Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure was a SUCCESS!

The 21st Annual Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure at the Family Circle Cup Stadium on Daniel Island was a resounding success!  We were excited to be in attendance and to be the a Survivor Sponsor and also host the Survivor Café before the race.

Thousands of our popular string backpacks were distributed and we were tickled to see them dotting the race course! Big THANK YOU’s go out to the ZTA’s who stuffed them with information and made sure all of the ladies who visited the Survivor’s Café received one instead of standing in the long lines in front of our exhibit tent!

It’s amazing every year to see the HUGE difference people make when a community comes together to support a cause. And we got to meet lots of new people and see many of our past patients on a beautiful Saturday morning!  

We had so much fun, we thought we’d share a few photos from the event…

Race for the Cure

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction team showing off our PINK boas!!!

race for the cure 3

We were thrilled and honored to be a Survivor Sponsor for the Race for the Cure!

Race for The Cure event pics

The start of the race. A BIG thank you to all of the participants!

race for the cure 6

Ladies sporting The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction logo! Ready, set, run!

race for the cure 5

It was honor to host the Survivor Café before the race!

Race for the cure 2

“She’s not only my mom, but my HERO!” Sweet boy honoring his mom.

We hope everyone had a blast –  and we hope to see you next year!

If you haven’t yet, make sure you follow us on Facebook!

Worship in Pink – October 25 – 27, 2013!

Also known as Pink Sunday, Worship in Pink is a free education and outreach program for faith-based communities nationwide. Pink Sunday is the time to celebrate those who have survived and those who are battling breast cancer.

Registration for Pink Sunday has closed, but we found some ideas to celebrate on the Lowcountry Komen site at http://www.komenlowcountry.org/about-us/news/. You can also download breast exam cards and educational information.

    •  Ask everyone to wear “pink.”
  • Create a Wall of Hope with the names of survivors and those who have lost their battle with breast cancer.
  • Encourage women to take the COMMITMENT CHALLENGE!
  • Ask a survivor to share her/his story during the service so others may benefit from her/his experience.
  • Have the health minister present the facts about breast cancer in the community.
  • Celebrate survivors in your congregation with pink flowers or pink ribbons.
  • Celebrate the survivors and co-survivors in your congregation with a candle lighting ceremony. Start with breast cancer survivors, and then include all cancer survivors.
  • Honor those who have lost their battle with breast cancer with a moment of silence.
  • Rejoice and praise with your congregation in the advances that have been made to fight breast cancer and save lives.
  • Conduct a candlelight prayer service.
  • Host a Pink Party (reception).
  • Have a contest for the most “Pinked” person.
  • Have a special collection for the Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Funds are used for our mission, grants, and outreach work.
  • Consider donations to the Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in lieu of flowers for celebrations or bereavement requests. Donations may be made online at: http://www.komenlowcountry.org/
  • Make your own or order pink pins or other merchandise from our website (http://www.shopkomen.com) to provide to survivors or your congregation.

What other ideas can you come up with for your group or congregation?

 

Race for the Cure®!

It’s that time of year again–where we stand up and run for the cure!

That’s right–it’s time for the 20th Annual Susan G. Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure®!

When:  Saturday, October 19, 2013

Where: Family Circle Cup, Daniel Island, South Carolina

Who: YOU!

How much: Visit http://www.komenlowcountry.org/komen-race-for-the-cure for more details on dates and fees.

Important Dates:

Wednesday, October 16th – Online registration ends @ noon

Thursday, October 17th – Sponsor booth setup noon–7 p.m.

Friday, October 18th – In-person registration / pickup, expo open from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

 

Race Day!

7:00 a.m. Expo, Sponsor Village, and Survivor Tent Open

8:00 a.m. Survivor Celebration

8:30 a.m. Fun Run/Walk

9:15 a.m. 5k Run Timed

10:00 a.m. Awards Ceremony

(No rollerblades or pets, please. Strollers, please line up at the back.)

According to the Komen website, 75% of what you pay or raise stays in the Lowcountry service area to provide “breast health education, screening and diagnostics, and survivor support services.” The remaining 25% supports Komen’s national programs.

In 2012, the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure® raised over $800,000. This year, the goal is a million dollars, and they need your help. (While your registration fee is not tax deductible, anything additional you donate is.)

If you’d rather Sleep In for the Cure, visit this link to register:

http://www.komenlowcountry.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/sleep-in-for-the-cure/

A brief history of the Race for the Cure® from the Lowcountry website:

“Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart, body, and soul. Throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and commitment to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer.

Though Susan lost her battle with the disease, her legacy lives on through the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the organization Nancy started in her honor.

The Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure—along with those who generously support us with their talent, time, and resources—is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community. We join more than 100,000 breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through events like the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure®, we have invested more than $5.5 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in 17 counties.”

