also: news champions partners community style events

forthe

THE VOICE OF THE BREAST CANCER MOVEMENT | SPRING 2007THE VOICE OF THE BREAST CANCER MOVEMENT | SPRING 2007

CONTENTS

spring 20072for the cure

DEPARTMENTS

On a Mission25-year anniversary marks new momentum in the war on breast cancer

3

8

16

15

14

12

7

4Susan G. Komen for the Cure

FounderNancy G. Brinker

Board ChairmanKenneth E. Bentsen, Jr.

President and CEOHala G. Moddelmog

For the Cure EditorMaureen O’Donnell

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR LAURIE DENTCONTRIBUTING WRITER ANNE MCDONALD DAVIS

SENIOR ART DIRECTOR KELLY RYAN MURPHYASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR KYLE PHELPS

OPERATIONS MANAGER SHANEEN ROMEROPRODUCTION MANAGER STEVI JACKSON

DIGITIAL IMAGING SPECIALIST CHRIS MULDERCHAIRMAN WICK ALLISON

DIRECTOR OF CUSTOM PUBLISHING KRISTEN BOHN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR LINDSAY THOMAS

HOW TO REACH US:4311 OAK LAWN AVENUE, FIRST FLOOR, DALLAS, TX, 75219

WWW.DCUSTOMPUBLISHING.COM 214.939.3636

FOR THE CURE IS PUBLISHED BY D CUSTOM, 4311 OAK LAWNAVENUE, DALLAS, TEXAS, 75219. COPYRIGHT 2007 BY SUSANG. KOMEN FOR THE CURE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. LETTERSTO THE EDITOR MAY BE SENT TO FOR THE CURE, C/O DCUSTOM, 4311 OAK LAWN, DALLAS, TEXAS, 75219. NO PARTOF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORMOR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSIONOF THE PUBLISHER. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A MAGAZINEPATENTS PENDING.

LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDERBecause She Asked Me To

KOMEN REPORTInformation about inflammatory breastcancer, reducing your cancer riskthrough exercise, our new chairman ofthe board and much more

CHAMPIONSKomen Champions work to ensure qualitycare for everyone; Ways you can join us

THE KOMEN EXPERIENCEThe imaginary Diane Landry introducesus to a few of our partners in the fightagainst breast cancer

COMMUNITY COUNTS Komen Affiliate of the Year creates newnursing school program

KOMEN STYLEFashionable, charitable and definitelypink—a roundup of some of ourfavorite merchandise

KOMEN EVENTSRace dates and happenings

Nancy G. Brinker promised herdying sister, Susan G. Komen, she

would do everything in her power toend breast cancer forever. In 1982

that promise became Susan G.Komen for the Cure and launched

the global breast cancer movement.Today, Komen for the Cure is the

world’s largest grassroots networkof breast cancer survivors andactivists fighting to save lives,

empower people, ensure qualitycare for all and energize science tofind the cures. Thanks to events likethe Komen Race for the Cure, wehave invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming thelargest source of nonprofit funds

dedicated to the fight against breastcancer in the world. For more infor-mation about Susan G. Komen forthe Cure, breast health or breastcancer, visit www.komen.org or

call 1-800 I’M AWARE.

komen.org 3 for the cure

pring is a beautiful,but all-too-briefseason. It seems webarely have a

chance to enjoy the bloomingflowers and the green grassbefore the summer is uponus. But that doesn’t stop mefrom appreciating each newbud and soft breeze whilethey last.

My sister Suzy was likethat—beautiful and gonemuch too soon. She wasdiagnosed with breast cancerat 34. We lost her at 36.

Suzy and I said our good-byes nearly 28 years ago inan airport in our hometownof Peoria, Illinois. She had

been through somuch—

surgery, radiation,chemotherapy. It was aSunday afternoon and mydad was driving me to catcha flight back to my home inDallas. Suzy came along sowe could spend just a littlemore time together. As shehad before, Suzy spoke to meabout doing something tohelp other women withbreast cancer. This practicallytore my heart out becausehere she was, hardly able tomanage a whisper, and shewas worrying about otherpeople. I couldn’t bear it.

When my father pulled upto the curb, I kissed themboth good-bye and jumpedout of the car. As I turned togo inside, I heard a funnysound that sounded like myname. I stopped in my tracksand looked around. Therewas Suzy, standing up outsidethe car on wobbly knees.

With her arms outstretched,she said gently, “Good-bye,

Nanny, I love you.” I huggedher so hard I was afraid shemight crumble. And then Iran to catch my plane.

So when I’m asked: “Why,after so many years, do youstill do this?” ... my answeris simple. My sister, the person I loved most in theworld, asked me to.

