A Party You Will NOT Want to Miss!

Happy New Year! As we begin 2013, we invite you to help us celebrate our Sweet 16! Komen Central Virginia will hold our 16th Annual Central Virginia Race for the Cure® on May 11 at Brown’s Island. We expect the day to be more fun filled than ever, so stay tuned for more details. Registration is open NOW at Early Bird Rates. New this year - reduced registration fees for Breast Cancer Survivors! Once again we will offer a Survivor Parade, Kid’s Race for the Cure®, and many other activities on the island. Register now!

We will hold our Race kick off event Saturday, March 9 from noon to 1:30 PM with the 2nd Annual Saxon Shoes High Heel Dash. Join us at Towne Center West in Short Pump, strap on your heels and carefully run 50 yards. Costumes are encouraged! Both men and women can register for this event. Come on March 9 and find out more about Komen and the Race for the Cure. Register for the May 11 Race at early bird rates and take a quick dash for the cure! Registration for this event is $10 and you can register online now or the day of the dash. 

Did you set a goal to give back to your community and make a difference in 2013? Check out the many High Heel Dash and Race for the Cure volunteer opportunities. With your help, we can throw one heck of a party!

Last year we granted over $587,000 to community organizations that provide breast health services, thanks to funds raised during Race for the Cure. Your participation in this year’s Race will help us continue providing funding to the local organizations that help those most in need.

And it’s a birthday party! Why wouldn’t you come?

Research Saves Lives

Because of medical research, the death rate for breast cancer is 30 percent lower than it was 25 years ago and more than 2.9 million women are breast cancer survivors today. Komen’s investment in medical research over the past 30 years has contributed to many of the advances that now help women affected by breast cancer live longer and healthier lives. Read more about Komen’s commitment to saving lives through research by reading this Research Fast Facts Overview.

Grantee Spotlight:  Virginia State University

The “Prevention, Education, Access, and Mammogram” (PEAM) program will make an impact on breast cancer disparities in the Petersburg area by providing screening mammograms and diagnostic testing, as needed, to 90 eligible women. Female students at the University will be trained to promote breast health to older women of color, while the Health Center staff will stress the importance of screenings with all women in the community.
 
For more information about the program contact Dr. Rebecca Branch-Griffin at rbgriffin@vsu.edu or 804-524-5444.

To read about all of the community organizations that are currently providing breast health services or education with Central Virginia Komen funding, click here.

Volunteer Spotlight:  Melissa Damiano

In the fall of 2006, Melissa Damiano was interested in donating some time to a local non-profit. Realizing that she knew many breast cancer survivors – especially in her neighborhood - she decided to check out the Komen Central Virginia Affiliate. She figured that helping even in some small capacity, like stuffing envelopes or data entry, could benefit an amazingly strong group of survivors and others. "And now," she says, “the Affiliate can’t get rid of me.” (No chance of that, Melissa!)

As a member of the Affiliate Board of Directors and Third Party Events Coordinator, Melissa understands that there are not only “big” jobs that need to be done at non-profits, but also there are smaller, necessary ones. Over the years, she has cheerfully pitched in to help wherever she was needed and “loved every minute of it!” Melissa may be a “jack of all trades,” but she has been primarily responsible for generating revenue from third party events. This income is critical to our Affiliate’s ability to make grants to organizations in Central Virginia who can provide direct services to women and men in need.

Melissa views her role of volunteer Third Party Events Coordinator as being a facilitator. She says, “It has afforded me the privilege of interacting with so many individuals and companies in Central Virginia that want to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. Their grassroots spirit is contagious and can keep you going!” Well, Melissa, Komen Central Virginia thinks YOUR spirit keeps US going.