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Special Advertising Section • Sunday, May 8, 2022

KOMEN COLUMBUS RACE FOR THE CURE SATURDAY • MAY 14

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Registration will be open online at

komen.org/columbusrace until Friday, May 13 at noon EST On-site registration opens on Race Day at 6:30 am at North Bank Park, 311 W. Long Street

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2G | SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2022 | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

FROM THE RACE DIRECTOR Thirty years. It’s still hard to believe.

Race Director Alyssa Petrella

When Komen first raced in Columbus in 1993, 875 people came to a new event with the hope that steps together could fight a far too often fatal disease. How far we’ve moved since then. Columbus hosts one of the nation’s largest Komen races. Together, the race proceeds empowered Komen Columbus to invest more than $30 million toward our goal of ending breast cancer forever and contributed to over $1 billion invested globally. This funding has helped women find access to screening, care coordination, and support services and supported invaluable advances in science and treatment that coupled with early detection, has significantly decreased national breast cancer mortality rates. Simple steps save lives. We’re grateful for your support. We also know the journey is far from over. Ohio ranks 6th in the nation in breast cancer mortality rates and anticipates 10,610 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis this year and more. With a staggering 1 in 8 women in the United States at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, we must come to grips with the notion that anyone reading this knows someone or is someone fighting breast cancer. We’re all in this mission together. While we want to celebrate the past, we must try something new for our future. COVID disproportionally harmed cancer patients. Research slowed, and many clinical trials stopped enrolling during the pandemic. The result are delays when time is of the essence. Our goal this year is to embrace tradition and innovation simultaneously. Let’s start with an all-new racecourse based in the North Bank Park area. We will start at Long Street and

travel east toward downtown, turn south onto Rich Street, veer North onto High, and head west on Nationwide Boulevard to the finish line on Spring near the North Bank Park Pavilion. After two years of not being able to come together in person, to call the new course thrilling would be an understatement. We also must appreciate that some still can’t congregate because of COVID and other health issues; so, we’re keeping the virtual option available as well. Being together in spirit matters too, and nobody will walk or run alone. In addition to the event, The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure developed an app that will enable users to post fundraising messages on social media or send them directly to the contacts saved on your phone; earn badges for watching inspirational videos and taking educational quizzes; and participate in activity challenges and log steps to earn a Virtual Finisher Medal. We all have a breast cancer story. Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Over the last 30 years, Komen has brought billions to the battle, one dollar and one step at a time. Everyone at Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures. Join us in the journey in person, online at www.komen. org, or on social media at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow. Together we are stronger in this critical mission to end breast cancer forever. Sincerely, Alyssa Petrella, Race Director Komen Columbus Race for the Cure

Race for the Cure Brings Together Work Family For two years, many in Central Ohio have had no choice but to be virtual in our work and world. The 2022 Komen Race for the Cure will serve as a chance for many at American Signature Inc./Value City Furniture to see each other, in person, for the first time since the pandemic. “The best company ever,” said Kyra Pruitt-White of Value City Furniture, where she has worked for the last 24 years. Pruitt’s loyalty isn’t just about pay, benefits, or PTO. For half of her tenure, Pruitt has been a breast cancer survivor. “Value City Furniture and our associates really supported me,” Pruitt said. In 2009, Pruitt noticed her left arm was sore. She thought it was from heavy lifting. It turned out to be a lump; she had Stage IIIA triple negative breast cancer that spread to her lymph nodes. The meal trains immediately began, along with a host of unexpected assists. Colleagues helped her child transition from high school to college and get back for the holidays. They hosted a Christmas shopping event for Pruitt’s grandchildren. Value City also extended Pruitt’s leave as she went through seven months of chemo, two months of radiation, and a staph infection that almost

“The best company ever... Because I have so much support with my workplace, it made my transition through my journey through breast cancer better.” –Kyra Pruitt-White, 24-year employee of Value City Furniture

made her quit treatment. “Because I have so much support with my workplace, it made my transition through my journey through breast cancer better,” Pruitt said. Today, she is cancer-free. The support of her employer continues in words, deeds, and donations. Value City sponsored Pruitt to serve as Honorary Race Chair for the 2017 Komen Race for the Cure. They’ve also supported Pruitt’s passion project to increase access to local screening and diagnostic services for women without access to care. “American Signature Inc./Value City Furniture wants to