In the world of breast cancer, the big questions arestill without answers: Whatcauses the disease and howcan it be prevented? Witheverything we’ve accom-plished, with the astonishingadvances we have seen, onein eight American women are

still expected to be diagnosedwith breast cancer in theirlifetime. Without a cure inthe next 25 years, an estimated 25 million womenglobally will be diagnosedwith breast cancer and anestimated 10 million will diefrom the disease.

And so, on the 25thanniversary of Susan G.Komen for the Cure, theorganization I started inmemory of my sister Suzy,I’m more committed thanever before to finishing thejob we started. Together, wewill fight to save everyonetouched by the disease. Wewill demand action from theleaders of our nations. Wewill stand up for those withbreast cancer who have novoice. We will help our doctors and scientists findthe tools to triumph over this disease.

We will realize our vision ofa world without breast cancer.

LETTER FOUNDER

Because SheAsked Me To

fromour

By Nancy G. Brinker, Founder, Susan G. Komen for the Cure

RENEWING OUR PROMISEWhen we started in 1982 as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, we

promised to do everything possible to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Since

then, millions of people have joined in our promise and made it their own, launching a

global movement that has changed the world. To mark our 25th anniversary, we’ve

made a few changes. But our vision of a world without breast cancer remains clear.

Today, we are Susan G. Komen for the Cure—a name befitting of an organization

dedicated to finding the many cures for the many faces of this devestating disease.

In keeping with the spirit of the new Susan G. Komen for the Cure, our newsletter also

has a new name, For the Cure, and a new look. We hope the changes inspire you to join

us in renewing your promise to help end breast cancer.

S

BRINKER WINSTRUMPET AWARD

KOMEN REPORT

spring 2007

We’re delighted to haveformer U.S. RepresentativeKenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., asour newly elected chairmanof the board of directors.Cheryl Jernigan is joiningBentsen as Affiliate represen-tative on the board.

Bentsen, president andCOO of the EquipmentLeasing and FinanceAssociation, has served bothas a Komen board memberand as our public policycommittee chair. Jernigan isa founding member of theKomen Greater Kansas CityAffiliate, and has been a tire-less community leader andbreast health advocate.

On helming the board,Bentsen says, “I consider itan honor to serve as chair-man of this revolutionaryorganization. What started asNancy Brinker’s promise toend this terrible disease hasgrown into a global move-ment. It will be a privilege tohelp elevate breast cancer asa national health priority.”

4for the cure

ou may have seen recent news reports onInflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), a rare kind ofbreast cancer. While not a new form of the disease,IBC has received attention lately because of its

aggressive nature and the fact that it’s often misdiagnosed. When you think of breast cancer, you think of a lump—

but there usually isn’t a lump associated with IBC. Its mainsymptoms are overall swelling and redness of the breast.Unfortunately, IBC is not usually detected by mammogramsor ultrasounds. And although IBC only accounts for 1 to 6percent of all new cases of breast cancer, these cells spreadeasily to other parts of the body, making prompt diagnosisand treatment critical.

In addition to monthly breast self-examination, always be alertto potential IBC symptoms, such as:

� one breast suddenly becoming larger than the other� warmth and swelling in the breast� redness or pinkness that looks like an infection� itching or pain in the breast that won’t go away� dimpling in the skin of the breast� nipple discharge, retraction or flattening� change in the color of the areola� a bruise that does not go away� swollen lymph nodes on the neck or under the arm

If you notice any of these symptoms, do not delay. See your health care provider right away. For more information aboutIBC, visit the About Breast Cancer section at komen.org.

DID YOU KNOW?IBC is rare, but not new

BentsenBoard

omen President and CEO Hala Moddelmog (left) and Rev. Bernice A. King(center) were on hand to congratulate Susan G. Komen for the Curefounder Nancy G. Brinker (right) on being presented the Trumpet Awards’Foundation’s President’s Award. Trumpet awards are given annually to

men and women who “have made significant contributions to enhancing the qualityof life for all.” Additionally, the award signifies that success, achievement and respectare void of color and gender. Visit trumpetfoundation.org for more information.

Y

on

K

komen.org

egister in June to be passionately pink inOctober, National Breast Cancer AwarenessMonth. All you have to do is round up a groupfrom your company, church, school or club (or

just rally a bunch of friends and family) and pick a dayin October when you will all wear pink and make a $5(or more) donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Your crew will get a participation kit that includesposters to promote your day, breast health informationand Passionately Pink for the Cure™ pins to match youroutfits. Last year, more than 700,000 passionate andpink heroes helped raise $3 million to fund life-savingbreast cancer research and community outreach pro-grams. For information, please emailpassionatelypink@komen.org or visit komen.org.

5 for the cure

PASSIONATELY PINK

Possible link betweenenvironment, heredity andbreast cancer being studied

We’re joining with the Sister Study tohelp recruit sisters of women and menwho had breast cancer in a long-termnationwide effort that looks at how environmental factors and genes affectthe chances of getting the disease. The study is being conducted by theNational Institute of EnvironmentalHealth Sciences.