Click here to join us on the 19th!

 

Pictures of Promise: An Interview with Photographer Susan Lloyd

Thousands run for Susan G. Komen Lowcountry Affiliate's 2012 Race for the Cure

Today, the team at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction is honored to share with you an In Her Words interview with professional photographer Susan Lloyd. Susan works closely with Susan G. Komen Lowcountry as their events photographer.

 Read below for our interview with Susan.

1. Tell us your story. How were you introduced to the breast cancer community?  

I’ve had an interest in photography for most of my life, but never took it seriously until about twelve years ago.  I shot professionally for a time, took another job for a few years, then came back to photography.  I just couldn’t put the camera down!  I started shooting professionally again just a few years ago and have an entirely new appreciation for the craft of photography.  In all honesty, I can’t think of another thing I would want to pursue, career wise.  Oddly enough, though, I studied music education in college, and the first time I came face to face with breast cancer was during that time, over twenty years ago.   A hall mate who became a very close friend of mine our freshman year started college the same year her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.  For our whole college career her mom battled the disease, and it had a huge impact on my friend.  Just a few years after graduation, her mother passed.  I remember thinking of all the things she was going to miss- her daughter’s wedding, grandchildren, retirement- and how it seemed she was robbed of so much by something that seemed so senseless.  In recent years, I’ve had several friends and one family member diagnosed with breast cancer.

Family Circle Tennis Center at dawn- Race for the Cure 2012

These women are all still living, and living proof that breast cancer awareness, advances in early detection, and more sophisticated treatments ARE making a difference.   But it wasn’t until this past year when I got involved with Susan G. Komen Lowcountry that I really became aware of how far reaching the breast cancer community is.  Patients, family members, concerned citizens- so many people who have been impacted by breast cancer, have come together in support of each other and to continue to move forward towards a cure for all women who are diagnosed.


2. It must be eye-opening and humbling to be a photographer for Komen. How did this happen for you?  
My work was seen online by Jordan Freeman, an employee of Trio Solutions the marketing group that works with Komen Lowcountry.  Jordan had an interest in a band I had done some work for and followed the link on their photos back to my Facebook page.  From there she became a fan of my page, continued to see the work I posted, and when the time came for Komen Lowcountry to find a new photographer to cover their events, Jordan reached out to me.  I was hugely honored and really didn’t hesitate to contribute my time.  One of the goals I had when I started to shoot professionally was to make sure that I was using my skills to help build up my community.  Working with Komen gave me the perfect opportunity to do that.
Susan Lloyd Photography specializes in portraits for women and teen girls- this is one example of a Sono Bella Portrait.
3. Why is the opportunity to photograph for Komen so important to you? Do you have any photography stories to share?   
First of all, I truly believe that to try an exist outside of community is a recipe for disaster- if you live only for yourself and invest only in yourself, you’ve missed a big part of what it means to be alive.  So for me personally, being  involved in something that is bigger than myself, that’s hugely important.  Specifically, photographing for Komen means that people can see there is hope, there are people working very hard every day to make a difference, and there are women who can say ” I made it through”.  There are so many facets of the work Komen does, it would be impossible to capture it all in photos or words.  However, people need to see- they need to know- that getting involved with Komen does make a difference.  Things are changing.  More women are being diagnosed, receiving treatment, and surviving because people are getting involved.
Photographs many times will impact us in ways that words can’t, and I’m happy that I can produce something that might possibly move someone towards action.
 The most exciting thing that I got to witness last year was the start of the Race for the Cure from about two stories off the ground!  Seeing thousands and thousands of people with smiles on their faces, optimistic and solidified in their support of Komen, it was overwhelming and truly amazing.
4. What is the one thing you want all women to know about breast cancer? 
I think the most important thing to know, outside of early detection, is that a diagnosis does not have to bring isolation with it. In fact, because of the work that Komen is doing, a diagnosis can bring you into a new community.  You will not be alone.  There are health care professionals, volunteers, survivors, a whole host of people who will walk with you and support you.   And there is so much compassion in that community- true compassion that says “We are here.  You can fight this fight.   We will fight it with you.”

5. What’s next for you in the world of Komen and photography? Upcoming events? 
I recently photographed the Grants Awards Reception which is such an awesome thing to witness.  The fundraising efforts of Komen Lowcountry throughout the year translate into financial blessing for facilities and organizations that work tirelessly to reach so many underserved women in our area.  When the grant checks are awarded, a recipient representative speaks about what it means to receive that kind of financial support.  That’s when you really understand that Komen is reaching deep into the lives of women throughout the lowcountry, many of them who are uninsured and underserved.

