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Financial Resources —Did you know that there are many financial resources that can help people living with breast cancer? Find out more
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This week's news from Komen SAZ
Komen Southern Arizona makes Mother's Day donation to Tucson public schools
Above: Students at Sam Hughes Elementary School are read to from the book; and KGUN-9's Corinne Hautala talks to students about the book.
As a non-profit, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona is more used to receiving donations from the community than giving them. To honor Mother’s Day, it decided to give back to a sector of the population that is increasingly important in the battle against breast cancer: schoolchildren.
Komen SAZ has made a donation of more than 60 copies of the book A Mom of Many Hats to four local school districts: Tucson Unified (TUSD), Sunnyside, Amphitheater and Vail. The book, published by Harmony Hearth, tells the story of two children who find their mother has cancer. With the help of their father and grandmother, they throw a hat shower. Every guest brings a hat, each symbolizing a virtue that will help the mother through her cancer treatment.
The book will be distributed to libraries and counselors in more than 60 elementary schools in the Tucson area.
“An important piece of our mission work here at Komen Southern Arizona is education, and so we decided to turn this Mother’s Day into an opportunity to help teach our younger population. It is clear to us with every single case of breast cancer we come across, that this is a disease that affects not just one person but whole families, extended families and circles of friends. This book sums up that message perfectly,” said Connie Melton, Interim Executive Director at Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona.
“We are moved beyond words to know that our book is a gift of literacy that keeps on giving. The story offers children hope without offering false hope. It teaches the families to face their fears, and provides them with tools to move from fear to strength,” said Debbie Fink, co-author of the book along with Lisa Perea Hane, whose own fight with breast cancer inspired the story. Lisa, a mother of three, passed away last August.
Kindergarten students at Sam Hughes Elementary School, part of TUSD, had a visit from TV station KGUN-9 (above) when their teacher and school counselor read to them from the book. See the story here.
Supporters of Governor Jan Brewer's plan to restore Medicaid to thousands of low-income Arizonans are being asked to turn out en masse on Wednesday, May 15 in Phoenix. The Rally for Restoration will take place at 11am on the House Lawn at the State Capitol, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix.
The organizers hope this event will rally members from across the coalition of more than 200 groups that have endorsed Medicaid restoration in Arizona.
Visitors can park at the State Fairground, 1826 West McDowell Road, Phoenix, where there will be shuttle buses taking people to the Capitol, beginning at 9.30am. They will transport people back from the rally immediately following proceedings. Two tents will be set up with water, sunscreen and snacks. Please arrive early if you need a shuttle bus!
For the full story on Medicaid restoration, see below. For questions about next Wednesday's rally, email gillian@komensaz.org
Komen SAZ lends its support to Gov Brewer's Medicaid restoration plans
The Southern Arizona Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has lent its support to Governor Jan Brewer's proposals to restore Medicaid to thousands of low-income Arizonans.
In a candid letter to the Governor, the Affiliate said that a fall in donations and an increased demand for its services had brought the Affiliate to "a crisis point" because it will struggle to meet grant requirements this year.
"Due to the economic pressures felt by all non-profits, our donations have declined. We simply have less money to grant to community health centers to support those affected by breast cancer with nowhere else to turn.
"At the same time our donations have decreased, applications for grants from local health clinics, hospitals and other health providers have increased, totaling $872,500 this year. We will struggle to meet those requests.
"Governor Brewer, we pride ourselves on our work, but we at Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona Affiliate are at crisis point. We simply do not have the funds to meet our local health demands."
The letter concludes that if thousands more working poor adults in Arizona qualify for AHCCCS, Arizona's verson of Medicaid, Komen SAZ would have less 'gaps' to fill in, and its funds would stretch further.
Komen SAZ has joined with other health non-profits in Arizona to form The Coalition of Voluntary Health Organizations, to support Medicaid restoration in the state.
For Komen SAZ's full statement, click here.
For an opinion piece written by The Coalition of Voluntary Health Organizations, click here.
Need to understand Medicaid restoration? Click here.
Sunshine and smiles on the UA Mall
You turned out in droves to make our 15th Anniversary Race for the Cure extra special. You walked, you ran, you donned pink and green, and you proved once more just what a special and generous place Southern Arizona is. Thank you!!
Here are the links to our photos:
Honorary Chair Brigetta Barrett
Please note we are still sorting through our Team Photos! We should have them ready this week.
Didn't they do well?
See who formed the biggest teams, and find out the winning fundraisers here.
