Take a “Standup” for the Cure

With our beautiful Southern California weather, why not enjoy a day in the water while raising money to support local breast health education, services and research?

This Cinco de Mayo, come join us for the 7th Annual Standup for the Cure fundraiser at Newport Dunes. All proceeds from this family-friendly event will benefit Komen OC. Beginner and experienced paddlers, as well as “dry-foot” participants, are all welcomed. In addition to paddling clinics and races, there will be yoga classes, free breast cancer and skin cancer screenings provided by Kaiser Permanente, live music and a delicious lunch. There is also an opportunity to win great prizes through the raffle and silent auction.

We also look forward to the Sea of Pink, a ceremonial parade uniting the hundreds of paddlers in attendance, where we pay tribute to our bold and inspiring survivors.

STANDUP FOR THE CURE 2018
Saturday, May 5, 2018
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
1131 Back Bay Drive
Newport Beach, CA, 92660

Schedule of Events:

• 8 a.m. Registration opens
• 9 a.m. Free standup paddleboard clinic and standup yoga clinic for all levels
• 9:30 a.m. Kaiser Permanente Health expo, breast and skin screenings opens
• 10 a.m. Hawaiian blessing of survivors and white dove release followed by the Sea of Pink, a ceremonial parade for all paddlers in attendance
• 10:30 a.m. Advanced (5K) and Intermediate (2.5K) races
• 11 a.m. Kids races and on land yoga class for all levels
• 11:30 a.m. Team relay races/Happy Hour begins with live music by Timo
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch served by KJ Catering
• 2:00 p.m. Prizes for races and top fundraisers are announced

In 2017, StandUp for the Cure raised more than $70,000 for Komen OC.

Regular registration is $35 and breast cancer survivor registration is $30. Participants are encouraged to bring their personal boards or rent them for the full day for easier access to the water. Sign up at https://www.crowdrise.com/registration/event_options/33434

We hope to see you there!

What Does ‘Survivor’ Mean to You?

Survivor is defined as ‘one to remain alive or in existence; to live on; to continue to function or prosper.’ To us, it is all that and it is synonymous for “hero” – a warrior and one who shows great courage.’ It goes without saying that one who battles and overcomes a life-threatening disease or illness, such as breast cancer, is indeed a hero.  We want to honor all the breast cancer survivors, our heroes – today, tomorrow and always.

Susan G. Komen Orange County hosted its annual Survivor Celebration & Awards Banquet on August 12 at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona Del Mar. Themed “A Day at the Races,” it was a day that celebrated the survivors, role models and heroes. A special tribute honored our very own, Robin Pollok, who this year, lost her third battle against Stage 4 breast cancer. Pollok was best known for singing the national anthem at the start of the annual Race for the Cure. Despite the debilitating treatment sessions, she never missed a Race in the last 16 years. This is a true testament to her fight against her illness. This is the true mark of a hero.

Robin Pollok sings at the 2011 Race for the Cure

The Survivor Celebration & Awards Banquet also recognized other survivors, hard-working volunteers, and faithful supporters, who stood alongside a loved one battling breast cancer. Those honorees were:

• Carla Cammack, a survivor and Komen Orange County volunteer who held pivotal roles for several years at Race for the Cure including Race Chair.
• Veronica Mora, a young woman whose breast cancer was detected early, thanks in part to free testing funded by Komen.
• Peggy Swanson-Taylor received the Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor Award for noteworthy work with women diagnosed with breast cancer, her unselfish commitment in volunteering, raising awareness and tens of thousands of dollars to help end this disease, and especially for celebrating 30 years of being cancer-
• Louie Rodriguez, a retiree of the Long Beach Fire Department, was honored with the Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Journey Partner Award. Rodriguez stood by his wife who lost her battle against the disease in 2015. Together he and his wife started Pink Ribbons and Blessings, a breast cancer clothing and jewelry stored located in Orange.
• Reyna Crespo, who received the Outstanding Breast Health Advocate Award for her steadfast work in educating and recruiting Latina women to get free mammograms at Northgate Markets.

Hats off to all survivors, volunteers and supporters – our heroes – for taking a stand against this disease that has claimed so many lives.

Guests attending our 2017 Survivors Banquet (from L to R): Sherall Gradias, Carla Cammack, Jane Hill, and Donna Hartman

In addition to our Survivor Award Banquet, we host various initiatives throughout the years to support our beloved survivors and their families. A special tribute to survivors will also be held at the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure on September 24 at Newport Beach’s Fashion Island.

From September through February 2018, Komen Orange County is offering a Breast Health Education Series, free workshops that are open to the public, covering breast health topics including risk reduction, screening, diagnostics, treatment, metastatic breast cancer and survivorship.

