Presenting the 2009 Race for the Cure T-shirt!

Volunteer Robert Cammack debuts the 2009 Race T-shirt.

Everyone has that one fixation they can’t justify, some little obsession that occupies too much brain space. For us Race for the Cure devotees, it is the color of the t-shirt. What color will it be this year? Will it be fun, suitable for both women and men? Will I like it?

The answer for the 2009 Komen Orange County Race on Sunday, September 27 is revealed! This year’s T-shirt will be a lively mix of a bright, key lime green and complimentary pink. It has coed appeal. You can pair it with khakis, jeans or maybe black shorts, and pop the color with a coordinating polo collar at the neck or one of those scarves now in fashion.

First you have to register for the Race to get your T-shirt! The Komen Registration Suite opens in one week – on Saturday, September 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fashion Island. To see the complete dates and hours for the Suite during September, go to www.komenoc.org. (As a bonus for visiting the Suite, you can see the complete collection of prior Orange County Race T-shirts.)

Most important, your registration dollars will help us to provide vital breast health services in Orange County.

Friends Help Friends Stay FIT by Sue Parks

Sue Parks, Founder & CEO of WalkStyles, Inc.

Hi everyone. One of my joys each week is walking with my walking group.  There are now approximately 50 women that participate in various degrees—walking or hiking together a couple of times a week.  Our Saturday morning walks are normally long and challenging.

Recently, there were 10 of us on a very robust hike. We started talking about walking the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure together.  As it turned out, three out of the 10 women that morning were survivors.  Three out of 10!  One thing they all brought up was their need to stay strong and fit.  Each of them was dedicated to their fitness goals. So, as friends, we are committed to help them do just that.  Walk together, laugh together, support each other in whatever way possible.

Friends can help friends stay FIT!  I say this because there was a huge study done a couple of years ago by the New England Journal of Medicine.  In this study that they had done over several years, they found that friends help friends stay FAT!  Can you believe it?  Friends sabotage friends.  Why?  Many sad reasons dealing with insecurity and so on.  How does this link to breast cancer?  Recent studies have shown that obesity increases the risk of breast cancer over 30 percent.  Yikes!  Let’s love our friends and help them become and stay healthy.  It is one step in the fight against breast cancer.  If you want to find new friends to be healthy with, you can join www.WalkStyles.com for free.  Live Well…Walk Far! To register for the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure, go to www.komenoc.org.

Moderate weightlifting helps reduce lymphedema flare-ups

Findings from a recent study reveal that moderate weightlifting can help reduce the symptoms of lymphedema.  The swelling of the arms or legs when the lymph vessels retain fluid, known as lymphedema is often caused by injury or removal of lymph nodes.  The condition is common among breast cancer survivors.  Kathryn Schmitz, a scientist at the University of Pennsylvania followed 141 breast cancer survivors who suffered from lymphedema.  She enrolled half of the participants in a 90-minute weightlifting class twice a week for 13 weeks, while the other half did not change their exercise routine.  After a year follow-up, 14 percent of weightlifters had suffered significantly less lymphedema flare-ups, as compared to participants who did not practice weightlifting. While the results appear promising, Schmitz warns that breast cancer survivors should not rush into weightlifting training.  Weightlifting training for breast cancer survivors, explains Schmitz, should involve a certified fitness professional, should start slow, progress gradually, and breast cancer survivors should wear well-fitting compression garment during workouts.

Meet our 2009 Race Chair Marica Pendjer!

Marica Pendjer, 2009 Race Chair

It’s a good thing that Marica Pendjer doesn’t usually need much sleep. It helps on the morning of Race for the Cure when she arrives at her volunteer position at 4 a.m. (And mind you, this is a person who doesn’t drink coffee.) Her energy will also help her steer the Race committee and the long to-do list between now and September 27.

Marica is the 2009 Race for the Cure Chair, a volunteer position. She is a 10-year volunteer for the Komen Orange County Affiliate and each year she has been part of the Race committee. “I’ve gotten more out of it than I’ve put into it. What else was I going to do? I could watch TV or help raise $3.1 million. There’s no choice,” is how she puts it.

A major motivation for Marica is her mother Sanka, a 14-year breast cancer survivor. Marica’s mother, sister and nieces share Race weekend with her every year, commuting from New York for an annual family celebration.

Komen OC needs 1,200 volunteers for a safe and fun Race weekend. Since Marica is just one person, we need you too! (Coffee will be available for us more needy folks.) Learn more about Race volunteer needs today.

Get the Road Dust Off Your Car While Raising Funds for the Cure!

Need your car washed this weekend? Even if you don’t need a car wash, you should mosey over to the “Team Against All Odds” Car Wash on Saturday, August 22.

