Donating More Than Just Time; Donating Tissue for the Cure

I don’t know if it’s because I’m chairing the 2010 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure or because one of my best friends from college was diagnosed (fought and won) her battle with breast cancer last year – or maybe it’s because one of my best friend’s mother lost her battle with breast cancer last year and I want a cure to be found so others don’t suffer. Whatever the reason, I’m seriously contemplating donating breast tissue to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center next month.

This hasn’t been something I’ve ever considered before (or even knew about), but ever since a friend sent me an e-mail about it; I can’t seem to get it out of my mind. Is it possible that my healthy breast tissue can help make a difference? As I understand it, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tissue Bank collects tissue from women who have – and haven’t had breast cancer and with a variety of benign breast conditions, scientists will be able to determine differences which ultimately could lead to a better understanding of the breast cancer process. I don’t understand how science works, but if I can contribute to it, I’ll consider it.

I’m not going to lie, the process sounds painful (and I’m a big baby when it comes to needles). The sample tissue is taken from one breast through a breast biopsy. It’s done with (yep, you guessed it) a needle and local anesthesia. According to my friend who donated last year there is swelling, bruising and soreness for a few days. The amount of tissue taken during the procedure is about one gram; the size of 2 peas. Small sample… big difference! The way I see it, it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make if it benefits women and men who may be diagnosed with this disease in the future. Another way I see it, I’m not only donating time to chairing the Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure, but I’m donating a part of me to finding a cure. How cool is that?

The next tissue collection event is scheduled for January 23, 2010 at the IU Simon Cancer Center. Appointments are scheduled from 8:20 a.m. – 1:40 p.m. in 20-minute increments. If you’re interested, contact Pat Mitchum at 317-274-2366 or pamitchu@iupui.edu. And if you donate, thank you! I’d be interested in hearing about your experience.

Holiday Shopping for the Cure

Last minute holiday shopping – some people love it; some hate it. I love shopping no matter what time of the year it is (the holiday traffic and long lines, on the other hand, is a different story). As the Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure chair, I must confess that my Christmas wish list this year is a little more “pink” than in years past. From hats to socks; sweatshirts to t-shirts and everything in between (including wrapping paper), I found it easy to find a few new pink things. With a new merchandise vendor for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, it was easy to find some new things to add to my wish list – and they’re adding new things each day.

First, let me tell you about our new vendor: MainGate, Inc. Locally, they are the merchandise vendor for the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, 500 Festival, IMA, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to name a few. Nationally, they are known for their extensive sports teams partnerships. They first started out in 1963 as coordinator for the event merchandise sales of the National Hot Rod Association and have grown tremendously since then. They are “a multifaceted merchandising and marketing company that serves numerous business partners.”

I can recall our first meeting with them several months ago and one of the concerns a few of us had was whether or not this male-dominated sports vendor could deliver a female, “girly” pink product for our Race. The answer? YES! I’m so excited to welcome MainGate, Inc. to the 2010 Komen Indy Race for the Cure – just wait until you see the massive presence they have planned for our event. The last we spoke, there were talks of a big semi-truck pulling into Military Park - and from the drawings they showed us I can envision a mini store with a ton of cool (pink) stuff.

Back to holiday shopping … MainGate, Inc. has set up a website for us that provides 25% back to Komen for the fight against breast cancer. And, if you shop directly from the Komen Indy website, 25% comes directly back to the Indianapolis affiliate. Simply go to www.komenindy.org, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on ShopKomen.com.

So, whether you’re buying something for yourself or someone special on your Christmas list, consider a gift that benefits a great cause!

A Look Back at the First Race

written by Lisa Drake Cole, 1992 Race for the Cure Chair

As I look at the Race for the Cure today, it’s hard to believe that the first race, back in 1992, would grow into something so amazing. It seemed like such a novel thing to do back then when the Susan G. Komen Foundation approached the Junior League of Indianapolis about putting on a “women’s only” walk/run for breast cancer. The only major running event in Indy at the time was the Mini Marathon.

