We’re seeking nominations for the 2013 Survivor Awards!

Do you know a breast cancer survivor, co-survivor or breast health advocate who makes a difference in our community and deserves recognition?

Susan G. Komen Orange County invites OC residents to nominate inspiring and dedicated breast cancer survivors, co-survivors and breast health advocates for the 2013 Survivor Awards. Each year, Komen Orange County recognizes three tremendous individuals who are making an impact in the community in the fight against breast cancer.

Each individual falls under one of three categories:

• Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor – a breast cancer survivor in the community who has turned his/her battle into a positive experience by inspiring, assisting, or educating others.
• Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Co-Survivor – family, friends, health care providers or colleagues who are there to lend support from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.
• Outstanding Breast Health Advocate – a non-survivor who has gone above and beyond his/her job description to volunteers outside the workplace to make a difference in the lives of breast cancer survivors and to educate women in the community.

Nominations must be submitted no later than Wednesday, June 19, 2013.

Last year we were honored to recognize Marie La Fargue as our 2012 Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor, The Cammack Family as our Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Co-Survivor and Dr. Lisa Guerra as an Outstanding Breast Health Advocate.

For more information and nomination forms visit: http://bit.ly/17NycV0.

The Cammack Family was recognized as our Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Co-Survivor at the 2012 Survivor Awards.

Our 2012 Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor, Marie La Fargue with Board Member Sora Park Tanjasiri, Dr.PH, MPH.

Congratulations to our 2012 Community Grantees

Today Komen OC announced it will award more than $1.5 million in grants to 15 local nonprofit organizations at the Grants Award Breakfast on Friday, Dec. 2. The grants make a substantial impact in the fight to end breast cancer forever and reinforce Komen Orange County’s support for its surrounding community partners.

The 2012 Komen Fund for Breast Health Care and community grants recipients and their breast health programs are:

• AltaMed Health Services Corporation / Breast Cancer Early Detection and Care Program
• Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center / Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention Program (BCAPP) to the Uninsured Chinese American Women
• Breast Cancer Solutions / Enabling Access: Medical and Financial Aid Program; Latina Breast Health Support Program Specialist
• Hurrt Family Health Clinic / Access to Care and Treatment (ACT) Now Project
• Laguna Beach Community Clinic / LBCC’s Breast Care Commitment Program
• Latino Health Access / Salud de Seno (Breast Health Program)
• Nhan Hoa Comprehensive Health Clinic / Breast Care for Low-Income and Uninsured Young People
• Pacific Islander Health Partnership / Pacific Islander Navigator Breast Health Project
• Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties / Breast Health Program
• Serve the People Community Health Center / Women’s Wellness Clinic
• Share Our Selves (SOS) / Women’s Health Initiative
• The G.R.E.E.N. Foundation / ActNOW: Be Self Empowered  (BSE) Breast Health
• Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation / Breast Health Navigation and Education Program
• YWCA of North Orange County / Early Breast Cancer Screening and Education
• University of California, Irvine / Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center

Our 2011 Grant Recipients

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!

Advocates in Science

Komen Advocates in Science Carole Baas, PhD and Chris Tannous, PhD

Chris Tannous is Komen OC’s remarkable board president as well as a dedicated Komen Advocate in Science. Her perspective as a breast cancer survivor provides scientists a unique and valuable outlook on the cancer experience and the urgency of finding the cures. Chris recently represented Komen OC at the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Cancer Researchers. Click here to read an article on her findings from this year’s conference. If you are interested in becoming a Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocate in Science, go to http://www.komengrantsaccess.org/ and select the advocate link.

Komen OC Advocates Honored

Anyone who has dealt with a cancer diagnosis understands the importance of a friend who will be your rock of support. That’s why the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure decided to honor co-survivors this year by naming a Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Co-Survivor. The award recognizes the family, friend, healthcare provider or colleague who is there to lend support from diagnosis through treatment and beyond.

Jane Ka’ala Pang was named the Affiliate’s first Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Co-Survivor. Pang was nominated by her husband, breast cancer survivor Victor Pang.  Jane has been her husband’s personal navigator through his cancer treatment, balancing his medical needs with family responsibilities and her career as a nurse at a rehabilitation center. Jane has also been active in Orange County as an advocate and resource for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders facing the challenges of cancer. Victor thanked Jane for her “passion and dedication to my health.”