The Sister Study’s goal is to gatherdata from 50,000 U.S. women, ages 35-74, from all walks of life. Now in itsthird and final year of recruitment, thestudy needs to enroll an additional20,000 people by the end of 2007.Women of color are of particular interest,and all information is strictly confidential.To learn more or enroll, please visit sisterstudy.org or call 877-SISTER.

CALL-OUT TO SISTERS

For the latest information and support:CALL the Komen Breast Cancer Helpline:1-800 I’M AWARE VISIT our website: komen.org

R

Need Help?

Join thejourney

Experience theBreast Cancer 3-Day at

the3day.org.

Register or learn moreabout this inspirational,

life-changing event.

Because everyonedeserves a lifetime.

KOMEN REPORT

spring 20076for the cure

MagazineAlertBe sure to check out theMay issues of CookingLight, Fitness, Healthand O for our ads.Thanks to your continu-ing support, we’re gettingthe message out!

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS� In the United States today, thereare more than 2 million breast cancer survivors.

� Breast cancerremains the mostfrequently diag-nosed canceramong women.

� Breast cancer issecond only tolung cancer in cancer deaths inthe United States.

� In the UnitedStates, 1 in 8women will bediagnosed withbreast cancer inher lifetime.

� In 2007, 178,480new cases of inva-sive breast cancerwill be diagnosedin women and40,460 womenwill die from thedisease.

� Breast canceramong men hasbeen increasingand in 2007, 2,030men will be diag-nosed and 450 areexpected to diefrom the disease.

� Even thoughAfrican Americanwomen are lesslikely to be diag-nosed with breastcancer than whitewomen, they aremore likely to diefrom the disease.

� The survival rate for women withlocalized breast cancer (cancer thathas not spread to lymph nodes orother locations outside the breast)has increased from 80 percent inthe 1950s to 98 percent today.

� For the past two years, the breast cancer deathrate has dropped about 2 percent annually in allwomen combined, with even larger decreases inwomen younger than 50. The decline is attributedto earlier detection through screening, increasedawareness and improved treatment.

� Only about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are due toheredity. The majority of women with breast cancer have noknown significant family history or other known risk factors.

� The most proven and significant risk factors for gettingbreast cancer are being female and getting older. The medi-an age at the time of breast cancer diagnosis is 61 years old.

When breast cancer is caught early, yourchances for survival greatly increase. Werecommend the following screening tests tofind breast cancer when it’s most treatable:

� Mammogramsevery year startingat 40

� Clinical breast exams by ahealth care provider at leastevery 3 years starting at 20and every year after 40

� Breast self-examsevery month startingby 20

The Good News

Despite Progress, We’re Not Done Yet

Early Detection Is Your Best Protection

Most of us know thatexercise is good for us,but have you heardthat regular physicalactivity could reduceyour chances of get-ting breast cancer,particularly aftermenopause? The lateststudy published inCancer EpidemiologyBiomarkers &Prevention piles onmore evidence for theprotective effects ofgetting off the couch.So brush off thosewalking shoes and signup for a Komen Racefor the Cure event (seepage 16) or the BreastCancer 3-Day!

EXERCISE! IT COULD REDUCE

YOUR RISK

The Odds

komen.org

omen Championsfor the Cure™ is agrassroots advoca-cy program that

educates Congress, theAdministration, state legis-lators and other decision-makers about breast cancerthrough communityinvolvement. One of thetop priorities for KomenChampions in 2007 is toaddress the issue of dispari-ties that currently plaguethe healthcare system in theUnited States. KomenChampions are working to“Close the Gaps” to ensure

that everyone facing abreast cancer diagnosis hasaccess to the best possiblecare, regardless of race, ageor socioeconomic status.

As part of this program,Komen activists fromacross the country traveledto Washington, D.C. inApril for several days ofactivities designed to spot-light the breast cancer dis-parities problem in ourcountry. While in D.C.,Champions visited morethan 350 Congressionaloffices to further educatedecision makers about

access issues; conducted asite visit and press confer-ence at Komen granteeProvidence Hospital focus-ing on patient navigation;presented to the NationalCouncil of State Legislatorsabout treatment issues; andhosted a CongressionalAwards reception. Also onthe agenda was a “Closethe Gap” rally at the U.S.Capitol to help elevatebreast cancer as a nationalpriority and the kick-off ofthe Komen CommunityChallenge tour (see below).