From the minute our committee of five came together, we believed we could do it, we believed in the cause – even though our faith was a little shaken as we set up for the event that Friday, April 10, under threatening skies, only to have terrible storms all night before the race. We worried whether:

a) would our venue tents, etc. still be standing?
b) would anybody bother to show up since it had been storming all night?

Our fears soon passed as we saw that first participant walking over the hill at Fort Benjamin Harrison to be followed by 1700 other women. 1701 women participated in the first Race for the Cure April 11, 1992, and 1701 women ran or walked under our balloon arch blowing in the breeze under a sunny sky, united in spirit and cause.

That year we raised $50,000 to continue the fight against breast cancer. It was an incredible experience to be a part of; it was day I’ll never forget. That night, in a horse-drawn carriage, my boyfriend Bob also asked me to marry him! What a night, indeed!

Lisa Drake Cole, RN, MA
Manager, Community Outreach and Engagement, Clarian Health

Fascinated by Race Facts

I am having a great time serving as the Chairperson for the 2010 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure. So far, I’ve had the great pleasure of working with a team of 30 executive committee members who are volunteering their time and talent to create a great Race experience. I’ve also had the great pleasure of interviewing and selecting the 2010 Honorary Survivor, Donna Minnick (I blogged about her two weeks ago).

What I’m truly enjoying though is the behind the scenes of the Race – and everything I’m learning about the event and the organization. This week I thought I would share some of my favorite facts that I find truly fascinating:

• 42,462 individuals participated in the 2009 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure.
• 29,605 participants were a part of a Team.
• 2,494 participants were breast cancer survivors.
• 142 men and women runners/walkers were over the age of 80; 3,092 were between the ages of 0-9.
• 843 participants came from out-of-state: Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan.
• 2.3 million dollars was raised through Race entries and fundraising efforts.
• Komen Indianapolis granted 1.6 million to 21 organizations in 2009.
• 25 local businesses helped “Paint the Town Pink” last year.
• 614 volunteers helped with the event – 377 of which volunteered on Race Day.
• Here’s something I bet you couldn’t have guessed … 465 Race participants last year were named Jennifer (the most common first name) and 386 shared the same last name, Smith, (the most common last name).

What will the 2010 numbers, fun and fascinating facts reveal? Who knows, but I’m excited to find out.

Join us for the 2010 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure on Saturday, April 17. Be one of the valuable numbers that makes this Race such a fascinating one!

2010 Race Shirt Unveiled

I can’t tell you how many run, walk and triathlon shirts I’ve accumulated over the years. They vary in style, in colors and in messages. I have to admit, the ones I treasure the most are the Komen Race for the Cure t-shirts. I have quite a collection of them – and I can remember something special about each one of the Race for the Cure shirts I've kept.

I’m almost certain I can dig out my first one from the year I volunteered on the marketing committee. I know for sure I have my first Team Jaguars t-shirt – and the Team Jaguars shirts that followed. I have my Team WTPI shirt from when my friend, Tonia, worked there and we joined the station’s team. And of course, I have my Race t-shirt from last year that I wore as I walked next to my cancer butt-kickin, one-year survivor friend, Sheri Miller. They’re all special to me, which is why I continue to keep them and wear them proudly year after year.

That’s why I’m so excited about the 2010 Race for the Cure t-shirts. Susan G. Komen for the Cure decided to redesign the participant t-shirts this year and opened it up for a vote. The public got to vote on their favorite design. For a $5 donation, voters could choose from one of three designs. $15,000 was raised and will be split among the affiliates. I must admit, all three were cool, but the one with the highest votes (including receiving a few votes and donations from me) is my favorite.

So, here is your sneak peek at what the 2010 Race t-shirt will look like. I look forward to seeing 40,000+ participants wearing these cool new shirts at the Indianapolis Race for the Cure on April 17 (or at the grocery store, the gym, around the neighborhood, etc.).

Introducing the 2010 Honorary Survivor

“Breast cancer didn’t kill me; it gave me life,” said Donna Minnick.

