Message from Jaimie

This last October was, as we promised, busier than ever. Tucson's ever-generous business community stepped up with lots of fundraisers. Our media partners produced some amazing stories and TV/radio coverage. And you, our supporters, stepped up with your support. You flocked to our Facebook page and website, and you wiped us out of Komen bracelets here at the Shop. Thank you!

It was a time of sober reflection too, of course. Our 2011 Community Profile Report, released last month, noted that 60% of women in Southern Arizona are not getting a mammogram, and that in certain pockets of the population the screening rates are way lower. For all the details, click here.

We also held Komen SAZ's first lecture on historic Tumamoc Hill. In what we hope will become an annual event, physicians, board members and our staff gathered to hear Dr Joyce Schroeder of the University of Arizona's Cancer Center talking about the strides she and her team of microbiologists have made in their breast cancer research. They've developed a drug - so far tested on mice - that zeroes in on two proteins found in triple-negative breast cancers and stops them spreading. The next step is to try and overcome strict FDA drug research guidelines, gather some more research money, and take it to clinical trials on humans.

I received a few calls from supporters who voiced interest in us having a larger event of this kind, a public lecture that would educate as well as spread word about our mission. Well, I'd love that too. So watch this space.

Thanksgiving is now upon us, and I'd like to give thanks to all of you, and to our members of staff and the volunteers who help keep us operating from day to day. We say a sad farewell to Julie Evans, development and communications manager, who was instrumental in putting on last year's Race for the Cure, and in getting our Riders for the Cure team established at El Tour de Tucson. She and I did the 60 miles, and we loved it so much we plan to return next year!

And we welcome two new members to our team. Consultant Sue Collins is responsible for third party events and next year's Race for the Cure. Communications consultant Gillian Drummond.is handling our public relations and media coverage.

It's been a year now since I joined the Komen SAZ team, and I look forward to an even bigger, busier year ahead.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 Jaimie Leopold, executive director