CHAMPIONS

7 for the cure

CLOSING THE GAPKomen Champions work to ensure quality care for everyone

usan G. Komen for the Cure is on a mission to end breast cancerforever. It’s a lofty goal, but one we aim to finish in short order.And since yesterday isn’t soon enough, we’re taking things up anotch, taking our mission on the road, and recruiting Y-O-U to

join the Komen Community Challenge.It was 25 years ago that we put breast cancer on the map. Now we are

going to take it off. We intend to engage women, men, survivors, activists,policymakers, community leaders, corporations and health care profession-als alike in the breast cancer movement. Join us in our rallying cry—weMUST “Close the Gap.” We MUST ensure that all women of all races andall socioeconomic levels have access to information, to screening and totreatment. We MUST discover and deliver the cures.

And so, as we mark our 25th year, our coast-to-coast tour will be making25 stops along the way, reaching tens of thousands of people at town hall

meetings, roundtables, lobbydays and summits. Over the next 25 years, it is estimated

that 5 million Americans couldbe diagnosed with breast cancer –

and because there are gaps in oursystem, this diagnosis will be dead-lier for some than for others. To

change this outcome, join us at theChallenge. To get involved, visitkomen.org/thechallenge.

That lump in your breast was the most unwel-come visitor you’d ever had. And when the sur-geon removed the tumor from your body, it wasgood riddance. But did you know that bit ofevicted tissue is potentially quite valuable, bothto you and to medical researchers?

Let’s say down the road a new treatment forbreast cancer is discovered for survivors whohad tumors with a specific genetic makeup.Will your tumor still exist so that you can haveit tested? Where is it? And who legally ownsthe tissue now?

Also consider: How could the scientist whomade that advance have done it in the firstplace without access to tissue like yours?

These are all valid and critical considerationsas we move toward better and better treat-ments and, ultimately, a cure for breast cancer.That’s why Komen for the Cure recently com-missioned a study that addresses these com-plexities—in order to guide the development ofa uniform, equitable national policy for tissueaccess and ownership. This is an issue that maywell end up before the U.S. Supreme Court,and we promise to keep you updated.

Why Is TissueAccess Important?

BE A PART OF THE KOMENCOMMUNITY CHALLENGE

K

S

spring 20078for the cure

On aMISSION

25-year anniversary marks new momentum in the war on breast cancer{ }Nancy G. Brinker once thought

she’d be done by now. In her

hopeful heart the pink ribbons

from long ago would have been

lovingly pressed in scrapbooks—

memories of the struggle that led

to the cures for breast cancer.

komen.org

“When we started 25 yearsago, I thought if we just heldenough events, raised enoughmoney, funded enoughresearch ... curing breast can-cer would be a 10-year proj-ect,” recalls Brinker. “Iadmit, I was naïve.”

But don’t mistake thatbrief, thoughtful look backas discouragement. Thefounder of Susan G. Komenfor the Cure is more com-mitted than ever, and excit-ed about how her originalmission has grown. Whatbegan with $200, a shoeboxfull of names and Brinker’sdetermination to honor thepromise she made to herdying sister has blossomedinto the largest and mostprogressive grassroots net-work of breast cancer sur-vivors and activists in theworld. By year-end 2007, abillion Komen for the Curedollars will have beeninvested in medical research,legislative initiatives andcommunity outreach pro-grams—with plans to matchthat over the next decade.

“Today at Komen, weknow it’s about more than

curing a medical condition—it’s about overcoming thecultural, social and financialconditions that preventwomen from gettingscreened and receiving life-saving care and treatment,”explains Hala Moddelmog,Komen’s president and chiefexecutive officer.

ALONG THE WAYDue to the breadth of

Komen’s involvement in lead-ing the charge against breastcancer, every single signifi-cant research developmentmade in the past 25 yearsbears the organization’s fin-gerprints. Since its first grantin 1982 to M.D. Andersenand Baylor Medical Center,Komen has supportedresearch that eventually ledto such milestones as the dis-covery of the gene mutationthat indicates inherited formsof breast cancer and the dis-covery of the telomeraseenzyme. In 2006 alone,Susan G. Komen for theCure funded nearly $82 million in research grants.With recent advances, breastcancer is now caught and

treated earlier than everbefore, allowing for thegreatest chances for survival.Recurrence is also better pre-dicted now and new tailoredtreatments targeting specificbreast cancers replace theone-size-fits-all medical atti-tudes encountered not solong ago.

“We know now there willnever be one single cure tothis complex disease,” saysLesalle D. Leffall, Jr., M.D.,Komen’s outgoing chairmanof the board. “So we focuson attacking it from all pos-sible angles by fundingresearch that will providemultiple answers, treatmentsand preventative measures.”