7 Ways to Celebrate Pink Sunday Wherever You Are

pink sundayPink Sunday is a breast-cancer awareness program sponsored by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure ® Lowcountry affiliate and takes place Sunday, October 23, 2011. Nonprofit organizations and churches will be celebrating with their own Pink Sunday events, but we thought this was such a great idea that we’d like to let everyone know about it.

A highlight of Pink Sunday is the Commitment Challenge, which simply means that by signing the Commitment form you promise your friends and family that you’ll get a mammogram this year. The form has a space for your email address, and if you choose to include it, Komen Lowcountry will send you updates.

Ideas for celebrating Pink Sunday no matter where you are include . . .

  • Wearing pink and asking others to as well.
  • Ordering or making pink pins to give to friends and family.
  • Asking others to take the Commitment Challenge with you.
  • Collecting donations for Komen Lowcountry, or asking people to make donations online at www.komenlowcountry.org.
  • Creating a Wall of Hope with names of those who have lost the breast cancer battle and names of survivors.
  • Celebrating survivors you know with a candle lighting ceremony, pink ribbons, or flowers.
  • Asking a survivor to share her story with your family or group of friends while honoring her with a special lunch or dinner.

For more ideas and the Commitment form, visit:  http://www.komenlowcountry.org/get-involved/pink-sunday/.

Do you have any ideas to celebrate Pink Sunday?

Time for the 2011 Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure®

Logo to the left taken from the Komen.org website.

The largest sequence of 5K run / walks in the world, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series benefits education, research, and treatment programs for breast cancer. Three-fourths of the money raised by the Lowcountry Affiliate is invested into local projects, while the remainder supports the national research programs.

The 2011 Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure® takes place Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Family Circle Tennis Center in Daniels Island, SC. You have the option to run or walk, by yourself or as part of a team, or you can Sleep in for the Cure. Registration fees are $25 for individuals, $20 for team members, and $35 for sleepers.

The registration fee includes the official Komen Race for the Cure® t-shirt and bib. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, let the organizers know, and you’ll receive a pink survivors t-shirt, hat, and bib. Please consider participating in Zeta Tau Alpha’s Race Day Survivor Recognition Program at 8 a.m. on Race day.

Team registration is due by Friday, September 23, and team bib and shirt pickup takes place Thursday, October 6 and Friday, October 7. Online registration ends Wednesday, October 12, and in-person registration ends Race morning. Individuals may pick up shirts and bibs Friday, October 14 or Race day.

Each Race participant receives his or her own fundraising website, which can be shared by encouraging others to visit the site and donate. If each Racer raised $100 over the registration fee, the Komen Lowcountry Affiliate would raise over a million dollars.

Race day schedule is as follows:

7 a.m. Survivor Tent, Sponsor Village, and Expo open.

8 a.m. Survivor Celebration begins.

8:30 a.m. Fun Run / Walk begins.

9:15 a.m. Timed 5K Run begins.

9:20 a.m. Untimed 5K Run / Walk begins.

10 a.m. Awards Ceremony begins.

Awards are given for the following finishers in the timed race:

  • Top 3 overall male and top 3 overall female
  • Top 3 in each division
  • Top 3 overall breast cancer survivor finishers
  • Top survivor age 40–59
  • Top survivor age 60+

Volunteers are always needed, and their help is appreciated. For more information on the Race, to register, or to find out how you can help, click here.

Lowcountry Pink for the Cure Event Starts Soon

pink for the cureThe Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure® is sponsoring the Lowcountry Pink for the Cure Window Display Competition 2011 to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The group challenges local business to get creative and decorate their storefronts with the Race for the Cure’s® signature color pink.

Windows will be judged on their use of the color pink, their creativity, and their breast cancer awareness. Winners will be announced on ABC News 4 Lowcountry Live and the radio, and the grand prize-winning business will receive a live radio broadcast from their location.

Registration has begun, and all signups are due by Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 5 p.m. Windows must be decorated by Friday, September 30, 2011, and remain decorated through the Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure® on October 15, 2011. Photos of the decorations are due Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and judges will be visiting participating businesses in person. Winners will be announced on Friday, October 14, 2011, and the radio broadcast from the grand prize winner’s location will take place.

Participants may decorate their windows any way they choose, but they must display the Race for the Cure® poster.

Local sponsors for the event include:

  • Roper St. Francis Cancer Care
  • Roper Radiologists
  • TBonz Restaurant Group
  • TBonz Gill & Grill
  • Liberty
  • Pearlz
  • Flying Fish
  • Liberty Tap Room & Grill
  • Kaminsky’s Baking Co.
  • Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse
  • Bi-Lo Charities
  • Sherwin Williams

For more information about the event, visit http://www.komenlowcountry.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/lpftc-competition/.

Is your business going to participate?