Why I Volunteer for Komen St. Louis

Guest Writer: Kris Fleming, Komen St. Louis Volunteer

I began my involvement with Susan G. Komen St. Louis through my sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.

ZTA has provided support for Komen since 1992, and is a sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure® National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program. Local ZTA alumnae and collegiate members have supported the Komen St. Louis Race from day one, and I have volunteered at every Race.

Kris Fleming has volunteered with Komen St. Louis since the inaugural Komen St. Louis Race in 1999

I have been a volunteer, committee chair and Race chair, and at every level, I’ve heard stories from so many people about how much Komen means to them.

When a woman is in tears because she is asking for a pink T-shirt for the first time, and you tell her how proud she must be to be a survivor… you know you are doing something good.

When working alongside another volunteer who mentions she’s a breast cancer survivor and has never told anyone, but seeing the sea of pink at the Race makes her realize that she does have a support system… you know you are doing something good.

When a woman is speechless as she is walking in the Race but wants someone to know how honored she is that thousands of participants are there to fight the disease she is also fighting… you know you are doing something good.

When your own family member is diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage, thanks to a mammogram funded by money you helped raise… you know you are doing something good.

Even when a friend is battling metastatic breast cancer and is able to receive new treatments because of research Komen has funded… you know you are doing something good.

For all these reasons and so many more, I continue to volunteer with Komen St. Louis and to support all this organization does to make the lives of women diagnosed with breast cancer better. Komen is more than funding mammograms, education and research. Komen is also about giving women hope…hope that they can fight this disease and know they are not alone.

Komen St. Louis’ Health Professional of the Year: Dr. Ron Bose

Did you know Susan G. Komen is the largest non-profit funder of breast cancer research, second only to the U.S. government? In the past 30 years, Komen-funded research has touched major breakthroughs in breast cancer science and now focuses on research to stem metastatic and aggressive breast cancer, find scientifically sound prevention strategies, and investigate environmental links to breast cancer development.

In St. Louis, we are fortunate to have world-class medical and research facilities right here in our community. The nearly $9 million that Komen St. Louis has contributed to breast cancer research since 1999 has returned more than $20 million to support the work of breast cancer researchers at our St. Louis institutions.

The recipient of our 2013 Health Professional of the Year Award, presented at our 4th Annual Power of a Promise event, is one such researcher whose work has been funded by Komen.

Komen St. Louis Executive Director Helen Chesnut presents our 2013 Health Professional of the Year Award to Dr. Ron Bose

Dr. Ron Bose is a breast cancer specialist and a breast cancer researcher at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. He received his MD and PhD degrees from Cornell University and has performed medical training at the country’s top hospitals. He received a 2009 Komen Career Catalyst Research Grant and a 2005 Komen Post-Doctoral Fellowship Grant. He has spoken at many local and national Komen events.

Dr. Bose’s research focused on the HER2 gene, which causes HER2-positive breast cancer. His research uses cutting-edge methods like cancer genome sequencing, proteomics, and studies of protein structure to understand how HER2 works.

We know his research is contributing to our mission of saving lives and ending breast cancer.

Congratulations and thank you for your dedication to breast cancer research, Dr. Bose!

Come Dance With Me at Caliente for the Cure!

Guest Writer: Tara Boland, Komen St. Louis Supporter

As a 37-year-old mother of four young children who is fighting metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, I am STILL “shaking it” in my Zumba classes. In fact, it occurred to me recently that Zumba was the one constant that has been nothing but positive in my battle since being diagnosed in May 2012.

Tara Boland (center left in lime Caliente for the Cure T-shirt) and a few of her Zumba-loving friends

I have attended Caliente for the Cure, Komen St. Louis’ Zumba Fitness event, two times, both as a supporter and then a survivor. Last year’s Caliente for the Cure gave me the boost I needed to begin gearing up for chemo…all the while pregnant. The encouragement I received from this event was empowering! A gym packed full of fun! Last year I continued to Zumba throughout my pregnancy, chemo and radiation. In fact, I went to Zumba the day before the delivery of my miracle baby Sam!

Why is Zumba the PERFECT exercise? Well, it is ideal for all ages and all physical fitness levels. You MUST have a desire to party, feel happy and be physically fit at the same time.

Even on my darkest days, where either emotional or physical pains are very present, I still force myself to Zumba, knowing that my spirits will be lifted. It is my happy pill. It is the time I forget about cancer and feel not only the music, but also the love of the people around me.

Please come to Caliente for the Cure on June 14 in honor of those women who have lost their battle with breast cancer, for those who are currently battling, and as a thank you for your own health. Come dance with me! I will be the one with the silly grin full of dimples, shaking it for the cure!

I believe in the power of positivity and rely on the generosity of others to continue to fund breast cancer research. I have HOPE that I will be here to raise my four children. I have FAITH that there will be a cure. I have LOVE for everyone who dances with me, accepts me as is. I have danced bald, fat and in Depends undergarments. At no point did I not FEEL THE MUSIC. Come join me as we raise money and celebrate life!

