Team Captains Ready to Race

On Tuesday, June 19, Susan G. Komen Orange County hosted team captains at the Race for the Cure Team Captain Kickoffs. As teams helped raise about 50 percent of the 2011 Race for the Cure’s revenue, group efforts are key in the organization’s goal of serving women and saving lives.

Two kickoff events, one at noon and one in the evening, allowed captains to not only learn more about the Race for the Cure and understand the impact of donations, but also share ideas to fundraise. From simple conversation to using a jar to collect change, these teams are inspiring one another and others in the community in the fight to end breast cancer forever. Team captains also received brochures and other collateral in order to spread the breast health mission and to create more buzz about their own teams.

It’s never too late to sign up your team for this year’s Race! Early bird registration is still available for a discounted rate of $30 and fees will go up June 30.

The next Team Captain Kickoffs are:

• July 26, 12 p.m. or 6 p.m., at the Komen Orange County Office
• August 25, 10 a.m., at the South Coast Collection Registration Suite

To reserve your spot for one of those dates, email teams@komenoc.org.

Irvine-based OB/GYNs Lead Breast Cancer Training Seminar in Zambia

University of California, Irvine (UCI) OB/GYN fellows, Dr. Fong Liu and Dr. Sara Jordan, traveled to Zambia in February to spread breast health education with the support of our local community including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Orange County and UCI.

Recently, Dr. Liu and Dr. Jordan stopped by the Komen Orange County offices and told their story during a Lunch ‘n Learn.

Breast cancer is the second cause of cancer and cancer death in Zambia. (Cervical cancer is number one.) There is only one mammogram machine owned by the government that services Lusaka, Zambia, a town of 1.7 million.

Dr. Groesbeck Parham, the Co-Director, CIDRZ Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Zambia, asked Dr. Liu and Dr. Jordan to lead a half-day training seminar for breast cancer to a group of nurses and doctors in Zambia.

There is no subspecialty training in Zambia so there are no specialized breast surgeons like there are in the U.S. Doctors are hoping to establish programs in Zambia for breast health education and cancer prevention.

Because there is widespread need for research, they are also trying to bring to light the characteristics of the women who present with cancer, the type of cancer they present with (stage, cell type, etc.) and how the diagnosis and treatment affect their quality of life.

Dr. Liu and Dr. Jordan brought the Komen (and OC affiliate) mission with them to Zambia in the form of breast self-awareness education materials, Komen wrist bands, Race for the Cure T-shirts, baseballs and scarves. A recent note from Dr. Parham expresses that the nurses there still ask for more of these materials.

We thank Dr. Fong Liu and Dr. Sara Jordan for their commitment to breast health education and helping women at home and abroad. 

“LA LUCHA” Against Breast Cancer: Making a Difference in the Latino Community

On Wednesday, May 30, Komen Orange County in partnership with Unidos Contra el Cancer de Seno Coalition held the 2nd Annual Unidos Roundtable Luncheon at White House restaurant in Anaheim.

Almost 100 key Latino community stakeholders attended the luncheon and were provided with information about programs and opportunities to become more involved in the local fight against breast cancer. As a result, many of the attendees signed on to volunteer and partner with many of the upcoming programs that Komen Orange County has planned for the Latino community this year.

The event featured Teresa Samaniego, director of public affairs at ABC7, as emcee as well as a special guest panel of “luchadores” who are making a difference in Orange County. Breast cancer survivor Susie Perez spoke to attendees about her ongoing battle with breast cancer and the support she’s receiving from Komen Orange County.

Orange County Latinas are 61 percent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage and are at increased risk of dying from the disease. Komen OC provides free clinical breast examinations for women 40 years and older, with a low household income and with no medical insurance or an insurance that has a high deductible or co-payment.

Ultimately, the event helped Komen OC achieve the goal of providing more breast health education programs and free mammograms to our Latino community.