Marcie Smith, advocate

Marcie Smith has honored by Komen Orange County as the Outstanding Breast Health Advocate.  The award honors a non-survivor who has gone above and beyond his or her job description, who volunteers to make a difference in the lives of breast cancer survivors and who educates the community. Marcie is an advanced nurse practioner at MemorialCare Breast Center and has dedicated her career to ensuring that women have access to quality breast health care. She has been involved with Komen for the Cure for over 20 years. Marcie was described as “saving women’s lives one by one over 20 years and (she) continues to be a warrior advocate for breast cancer patients with a laser focus on their individual care and needs.”

Congratulations to these tireless friends and advocates.

Passionately Pink Fun

Lisa Wolter considers her options.

So many wigs . . . and just one night. How will she decide?  Thanks to the rousing support for the Passionately Pink for the Cure® festivities, Lisa Wolter has a tough decision to make by Friday night.

Lisa, the Executive Director of Komen Orange County, has to choose which pink wig to wear to the MasCUREade party. You’ll have to attend on March 5^th (or watch this space next week) to see how pink and how outlandish Lisa will go.

Here’s how we got to this fun point. The Komen Orange County Affiliate threw a Passionately Pink for the Cure party in February. One of the activities was an Opportunity Drawing for six very cool prizes. The challenge was made – if the drawing raised at least $625, then Lisa Wolter would wear a wig to the upcoming 2010 MasCUREade: A Celebration of Wellness for Breast Cancer Survivors & Co-Survivors. Thank you to everyone who purchased opportunity tickets and helped us surpass the fundraising goal. Together, we raised $820! Not only did we raise money for the mission of the Komen Orange County Affiliate, we had fun and the fun will continue at MasCUREade.

As for those Opportunity prizes, here are the lucky winners (and thank you to the generous donors):

KitchenAid Cook for the Cure® stand mixer in pink: Shirley Diaz

Code Pink Boot Camp:  Kris Gillan

Total Woman Gym & Spa 4- month membership:  Cheryl Duhme

Betsey Johnson perfume:  Pat MacKenzie

Pink rimmed designer sunglasses:  Kelly McKelvey

Pure Beauty basket and haircut:  Annie Stoeckmann

Buy Your Ticket Today

Stop procrastinating and buy your ticket today to MasCUREade. You save $5 per ticket – the price will go up next week.  MasCUREade, a Celebration of Wellness for Breast Cancer Survivors and Co-Survivors, happens in just two weeks, on Friday, March 5, from 6 to 11 p.m.

What’s planned? The Komen Orange County Affiliate promises fun, food, music and a meaningful tribute to survivors –the community gathering is dedicated to celebrating breast cancer survivors and co-survivors. There will be educational demonstrations and presentations, a photo booth and an opportunity drawing. One highlight is sure to be the recognition of Komen’s Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor, Most Inspirational Co-Survivor and Outstanding Breast Health Advocate.

Casual cocktail attire is suggested. The location will be the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center.

You can register and get your ticket today at www.komenoc.org, where you can also read a special message from the event Chair. See you there!

Tell Us Who Helped You

February is days away, which means lots of talk and images about LOVE.  Here’s a suggestion on how to express love in a very meaningful way – nominate someone you know for one of Komen’s awards. The Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is seeking nominations for: Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor, Outstanding Breast Health Advocate, and new this year, Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Co-Survivor.

The titles are self explanatory. These awards recognize remarkable people who have battled breast cancer personally, who have volunteered to further Komen for the Cure’s promise or who have helped others endure and thrive through a tough time. Trust us, when you hear the stories of the winners, you will be inspired.

First you must take the time and effort to nominate the inspiring person you know. Visit www.komenoc.org to download the nomination form and start writing! Your deadline is February 5. The winners will be announced and honored at the 2010 MasCUREade: A Celebration of Breast Cancer Survivors and Co-Survivors on Friday, March 5.

Two Sisters Invite You

Sisters Rebecca and Laura invite you to MasCUREade on March 5.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”  — Albert Schweitzer

That wonderful sentiment is a driving force for the sisters and co- chairs of MasCUREade, the upcoming event for breast cancer survivors and co-survivors. Rebecca Hultquist, one of the co chairs, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. She continues to be grateful for the support of her husband, three daughters and her sister Laura. “I chose Laura to help me chair the MasCUREade because she completely fulfills my definition of a co-survivor. Mask or no mask, we’re all just everyday women trying to get through a breast cancer diagnosis together,” says Rebecca.

With that motivation, they and their committee are planning a terrific event for the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  The evening will be a celebration of wellness for survivors and co-survivors, with education and inspiration in the mix.

Save the date: Friday, March 5 from 6 to 11 p.m. for MasCUREade. Go to www.komenoc.org to learn more, to register and to read Rebecca’s special message.