Forever Fighters

Within the Komen family, you may have heard us refer to metastatic breast cancer survivors as Forever Fighters. These are the strong, courageous women and men who may be managing the side effects of ongoing treatment and pain from metastatic disease on a daily basis. They are also some of our most revered and cherished heroes.

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is an advanced stage (stage IV) of breast cancer where tumor cells have spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones, liver, lungs or brain. Most breast cancer deaths are a result of metastasis.

In the 1970s, only 10 percent of women survived five years after a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Today, because of research and the discovery of new and more effective treatments, this has increased to an average of 25 percent. In fact, some women with stage IV breast cancer may live 10 or more years beyond diagnosis. Unfortunately, however, treatment for metastatic breast cancer is not effective for everyone, in part because we do not know what causes cancer cells to spread. Komen is dedicated to understanding why metastasis occurs and how to stop it. In fact, Komen has invested more than $147 million in over 370 research grants and 35 clinical trials focused on metastatic cancer.

Click here to learn more about metastatic breast cancer, or click here to read the stories of women living with MBC, like Julie Zaveral, in our Chronicles of Hope series.

Meghan, our 2017 Summer Intern, began her relationship with Komen Central Virginia when she was 10. She participated in the 2007 Race for the Cure three weeks after her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Being a part of the Race helped quiet Meghan’s feelings of fear and helplessness, and made her feel like she was doing everything she could to help save her mom’s life and the lives of others battling the disease. That year, Meghan was our top Race fundraiser raising over $10,000!

That first Race experience hooked Meghan, and she has been involved ever since. While in high school at the Collegiate School, she founded the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Club in an effort to create yearlong excitement and support in her school community for the Race for the Cure and Komen’s mission - to save lives and end breast cancer forever. After high school graduation, she knew she wanted to continue working with Komen. Looking into a summer internship seemed like the perfect way to stay connected and do her part.

Meghan says she loves being a part of such an important and inspiring organization. The fact that our work saves lives really resonates with her. And, she enjoys getting to work with “the wonderful Komen team” (as she puts it) three times a week. We at the Komen office feel the same. We are lucky that “the wonderful Meghan” is spending time with us this summer.

Get Involved

Click here to learn more about fundraising for Komen.

	Firefighters for a Cure:  Saturday, August 27 The Shenandoah Valley firefighters invite you to join them for the 1st Annual Firefighters for a Cure Softball Tournament. One hundred percent the proceeds and donations will benefit Komen Central Virginia. Help them knock breast cancer out of the park. Click here for more information
	11th Annual Survivor Celebration:  Friday, September 30 Save the date for the 11th Annual Survivor Celebration. This year's event will be held at the historic Jefferson Hotel. You won't want to miss out on this inspiring event where we honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors in any stage of treatment and remember those who have lost their battle to the disease. Tickets will go on sale in August.
	2nd Annual Pink and Black Tie Affair:  Saturday, October 15 The Shirley A. Leonard Foundation presents the 2nd Annual Pink and Black Tie Affair. Proceeds from the event benefit Susan G. Komen Central Virginia. The event will be held at the beautiful Living and Learning Center at Virginia Union University. Formal attire is requested, but not required. Enjoy food, unlimited drinks, a live band, DJ/music, raffle give-aways, and a silent auction. Click here for more information.
	10th Annual Pink Tie Gala:  Saturday, October 22 Enjoy a night of great food, dancing to live music, a silent auction, and The Celebration of Life Dance Team. The Pink Tie Gala raises funds for breast cancer screenings, treatment, and education programs, as well as national research programs. Click here for more information.

ONGOING LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

	Capital Clothing Recyclers - Clothing for the Cure: Capitol Clothing Recyclers will donate $.05 per pound of the gross receipts of donated clothing, shoes, textiles, blankets, sheets, and household items with a minimum donation of $10,000 per calendar year. To date, Capital Clothing Recyclers has donated over $31,000 to Komen Central Virginia.
	Dixie Gas & Oil Corporation - Delivering for a Cure: For every gallon of propane dispensed from the specially painted tank trucks, Dixie Gas will donate one cent to Komen Central Virginia. Since 2010, Dixie Gas & Oil has donated more than $33,000 to Komen Central Virginia.
	Melwood Charity Car Donation Center: Donate your used car, van, truck, boat with a trailer, or recreational vehicle to the Central Virginia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. It’s as easy as filling out our online donation form. Vehicles accepted in any condition! To date, Melwood Charity Car Donation Center has donated almost $25,000 to Komen Central Virginia.
	AmazonSmile: Are you are an avid Amazon customer? AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Komen Central Virginia every time you shop with Amazon, at no cost to you. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. All you have to do is shop Amazon from this link http://bit.ly/CentralVASmile.

ONGOING NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

	Bank of America Pink Ribbon Banking: Bank of America serves as the National Presenting Sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series in the United States. Bank of America also supports Komen through its Pink Ribbon Banking Affinity products, which have raised over $7 million to date. Employees of Bank of America also support Komen across the country by volunteering in their local markets. Bank of America has been a Komen partner since 2009. Click here for more information on the Pink Ribbon Banking program.
	Rally for the Cure®: Rally for the Cure® is a grassroots program that works to educate women about breast cancer and to remind them to get their annual screening through volunteer organized golf, tennis, and social activities. Since 1996, Rally events have generated over $77 million for Susan G. Komen®. Click here for a full list of local Rally events.
	Wacoal Fit for the Cure®: Each year, Wacoal holds more than 1,000 Fit for the Cure® events across the United States. At these events, Wacoal offers complimentary bra fittings, and for each woman who participates, Wacoal donates $2 to Susan G. Komen®. Wacoal also donates $2 for every Wacoal or b.tempt’d bra or shapewear piece purchased at a Fit for the Cure® event. As part of this Fit for the Cure program, Wacoal has guaranteed a minimum donation of $250,000 to Komen from January 1 – December 31, 2016. To date, Wacoal has donated more than $4 million to Komen. Click here for complete information on local Fit for the Cure events.