Throughout its history,Komen also has stormed thesteps of government to high-light critical breast cancerissues. Komen played a keyrole in getting theMammography QualityStandards Act passed and, in2000, an executive orderfinally mandated thatMedicare coverage wouldinclude clinical trials.Thousands of KomenChampions for the Cure

have written to Congress andworked with state lawmakersto increase funding forimproved screening programsand mammograms for low-income women. And withpresidential election feveralready flaring, rest assuredthat Komen advocates willbe holding candidates’ feet tothe fire. Public outreachefforts, and public responseto those efforts, have beentremendous. The first KomenRace for the Cure in October1983 stunned naysayerswhen 800 determinedwomen in running shoesstampeded over the startingline in Dallas, Texas. NowOctober is National BreastCancer Awareness Month,and those women in runningshoes have grown to morethan a million strong aroundthe globe.

Beyond starting the KomenRace for the Cure, the world’smost successful fundraisingand awareness event forbreast cancer, Komen alsopioneered the concept ofcause marketing; as a result,more than 130 corporatepartners now work with >>

9 for the cure

LA

NN

IS W

AT

ER

S

spring 200710for the cure

Komen to deliver life-savingmessages to millions of con-sumers where they live, workand play.

Susan G. Komen for theCure brought breast cancerout into the open. And forevery person reluctant to faceit or discuss it, there weremultitudes desperate for avoice. Since launching themovement 25 years ago,Komen has transformed aculture, changing the waypeople talk about and treatbreast cancer. As a result,millions of breast cancerpatients are now breast cancer survivors.

KEY TO SUCCESSThe fundamental key to all

of this has been the sheerscope of efforts. A grassrootsAffiliate Network made upof more than 100,000activists and survivors span-ning 122 U.S. cities and three foreign countries is at theheart of it all.

“Because our Affiliatesapply the dollars they raiseto help meet the specificneeds of the people living intheir communities, all theprograms and services theyfund are non-duplicative—meaning the service or pro-gram would not exist with-out their funding,” saysNancy Byrd, vice presidentof Komen’s DomesticAffiliate Network. “Theysave lives by identifying the gaps and working

to fill them.” For example, the Komen

Orange County Affiliatefunds a program that reachesout to underserved AsianPacific Islanders, a groupwith some of the highestbreast cancer morbidity andmortality rates, yet withsome of the lowest screeningrates. Because of this pro-gram, last year about 3,000Native Hawaiians,Marshallese, Chamorros,Samoans and Tongansreceived life-saving earlydetection information andthe opportunity to bescreened. Similarly, in ruralArkansas, the KomenArkansas Affiliate funds aprogram that providesscreening, diagnostic mam-mograms and ultrasoundsand overall breast healthinformation to women wholack the financial resourcesor insurance for proper care.These programs and numer-ous others just like themhelp women navigate thehealthcare system and pro-vide care they otherwisemight not receive.

BATTLES WON,WAR CONTINUES

After years of beating thedrum about the importance ofearly detection, nearly 75 per-cent of women over the age of40 now go for regular screen-ing mammograms, comparedto just 30 percent in 1982.Before Susan G. Komen for

A Conversation About The

PROMISE RINGYou’re in the grocery store checking out the avocados

when a woman waiting behind you asks, “What kind ofring is that?” You explain, “It’s the Susan G. Komen forthe Cure Promise Ring. Would you like one? They’remeant to be shared. Look—see how the band is two col-ors? Let me tell you what that symbolizes.”

And so you shop, side-by-side with your neighbor,and talk about a day more than 25 years ago when twosisters shared a promise, the same promise millions have

made their own—to save lives and end breastcancer forever. And you tell her how she canjoin the fight.Promise Rings are available exclusively through

our online Marketplace at komen.org. The rings arepackaged as a set of two—one to wear and one to share—and sell for $5 a package. As with all Komen products, 50to 80 percent of the purchase price of all items sold helpfund community outreach programs and research toanswer the most urgent questions: what causes breastcancer, how can it be prevented, and how can it be cured?

JOIN THEMOVEMENT

Our 25th anniversary milestone, 2007, promises to bea bold, unforgettable year in the history of the breastcancer movement and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.Will you join us? Help us finish the job we started in 1982by uniting in our promise to end this disease once andfor all. Be a part of the global breast cancer movement.Here are ways you can be involved.

� Visit our special 25th anniversary website, 25komen.org.

� Schedule a mammogram for you and a friend.� Schedule a clinical exam with your doctor.� Perform your monthly breast self-exam.� Participate in a Komen Race for the Cure.� Join the Breast Cancer 3-Day®.� Host a Passionately Pink for the Cure™ party with

your girlfriends.� Wear a promise ring and share one with a friend. � Learn more about breast cancer at komen.org.� Find out more about our cause marketing

partners and their programs (see page 12-13).� Make a donation, volunteer your time. � Become a Komen Champion for the Cure at

ActNowEndBreastCancer.org.� Join the movement.

the Cure was founded, the 5-year survival rate for breastcancer, when diagnosed beforeit spreads beyond the breast,was just 74 percent. Today, itis 98 percent.

“No doubt, we’ve won somebattles,” says Brinker. “But wehaven’t won the war.”

