Wanted: Superhero Strength, Pink Cape Optional

WWE Announcer Lillian Garcia, along with 30+ community leaders, volunteers and breast cancer survivors, rallied on the steps of the Pacific Life Insurance Company building in Newport Beach on July 29 to kick-off the 2015 Race for the Cure season here in Orange County.  Participants donned pink capes to match this year’s race theme, “There’s a HERO in YOU.”

Race for the Cure is the largest fundraiser of its kind in Orange County, and the signature event raises vital funds for mammograms, community outreach, education programs and life-saving research.  This year’s theme demonstrates that anyone can be a hero in someone else’s life. Showing support and solidarity in the fight against breast cancer is heroic – with or without superhero powers.

Lisa Wolter, Komen OC’s executive director, spoke during the event about the importance of the race, and its positive impact on the OC community. She was joined by Khanh Tran, chief executive officer of Pacific Life Insurance Company and Komen Pink Tie Guy, and Garcia, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor.

The Sept. 27 race in Newport Beach will include two different start times for runners and walkers. For participants who wish to run, you will have the option of purchasing a PLUS timing chip, a new feature this year that will allow heroes to test their speed on the course! For more information visit our Race for the Cure page.

Register for the race today and reveal your inner hero. We hope to see everyone there!

Hero Spotlight: Angelique Fong

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, and from all walks of life. You don’t need to wear a cape or have superpowers; becoming a hero can be as simple as walking to support a great cause.

Susan G. Komen Orange County’s Race for the Cure is the largest fundraising event of its kind in Southern California. The vital funds raised from this event help support local breast cancer outreach and coordination of mammogram screenings for women in need, as well as treatment and support services to underserved women in the community. Besides the walks/runs, this year’s Race for the Cure features a special parade and tribute ceremony to honor local breast cancer survivors and a wellness expo. New in 2015 is the PLUS Timing Chip option, which allows the more competitive participant to test his/her hero speed on the course.

This year’s Race for the Cure theme “There’s a HERO in YOU” spotlights our extraordinary race participants who, year after year, fundraise, donate and raise awareness to support those affected by breast cancer. One exceptional hero is Angelique Fong of Rancho Santa Margarita. Fong, a wife and two-year breast cancer survivor began supporting Race for the Cure in the late 1990s. Her journey with Komen Orange County began with her dedication to the Komen mission of saving lives. One of Fong’s favorite Race for the Cure memories was fulfilling her mother’s dream of them crossing the finish line with her brother. Unfortunately, due to a broken pelvis, Fong’s mother was confined to a wheelchair for the race, but insisted on walking across the finish line by herself.

“You can see where I get my stubborn nature,” said Fong.

Fong would later need that stubborn nature to fight her personal battle with breast cancer, as she learned of her own diagnosis. In 2013, only six weeks into remission, she crossed the Race for the Cure finish line as a first-year breast cancer survivor. With a decade of Races for the Cure under her belt, Fong continues to walk/run for breast cancer survivors like herself, and for their families. Fong is not only an inspiration, but a true HERO.

More heroes like Fong are always needed! Unleash your inner hero and participate in our 24^th annual Race for the Cure on Sunday, Sept. 27 at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. For more information and to register, please visit http://www.komenoc.org/.

Inspired to Race for the Cure

Last week, we held our Race for the Cure committee meeting where we talked about event logistics and creative ways to ensure the success of this signature event. At Komen Orange County, we’re always so inspired by the countless number of volunteers who not only donate their time and energy but share our passion toward the fight against breast cancer. That’s why we think this year’s Race theme, “Inspired” is so fitting and we’re inspired by the thousands of women, men and children who come out to celebrate a day that honors those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

Thank you to all who have been inspired to Race with us this year. If you haven’t registered for this year’s Race for the Cure on Sunday, Sept. 22, we encourage you to do so today. Join us in support of Komen’s mission to serve people and save lives.

 

 

Upcoming Events:

July 23^rd – We’ll have our next Team Captain Kickoff at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Komen Orange County office, 3191-A Airport Loop Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Learn more about Susan G. Komen Orange County, the upcoming Race for the Cure and fundraising tips while mingling with other team captains.

July 24^th – Komen OC in partnership with MemorialCare Medical Group and Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center will host a tissue bank information session from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Learn about the Komen tissue bank drive’s local efforts in Orange County on Nov. 2. This will be the first event of its kind west of the Mississippi!