Be Bold and Join Us in the Fight Against Breast Cancer

At Susan G. Komen® Orange County, one trait we share with our survivors is that we are fighters, we’re not afraid to take on any challenges: the BOLDER, the better! In October, we announced our bold goal for the next decade: to cut the number of deaths from breast cancer (40,000 per year in the U.S. alone) by 50 percent in the next ten years.  Simultaneously, we launched our nationwide More Than Pink movement to redefine the color pink – from a symbol of awareness to a symbol of action!  Today, we want to offer you a chance to become More Than Pink. The Orange County Marathon has made us one of its charity partners and we would love for you to join Team Komen!

The 2017 OC Marathon will take place on Sunday, May 7 with the 5K on Saturday, May 6. Runners can chose between a marathon, a half-marathon, a 5K, and for the first time, the Combo Crush, an option to register to run the 5K and the full or half marathon. By joining Team Komen, participants commit to running the OC Marathon (full, half, combo crush or even the 5K option alone) in support of Susan G. Komen^® Orange County by raising funds toward the fight against breast cancer through the Run For Free for A Cause. Through this option, you can raise money for Komen Orange County and run for free! Here are the fundraising level options:

If you join our team, you’ll be part of a group who share the same motivation and enthusiasm, and who is committed to improving breast health in our community.  Our More Than Pink rally cry is defined as follows:

• We’re Bold and Courageous: we believe in pushing our limits and challenging the status quo, while always putting health – ours and the people we’re serving – first.
• We’re Tenacious, once we’ve set our mind on a goal, nothing can stop us.
• We’re Fearless and never shy away from difficult situations.

2016 Komen Orange County water station

Contact us at 714-957-9157 ext. 30 or jcozort@komenoc.org to learn more and join Team Komen.

If you would like to sign up, go to www.ocmarathon.com and select Run for Free for A Cause in 2017. You’ll be able to set up your fundraising page through Crowdrise, using the information you entered for previous races to populate your profile. Also, if you fundraise $125 by Friday, January 27^th, you’ll be entered to win a free entry for someone else.

First Male Committee Chair Brings New Dimensions to 2014 Race for the Cure

This year, we are proud to announce Doug McKay as the first male Race chair for our 23rd annual Race for the Cure on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. This year’s Race theme is, “Race for Impact, Race for Breakthroughs, and Race for Futures”. Doug will be leading the efforts for our largest annual fundraising event to inspire action and hope for all those who have been touched by breast cancer.

Doug lost his wife to cancer at the age of 27. He has been through the challenges that a family has to overcome when faced with cancer and carries an understanding and passion for those who encounter similar situations in their lives.

As Race Committee Chair, Doug hopes to follow in the footsteps of individuals who have done an excellent job of laying the ground work. He will work alongside Komen OC staff in strategic planning, leading monthly race committee meetings, visiting Race Teams and speaking on behalf of the organization and its mission of ending breast cancer forever.

Doug has been volunteering with us for the past three years, and this year, he is revitalizing the traditional Race by adding new dimensions aimed at inspiring support from future generations – and also helping to raise critical funds for local breast health services, education and outreach. New to the 2014 race is a One-Mile Fun Run and Family Walk, and all children who register for the event will receive pink shoelaces.

Along with leading the 2014 Race for the Cure, Doug is also involved with multiple non-profits – from health, social services, education and art-based nonprofits – in his role as District Grant Chair at Macy’s, where he oversees Macy’s district and community grants all across Orange County.

Impact | Breakthroughs | Futures is this year’s theme for the Race for the Cure Orange County.  Doug and his team are working toward a goal of 20,000 registered participants, looking to exceed last year’s totals.  Awareness and involvement are key in achieving this goal.  Either as an individual or team, your participation makes a difference.

Haven’t registered yet? Do so today by visiting: www.komeoc.org/race. What inspires you to Race for the Cure? Share with us in the comments below!

Upcoming Events

July 24 – Team Captain Interactive Workshop at Noon and 6 p.m.

Team Captains and Co-Captains are invited to join us to learn more and ask questions about leading a Race for the Cure Team. To attend, RSVP to teams@komenoc.org.

August 10 – Survivor Celebration & Awards Luncheon

Celebrate breast cancer survivors and recognize our awards recipients for their outstanding commitment to the Komen promise of saving lives and ending breast cancer forever. Tickets are $35 per person / table of 8 is $280.

Girls Love Mail at the Race for the Cure

Girls Love Mail, a charity based in Sacramento that gives the gift of hand-written letters to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, will be hosting a booth at the Race for the Cure on September 23, 2012.

Founded by breast cancer survivor Gina Mulligan, Girls Love Mail collects hand-written letters of encouragement and distributes them to breast cancer patients through local cancer centers and doctor’s offices. To date, the charity has collected over 1,800 letters from all across the country!

In May 2012, Girls Love Mail participated in the Sacramento Race for the Cure with a small booth where they handed out information about the charity, offered health tips and provided stationery to write letters.

Their booth at the Orange County Race for the Cure will offer the same opportunities. The letters that are collected will be delivered to patients in Orange County.

Join Girls Love Mail in the MILE OF MAIL 2012 campaign to deliver 5,280 letters this year. Find out more at http://www.girlslovemail.com/. And look for Girls Love Mail at the Race for the Cure on September 23rd. Stop by their booth and write a letter!