'Same Race, New Place' a huge hit at UA venue
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona celebrated its 15th Anniversary Race for the Cure in style, with a brand new venue, lots of sunshine, and a heartwarming St. Patrick’s Day gathering that celebrated those loved, supported and lost.
Participants took part in a one-mile and a 5K walk/run on the University of Arizona Mall, and circling the U of A campus, as temperatures hovered in the 70s.
More than 5,200 people took part in the Race, which produces vital funds for breast cancer treatment, education and support across Southern Arizona.
Donations are being accepted until April 30 for the Race for the Cure, which is Komen SAZ’s primary fundraiser. The Affiliate recently received grant applications totaling more than $800,000. This year it gave out more than $600,000 worth of grants, covering treatment, screening and education.
“The money raised at our Race, and the grants we give out to the local community, are a safety net for women in our area. Our donations are turned into grants for organizations to deliver services to women who otherwise would not be able to afford them,” said Interim Executive Director Connie Melton. “At a time when state and federal support for the uninsured and underinsured is being cut and demand for free or low cost breast cancer support is high, our community should be proud to be funding a resource that makes an impact and saves lives.”
In a St. Patrick’s Day weekend that saw several other events going on in Tucson, Komen SAZ was delighted at the turnout. “We were thrilled to have this great turnout from people who had many other options this weekend, and who chose to lend their support to us,” said Melton.
Also lending their support were Brigetta Barrett, Olympic silver medalist and University of Arizona high jumper, who served as Honorary Race Chair. Brigetta was joined by her mother Lottie, a breast cancer survivor, and both participated in the closing ceremony with hundreds of breast cancer survivors.
The Komen SAZ Race for the Cure is the work of hundreds of volunteers throughout the year. The Race team reported that the new U of A venue was a winner. “It was a hands-down success. The UA Mall was a perfect venue to combine the Sponsor Expo with two race events and entertainment,” said Race Manager Kathy Kline.
Taking first place in the competitive 5K race was Nathan Thomas with a time of 16 minutes 14 seconds. The winning female was Cindy Goldberg with a time of 25 minutes 22 seconds. For the full competitive runner results, click here.
The Race’s national sponsors included Bank of America and Ford. Local sponsors included Fry’s, Arizona Ford Dealers, Comcast, Cumulus Media, Advision, KVOA News 4 Tucson and KOLD News 13. Cumulus, KVOA and KOLD had D.J.s and anchors emceeing the eve
The Pink Dorados do it again!
Canyon del Oro High School's Pink Dorados team won our High School Challenge with another impressive team and more than $3,000 in fundraising. They win vouchers and shoe rental to Vantage Bowling Centers, courtesy of Vantage and our media partners Cumulus Media. Well done to team captain Sammy Nettling and friends! Below, Sammy (left) celebrates with our Honorary Race Chair Brigetta Barrett and fellow team members. Read the full story here.
And see some local TV news coverage right here.
Photo: Andy Morales
We gave away more than $1,000 in prizes!
Our Race for the Cure Giveaway was a huge success. Find out who won here.
Local luminaries back Race; Mayor declares Race for the Cure Week
Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, auto business owner Jim Click, and executives from Fry's and Ventana Medical Systems are behind one of Southern Arizona's favorite charity events.
Rothschild and Click along with Teresa Tucker, area manager for Fry's Food Stores, and Jacqueline Bucher, an executive at Ventana Medical Systems, took time out to record a Public Service Announcement that sees them explaining why they back the Race for the Cure.
"Why do I support the Race for the Cure? Because it helps women in our community, and it's a great way to keep fit," says Mayor Rothschild. The Mayor recently declared Race for the Cure Week, to start this Sunday, March 10th, and run up until Race Day on March 17th.
"Because breast cancer touches so many people - your neighbors, your friends, the people you shop with at the supermarket," says Tucker of Fry's, local presenting sponsor of the Race.
Bucher from Ventana Medical Systems, another Race sponsor, adds: "Because we believe in giving back to the community, and when you take part in Race for the Cure the money raised turns into local grants."
Click, whose Ford dealership is also a local sponsor, says simply: "Because it saves lives."
The PSA is airing on KVOA News 4 Tucson.
Pink Girls Will Rock with Rap Artist Song
When rap artist Todd Sneed, aka Toddthawriter, offered to write a song especially for Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona, it was an offer we couldn't turn down.
The rap artist, originally from Los Angeles, has been writing music for more than 20 years, and performs at various venues across Tucson, including Second Saturdays Downtown.
'Pink Girls Rock' is written for and dedicated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona. This is the first time Todd has dedicated a song to charity, although he has done local toy drives for charities.
