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August Newsletter

In This Issue: Upcoming Events Grantee at a Glance Volunteer of the Month Team of the Month Kick CANcer to the Curb News

Upcoming Events

Daily Socials-On-going Fundraiser
Team Pink Ladies-n-Gents Poker Run Fundraiser-August 6
Survivor Celebration Tea-August 13 (purchase tickets)
Yoga in the Office- August 15, 22, 29 and Sept 12
Bat for the Cure- August 18 (purchase tickets)
Macy's Shop for a Cause- August 27 (purchase coupon)
SERVPRO Golf Tournament-Spetember 1
Survivor Luncheon-September 8
Totally Pink for Life Team Fundraising Bowling Tournament- September 10
Komen Tidewater Shredding Event- September 13
Pink Mermaid Cruise presented by Tidewater Parent- September 18
Pink in the City (Formerly known as Pink Martini Night)-September 20 (purchase tickets)
A Mile in Her Shoes Warm-Up Event with Chesapeake Homes- September 24
Rudy & Kelly Cut-A-Thon- October 1
Team Moyock Walk-October 1
Mike's Day for a Cure- October 5
YNot Pizza Cash-o-la Week- October 8-14
YNot Pizza Captain Carb-up Night- October 14
Race Expo and Packet Pick-up- October 14 
Race for the Cure- October 15 (register now!)
RE/Max First Pink Tie Gala- October 22 (purchase tickets)
Uniquely Yours Bridal Showcase-January 15, 2012
Cruising 4 A Cure- March 5-10, 2012

Grantee at a Glance-Eastern Shore Health District

The Eastern Shore of Virginia is one of the highest at risk populations in the Tidewater area according to our 2011 Community Profile. We are very fortunate to have the Eastern Shore Health District as one of our grantees. The goal of their grant is to increase screening rates and provide continuous comprehensive access to breast health care for underinsured and uninsured residents of the Eastern Shore. Their grant will enable them to screen and additional 100 women and provide diagnostics services for an additional 40 men and women. These services are in addition to the services they can offer through the Every Woman’s Life program administered by the Virginia Department of Health.  Additionally they will provide case management for 350 men and women who are under or uninsured and transportation to screenings and diagnostic services for at least 40 women. 

Volunteer of the Month- Joyce Austin

Joyce has been working with the Komen Tidewater affiliate for the past year and a half. Her energy and enthusiam along with her dedication to the cause makes her a joy to work with. Congrats Joyce, and thank you for all that you have done! 

Read her story about why she is involved:

"I was introduced to Susan G. Komen by my best friend Franceen Grimstead, she had been doing some volunteer work with you guys and she
knew I had retired and was at home bored. She started me on this adventure almost 2 years ago. She new I like to talk and dressing up is my thing. So it was not hard to add PINK to wardrobe.

I have worked events,which entailed bra fittings at Dillard's, motorcycle rides to raise money and awareness, Health Fairs , and a Garden shop events, and working to help creative and Clean the new building Komen now resides in. I have met lots of wonderful people who continue to inspire me.

The joy of working for Komen was that I  was able to do it at  my connivence.

I am a survivor of Colon cancer, but breast breast cancer nearly took away someone that I truly value as a good friend , I saw this strong black woman almost fall to her knees. She had to have a breast remove and rebuilt , she had moments, but she never gave up. She is also a survivor , and she passed on her strength when I too fell. Both of us don't have a problem with enlightening  all woman to stand strong and 'Live every day as if it is your last day on earth'."

Race Team of the Month-Mammary Lane 

Mammary Lane began in 2005 in honor of Jill Brickner Gwaltney, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34.  Jill was drawn to the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s website because the foundation’s beginnings were rooted in a bond between sisters, and turned to them for advice and reassurance.

Jill’s sister, Kimberly Urch, wanted to get their family to rally around Jill during her final months of chemotherapy and thought organizing a race team would be a great way for to show their support.  They never thought they could get 10 people on the team and were shocked when they had 101 members and raised $6,100 winning the Largest Civic Team and Top Fundraising team.  Sadly, Jill lost her battle to breast cancer in August 2006 leaving behind two young children, a loving husband and her devoted family. The team continued; as they felt a need to help stop this horrible disease.  “I don’t want anyone to have to go through what we did.  And if we can prevent that, than we will do anything we can.”

Mammary Lane is about family and remembering Jill Brickner Gwaltney. 

Please read Jill's website at www.caringbridge.org/va/gwaltney.  Within her journal is Jill's story of her trials and tribulations with breast cancer while trying to maintain her life.  Jill was a magnificent writer and her spirit lives through her words.  She was a generous, loving and magnificent daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.