WOW! That’s an amazing statement – and a statement that continues to stick with me as I think about who we selected as the 2010 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure Honorary Survivor. So far, as Race Chair, my greatest pleasure was making the call to Donna Minnick to let her know we selected her as this year’s Honorary Survivor.

Donna is a 40-year breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed when she was 29, at a time when the word “cancer” was difficult to even talk about – let alone diagnose, treat and survive. As a wife and mother of two young children she suddenly was confronted with life and death issues raised by her cancer. But, as Donna explained in her application: “because of all of the experiences, feelings, emotions, unanswered questions and challenges I faced I began to ‘live’ rather than ‘exist’. I began to cherish people, experiences, challenges and everyday living.”

The selection committee has a difficult task each year of choosing the individual to serve as the honorary survivor – the “face of the race”. This year was no different. The 13 applicants each shared an amazing story of survival and hope. Each woman was deserving of this position. However, after meeting Donna, we knew we had an extraordinary woman in our presence. As a 40-year survivor, Donna is the longest survivor chosen to serve this role. A woman who points to a 15” scar that runs from her armpit to her waist, Donna represents how far we’ve come in terms of treatment. A woman who has no major or minor pectoral muscles and limited physical strength, yet has climbed mountains, rappels, hikes and camps, she represents hope.

It truly is amazing to know how far we have come in terms of research and care for women and men fighting the fight against breast cancer – a fight that Donna won so many years ago. Donna's story is much like Nancy Brinker's – the power of one individual who is making an incredible difference in the world of breast cancer. Her resume is extensive and quite impressive. After her diagnosis, she spent her personal and professional life devoted to serving the needs of others in health care. She volunteers her time, serves as an inspirational public speaker and after retirement in 1999, spent several years in out West “experiencing life”.

As one of the selection committee members said, “Donna is the story of life. She said her life began with cancer and she has and is continuing to live life to the absolute fullest!”

It is my greatest pleasure to introduce Donna Minnick to everyone as the 2010 Honorary Survivor. I can’t wait for you to meet her at one of the Komen Indianapolis events, see her interviewed by our friends in the media or meet her on April 17 at the Race.

A Note from the 2010 Race Chair

When I was selected to chair the 2010 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure I had no idea what I was getting myself into - it didn't matter, I was committed to doing it. I have been around the Race for over a decade. I served on the marketing committee years ago, then chaired it. I was the sponsor liaison and team captain when I was at IUPUI (Team Jaguars). I've walked alongside friends for a number of years who have had a family member affected by the disease. There have been a lot of ways I've been able to support and get involved with the Race for the Cure.

It wasn't until my best friend from college fought (and won) the fight last year that I decided to step up and get more involved. It was my way to honor and celebrate her. Of course, if you ask my husband, he would've said making a donation in her honor would've been easier. He might be right, but it might not be as rewarding. As I walked alongside Sheri last year, it was a completely different experience. We laughed, we cried and we walked proudly (sometimes in silence) across the finish line together. I knew right away that serving as the Chairwoman was going to be an incredible opportunity and a once in lifetime experience.

So, here I am... a few months into my "chairwomanship" and I'm having a great time - and learning a whole lot about the Race that I never would've known. I'm meeting a lot of wonderful people - and have already been impacted by some of the wonderful survivors, volunteers and committee members who I've had the pleasure of meeting.

But, why should I have all the fun ? I mean, wouldn't it be great to hear what the Race Executive Committee has in the works for the 2010 Race? Don't you want to know some of the behind the scenes things that go into planning for 40,000+ participants (like knowing 192 portolets have already been ordered)? Don't you want to help Pink Go Green (our new "green" initiative)? Don't you want to hear some of the incredible stories from survivors and co-survivors? Don't you want to hear from some of our sponsors and teams about why they are committed to the Race?

I feel like there's so much to share between now and April 17. This blog is just one way we hope to have an on-going conversation with Race for the Cure participants, sponsors, friends and fans. We hope to share information about the Race - and at the same time, hear from you. What do you want to know?

We plan on posting weekly, so follow us throughout the planning stages.