In 1984, four years afterher sister’s death from breastcancer and two years afterfounding Komen, Brinkerwas, herself, diagnosed withbreast cancer and today is a23-year survivor. Because ofwhat she learned during hersister’s journey, she was ableto get the care she neededand she was prepared tospeak up.

“My sister’s generationrarely questioned their doc-tors, which was a tragic mis-take for my family,” saysBrinker. “If I had onlyknown then what I knownow. That’s why at Komen,we’ve worked to create anew generation of empow-ered patients who insist onbeing heard.”

Moddelmog is a 5-yearbreast cancer survivor andone of those empoweredpatients. She says, “When Iwas diagnosed with Stage 2breast cancer, I was fortu-nate. Because everyone withKomen had struggled so hardfor so long, I didn’t have tosuffer in silence. Instead, Icould go to the Komen web-site for information and Icould reach out. I am so

thankful for that knowl-edge—the knowledge thatgave me power and hope.Aside from my close friendsand family, this organizationwas the support networkthat helped give me thestrength to survive.”

SEEING IT THROUGHAfter 25 years of winning

battles and creating sur-vivors, Susan G. Komen forthe Cure is focused on fin-ishing the war. There is animmense challenge to con-nect with many who remainuninformed, underserved,underinsured or uninsured.In truth, the threat for mostwomen remains all too real.Breast cancer is still themost frequently diagnosedcancer among women, and,in the United States, awoman still has about a onein eight lifetime risk ofdeveloping the disease.

“We have made incrediblestrides against our terribleenemy and I am telling you—we will never back down, wewill never slow down, wewill finish this fight,” saysBrinker. “The coming yearscan be the most exciting inthe history of breast cancerresearch. We are literally onthe verge of turning breastcancer into a manageabledisease. But our mission isnot to just manage breastcancer. Our mission is to wipe it from the face of the earth.”

komen.org 11 for the cure

Then & NowTwenty-five years ago, thetotal national resourcesspent on all cancerresearch and prevention(not just breast cancer) wasabout $1.9 billion a year.

Today the federal govern-ment alone spends closeto $1 billion every yearjust on breast cancerresearch and prevention.

Twenty-five years ago,mammography wasn’twidely used as a screeningtool. In 1987, the first yearwhen national mammog-raphy statistics were everrecorded, less than 30 per-cent of U.S. women 40and older reported havinga recent x-ray screeningmammogram.

Today, nearly 75 percentof U.S. women over theage of 40 have had amammogram within thelast two years.

When Susan G. Komenfor the Cure startedout, the five-year sur-vival rate for breastcancer that was caughtearly was 74 percent.

Today, the five-year sur-vival rate for breast can-cer that’s caught earlyand still contained with-in the breast is nearly 98 percent.

Just 25 years ago, therewas only a handful ofdrugs available to treatbreast cancer and theapproach was “one-size-fits-all.”

Today, we understandthat breast cancer takesmany forms. It’s not justone disease. It has asmany as six to eightknown sub-types, allwith their own specificcharacteristics. Morethan 100 treatments arenow under study or indevelopment and manyof them are designed totarget specific forms ofthe disease.

Twenty-five years ago,due to the lack of earlydetection methods andeffective treatmentoptions, breast cancerwas considered by manyto be a death sentence.

Of the nation’s 10 million cancer survivors, 2.2 million arebreast cancer survivors—the single largestgroup of cancer survivors.

AL

EX

WO

NG

LA

NN

IS W

AT

ER

S

KOMEN EXPERIENCE

spring 2007

Dear Diary,What a busy day! When

my alarm went off, I bound-ed out of bed like theEnergizer bunny, careful notto wake the dog, the cat ormy adorable husband,William—who snores louderthan my alarm, I might add!I quickly jumped in theshower, running through thelist of everything I had to getdone today before the girlscame over to celebrate myfifth anniversary. It’s hard tobelieve it’s been five yearssince I heard my doctor say,“You have breast cancer.” Ithasn’t been an easy journey,but today I am proud to call myself a 5-year breastcancer survivor!

Which reminds me, I needto tell Jillian and her friendsto choose Susan G. Komenfor the Cure through the “i’mmaking a difference” program on Windows LiveMessenger. As the daughterof a breast cancer survivor,Jillian knows more thanmost kids her age aboutbreast cancer. Probably toomuch. But she’s committed to

helping find a cure for thedisease that made her momso sick when she was only 8years old. She’s already afull-time activist at the age of13, helping to organize ourneighborhood team for theannual Komen Des MoinesRace for the Cure this fall.Her passion inspires me.