Information on these events and others can be found here. We hope to see you at an upcoming event!

What’s YOUR reason to Race for the Cure?

We all have a reason to Race for the Cure®. On any given day in Orange County, more than five women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and one will die from the disease. Chances are, one of these women is a family member, a friend, or even a colleague of yours. Indeed, breast cancer does not discriminate: It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race and ethnic affiliation, religion, income, and even gender!

Judy’s reason to Race for the Cure is her parents. They were both diagnosed with cancer just 15 days apart during the Summer of 2015, her father with a nasal carcinoma and her mother with breast cancer. Feeling powerless, Judy witnessed them both undergoing treatments and enduring the challenges that come with it. She witnessed the first physical changes in her mom: hair first, then nails, and finally, loss of appetite. She also witnessed her mom’s resilience, her bravery and her resolution while making one of the toughest decisions in her life: getting a single mastectomy.

Judy’s dad, mom and her son Jacob at the 2016 Komen OC Race for the Cure

Today, Judy’s parents are cancer free! Since 2015, it has become her family’s tradition to gather at the Race for the Cure as Team Mila. Their reason? Having experienced cancer, they understand that “even the strongest person couldn’t do it alone.” Breast cancer survivors and their families need a support system and Race for the Cure is one way our community can come together and provide this for them.

We invite YOU to be MORE THAN PINK and join us on September 24^th at the annual Race for the Cure, to celebrate survivors and pay tribute to those who have lost the battle against breast cancer. Your presence and your engagement means a lot to them. It shows that you care, and it gives them hope. Hope that a world without breast cancer is possible.

Since its inception in 1991, through events like the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure®, Komen OC has invested more than $38 million in community breast health programs and has helped contribute to the more than $920 million invested globally in research. This fiscal year alone, Komen OC assisted more than 16,000 uninsured and underserved Orange County residents with their breast health care needs. Our bold goal is to reduce the number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent in the next decade. We have no doubt that with your support, we can achieve it!

Whether you’re a runner or a walker, there is something for everyone at Race for the Cure, including two 5K Run/Walks (7:15 a.m. for early risers, and 9:45 a.m.), a One-Mile Fun Walk for families and kids, a Breast Cancer Survivors Tribute, and a Wellness Expo. If you can’t join us in person, you can show support by opting for virtual participation when registering online!

Don’t miss our early bird registration until July 31^st! Additionally, if you register today and donate $26, you will receive a limited edition I AM MORE THAN PINK medal. If you’d like to form a team, contact Danielle Hamilton at 714-957-9157 ext. 26 or via email at dhamilton@komenoc.org for useful tips and recommendations.  For more information, visit komenoc.org/race .

Giving the Gift of Breast Health Care for Mothers and Daughters

At the age of 26, Veronica was not prepared for a breast cancer diagnosis and everything that come along with it.  Neither was her mom. Veronica was less than one year away from graduating from Cal State, Fullerton when she noticed that her nipple was inverted. Her mother was not worried because her sister had the same breast abnormality. A few months later Veronica felt a lump near the areola on the same breast.  Now she was scared.

Uninsured at the time, she went to the only place she knew that might be able to help her, Planned Parenthood. She was then referred to Breastlink, who diagnosed her with Her2 positive breast cancer that had spread into her lymph nodes. She was told that chemotherapy would damage her fertility.  At 26, Veronica hadn’t even thought about having children yet!

Suddenly, Veronica went from being a normal college student to fighting for her life with the immense stress of how to pay for all the cares. Emotionally, she wasn’t coping well. Neither was her Mom. Veronica could not handle the weight of her mother’s sorrow on top of her own emotional distress. Following her doctor’s advice, Veronica called Susan G. Komen Orange County.

Veronica Mora and her mother

At Komen Orange County, Veronica and her mom received a warm welcome from Cafecitos Hope, a Spanish-speaking comfort support group for Latina breast cancer survivors. That’s when Veronica realized how her diagnostic procedures were paid. It was Susan G. Komen Orange County who had silently stepped in and paid for her first ultrasound and needle biopsy that diagnosed her cancer at Breastlink. It was Komen who had offered her a free wig when her hair fell out. It was Komen who had referred her to free local mental health services. And, it was Komen who was helping her mother learn to cope with her sorrow.

Susan G. Komen Orange County was able to make an impact on Veronica and her mother’s lives because of YOUR support. Thanks to you, Veronica will be graduating this month from Cal State Fullerton! Help us honoring other moms and loved ones on Mother’s Day by giving the gift of breast health care for all women in need throughout Orange County.

