komen Orange County Race for the Cure Committee needs your time and talent. “Volunteers are the lifeline of the Komen Orange County Affiliate. It takes a village, literally, to ensure that the Race is safe and fun for all participants,” says Cindy Brenneman, Director of Volunteer Services for the Affiliate.

The numbers back her up – on Race weekend more than 1,200 volunteers help with a variety of tasks. Volunteers this year will stand out in their sunny yellow T-shirts and will help with parking, keeping the course clear, working information booths, emptying trash boxes, cheering on walkers, leading “I Am the Cure” chants . . . pretty much everything so that 30,000 participants have fun and stay safe.

Volunteers are needed for pre-Race outreach (which is happening now); set up on Saturday, September 26; Race day on Sunday, September 27 and tying up details after the Race in the Komen office.

There is always a particular need for strong individuals who can assist with loading and unloading trucks and moving boxes. Does your company have a community outreach program? Volunteer as a group! Volunteers are needed to fundraise by signing up for “Sleep in for the Cure” or joining a team — you’ll still have time to volunteer.

Besides getting the ever-popular volunteer T-shirt, you’ll be rewarded with water and food when needed, meeting other fantastic people and knowing you have made an impact in the fight against breast cancer. Where to go to get started? Please go to our website www.komenoc.org click on Race for the Cure, volunteering, and sign up right away.

A Toast to Reds, Whites & Greens!

 

Cindy Thomsen (Left) with Tamara Thompson, Komen OC's Director of Development

Breast cancer survivor Cindy Thomsen is a can-do, glass-is-half-full kind of gal. (And the glass is likely to contain a superb red wine.) Komen Orange County is blessed to count her as an advocate. Cindy’s Reds, Whites and Greens, Charity Golf Classic raised $162,000 for our affiliate on July 20 at Sea Cliff Country Club in Huntington Beach. And that donation is more powerful when put into perspective – the golf tournament has donated $887,000 total for the past seven years for breast cancer research and education. Komen OC is the sole beneficiary.

Cindy was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 at age 33 and four years later, in June 2002, the disease returned.  Having been a very young target for breast cancer, she feels fortunate to have successfully battled the disease twice and credits the improvements in both breast cancer education and diagnostics for her early detection and recovery.  To reinforce the importance of early detection, Cindy decided to combine her passion for wine and golf with her inaugural Reds, Whites and Greens Golf Classic.

The day of golf included “Around the World” wine tastings on the course and unique wine packages as part of the silent and live auctions during dinner. For more information, visit www.redswhitesgreens.com.

Become a Wellness Expo Booth Sponsor at the Race for the Cure!

Do you want to be popular? Here is a chance to be surrounded by thousands of people as an Exhibitor in the Wellness Expo at the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure®. An Exhibitor booth offers an unprecedented opportunity for local businesses to align themselves with a nationally recognized brand that expands its participant base and loyalty year after year.

More than 30,000 women and families are expected to attend the 18^th Annual Race for the Cure in Newport Beach on September 27.  We invite you to join companies like The Allergan Foundation , Chevron & ExtraMile, The Orange County Register, Ralphs & Food 4 Less, and Experian Consumer Direct. Exhibitor spaces go quickly so early registration is encouraged. Once accepted into the expo, the application date will be considered when assigning booth space the first week of September.

Please feel free to contact the exhibit registration team with any questions at sponsorship@komenoc.org  or call (714) 957-9147 Ext. 34 and we hope to see you at the Race!

Advocates in Science

Chris Tannous, President of the Board of the Komen Orange County Affiliate, recently wrote an excellent article about the exciting new scientific developments that are moving us toward improved mortality rates for breast cancer in the next decade. Today, advocates play a role in the development of research projects and clinical trial protocols. Chris writes, “Advocates have put a face on the disease and remind scientists that their research must benefit those in greatest need of their expertise and experience.” And as Komen for the Cure founder Nancy Brinker pointed out in her visit to Orange County in June, no major advancement in breast health medicine or research has been made without the funding of Komen for the Cure at some point along the way. It really helps to put into perspective the vital role that Komen plays in the fight to end breast cancer forever. To read Chris’s full article, click on the picture below.