Anyway, after breakfast Ikissed William goodbye (hewas watching the MajorLeaguers swing pink bats inthe Going to Bat AgainstBreast Cancer program),laced up my New Balancerunning shoes, hopped in thecar, and dashed over toLowe’s to get some Plant forthe Cure geraniums forMother’s Day, along withsome gorgeous spring flow-ers. Then I headed to aSimon Mall so I could pickup a Pink Ribbon Gift Cardfor Jillian to thank her forall of her hard work. On theway home, I popped over tothe Wacoal Fit for the Cureevent to try on some newbras. It doesn’t hurt to tryon, after all, and it’s for agood cause, right? Then, I

12for the cure

HELP FROMMY FRIENDS

elcome to the personal diaryof Diane Landry, a magazinewriter, community activist,

mother, wife and five-year breast cancersurvivor. Here’s a peek into a typical week-end day, featuring some of the programs,services and products of our corporatepartners. Together, we are working to endbreast cancer forever.

Saturday, May 12

W

komen.org

ran by Boston Market toarrange for lunch for nextweek’s PTA meeting throughthe Catering for the Cureprogram! Next up on theagenda was a trip to Pier 1for jewelry boxes to give asbirthday gifts to a couple ofthe gals tonight.

When I got home, Iunloaded my stash and setabout straightening up thehouse. I pulled out theOreck vacuum cleaner andtook it for a spin, and thendusted all of the pictureframes, including the pictureof my sister Mary Jane andher friends at thePassionately Pink for theCure party she held at herplace in Chicago lastOctober during NationalBreast Cancer AwarenessMonth. Which remindsme—she never returned mypink Coldwater Creeksweater. Sisters!

While thinking about mypink sweater and all of theoutfits I could be wearing if Ihad it, I realized the mail hadarrived so I darted outside tocollect it. When I opened themailbox, I saw a hot pinkenvelope addressed to me. Itwas a heartfelt Hallmark cardfrom my mother wishing mea grand Mother’s Day. (I senther one, too—along with twoAmerican Airlines tickets soshe and dad could come visitus this fall.) Tucked in thebottom of the pile was mynew copy of Golf for Women,which I’ve read ever since Imet Val Skinner one lucky daywhen I went to the drivingrange to practice my swing.

As I turned back to my frontdoor, I saw that my neighbor’shouse across the street had aRE/MAX For Sale sign in front.I guess her husband got thatnew job after all. I’ll congratu-late him the next time we go

bowling—he’s the best one onour team and we’re going tohave a hard time without himat next February’s Bowl for theCure event.

I closed the door and gotback to work. Next up: Imade sure the food for theparty was in order. I preheat-ed the oven for the casseroleI had made from my BetterHomes and Gardens PinkPlaid Cookbook, and put outthe pink M&Ms I had boughtonline last week, some roll-ups with Valley FreshChicken, trays of PepperidgeFarm cookies and plenty ofChi Chi’s salsa with chips.

I straightened up a fewmore things, looked for myChapstick (why is it I’m for-ever looking for vital thingslike this and my car keys?!)and glanced at the calendar.It was only a month until wewent on our Holland Americacruise (and only a monthuntil I had to put on abathing suit!).

Well, Dear Diary, I guessit’s time to sign off. Myguests will be here shortly,and I hear Jillian coming inthe front door. I’m so gratefulto be surrounded by friendsand family on occasions likethis. I don’t know where I’dbe without my co-survivors,the loved ones who helpedme throughout my breastcancer journey. It will beespecially meaningful to sharethis special milestone withthem tonight.

I’ll be back tomorrow tolet you know how tonight’scelebration turns out...

Cheers, -Diane

For more informationabout our corporate partnersand their programs, visitkomen.org/partners.

13 for the cure

ILLUSTRATION BY TERRY WONG, AGOODSON.COM

COMMUNITY COUNTS

spring 2007

ast fall, KendelEhrlich brought anote from her hus-band to the Komen

Maryland Race for the Cure.Of course, Mrs. Ehrlich’s hus-band happened to be the gov-ernor of Maryland, and the“note” was an official procla-mation presented by the FirstLady in recognition of theAffiliate’s accomplishments.

That same year theBaltimore Business Journalrecognized the group as themost financially successfulfundraising organization inthe state. But we chose themas Komen’s Affiliate of theYear not just because of howmuch money they’ve raisedin the fight against breastcancer—but rather becauseof how they’ve used thosefunds to make a real differ-ence in the communitiesthey serve.

A few years ago, theKomen Maryland Affiliatefunded an InterdisciplinaryBreast Fellowship programthat allows physicians togain specialized training. Andnow Komen Maryland hastaken the next logical step.

“We’ve created the KomenMaryland Affiliate Nursing

Partnership, an educationalprogram specific for nursesto enhance their clinical skillsand overall knowledgearound diagnosis, treatment,care and support of breastcancer patients,” explainsExecutive Director RobinProthro, BSN, MPH.

