Our vision is a world without br

Fall 2008	Our vision is a world without breast cancer	Past Issues
26800 S. Tamiami Trl, Ste. 210~Bonita Springs, FL 34134 ~(239)498-0016~Fax (239)498-0455 komenswfl.org

Race 2008 Introductions

Meet Komen SWFL Race for the Cure® Co-Chairs

In 2006, Mariann MacDonald joined the Southwest Florida Affiliate as Vice President of the Board of Directors. For the second year MacDonald will serve as Race Co-Chair. The 14-year breast cancer survivor said, "I believe I am very fortunate to be a survivor and I know that Susan G. Komen for the Cure® has been extremely instrumental in bringing many of the advances in this disease to completion through their funding and support." MacDonald has also been the top Race Sponsor the past two years. "I believe in the Komen vision: a world without breast cancer, and I believe in giving back. I have found no better way of doing both than to be an active participant, volunteer and sponsor."

New to the Affiliate this year, Dr. Trish Herman is an Assistant Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs at Barry University. Her desire to support and spread the Komen message began when she lost her dear friend and mentor, Linda Milewski, to cancer. "It is my belief that we all have a role to play in prevention and education. I am healthy and I am grateful, and I want to be a part of the cure." Trish and Mariann

Letter from the New Executive Director

I have been part of the SWFL Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for one month. It has been a very exciting and inspiring time as I learn more about Susan G. Komen for the Cure® every day. My first action as the new Executive Director was to attend a conference sponsored by the corporate office. It was the most empowering experience I have had in the non-profit industry over my 20 years in this field.

What I found most impressive about Komen for the Cure are the people; everyone has a story and is more than willing to share and support each other. The determination in the eyes of the volunteers and staff is obvious. They WILL find a cure for this disease.

I feel honored to be part of such a wonderful organization and I promise to devote myself to capitalizing on the growth and successes this Affiliate has attained as we work together to achieve even more. I want to personally get to know as many volunteers as possible.

As for my story, I moved to southwest Florida three years ago from Atlanta. I worked as the Communications Director for the Georgia March of Dimes, as well as a Donor Recruiter for the American Red Cross. My husband and I came here for a vacation, and like other transplants, we fell in love with the "Paradise Coast" and decided to relocate. I then took on the role of Executive Director for the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida.

They say once you work for a non-profit you can never work in the corporate world again. I certainly believe this is true for me. I look forward to playing a vital role in this very special organization that is rich with volunteers who offer their time, treasure, and talent. I am sure I will be inspired on a daily basis as I get to know all of the survivors and volunteers that make Komen such a heartwarming and empowering organization.

Miriam Ross
Executive Director

Education & Awareness
Passionately Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and we need your Passion! Declare you are Passionately Pink for the Cure® and help us raise $4.5 million in 2008.

Here's how it works:

Form a group with friends, family or co-workers.
Pick any day in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or any other day to wear pink.
Make a $5 (or more) personal donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
Inspire and educate others. Promote your day, get people excited to join you.
Think pink, see pink! Help make this year the pinkest ever. You can utilize the tools in the participation kit you'll automatically receive after registering as a guide.

For more information contact Patty Gift,
Special Events Chair, at 239-273-9901.

Money Well Spent

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is extremely careful regarding how we spend the funds you entrust to our care. Komen for the Cure meets all the standards for charity accountability as set forth by the Better Business Bureau, including fair and honest solicitation practices and ethical conduct.

Partners for Breast Cancer Care, is an example of how funds are used.

Partners for Breast Cancer Care

The Southwest Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® sends 75 percent of its net income back into Lee and Collier counties to fight breast cancer. This is done by awarding grants to organizations such as Partners for Breast Cancer Care. Partners pays for breast cancer screenings, diagnosis and treatment for people who live in Lee County, are of low income, uninsured, and are up to and including 200% of the poverty level.

In 2008 Partners received a $297,994 grant from the Komen Southwest Florida Affiliate. The grant allows Partners to continue providing services for a fast growing community and changing technology. "Doctors are requesting more MRIs than ever before," says Janet Darnell. "The big thing is breast MRIs are something we never paid for in the past." This allows Partners the opportunity to do things they were unable to do before.

Komen applauds Partners for their continued commitment in breast health and community support.

Be Passionate About Breast Health

When it comes to saving lives threatened by breast cancer, early detection is critical. The more you know about your body and risk level, the better chance you will get the screening that is right for you and the disease will be detected early. Detection of breast cancer at an early stage provides a greater chance of survival and more treatment options.

Know your risk
- Talk to your family about your family health history.
- Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer.
Know what is normal for you
- Know how your breasts look and feel and report changes to your health care provider right away
Get screened
- Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk.
- Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk.
- Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at 20 and every year starting at 40.
Make healthy lifestyle choices that may reduce your risk of breast cancer, such as:
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Adding exercise into your routine.
- Limiting alcohol intake.
- Know your body and risk level.

Know your body and risk level.

Newsletter Editor: Terri Cameron
For questions or comments about information in this newsletter, email us at info@komenswfl.org or call 239-498-0016.

Healthy Living

runners

Physical activity is a key part in healthy living and can also lower your risk of breast cancer. However, before starting any form of physical activity be sure to consult your doctor if you have been inactive for a long time, are overweight, have a high risk of heart disease or some other chronic health problem.

Other tips include:

Build physical activity into your daily routine. All you need is moderate (where you break a sweat) activity-like brisk walking for 30 minutes a day.
Do whatever physical activity you enjoy most that gets you moving.
After exercising, think about how good you feel about yourself and your body. Use that feeling to motivate you the next time.

Faces of Komen SWFL

"I'm a crafty person. I like to keep busy and it gives me joy," says Norma Welch. What brings Norma joy is putting together Beads for Awareness as a volunteer for the Southwest Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

Beads for Awareness are key chains with multiple size beads that represent the various sizes of lumps found by mammography and breast self-exams. The Komen Southwest Florida Affiliate hands them out at education fairs throughout the year.

Norma is a retired LPN, mother of three and grandmother to multiple grandchildren. She became involved with Komen through her daughter Dara Leichter, the founding board president of the Southwest Florida Affiliate. She has been making key chains for three years and estimates she has made more than 2,500 key chains since she started. "They needed help putting them together," Norma says, "I hope it gives women something to refer to when they are thinking about the lumps in their breast."
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For more information on becoming a volunteer, visit our website at www.komenswfl.org or call our office at 239-498-0016.

We Need You!

We are looking for volunteers to help in the following areas:

Webmaster - update our website on a bi-monthly basis - events, news, etc.
Community Profile Team - volunteers assist with coordinating surveys, focus groups, and data collection
Rally Chairman - Golfers to assist with Rally for the Cure©
Recognition Luncheon - someone interested in Special Events, coordinate luncheon to thank Race teams, participants etc.

For more information, please email mitzie@komenswfl.org

Southwest Florida Affiliate