"I wasn't a troubled teen, but as a teen and young adult I did get into trouble. I was fortunate enough to make it through. Now I want to make music to inspire my fellow man and woman," says Todd.
"This is your day in the sun," he sings in Pink Girls Rock, of women who have fought breast cancer. You can see him performing it at our Race for the Cure on March 17th at the University of Arizona.
Toddthawriter
You can hear the song here. A portion of proceeds from sales will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Southern Arizona.
Calling all High Schoolers!
Want to form a Race for the Cure team, and get the chance of free bowling while you’re at it?
Then join our High School Team Challenge.
The HSTC encourages high school awareness of breast cancer, by creating a competition between high schools.
Led by a Team Leader and faculty staff member, each high school joins together to form a team for Race for the Cure on March 17th.
The high schools compete with each other to find out who can form the most successful team. There will be prizes for most participants, and most money raised.
The prize for largest team comes from Vantage Bowling Centers, which will give each team member a gift certificate for $10 for free bowling, including shoe rental!
Photo credit: Team Pink Dorados, last year's winner of the High School Team Challenge for largest team!
Race Training Series update! Participants could win a $50 gift certificate.
Join us for FREE fitness sessions on the UA Mall – Get in training for the Race
As if putting on the city’s favorite fundraising walk wasn’t enough, we’re throwing in some free fitness sessions to go along with it.
Our annual Race Training Series invites people of all fitness levels to attend a weekly meet-up on the campus of the University of Arizona. Starting Saturday, February 2nd at 8am, the group will do stretches and warm-ups, work out and get fitness advice, led by a local personal trainer and nutritionist Melanie TschoppFrey, a.k.a. 'Coach Mel'. For those not already registered for Race for the Cure on March 17th, there will also be Race entry forms available.
The sponsor and organizer of Race Training Series is ReActivate, a business that is celebrating its second birthday this month. Owned by Lydia Kennedy, a former corporate human resources director, it sells new and used active wear at its store at 2782 N. Campbell Avenue, Tucson. The store operates on a buy-sell-trade basis; customers can buy new and used fitness gear, and sell their gear (new, or in like-new prewashed condition) to the store for cash or trade.
“A lot of people say they can’t afford to work out because of the cost of buying workout gear. I’m here to say ‘Yes you can.’ My aim is to promote healthy, active lifestyles and get people moving,” says Lydia.
The Race Training Series event takes place every Saturday at 8am, starting February 2nd. Participants are asked to meet at Athletic Pavilion behind McKale Center. For more information call 520 325 4295.
**Please note location change**
A special invitation to Race for the Cure
As President Obama enters his second term, one of our Race for the Cure teams has high hopes that the President may come to the Southern Arizona event on March 17.
In an open letter published on a Tucson Muslims blog last weekend, the Muslims Care Too team ask that the President come and join them on the 5K walk. And if he can't make it, they suggest he "sleeps in" instead - by joining the team through our Sleep in for the Cure program.
"We were successful in having our first team [last year] with much enthusiasm and community building amongst our small group as well as the outreach to the greater community... With this, I respectfully request you to join our team! I'm serious!" writes Muslims Care Too's Maryam Mir, whose team last year became one of the largest in the Race, with 107 members.
Maryam (pictured above, far left, with other members of the team) also writes about the aims behind the Muslims Care Too team, which last year was known as Tucson Muslims for the Cure. She says she wanted to offer support to family friends who have suffered from breast cancer, and been on the list of survivors. She wanted the team to help "build the ties of community service" with the American Muslim community, as well as make connections with fellow Tucsonans. And she wanted the team to commemorate Gabe Zimmerman, a member of then Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' staff, who was killed in the Tucson shootings on January 8, 2011. Gabe was a friend and classmate of her son's, she says.
Forming the Race for the Cure team led to community aid efforts in Tucson that the team members were not even expecting, says Maryam. For a full interview with the team, keep an eye on our Faces Behind the Race series this week on this website.
Gov Brewer wants to expand Arizona’s Medicaid program
2013 Race for the Cure: date set, plus a brand new venue
The next Susan G Komen Southern Arizona Race for the Cure will take place March 17, 2013 –and it’s moving to a brand new venue!
This year we'll be on the campus of the University of Arizona, where we'll celebrate our 15th anniversary. We hope you'll join us for one of Tucson’s favorite fundraising events.
Big thanks go to the City of Tucson and surrounding neighbors who helped make the Race happen at Reid Park for the last eleven years. But at the new venue we're promising lots of parking, and there's no need for shuttles.