There are many ways you can do so:

• Please consider making a donation, by clicking here.
• Join our celebration by using Facebook’s custom “Mom & Me” profile picture filter on your Facebook page and tell us your favorite #MomAndMe moment. To learn more, click here

Mom & Me Facebook filter

• Help spread the word with your family, friends and professional network about upcoming free mammograms screenings. To be eligible, women must be 40 years of age or older, have low income, have no or limited insurance, not be receiving these services through Medi-Cal or another government-sponsored program, live in California and not have had a mammogram in the past 12 months. It is also mandatory to sign up in advance. Below, you will find a list of sign-up events and onsite mammography screening events. For more information, contact Ambrocia Lopez at 714-957-9157 ext. 25 or via email at alopez@komenoc.org.

MAMMOGRAPHY SIGN-UP EVENTS:

• May 11, 2-5 p.m. at Northgate Gonzalez Market, 770 S Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92704
• May 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Northgate Gonzalez Market Store, 6991 Lincoln Avenue, Buena Park, CA 90620
• May 16, 2-6 p.m. at Northgate Gonzalez Market Store, 6991 Lincoln Avenue, Buena Park, CA 90620
• May 18, 2-6 p.m. at Northgate Gonzalez Market, 2030 East Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806
• May 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Northgate Gonzalez Market, 2030 East Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

ONSITE MAMMOGRAPHY SCREENING EVENTS:

• May 15, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Northgate Gonzalez Market , 770 S Harbor Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92704
• May 22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Northgate Gonzalez Market Store , 6991 Lincoln Avenue, Buena Park, CA 90620
• May 26, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Northgate Gonzalez Market Store, 2030 East Lincoln Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

Help us bring hope to mothers and daughters fighting breast cancer!

Home Sweet Home, New Adventures Ahead

After 16 years in Costa Mesa, we are moving! On Monday, March 27, our new address will be 2817 McGaw Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614. We invite you to join us at our open house on Friday, April 21st from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to check out our new home and enjoy some refreshments.  It’ll be the perfect opportunity for you to tour our office, get to know us and learn about our services! No need to RSVP, just show up and say hello.

Moving boxes piling up in our Costa Mesa office

Of the 13 Susan G. Komen Orange County staff members, some have been here for 11 years, others for 11 months. Nevertheless, this move feels bittersweet as we’ve all created memories associated with this office, and the inspiring survivors, supporters and volunteers who’ve crossed our paths. On the other hand, we’re really looking forward to the new office, the exciting beginning of a new chapter in serving more women and saving more lives! Here are some of our best moments, most inspiring stories and thoughts on our new adventure ahead:

What is your best memory associated with this office?

Julie (Director of Marketing): The day I came in to interview for the position. I was so nervous driving to the office, not knowing that to expect. The interview process was nerve-wrecking and I remember telling myself, “What’s meant to be will be,” and here I am six years later loving what I do! Now, I feel like this place and my co-workers have become like a second home and family.

Danielle (Special Events & Race for the Cure Teams Coach): I have enjoyed interacting with the many different groups meeting in our conference room (Race committee, Pink Tie Ball committee, Race Teams, volunteer and survivor groups). Our Team Captain Rallies, and hearing about the inspiring stories behind their involvement with Race for the Cure are among my favorite moments in the office.

LarLeslie (Circle of Promise Community Resource Advocate): I’ve enjoyed most working with an inspiring and compassionate staff and meeting and planning with the African-American Breast Health Partnership to increase awareness and improve breast cancer outcomes in the community.

Do you have a story about an event, a meeting, an encounter that took place in this office that inspired you, touched you or had an impact on you?

Lisa (Executive Director): An event that sticks with me is a candlelight reception we held in the courtyard, where we shared stories about friends, families, and acquaintances who had been taken by breast cancer, remembering their courage, commitment, hopes and fears.

Robin (Circle of Caring/Development): Each day, we have an opportunity to change the path for someone who comes to us for help. I discovered this when a survivor, Ann, showed up at our office, devastated and in shock. She had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and was scheduled for a mastectomy very soon. She didn’t know what to do, had little understanding of her own diagnosis or treatment plan, and had no idea what to tell her 12-year old autistic daughter. I comforted her, and together we contacted her doctor’s office and learned that there was no actual diagnosis and the scheduled mastectomy surgery prescribed by her doctor was premature. I helped her schedule a new appointment with a different doctor, and I provided her with Susan G. Komen materials to help her understand her new circumstances.

Julie: The first survivor we lost after I joined Susan G. Komen was a woman named Kathy Voorhis. She was a beautiful person inside and out. My favorite memory was a photo shoot we did with her and a few other women for our Race for the Cure campaign that year. She was so hard on herself and her photos but that day, she was the most beautiful I had ever seen her. She radiated beauty through her smile, sense of humor and sincere kindness. She is dearly missed.