Mandatory for undergrad-uate students at theUniversity of MarylandSchool of Nursing, the pro-gram is another “first” foran Affiliate focused on inno-vation, says Prothro. AbbyPlusen, the university’s pro-gram coordinator, says,“This is definitely a nationalmodel. Historically, inschools of nursing, if they doprovide cancer information,it’s pretty general and thereisn’t much devoted to breastcancer. Even students whodon’t go on to be oncologynurses will run acrosswomen with questions aboutbreast cancer. And the uni-versity and Komen are arm-ing them with the correctinformation to pass on.”

Prothro sees a time whenthe university may gain anational reputation for thisarea of study, and willattract and recruit students

who have an interest in specialized training in breast health. She feels fortunate to work in an area of the country “so rich in academia, clinicalresearch and medicine.”

Komen’s MarylandAffiliate was also instrumen-tal in orchestrating Affiliateactivities under the directionof an executive director withthe guidance of a governingboard. Prothro credits thatstructure for much of theorganization’s effectiveness.“In the last five or six years,we have built a very stronginfrastructure between ouradvocates, staff and boardthat has enabled us to func-tion with a great deal of sta-bility and consistency, andto accomplish our strategicplans,” she says. “We’vegotten pretty lean and meanin terms of how we spendour time and money.”

Plusen says the universityis proud to work with theKomen Maryland Affiliate.“Just this program—thenumber of lives these nurseswill touch over their life-times ... They’ll reach somany more people thanwe’ll ever know.”

14for the cure

MOMENTUMIN MARYLANDAffiliate of the Year creates new nursing school program

Robin Prothro

L

komen.org

KOMEN STYLE

15 for the cure

PINK STYLECheck out these great gifts forthe special people in your life(or stock up for yourself).Fifty to 80 percent of the purchase price of all

items sold will support our promise to save lives

and end breast cancer forever. To purchase, visit

the Marketplace at komen.org.

Give ThanksSend a quick note to show your apprecia-tion for a special gift or favor—or justbecause you care. These thank you cardsfeature six designs and fold to 5.5'' x 4''.The set is comprised of 12 cards with 13white envelopes. $15.

Carry-AllThis nylon drawstring backpack lets youtote everything around in one 21'' x 21''pouch. Featuring a Komen Race logo onboth sides, people everywhere will knowwhat you support. $10.

Write OnTake down notes and reminders easily withthis 4”x4” note cube. Each sticky note fea-tures a pink ribbon. $12.

Scribble SavvyThe colorful chrome pen with black andpink stripes has a twist top. Pair with thenotecube for a perfect gift. Available in ablack gift box. $15.

Rhinestud CowgirlShow off your sparkle and shine with thisexclusive Susan G. Komen for the Curerhinestud t-shirt. The fitted black silhou-ette looks great on any body type. $28.

Silver SupportDesigned exclusively for our 25th anniver-sary, this 18'' silver necklace and ribboncharm (two-toned) are perfect for show-ing stylish support. $40.

Bring in the GreenThe decorative ceramic flower pot bringsa bit of bright pink and green to anytable or window ledge with its whimsicalhand-painted design. Great for growingherbs and blooming plants. $25.

Pin-Up GirlShow your support by wearing Susan G.Komen for the Cure’s unique icon in thefight against breast cancer—our version ofthe pink ribbon. This enamel pin is perfectfor gift giving and fundraising. $5.

Sock It To MePerfect for your next Komen Race forthe Cure or Breast Cancer 3-Day, theseankle-high socks (available in white orpink) provide cottony comfort. To ensuredurability, the ribbon is stitched into thetop. $6 per pair.

KOMEN EVENTS

MAY 2007Atlanta May 12Bloomington May 13Boise May 12Charleston May 5Columbus May 19Elmira, NY May 20Frankfurt May 12Helena, MT May 19Kalamazoo, MI May 19Las Vegas May 5Minneapolis May 13Ottumwa, IA May 12Peoria, IL May 12Philadelphia May 13Pittsburgh May 13Richmond May 12Rome May 20Sacramento May 12Salt Lake City May 12Syracuse May 19Tyler, TX May 12Winston-Salem May 5

JUNE 2007Albuquerque June 10Bari June 10Buffalo June 9Davenport June 9Decatur June 30Detroit June 16Hartford June 2Madison June 2Plano, TX June 2Raleigh/Durham June 9Seattle June 16St. Louis June 16Washington, DC June 2

e one of the million-plus people who will be partici-pating in a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in2007. For a complete listing of all Races and otherways to get involved in our promise to save lives

and end breast cancer forever, visit komen.org.

JOIN OUR RACE

Headquarters5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250Dallas, Texas 75244

tel: 972-855-1600fax: 972-855-1605www.komen.org1-800 I’M AWARE

NON PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE

CURE

B

AL

LE

N E

YE

STO

NE