Remember, Komen St. Louis puts the money raised at Caliente and other events to work here in St. Louis AND helps fund breast cancer research. Komen-funded research grants have helped create lifesaving meds like Tamoxifen and Herceptin. Now we need a targeted chemo drug for triple-negative breast cancer, which often affects young women. Help me help Komen fund the research!

The 5th Annual Komen St. Louis Caliente for the Cure takes place on Friday, June 14, from 6-8 pm at Saint Louis University’s Simon Recreation Center. Learn more and register. 

Komen St. Louis’ Young Philanthropist of the Year: Naomi Leasck

So many individuals and groups in our community are dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. And they come up with creative, personal ways to raise awareness and funds to help save lives and end breast cancer.

Komen St. Louis Executive Director Helen Chesnut presents our 2013 Young Philanthropist of the Year Award to Naomi Leasck

One of these individuals inspired us to introduce a new recognition, which we announced at our 4th Annual Power of a Promise event: the 2013 Young Philanthropist of the Year Award, presented to Naomi Leasck.

For the past four years, this talented 13-year-old St. Louis Hawks hockey goalie has incorporated philanthropy into her sporting activity. She has raised money for Komen St. Louis with each “save” she makes. Last fall, she made 184 saves and raised $2,000. Over the past four years, Naomi has raised $10,000 for local breast health programs and breast cancer research funded by Komen St. Louis.

Naomi is a shining example that you’re never too young to make a positive impact in our community.

Congratulations and thank you, Naomi!

Komen St. Louis’ Survivor of the Year: Lisa Oxenhandler

During our 4th Annual Power of a Promise event, we presented six special awards recognizing individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond in their dedication and contribution to Komen St. Louis and the local fight against breast cancer.

Komen St. Louis Board President Dede Hoffmann presents our 2013 Survivor of the Year Award to Lisa Oxenhandler

It was an honor to recognize an outstanding breast cancer survivor who exemplifies caring, compassion and devotion to helping others in their journey to survive breast cancer.

We can always count on Lisa Oxenhandler to help with Komen St. Louis events throughout the year. She consistently shows up with a smile on her face. She’s always willing to go the extra mile to get the work done. She is a joy to work with, and we are so grateful to have her support.

Lisa Oxenhandler, our 2013 Survivor of the Year, is an inspiration to so many other breast cancer survivors.

Congratulations and thank you, Lisa!

Komen St. Louis’ 2013 Volunteer of the Year: Jerry Clippard

At Komen St. Louis, we could not function without our volunteers. We appreciate all who devote their time and passion to the fight against breast cancer.

Komen St. Louis Executive Director Helen Chesnut presents our 2013 Volunteer of the Year Award to Jerry Clippard

It was a pleasure to begin National Volunteer Week by recognizing one of our outstanding volunteers, during our 4th Annual Power of a Promise event.

Jerry Clippard is someone we can always count on to step up whenever help is needed. He volunteers for every single Komen St. Louis event throughout the year. He is a tireless worker who consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. He makes such a positive impact on our organization.

We are so grateful for his dedication to Komen St. Louis and to our community.

Thank you, Jerry!

At Companion Bakery, “C” is for Community

Since pulling the first baguette from its stone oven in 1993, Companion Bakery has formed a reputation for doing things right. And St. Louisans know it, making Companion a popular gathering place for customers to pop in or linger, to sit quietly or share in conversations and a meal.

With a spirit of community in mind, there was no hesitation from Siena Cargas, Companion Bakery’s Director of Catering and Special Events, to sign up both area locations for Komen St. Louis’ 5th Annual Dine Out for the Cure, taking place on Thursday, June 13.

“Breast cancer has hit too close to home for almost everyone we know,” says Siena. “This is a small way we can all be active in the cause personally and as a team. It is so simple to participate, and the donation can be significant without hurting the pocketbook.”

Companion Bakery has participated in Dine Out for the Cure since the event began in 2009. The employees and owners are compassionate about supporting local nonprofits like Komen St. Louis, and they have found unique ways to enhance the experience.

“On that day in June, everyone wear pink ribbons and we give out the Komen stickers to our customers,” says Siena. “We have pink ribbon cookies for sale in the cafes and we donate a portion of the cookies’ proceeds back to the cause, too.”

Thanks to Companion Bakery and other participating restaurants across the St. Louis metro area, Komen St. Louis’ Dine Out for the Cure has raised more than $365,000 for the local fight against breast cancer. Dine Out allows members of our community to take action  against the disease just by dining out for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner on June 13. Restaurants participating in Dine Out agree to donate 20%, 35% or 50% of the day’s proceeds to Komen St. Louis in support of local breast health/breast cancer programs and breast cancer research.

“Community is one of the 4 ‘C’s that make up Companion – Customers, Company, Community, Companions,” says Siena. “We all appreciate being involved.”

We’re recruiting restaurants now to participate in our 5th Annual Dine Out for the Cure on Thursday, June 13. Learn more about Dine Out.