The team captain for Against All Odds, and the car wash organizer, is Leslie Whitfield. Leslie is an 18-year breast cancer survivor and the 2009 Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor for the Komen Orange County Affiliate. Her goal is to raise $5,000 for her Race Team and the car wash in one way to get there. (By the way, Leslie has already met the 125 Challenge for herself. Yea!)

The details: The car wash will be in Anaheim Hills, in the Big Lots shopping center, at the corner of Fairmont and Santa Ana Canyon Road. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Team Against All Odds will be accepting donations, with all proceeds going to the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure and the fight against breast cancer.

NEW THIS YEAR! Komen Race Registration Suite at Fashion Island

Announcing the Komen Race Registration Suite at Fashion Island! The Suite, located in Fashion Island’s lower level Atrium Court next to Barnes & Noble Booksellers, will open on Saturday, September 5th. The Komen Registration Suite will help everyone register and pick-up their Race for the Cure t-shirt and/or survivor shirt, Race bib number, day-of-event information and giveaways.  Beginning Sept. 5^th hours are Saturdays: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; and Wednesdays: 4:00-8:00 p.m.  The store will also be open the entire week before the Race for the Cure, Sunday, Sept. 20 through Saturday, Sept. 27 at various hours. Visit www.komenoc.org or call 714-957-9157 for exact Komen Registration Suite hours and more information.

Will you share your story of survival?

The Orange County Register has put out a call to action, asking you to share YOUR story about how breast cancer has impacted your life and the lives of those around you. Click HERE to share your story and a photo, as we look forward to the upcoming Orange County Race for the Cure. Whether it was yourself, your mother, daughter, sister or friend, your stories and shared experiences truly do inspire your community.

 

Take the 125 Challenge

Komen Orange County Race for the Cure has a big goal – to raise $3.1 million for vital breast health services. But as everyone knows, you eat the elephant one bite at a time. With that philosophy in mind, Komen Orange County has launched the 125 Challenge, a call-to-action for each Race participant to raise at least $125 each.

Why $125? That is the average cost of a Komen-funded mammogram. The need for breast health screenings is great this year because of the increasing number of women who are, or soon will be, without health insurance and unable to afford breast health care.

As an incentive, each Race participant who meets the 125 Challenge will receive a reusable tote bag, supported by Farmers & Merchant Bank. It is the fall fashion statement that says you can meet a worthwhile challenge. Spread the word.

See the complete list of incentive prizes you can earn by raising much-needed pledge dollars!

A Boost of Self Esteem

Komen OC's Wig Salon

Every woman loves “me time.” No one deserves it more than the women fighting breast cancer, going through chemotherapy and the subsequent hair loss. That’s why the Wig Salon exists at Komen OC’s office.

The Wig Salon features a private styling area for women in treatment to try wigs, hats and scarves and to enjoy some personal attention and “me time.”

Linda came to the Wig Salon in July. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001 and had a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and reconstructive surgery. In February of this year, she was diagnosed with a new primary tumor. She had a bi-lateral mastectomy and is undergoing chemo this summer.

Her session at the Wig Salon was a positive experience. She was able to go home with a wig, plus a gift certificate for styling.

If you are in treatment and unable to afford a wig, go to www.komenoc.org, Education & Programs, Hat & Wig Salon, to learn more about Komen OC’s Wig Salon.  To make an appointment at the Wig Salon contact 714-957-9157. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Korean and Hindi.

Helping Women, Saving Lives — With Your Help

The numbers tell a compelling story about the impact made by the Komen Orange County Affiliate.  In 2008, this Affiliate granted $1.2 million to 20 grassroots non-profit organizations to provide breast health education, screening, and treatment programs to low-income, under-insured and uninsured women in Orange County.

In 2008, through those organizations:

• More than 45,000 women participated in breast health educational sessions or workshops.
• More than 20,000 women received a clinical breast exam.
• More than 8,500 women received a screening mammogram.
• In 2008, an estimated 70 breast cancer cases were detected through these breast health programs.
•  More than 200 women in Orange County received psychosocial and treatment assistance services.

Your help is needed to continue to and meet the increasing needs of breast health services for women in Orange County.

Consider that the goal for Komen’s Mission Programs is to increase the number of individuals utilizing breast health services, specifically screening mammography use, by 10%. That should be all the motivation you need to register for Race for the Cure, coming soon on Sunday, September 27 in Newport Beach. If you can’t attend, support the event with “Sleep In for the Cure.”

Better yet, after you register for the Race, take the 125 Challenge – a call-to-action for all Race participants to raise $125, the cost of a Komen-funded mammogram.