Plus, Komen SAZ's ties to the U of A run deep; our Affiliate has funded educational programs for breast cancer patients and their families at the UA Cancer Center.
Race registration is now open! And if you'd like to volunteer to assist with Race preparations, email us at info@komensaz.org
Olympian Brigetta Barrett heads up our Race
Photo credit: Steve McMackin/Impulse Nine Media
We’re proud to announce Brigetta Barrett, who won silver medalist in the high jump at the London Olympics, as our Honorary Race Chair. Brigetta is a UA undergrad with close ties to breast cancer. Her mother was battling it when Brigetta was in training for the Olympics. Click here for their story
Calling 15-year breast cancer survivors and Race alumni
Next year's Race for the Cure is our 15th! To celebrate our anniversary and yours, we'd love to collect as many survivor stories as we can.
- Are you a 15-year survivor?
- Do you know someone who is?
- Were you involved in the Race in the early days? If so, tell us what it was like.
We'd love to hear your tales. Email your story to gillian@komensaz.org
Komen SAZ receives major financial shot in the arm
OUR BRA DRIVE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!
Photo credit: Steve McMackin - Impulse Nine Media
The month of October got off to a flying start as University of Arizona students came together for a mass ‘undressing’.
Led by theatre majors, the students wore bras on top of their clothes, then removed them and tossed them in the air to mark not only Breast Cancer Awareness Month but
Bra Recycling Month.
We collected 642 new and gently used bras for women’s shelters and foster homes. THANK YOU for all your support
Check out the bra tossing on film! Click here for a video of our launch, courtesy of our friend Elaine Birks-Mitchell of The Bra Recyclers.
Players in Pink, Tackling for the Cure, Scouting for the Cure and more!
Southern Arizonans young and old came together to fundraise and raise awareness. But we prefer to call it fun-raising… because we had a blast. Hope you did too.
More than $23,000 was raised thanks to the following organizations: SIR/Quarter Mile for the Cure; Battle for Breasts golf tourney; La Paloma Academy; Mountain View Lady Putters Against Breast Cancer; Gadabout. We couldn’t do it without you folks. Thank you
Tucson Fiat pinked out this car and displayed it at the Tucson Mall.
Do you have photos you’d like to share with us? If so email gillian@komensaz.org
Voices for the Cure
In our second radio series in association with Arizona Public Media, community members touched by breast cancer opened their hearts. Save a little time to listen to these. They will touch your heart.
'Mammo Time'
Local filmmaker Hannah Glasston and contemporary folk musician Jean Bayou poked gentle fun at the mammogram experience with this PSA made just for us. It ran on local TV stations, and you can still catch it on YouTube.
Custom purses!
Tucson artist/weaver Catherine Harrison kindly offered to donate half of proceeds from her custom clutches (above) straight to Komen Southern Arizona. And the really neat thing is they're made of recycled shopping bags. They’re still selling here for $32 each in the Komen Shop at 4574 E. Broadway, and Catherine will be selling them on her Etsy site
* Our El Tour de Tucson team is pedalling to the metal, and it's not too late to join them. Our Riders for the Cure train every weekend (join them even if you're not doing El Tour!) and are hoping to smash right through last year's fundraising record. Details here.
* This Fall it's not just Yoplait yogurt lids that will carry the fundraising pink ribbon, but lots of other brands too. Collect boxtops from Cheerios, Pillsbury, Progresso, Ocean Spray, Hamburger Helper and Green Giant and for every lid/boxtop collected, 10 cents will be donated to us. Drop them at our offices at 4574 E. Broadway or send them directly to the address on the packaging. For more info, including how to get a collection bin for your school, work site or place of worship, visit Savelidstosavelives.com
*Are you a woman taking Tamoxifen or are you about to? If so, the University of Arizona would love to hear from you for a diet-related study.
Arizona women to benefit to the tune of $8m and greater access to breast and cervical cancer treatment
Among the new State laws coming into force August 2 is a change that will mean increased access to healthcare for many Arizona women, and an extra $8m in treatment dollars.
The shift in policy closes a loophole in State law that had previously excluded certain women seeking cancer treatment because they walked through the "wrong" door to be diagnosed. More here.
Real men wear pink
Yes, breast cancer in men does happen, and because of ignorance surrounding it, men are often diagnosed late. In this feature in Mother Jones magazine, a group of former Marines talk candidly about their own experiences, and how they sought out women's breast cancer support groups for help.
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Southern Arizona Affiliate of Susan G. Komen® |
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