The past 6 years Mammary Lane has earned the Top Funding Team and Largest Civic/Community team.  In Jill’s memory, the team has donated over $169,000 and has ranged from 101 to 350 members; a combination of family, friends and friends or friends.  It is a patchwork of all stages of Jill’s life.  Funds are raised from team members by Golf Tournaments, an annual Benefit Concert with the Jesse Chong Band, a Fish Fry, Garage Sales, T-shirt Sales, Gift Basket Raffles, Auctions and many more creative ideas. Mammary Lane is coming together for their seventh year and hope to reach the $200,000 mark in Jill’s memory. For more information on Mammary Lane, visit them at www.mammarylane.org.   

Kick CANcer to the Curb!

If you have been to our office lately, you would have seen 100, 33-Gallon PINK trashcans, and probably thought, "What are they going to do with those?!" Well, wonder no more!

For this year's Race, we are starting a Kick CANcer to the Curb fundraising campaign. If you help us Kick CANcer to the Curb, you will be eligible to win an iPad2.

Here's what you do:

1. Stop by the Tidewater Affiliate of Susan G. Komen office with a minimum donation of $25.00.*
2. Pick up your PINK garbage can.
3. Create a fundraiser using your PINK garbage can and take images of how you used your can to fundraise.
4. Collect funds and turn pictures and monies raised into the Komen Tidewater office by October 7, 2011.
5. The MOST CREATIVE fundraiser using the can WILL WIN an iPod!
6. The HIGHEST fundraiser WILL WIN an iPad2!

      *Limited to the first 100 individuals

The winners will be annouced at the 2011 Race for the Cure on Saturday, October 15, 2011.

Come on over and pick up your trashcan today! Address is: 5295 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 

For more information, please contact the Komen Tidewater office at 757-490-7794.

News

October 15, 2011- Komen Tidewater Race for the Cure

Komen Tidewater is proud to announce some exciting, new additions to our 2011 Race for the Cure on October 15, 2011. All participants aged 3+ who register before September 15, 2011 will have their first name on their race bib. We are looking forward to having survivors be personally recognized and encouraged by bystanders as they complete the race course. And what kid doesn’t enjoy having their name yelled out as they dash through the Kids for the Cure race course!  The other big change for participants is that you will now be chip-timed. In the past, only those who specified they were competitive runners were able to have their time tracked throughout the race. This year all participants will be tracked from start to finish, so you will know just how quickly you completed the race. We will also have a pre-race expo. This is where you will need to pick up your Race Packet and T-shirt, and you will have the chance to see Komen Tidewater dollars hard at work by meeting our grantees! Sponsors will also be present at the Expo along with the Komen Merchandise Trailer!   

In other Race-related news, all individuals who fundraise over $75 will be placed into a raffle to win Komen Gear. Check out our Fundraising Tips and start get your fundraise on!

Race registration is open now! It only takes a few moments to sign up either as an individual or as a team at www.komentidewater.org. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook for special announcements regarding Race registration! 

Rally for the Cure

Looking for a quick and easy way to raise breast cancer awareness in your community? Join the fight against breast cancer by hosting a Rally for the Cure Golf, Tennis, or Social Event. You select the date and format. Rally provides all the materials including a prize, participant favors, event decorations and important breast health information.

Make a commitment today to educate your friends, family and community on the importance of early detection! For more information please visit www.rallyforthecure.com.

YOGA at the OFFICE

Komen Tidewater would like to invite you to participate in a very unique fitness experience, YOGA at the OFFICE. For $30, you will be able to enjoy a 4 week long, 30-min Yoga class, right here in the Komen Tidewater Office, taught by Amber Napier, founder and owner of Yoga Therapy of Virginia Beach. Amber is a National Board Certified Counselor and Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor. She recently went to Rishikesh, India, to participate in advanced yoga teacher training! The sessions will begin on August 15 at 5:30pm and will occur every Monday thereafter (excluding Labor Day on September 5). For more information about YOGA at the OFFIce or if you would like to reserve your spot, please contact Lindsey Spears at development@komentidewater.org.

G.I.R.L.Z. Day Out with Moms- Mother and Daughter Tea 2011

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, June 11, 2011 when one hundred and thirty mothers and daughters gathered at The Westin Hotel, Town Center, Virginia Beach.  It was the second annual event for G.I.R.L.Z. which stands for Godly Influences Ready To Lead With Zeal. The halls were filled with pastel color summer dresses and hats.  They were ready to participate in the Pretty Dress and Hat Contest!  They all posed like movie stars when their pictures were taken by the professional photographer.  Upon entering the banquet room, butterflies were present on the walls, as napkin holders, place mats and as gifts.  The theme depicted transformation.  Can a young girl with low self esteem transform into a confident young lady? The purpose of this special time spent with mothers and their daughters was for every young lady to discover God’s vision for her life.