Kathy Voorhis

Jennifer (Mission Programs Specialist): One of my favorite encounters was with a breast cancer survivor who needed assistance with hairpieces, and the feeling of wholeness she experienced when we find a wig that suited her.

What are you looking forward to in the new office?

Lisa: The new office will have a very welcoming front room with a couch and chairs, wood floor and be very close to the Resource and Wig Room. It will be nice for talking privately with people needing breast cancer information or referrals. We also will have a big new training room next to an open warehouse area so I envision some great celebrations and look forward to do our Race for the Cure registration and packet pick up right from our own space.

Danielle: I am looking forward to the new office and the many ways we will be able to utilize our new training room and various multi use rooms with volunteers, supporters and survivors.

We could not close this post without thanking our generous friends at Tangram Interiors who designed our new space, provided new furniture and helped us move. Thanks to their incredible work, the new office already feels like home!

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.

A Special Valentine’s Day Giveaway: Win Free Tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm!

As a part of its two-month partnership with Knott’s Berry Farm, Susan G. Komen Orange County is excited to announce that it is giving away pairs of tickets to California’s best amusement park, just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Starting today, we are offering Komen Orange County supporters a chance to win five pairs of tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm. Nothing says romance quite like cotton candy, arcade games and exhilarating rollercoaster rides! In order to enter the contest simply like our Facebook and/or Twitter pages and share and re-tweet the messages below. No need to worry if February 14^th has snuck up on you, we could have you covered this year!

Facebook:

• We are excited to announce a special giveaway to @KnottsBerryFarm, this week only! Be entered to win free #KnottsPink tickets in time for #ValentinesDay, when you LIKE Komen OC’s Facebook page and share this post! #Giveaway

Twitter:

• Follow @KomenOC and RT to win #KnottsPink tickets in time for #ValentinesDay!

Earlier this month, Knott’s Berry Farm and Komen Orange County announced its partnership and launched with an exciting kickoff event at the famous park with some of our daring breast cancer survivors enjoying a spin on the Pony Express rollercoaster!

During the promotion, which ends March 31, Knott’s Berry Farm is offering a special “pink ticket” at a reduced price, and a portion of the proceeds from tickets and pink merchandise will be donated directly to Komen OC.  At the start of the partnership, Knott’s Berry Farm also committed $50,000 to Komen Orange County, and hopes to give even more by the end of March!

We can’t think of better advocates to have than all of the Peanuts characters — and are grateful to Snoopy, Charlie Brown and Knott’s Berry Farm for the support in helping to end breast cancer. Make sure to enter to win the tickets on Facebook and Twitter by Thursday at midnight! The five winners will be announced on our Facebook and Twitter pages on Friday.

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.

With my strength, my power, the world is mine! –Incredible Hulk

National Superhero Day is this Sunday, April 28. Here at Komen Orange County we have a number of superheroes we’d like to honor and recognize! Just like many of the action fighters we are all familiar with and admire, we are on our own quest to save the world from breast cancer.

Sure Superman can fly around the world to undo time and can catch a speeding bullet in his teeth. Wolverine can detect nearby enemies with his smell and heal from any wound almost instantly. The Incredible Hulk can withstand extreme temperatures and possesses unlimited strength and power.

But at Komen OC our breast cancer survivors are our ultimate heroes, the real “Wonder Women” of Orange County. They have extraordinary powers of strength, bravery and courage that inspire all of us.

Let’s celebrate on Sunday by paying tribute to these local survivor superheroes and those who we may have lost along the way. There are lots of ways you, too, can be a superhero and help raise funds for breast cancer research and local breast health services for uninsured and underserved women and men.  Consider volunteering, forming a Race team or donating a life-saving mammogram. To find out more about how to get involved and make a difference with Komen Orange County, visit www.komenoc.org.

Share your stories below of who you consider to be your biggest superhero.

Komen Orange County Marches in Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade

Komen Orange County was grateful to recently participate in the 108^th annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.  A team of more than 40 survivors marched along Main Street in Huntington Beach to help spread breast health awareness and generate buzz about the upcoming Race for the Cure on Sunday, September 23.

The two mile parade began on the Pacific Coast Highway at 10:00 a.m., turned left onto Main St. and ended just after Yorktown Ave.

Men, women and children of all ages showed their support by wearing pink Komen OC T-shirts and carrying pink pompoms.

Dr. Lisa Guerra, 2012 Survivor Award recipient for Outstanding Breast Health Advocate, waved pink pompoms from the back of a pink Komen OC golf cart.

The Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade and Festival is said to be the biggest Independence Day celebration in Southern California. Thank you to all of our supporters and survivors who participated in the Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade.