Comments Warm Holiday Wishes From All of Us To All of You
The staff of Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure would like to sincerely thank all our volunteers, donors, participants, supporters, survivors and families for helping us to save lives in our community this year. We wish you a joyful Holiday Season and look forward to all of the great things we can accomplish together in 2012.
Happy Holidays from the Komen Denver Affiliate!
Organization Urges Aggressive Research into Treatments for Advanced and Metastatic Cancers
DALLAS – November 18, 2011 – Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, issued the following statement today from Komen president Elizabeth Thompson about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s decision removing Avastin from the list of approved drugs for the treatment of advanced and metastatic breast cancer:
“We know that this decision was a difficult one for the FDA and respect the length of time they spent deliberating the many issues that impact patients.
As a patient advocacy organization, we want to ensure that women who are successfully using Avastin today continue to have access to the drug, and that their treatment be covered by third-party payers.
This decision underscores the need for aggressive research to develop treatments that will allow women to live full, high-quality lives even with advanced and metastatic breast cancers. At the same time, we encourage continued research into biomarkers that will help identify which patients will or will not benefit from certain treatments.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested $25.5 million to metastatic research in the past five years alone and $685 million to breast cancer research since we opened our doors in 1982. As a patient advocacy organization, we call on all stakeholders — government, private industry, academia and the nonprofit community — to help develop treatments that are more personalized in nature, hopefully with fewer or measured toxicities, and to make these available to patients as safely and as quickly as possible.”
More than 850 attendees, more than $375,000 raised
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The 2011 Pink Tie Affair was an amazing evening. A special thanks to the Pink Tie Committee for all of their hard work throughout the year. Pink Tie raised more than $375,000 and we had more than 850 people join us for dinner, casino games, entertainment and dancing on November 12, 2011 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Sincere thanks to everyone who joined us.
Photographs from the event are available to view on our Facebook page.
4th Annual Komen Denver Ambassador Award
Our Ambassador Award is given each year to acknowledge an individual whose generous support and activities have significantly assisted the Komen Denver Affiliate in advancing our mission. We are happy to announce Bob Shaw, Executive Vice President for Great-West Life, has been selected as the recipient of the 4th Annual Komen Denver Ambassador Award!
Bob became involved with Komen Denver Affiliate along with his company, Great-West Life where he serves as Executive Vice President, at the very first Komen Denver Race for the Cure®. He has participated in all 19 races. In 1997, the fight against breast cancer became personal for Bob, Lori and their two sons, Derek and Kevin. Bob lost his Mom to breast cancer that year. Two years later, Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer. Lori fought a long, hard fight and they are happy and proud to now call her a 12 year survivor. Bob served on the Board of Directors of Komen Denver Affiliate for six years. Bob remains active in his support of Komen Denver and its mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever!
We were honored to present the Ambassador Award to Bob Shaw at our 2011 Pink Tie Affair that was held on November 12 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel!
View pictures from the Pink Tie Affair on the Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure‘s Facebook page.
Colorado Gives Day
On December 6, visit Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure on GivingFirst.org, an online resource that features hundreds of Colorado charities. Learn about our programs, how we are helping our community, and donate online directly to us. When you donate through GivingFirst.org, 100 percent of your donation comes to Komen Denver Affiliate (credit card processing fees will be covered by Community First Foundation and sponsors). Tell your friends and family — no more stamps, no more envelopes — simply donate online.
Go to www.GivingFirst.org/Komen on December 6th. From all of us at Komen Denver Affiliate thank you in advance for your support!
When
24 hour
s starting at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
How
Online through GivingFirst.org
Why
To support Komen Denver in our vital mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever.
GivingFirst.org is made possible by Community First Foundation, a Denver-based nonprofit. As part of their mission to encourage philanthropy in our communities, the Foundation covers all credit card processing fees on donations made through GivingFirst.org.
Author: Margaret Moran
National President of LULAC
Huffington Post 10/20/11
“I wonder if this is anything I should worry about.” This thought has crossed the minds of many women I know and love. Regardless of your socio-economic background or ethnicity, breast cancer is a frightening word loaded with “what ifs.” For many of us with access to medical and adequate health coverage, our worries are rested after a doctor visit or screening shows we are cancer free. However, for women who lack the luxury of health coverage, early detection becomes a luxury they cannot afford.
More than 14,000 of the estimated 200,000 cases of breast cancer expected in the U.S. this year will occur among the Latina population; more than 2,200 women of Latin origin will die. In order to stem breast cancer deaths in women in the nation’s fastest-growing population group, screening, education and support programs are critical. The latest statistics show that with early detection, breast cancer can be beaten in 99 percent of all cases.
Yet, according to recent studies, the majority of Latinas are diagnosed in Stage 4. Hispanic women show lower breast cancer screening rates than non-Hispanic/Latina White women and tend to seek and attain health care services less frequently than other ethnic groups. However, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Hispanic/Latina women.
Recent data indicates a hard truth that is too often ignored. Although, Hispanic women are less likely to have mammogram screenings and more likely to be diagnosed at later stages of breast cancer, they in fact have lower breast cancer rates (83.5 per 100,000) but are more likely to die from the disease. Studies consistently show that low income, low educational attainment, lack of health insurance, inability to speak English, lack of awareness of breast cancer risks and screening methods, acculturation level and lack of physician referral play important roles in the lower rates of screening utilization by Hispanic/Latina women.
Organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, are initiating major new outreach to dramatically improve cancer screening, education and outreach in the Latina community. In the last two years alone, Susan G. Komen has awarded more than $76 million in grants benefitting Latinas across the country. In this effort, LULAC can be instrumental because of our commitment to offer support in this outreach.
When I was a young girl, we didn’t talk about breast cancer. Now, we must not only talk about it, but be sure that all women have access to proper screenings and treatments. We need to ensure that Hispanic women have the knowledge and medical care to put an end to this disease. Breast cancer affects everyone, not just the person diagnosed. Likewise, everyone needs to do their part to minimize the risks within our community.
Breast Cancer Knows No Age- Melissa’s Story
In May 2010, three weeks after my 26th birthday, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. I was young and had no family history, so I had a hard time understanding the meaning of my diagnosis. I never thought I would have to make such a decision, let alone at such a young age. I wondered how the diagnosis and treatment would affect my self-confidence … how I would feel about myself.
It was a difficult decision, but I chose to have a double mastectomy in hopes that I would never have to worry about the cancer returning.
My surgery was just the beginning. Next, I began a grueling 12 weeks of chemotherapy, and the loss of my hair. This was devastating. I felt that my mastectomy could be hidden, but that my hair loss was showing everyone that I was sick. Eventually though, I embraced my bald head, and it felt good to learn that I could handle such things. Chemo caused body aches, mouth sores, and loss of appetite, but I refused to let it get the best of me. I continued to work full-time, exercise regularly, and go dancing with friends.
The unconditional love and support from family and friends helped me to be where I am today … healthy, happy, and living life to the fullest. And, I have an amazing boyfriend who truly makes me feel beautiful.
I still need more surgeries to complete breast reconstruction, but I couldn’t be happier with the person I am today. I’ve learned many lessons and most importantly, I am embracing the journey. I feel that I was given an early chance to evaluate my life, and I now live every day to the fullest.
Melissa is an active volunteer for the Denver Metropolitan Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. She has found that many people believe the misconception that without a family history, they are not at risk for breast cancer. She readily shares her story to teach young women about breast health awareness and how to be their own best advocate.
Breast cancer knows no boundaries and in Colorado 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. So help us reach our fundraising goal of $1.2 million for this year’s Komen Denver Race for the Cure because someday you or a friend may need us. Donate Now by clicking here or learn more about other ways to get involved with the Komen Denver Metropolitan Affiliate by clicking here.
Komen Denver Representatives touring Colorado Coalition for the Homeless with Representative Deb Gardner (4th from the right), Morris Price- District Director for Congresswoman Diana DeGette (3rd from the right) and Senator Michael Johnston (2nd from the right).
Affiliate Continues Grantee Site Visits
The Komen Denver Metropolitan Affiliate had another busy month in September visiting grantees and showcasing these community partnerships to elected officials. Six legislators were able to join us on three of our seven grantee sites that we visited. This face-to-face interaction helps us build relationships and gives us an opportunity to educate elected officials about the work being done in their districts, the need for breast health and cancer services, and why it is so important to maintain funding for state and federal programs. Continue reading for a description of how each organization we visited in September is using their 2011-2012 grant funds.
At our first visit to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), we were pleased to be joined by Representative Deb Gardner, Senator Mike Johnston, and Morris Price, the District Director for Congresswoman Diana DeGette. CCH is continuing their Breast Screening Services program for 180 homeless, uninsured women living below the poverty level who are not eligible for the Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) program. Their services include: bilingual screening education, clinical breast examinations, mammograms, diagnostic services, and treatment referrals. For more information contact Deborah Hibdon at 303-291-6944 or dhibdon@coloradocoalition.org.
Next we visited Poudre Valley Hospital System (PVHS) in Fort Collins. Representative John Kefalas joined us for a tour and learned about how PVHS provides comprehensive breast cancer patient navigation across the continuum of care for all parts of Larimer County. PVHS will be able to provide 50-60 breast cancer patients with financial assistance to help with their treatment cost and they will also be enrolling at least 25 patients into clinical trials. Contact Shelley Nielsen at 970-237-6166 or skn2@pvhs.org to learn more.
Representative Su Ryden joined the Denver Affiliate for a tour of the Tri County Health Department in Aurora. Tri County Health Department is part of the Komen/Women’s Wellness Connection Partnership Project, which will provide free breast cancer screening services to approximately 902 patients in Colorado through cooperative agreements with 4 community health clinics and health departments. For more information on the agencies who receive funding for screening services from this project contact Rachel Foster at 303-692-2511 or Rachel.foster@state.co.us.
We also visited the Salud Family Health Center, part of the Colorado Community Health Network, which is providing no-cost breast health and cancer education opportunities, screening, diagnostic testing, navigation and treatment support services to 1,600 low-income, under- or uninsured patients in 21 sites at six community health centers (CHC) throughout Colorado. The CHC’s serve Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, Logan, Morgan and Weld counties. To find out about a clinic in your area, contact Paula Davis at 303-861-5165 x286 or paula@cchn.org.
Rocky Mountain Rural Health (RMRH) is increasing access to breast health services to women of the South Park region of Park County with an income at or below 250% of the federal poverty line. RMRH will provide mammograms to 150 women and assist with transportation for mammograms and treatment appointments. If you live in this region and would like more information, contact Allysha Moore at 719-836-2169 or amoore@rmrh.org.
We also visited Colorado Alliance for Health Equity & Practice (CAHEP). CAHEP is continuing their current breast health work by expanding culturally competent breast health screening navigation to at-risk medically under-served immigrants of Asian and African origin including other refugee women in the Denver and Northeastern counties of the Affiliate’s service area. If you or someone you know would benefit from these services, contact Suegie Park at 303.974.5367 or suegie.park@cahep.org.
Senator Scott Renfroe joined us on our last September visit to the North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC) in Greeley. Serving northern and northeastern Colorado, NCMC’s grant funds are providing assistance for a variety of non-medical expenses, such as transportation, household costs, food, and breast supportive therapies and related supplies to patients living with breast cancer. The oncology patient navigator helps patients connect to resources and information related to their cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. To connect with NCMC, please contact Sue Fagerlund at 970-378‐4327 or sue.fagerlund@bannerhealth.com.
2012-2013 Community Grant Applications are Now Available
Komen for the Cure seeks to ensure that all people, regardless of race, income, geographic location, sexual orientation, or insurance status, have access to screening, and if diagnosed, to quality, effective treatment and treatment support services. The Komen Denver Metropolitan Affiliate supports this by funding an array of breast health and cancer services that together create seamless systems of care for the medically underserved in six key geographic regions in our 19-county service area.
Click here for more information on funding priorities and how to apply.
Copyright 2011- Dillon Pixler Photography
Signature Event Raises Nearly $3 Million for the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Fifty-thousand walkers and runners took to the streets of downtown Denver decked out in pink regalia to honor, remember and celebrate those in their lives who are fighting or have fought breast cancer. This army of pink raised nearly $3 million for the care and treatment of themselves, their partners, sisters, daughters and friends suffering from this deadly disease.
Among these 50,000 walkers and runners, were approximately 3000 breast cancer survivors and more than 1,160 teams.
Sleep In for the Cure®
We will continue to register for Sleep In for the Cure until October 15. Your challenge is to ask a friend, co-worker, or family member to register now. If everyone who registered online found one more person to register, we will make this the most successful Race EVER! Registration for Sleep In will be open until October 15 at 5:00 pm. Shirts will be mailed to you as part of your registration fee. Click here for more information on how to register for Sleep In.
Fundraising
The fight against breast cancer is not over. We need your help to reach our goal of 1.2 million dollars in pledges. You have until October 28th to pledge, so don’t wait, click here to donate and help us reach our goal today!
The funds raised here are invested here. Seventy five percent of the net funds remain in our service area in the form of grants for services to detect breast cancer early and to treat breast cancer.
Panorama theme by Themocracy