The Mother and Daughter Tea was designed to give mothers and daughters alike a venue to come together to strengthen their bond; to concentrate on the issues that only young ladies encounter, and to enjoy time set apart for just the two of them.  The goal is to encourage mothers to continue building a strong foundation of self esteem and confidence in their daughters and for daughters to receive direction and knowledge from other women leading them onto the right path of life.  It is our responsibility to train the next generation of mothers so they’ll walk in prosperity and success in every aspect of life; physically, mentally and spiritually as well.

This is the second annual event and truly there is a need for the older generation to embrace and teach the younger ladies of their value and worth.  In doing so, they will make better decisions and acquire self esteem of knowing who they are created by and the potential that each and everyone possess. The mission is for every girl to understand and embrace her uniqueness and know that she is made on purpose, with a purpose and for a purpose.

The guest speaker, Ashley Smith, the current Miss Virginia 2011 shared personal experiences of being bullied and having low self esteem as a teen.  That inspired many young ladies who are encountering the same issues today. 

The process of the butterfly’s life cycle was explained so the girls could understand that it’s okay to be at their present phase knowing that life changes and changes for the good. 

Sixteen year old Mariah Highsmith expressed her feelings as a young lady with Spoken Word in a poem entitled, “G.I.R.L.Z.”

She stated that, “Life can be rough, it’s not all peaches and cream so don’t try to look like those girls in magazines!

They’re fake, synthetic, their bodies are far from real, but we are G.I.R.L.Z. leading with zeal!  We’re jewels, diamonds, rubies and pearls. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. G.I.R.L.Z. hold your head up and dry your eyes, let your confidence build and fear die!”

Last but not least, Joyce James informed us of the importance of scheduling annual mammograms and daily breast self-examinations.  Breast cancer awareness is of vital significance and every woman as well as teenaged girl should be informed of life changing facts.

Raising awareness of preventing breast cancer is definitely needed in the communities and what better audience to distribute such pertinent information.  The girls were very receptive and the women were prompted to learn how healthy lifestyles can prevent breast cancer.  My maternal grandmother passed away from breast cancer at the age of fifty-eight so breast cancer awareness holds a special place in my heart.  As a result, I began getting mammograms at the age of thirty.  By Joyce sharing her personal testimony as a breast cancer survivor has armed women with knowledge that saves lives of not just of this generation but the next one.

Felicia Smith

Circle of Promise

Although African American women are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, they have a 37% higher chance of dying from the disease.  For that reason, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has developed the Circle of Promise.  The Circle of Promise movement is designed to engage African American women to help end breast cancer forever by fostering increased awareness, support, empowerment and action in their communities. 

The Tidewater Affiliate is bringing the Circle of Promise to life.  We are asking women to create their own circles.  The circle can be made up of neighbors, friends, family, sorority sisters or friends at work.  Local circles promise to take care of each other as well as going out into the African American communities to;

     -Mobilize the community to ensure that women everywhere have access to the care they need

     -Empower women to make a promise to reclaim their lives, their health and to be strong advocates in their communities.  

     -Dispel myths in the African American community that prevent women from getting early treatment or breast cancer   

If you are interested in joining or forming a circle, please join us for the kick-off for Tidewater Circles of Promise on September 10^th at the Norview Community Center in Norfolk.  Check the Affiliate website for more details.

 

Macy's Shop For a Cause

Find the magic of giving back!  Since 2006 Macy’s Shop for a Cause has partnered with non-profits organizations worldwide to raise more than $43 Million for their ongoing charitable efforts.  This is your chance to be a part of the charitable event.  Macy’s Shop For A Cause fundraiser will be Saturday, August 27, 2011. 

The concept is simple. Macy’s has provided our office with shopping passes at a cost of $5.00.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Tidewater keeps 100% of the money we raise from the sale of these $5.00 tickets. 

This ticket is then used by you to enjoy a day of spectacular discounts, entertainment, special events and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree.  This exclusive shopping pass includes 25% or 10% off most regular, sale and clearance purchases all day.  This is an exceptional fund-raising offer for you and your guests. Get a your passes today!

 

Interested in Volunteering?

Race is only a little over 100 days away!  And, the race committee is requesting more volunteers to serve on the various committees.  We especially need expertise in the areas of fundraising, PR& Marketing, and team recruitment.  Our largest number of runners/walkers are connected with a team.  Put your team together.  We also need assistance in the office to do a variety of jobs.  We need folks with strong computer and organizational skills. We are also in need of volunteers to help work various Health Fair Tables and Race Registration Tables for a lot of our upcoming events.  If you have an interest in any of these areas, please email Claire at supportstaff@komentidewater.org or call her at 490-7794.