Reds, Whites & Greens for Pink!

When do Reds, Whites and Greens come together to support Pink? At the Seventh Annual Reds, Whites & Greens Charity Golf Classic! This July 20, the Sea Cliff Country Club will play host to breast cancer survivors, advocates, and LPGA players Stephanie Louden, Kim Hall, and Irene Cho.

This unique tournament features a four-person golf scramble, wine tasting and food, a silent and live auction, and many exciting prizes. Some of the outstanding live auction items include an in-home sushi party for eight, a golf getaway to Mazatlan, a ski trip to Whistler, and the opportunity to golf with NBC golf anchor Dan Hicks at the prestigious Winged Foot in New York.

The event, presented by Chevron, will benefit the Komen Orange County Affiliate as it fights to end breast cancer forever. Dinner tickets and 16 player spots are still available – sign up today by clicking here!

The Reds, Whites & Greens Charity Golf Classic was created by breast cancer survivor Cindy Thomsen, a longtime supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Thank you, Cindy!

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer

We are thrilled that The CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) in partnership with Net-A-Porter.com have launched a nationwide grassroots campaign to inspire unity among women and their co-workers in the fight against breast cancer. The campaign encourages women to purchase limited edition polo shirts designed by Ralph Lauren, sold exclusively at Net-A-Porter.com and wear them every Friday from now until September 25th as part of the FTBC’s (Fashion Targets Breast Cancer) ‘Summer Fridays’. The shirt’s net proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The polo shirts are available in five vibrant summer colors in sizes XS – XL and may be purchased online at net-a-porter.com/ftbc for $55. The site will also offer customers the opportunity to donate directly to the FTBC with a ‘donate now’ contribution of $5 on all purchases once customers reach the order confirmation page. So order yours now- we’ll be wearing ours on Fridays!

Impact Your World!

IMPACT YOUR WORLD. YOUR COMMUNITY AND THE LIVES OF WOMEN

We need you more than ever this year. IMPACT. Make one today when you register and fundraise for the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure in Newport Beach on Sunday, September 27. Online registration at www.komenoc.org is fast and easy!

Jump start your fundraising efforts by taking the 125 CHALLENGE. Because your registration fee only gets us to the start line – your fundraising can get us to the CURE! Every $125 raised equals a life saving mammogram for one local woman in need. YOUR drive, energy and commitment supports the promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever…because every moment and every life counts.

Together, we will reach our $3.1 million fundraising goal. Remember: Every dollar makes an impact.

IMPACT. MAKE ONE.

 

 

The Healing Power of Music: Music for the Cure

 

The Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is proud to partner with the Pacific Symphony and Farmers & Merchants Bank to present “Music for the Cure,” a concert taking place at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on September 12 at 8pm. The concert, “Tchaikovsky Spectacular,” will bring awareness to the Race for the Cure and to Komen’s mission to end breast cancer forever. The collaboration is a model for nonprofit partnerships everywhere, and serves as a way to break outside of the box in promoting our cause.

We are so pleased to have Farmers & Merchants Bank CEO Henry Walker playing an instrumental role in the creation and culmination of this concert by joining the two organizations to maximize outreach and exposure for a life-saving cause. Walker has been a true supporter of both Komen OC and the Symphony, serving as a Pink Tie Guy for Komen and a board member for the Pacific Symphony.

The performance will take place on a summer evening only two weeks before the September 27 Race for the Cure, serving as an ideal reminder that the fight against breast cancer continues. In addition, this is an opportunity for the general public to support two beloved causes, breast cancer awareness and the preservation of music. Each cause is different; both are important.

For more information about the September 12^th “Music for the Cure” concert, please visit the Pacific Symphony’s website here. For more about the Orange County Race for the Cure, please visit Komen OC’s website here.