20 Years of Saving Lives Celebrated at 2011 Orange County Race for the Cure

A virtual river of pink rushed through Fashion Island today as more than 30,000 attendees joined forces for the 20th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

We expect to break the $3.1 million goal, topping last year’s record $3 million while continuing to fundraise through Oct. 31, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

 

Of the registered participants, approximately 1,700 were breast cancer survivors and the rest enthusiastic supporters, many of whom were racing for a loved one affected by breast cancer.

Our Survivors walking to the Survivor Pavillion

There were 790 teams, the largest being Bank of America Merrill Lynch US Trust with 590 team members. An incredible 2,000 volunteers helped at the Wellness Expo booths, water stations and on the course.

Wellness Expo

In honor of the milestone year, Mehmet Oz, M.D. (Dr. Oz), best-selling author and two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning host of The Dr. Oz Show (ABC7 weekdays at 3 p.m.), addressed the thousands of Race attendees during the breast cancer Survivor Tribute.

Dr. Oz with a Survivor

Our first 5K Race of the day winner was Stephen Tippett of Mission Viejo who crossed the finish line at 17:12; Patrick Boivin of Lake Forest won the 9:45 5K with a time of 15:44. Top finishers of the breast cancer survivors were Brenda Edgell of Lake Forest for the 7:30 5K with a time of 24:29; and Michelle Lewis of Newport Beach for the 9:45 5K with a time of 29:25.

 

A hallmark of each Race is the Survivor Tribute, where breast cancer survivors are recognized for their fight against and triumph over the disease at a special ceremony in their honor. The Komen Orange County Affiliate’s 2011 Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor, Cindy Thomsen was acknowledged during this year’s tribute.

Be sure to join us again next year to help us in our fight against breast cancer! Visit www.komenoc.org/race to find out how you can still donate and help us meet this year’s goal.

My Race for the Cure: Carla, Bob, Marie and Carrie Cammack

The four members of the Cammack family have been dedicated members of the Komen OC community for many years. Their history with the Race for the Cure goes all the way back to 1995, when Marie, then a freshman in high school, walked in support of her beloved middle school teacher who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Two short years after Marie’s teacher lost her battle, Marie’s mother, Carla, detected a lump in her left breast during a routine mammogram in 1997. The family rallied in support of Carla and walked alongside her as she participated in her first Race as a bald chemotherapy patient. The Cammacks were overwhelmed by the words of encouragement and cheering along the Race course — and after a second year as participants, they felt compelled to give back at an even higher level.

Now a 14-year breast cancer survivor, Carla Cammack has served three terms as Race for the Cure chair (2006-2008), won multiple volunteer awards from Komen OC, including the 2010 Komen Warrior Award, and remains steadfastly dedicated to creating a world without breast cancer.

Carla has passed the Race reigns over to her daughter, Marie, who serves as the 2011 Race for the Cure chair as we celebrate 20 years of saving lives in Orange County. Marie has previously served as pledge co-captain alongside her father, Bob, who has returned once again to fill this role, as well as countless other tasks that led the Komen OC Affiliate to name him Volunteer of the Year in 2010. To make it a true family affair, Carla’s second daughter, Carrie, is now back in Southern California and will join the family at the 20th Annual Race for the Cure, after volunteering with the Sacramento Valley Affiliate and organizing her company’s Race team while living up north.

Join the Cammacks as they Race for the Cure on Sunday, Sept. 25 at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. It’s not too late to register – sign up online at www.komenoc.org/race or sign up in person by visiting Carla and her great team of volunteers at the Komen Race Registration Suite at South Coast Collection: 3303 Hyland Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

We Fight Back

Best Science. Boldest Community. Biggest Impact. Susan G. Komen for the Cure hopes to unite the community in the fight against breast cancer. Check out the video below and share with us how you’re fighting back!

Breast Health Education Series- Sept. 15 What You Should Know Before Your Mammogram

Women often make the mistake of assuming it doesn’t matter where you get a mammogram, as long as you get one. Yet, a mammogram is only as helpful as the accuracy with which it is performed and read. What should you look for? Join Brad Silveira, M.D., a board certified diagnostic radiologist who specializes in breast imaging, to learn what you need to know in order to receive the best possible care. Dr. Silveira will also cover additional diagnostic options – such as breast MRT and new biopsy techniques – and common scenarios for follow-up diagnosis and treatment. The standard of care for women diagnosed for women with a breast condition has improved significantly, creating excellent outcomes and high patient satisfaction.

Our next session of the Breast Health Education Series will be held on Sept. 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the St. Jude Centers for Rehabilitation and Wellness, 2767 East Imperial Hwy, Brea, CA 92821 (Located on the corner of Imperial Hwy and Kramer). Parking is available on the backside of the building. You may enter the parking lot through the North Entrance. There is no cost for parking. Please R.S.V.P. by phone (714) 446-5301 to Elea Bautista.

My Race for the Cure: Girl Scouts of Orange County

Girl Scouts of Orange County Team #1538 is racing for the cure in honor of organization founder Juliette Gorden Low. Juliette lost her three-year battle with breast cancer in January 1927. She developed breast cancer in 1923, but continued to work diligently for the Girl Scouts throughout her journey with the disease.

Girl Scouts OC believes in educating its girls on the importance of breast health. Troop leader, Stephanie Andrews, serves as the co-captain for this year’s Race team and is leading her girls in an effort to raise $250, enough for two life-saving mammograms for an a woman in need.

Last year, 50 girls and mothers in the Girls Scout OC network participated in the Race and the troop hopes to reach the same level of participation for 2011, the 20^th Annual Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cure.  With 29 members recruited and $110 raised, the team is well on its way toreaching its goal. To make a donation to the Girl Scouts of Orange County’s Race for the Cure effort, visit its Race team page and help them participate in the Komen 125 Challenge!

If you would like to start your own team and help Komen Orange County end breast cancer forever, you can register online at www.komenoc.org/race. Hope to see you there on Sunday, Sept. 25 at Fashion Island in Newport Beach for our biggest and best Race yet!