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!