June 2018

Komen-Funded Study Announces Major Changes for Breast Cancer Treatment 

Last week, I saw a post being shared on Facebook that misrepresented Komen's investments in research. It concerned me that this information was being reposted without verification of the details, but helped me understand that we at Komen need to do better in sharing our commitment to strategic, patient-focused breast cancer research.

And what better time than now to address this topic, since this past weekend Susan G. Komen issued the findings of the largest adjuvant breast cancer treatment trial ever conducted. It concluded 70% of women with early stage, hormone-receptor positive, HER2 negative, node negative breast cancer may be able to forgo chemotherapy and its toxic side effects. For the remaining 30% of those women, chemotherapy can be life-saving. This ground-breaking research was partially funded by Komen. For the full press release, click here.

People may not realize that Komen invests in life-saving research AND in local services that allow people the access to screenings and treatments needed to save their lives. (In fact, we are the only breast cancer organization that invests in the full continuum of care.) While research is critical, people must have knowledge of medical advancements and access to diagnostic services and treatments or breast cancer deaths will not stop.

I encourage you to investigate the information you see being posted on social media to ensure you know the complete picture and then help us tell our story. Komen's scope and commitment to breast cancer research is unparalleled. As the global leader in the fight against breast cancer, Komen has funded research in 47 states and 21 different countries. We remain committed to funding the most promising and innovative research, and have invested more than $956 million in over 2600 research grants and nearly 500 clinical trials since 1982.

Your support makes this all possible.

Most sincerely,

Lynda Weeks
Executive Director

Survivor Spotlight - Carol Simpson

Carol Simpson of Lexington was 42 when she learned that she had breast cancer. While the news was not a surprise since she was being watched closely for it (she once had four mammograms within a 13-month span), she says that now, five years later, "it sometimes still feels like I'm living someone else's life." For more about Carol's survivor story, click here.

Carol has been an incredible supporter of Komen Kentucky and helps with many of our events. She currently is planning a fundraiser for Team Carol, her Race for the Cure team. If you would like to show your support, join her at Vineyard Vines on June 14. 

*If you would like to get more involved as a volunteer for Komen Kentucky, please contact us to get added to the Volunteer List. Volunteer opportunities will be sent once a month to all interested people via a separate email.  

Confections for the Cure

Satisfy your sweet tooth this month by visiting the 12 restaurants participating in Komen Kentucky's Confections for the Cure initiative, designed to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. These Louisville and Lexington restaurants have agreed to create and serve a special pink dessert throughout the month of June, in recognition of National Cancer Survivors Day, June 3. 

Each pink-inspired dessert will be served with a custom pink cocktail napkin, printed with information about Komen Kentucky’s impact. Patrons may receive a napkin with a survivor story, facts about how donations to Komen Kentucky are used to fight breast cancer, or Susan G. Komen’s Bold Goal: to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent by the year 2026. The restaurants will also provide an informational menu insert explaining the Confections for the Cure initiative to restaurant guests.

We encourage you to stop by any of these restaurants to order their special pink desserts during the month of June: 

Louisville Area Restaurants:

Lexington area:

Partner Spotlight

Thank you to Matt Thornton (Thorntons), one of Komen Kentucky's Big Wigs, for fulfilling his pledge to raise $10,000 for local breast cancer programs and global research initiatives. Here he presents a check to Bob Iezzi, SGKK Board President (left), and Lynda Weeks, SGKK Executive Director.

Special appreciation also to UAW-Ford, Ford Louisville Assembly Plant, and Ford Warriors in Pink who donated their winnings from the Kentucky Derby Festival Thorntons Great Bed Race to Komen Kentucky. Their bed was inspired by the Warriors in Pink program that has raised more than $133 million for breast cancer research and programs since its founding 24 years ago. 

Race for the Cure

Online registration is now open for the 2018 Races for the Cure:
Louisville, Saturday, October 13 at UofL ShelbyHurst Campus
Lexington, Saturday, October 27 at Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza

Register now using the code: EarlyBird to receive an early bird discount of $10 off your Race entry fee; or the code: NatlSurvDay, if you are a breast cancer survivor.

We also invite you to get more involved in the event, by joining on of the Race Committees: 

To join the Lexington Race Committee, please contact Ally. Their next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 19, 6pm at the Komen Kentucky satellite office, 207 N. Upper St., Ste. D, Lexington.

To join the Louisville Race Committee, please contact Lynn. Their next meeting will be on Wednesday, June 27, 6pm at Awakenings Oncology Boutique, 9708 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville.

Upcoming Events

June 14 - Vineyard Vines Giveback Day supporting  Team Carol (Lexington Race for the Cure, 6-9pm), The Summit at Fritz Farm 4100 Nicholasville Rd #160, Lexington.

June 30 - Breast Cancer Pink Out Night at the Lexington Legends. Gates open at 4:30pm, enter via the VIP door next to the box office. Music and information tables, 4:30-5pm, program from 5-5:30pm, pre-game balloon release 6pm, game starts at 6:35. Breast cancer survivors and one guest may attend at no cost. Tickets $25 each or tables of 20 for $500. For more information, or to get tickets, contact Ally in the Lexington office (859-368-7133) or download the flyer.

Sponsorships

If you are looking to get exposure for your business and/or give back to the community, please consider becoming a sponsor of one (or more!) of Komen Kentucky's signature events. For more information, contact the office or download a sponsor booklet today.