OrlandoStrides News Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Metro Orlando September 2017 • Page 1
Meet Pacesetter N. Diane Holmes
Orlando’s Pink Powerhouse •
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Save the Dates
Survivor Brunch Sunday, October 1, 2017 2017 Inaugural 5K Run and 5K Walk Saturday, October 28, 2017 at Lake Eola
2017 Goals • $1,000,000 • 1,150 Teams
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We’re in Winter Park! Orlando’s American Cancer Society Offices are located at: 507 North New York Ave Suite 100 Winter Park, FL 32789 We’re here for you!
Diane Holmes is a pink wig wearing, two-time breast cancer surviving, fundraising phenom. In 2016, Diane set the lofty goal of raising $20,000 for Orlando Strides’ 20th Anniversary and she knocked it out of the park, making her both Orlando’s top individual fundraiser—among the top in the nation. Diane was born and lived in Washington D.C. until, at age 11, she, her mother, and little brother returned to their family’s home state as sixth generation Floridians. Diane pursued her studies at what is now UCF, as well as UF, through law school, as her mother always said she wanted her to be a judge. It was one day in April, 1994, while working at her successful family law practice that she got word of her first breast cancer. “My brother-in-law (in the medical field) called and said ‘I have bad news, you have breast cancer.’ I said ‘Will I die?’ He said ‘No.’ Then I said, ‘Can I still go to New Orleans this Thursday with my girlfriends?’ He said ‘Yes.’ On that trip, a friend’s sister joined us for the first time and she was a breast cancer survivor. It was encouraging at the time.” Diane was in a meeting with her radiation oncologist, comparing films from ages 35 and then 38 and it was apparent that a mastectomy made the most sense. With both of her diagnoses, the second in April 2007, Diane chose mastectomies without reconstruction. “I’m not a boob. I’m a person. I don’t need that. I wasn’t a candidate to make a boob from fat and didn’t want a foreign substance in my body. I didn’t want surgery, I’m saving that for my face lift because you can see that! I also didn’t want to take the time off for surgery, I would sooner go on a trip.”
Making a Difference As a two-year survivor in 1996, Diane went to a breast cancer event with a spokeswoman, Dr. Susan Love, and asked how to become one. ACS said I have something else in mind, the breast cancer task force. Formed as a component of the local office mission, their focus was how to educate the community about breast cancer, the importance of early detection, collaborate with the medical community and raise overall awareness. Diane also became a Reach to Recovery volunteer. She memorably helped a Spanish-speaking woman, bringing a girlfriend to interpret to an apartment complex with an incomplete address. “But we found her and she was incredibly grateful. I think probably I was the only one she met on a personal level that had breast cancer.”
Pink Wigs and Raising Funds
Download the American Cancer Society FUNdRaising app to have your Strides fundraising page at your fingertips!
Diane’s pink wig wearing began in 2010 when Diane partook in a flash mob video and wanted a way to overcome her shorter stature and be seen. Diane found her first wig in a Vegas outlet store and not only became the pink lady we know today, but her pink head was successfully visible throughout the video. 2010 is also the year Diane began her fundraising quest. Her inner drive has led her to outdo herself each year. “I’m pretty competitive while trying to do good. I ask people to give me money. I just send a letter each year and say please.” Her overall drive comes from the understanding that “Early detection is key to a cure. Let’s make it known for all communities, white, black, Hispanic.” Pink Premier Sponsor
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Metro Orlando September 2017 • Page 2
Inaugural Making Strides 5K Run sponsored by SimonMed will be based upon availability. If you have raised $100, you can pick your shirt up at packet pickup or the morning of the event at registration. The run begins at 8 a.m. Be ready to go at 7:45! After crossing the finish line, join us for entertainment, refreshments, and the official walk at 9 a.m. with 65,000 Striders — The biggest Strides walk in the country!
Awards:
Run For Their Lives! Spots are still available for the first-ever Orlando Strides 5k competitive run! Register now and start your fundraising. Your race fee gets you started by being applied to your fundraising total! Kick-start your fundraising! Your registration fee counts toward your fundraising efforts. Raise $100 or more to earn your official race t-shirt. Check in on the day of the event will begin at 6:30 a.m. We will also offer packet pickup the week before the event. We encourage you to register early, as registration is limited to the first 1,500 runners. Registration the morning of the race
Top 5 Team Spotlight: Cypress Cove Parrot Heads
For 11 years, the Cypress Cove Parrot Heads have been raising funds for breast cancer research. What began on a small scale as a tribute to a lost friend, today they are one of Orlando Strides biggest team fundraising powerhouses, bringing in about $23,000 in 2016. A big thank you to Laurel, Carol, and Ric, who have volunteered countless hours to orchestrating the making of raffle baskets and the planning of their highly anticipated annual events on Islandfest and Parrothead weekends. Pink Premier Sponsor
• The top 3 overall male finishers • The top 3 overall female finishers • The top 3 Breast Cancer Survivor finishers • The top 3 fundraisers (This is an official timed 5K run. Runners should be able to complete a 15-minute mile. If you are not able to do so, we invite you to join us for the non-competitive walk beginning at 9 a.m.)
Registration Fees for the 5K Run: Go to OrlandoStrides5K.com to register • Before October 1 — $35 • Before October 27 — $40 • Day of 5K Run — $50
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Metro Orlando September 2017 • Page 3
We would like to offer our Sponsors a huge Thank You! Pink Premier Sponsor
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Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Metro Orlando
September • Page 4
We would like to offer our Sponsors a huge Thank You! Supporting Sponsors
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Pink Premier Sponsor