Kyra Pruitt-White celebrated Race Day with family, friends, colleagues and supporters including (pictured above) sons Marquan Stewart and Korrion Wade, mother Shirley Pruitt, sister Tisha Reeves, nephew Brayden Reeves, daughter-in-law Eboni Wade, Valarie Harrell; grandkids Karter Wade, Kamya wade, and friends Timothy Crawley, Danielle Pettiford, Shanelle Berry; pictured at right: White and husband Bernard White

be a part of helping to find a cure and in the process, make the lives of those who have been diagnosed better,” said Michael Broidy, senior vice president, corporate affairs. The 2022 Race will be Value City Furniture’s 25th year of serving as a sponsor. In that time, they have raised over $2 million dollars for the Komen organization, with thousands of team members coming together to participate. “We strongly support the important work of the Komen organization here in Central Ohio and around the country,” said Broidy. “The funding they provide for breast cancer research and the educational programs they offer are important to many of our VCF customers, our team members and their families who have been affected by breast cancer.” For two years, those team members and families haven’t been able to come together on race day. The company’s Spirit Week has been virtual, and Pruitt said the time away felt like a loss. To gather as a business, community, and family on race day is a joy Pruitt knows will be worth the wait. “We’ve got to get back out there,” she said. “To represent our company at this Race is just wonderful.”

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30th Komen Columbus Race Day information Registration will be open online at komen.org/columbusrace until Friday, May 13 at noon EST Registration will be available on-site Race Day starting at 6:30 am at North Bank Park Pavilion (311 W. Long Street). RACE DAY SCHEDULE – SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022 6:30 am: Registration Opens 7:00 am: Expo, Hope Village and VIP Tent Open 8:15 am: Hope Parade (survivors gathering) 8:30 am: Opening Ceremony and 5k Run/Walk Starts 8:45 am: Family Fun Walk Starts Block Party to Follow

CHECK OUT OUR NEW COURSE

The future for breast cancer treatment is very promising. BLOCK PARTY The Columbus Race for the Cure will be hosting a 30th Anniversary Block Party directly after the race. The Block Party celebration will be in North Bank Park. Continue your celebrations and join us! All of our wonderful vendors will be donating a portion of proceeds back to the Columbus Race for the Cure to help continue to move our mission forward!

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4G | SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2022 | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

To fulfill one of Lori’s “bucket list” items, Lori, her friend, Christy Bassitt, and her sister, Kara Kent, went skydiving for the first time to honor Lori on her one-year cancer diagnosis anniversary.

Lori Gill Grennan with her children

Assuming Breast Changes are ‘Normal’ Could Lead to Missed Breast Cancer Diagnosis Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).

Know the signs of inflammatory breast cancer SELFLESS, HUMBLE AND A CARING FRIEND—with a wicked sense of humor—is how Kara Kent describes her late sister, Lori Gill Grennan, who died at age 36 of complications from a rare form of breast cancer that is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed in late stages because it is so rare that doctors may mistake it for a breast infection. Kara hopes her sister’s story will inspire others to be their own health advocates and push for answers if they have concerns about their health. “My sister was a physician. She knew something was wrong—and doctors continually dismissed her concerns. It took a self-referral to a breast cancer expert to confirm her concerns were valid. By then, she had a metastatic, inflammatory breast cancer diagnosis and limited treatment options,” Kara recalled. “The disease stole her future and precious time with her children. Lori was ready to do anything she could do to extend her life, and her wish was that other women would not have to face the same devastating diagnosis.” Before she passed, Lori worked with her family to establish the Hunt for Hope, an Amazing Race-like scavenger hunt fundraiser for the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network Foundation. Through their efforts—which continue today—they have raised more than $600,000 to support inflammatory breast cancer treatment and research initiatives that are underway at The Ohio State University

Inflammatory breast cancer can occur in any part of the breast and in any molecular sub-form of the disease. It is often misdiagnosed because it mimics symptoms similar to a breast infection. “Although inflammatory breast cancer only represents 1% to 5% of all breast cancers in the United States, it is a sneaky disease and challenging to diagnose. It is critical that clinicians have a high level of familiarity with its subtle signs and

A multidisciplinary breast cancer team that includes surgical, medical and radiation oncologists, as well as breast radiologists, plastic/reconstructive surgeons, physical therapists and nurses, has designed a formal best-practice clinical decision tree to help the OSUCCC – James medical team triage and rapidly respond to potential inflammatory breast cancer cases. “Our goal is to push these patients to the front of the line, rapidly mobilizing a treatment plan so that therapy can begin as soon as possible,” Park said. The team is working with primary care and obstetricians/gynecologists to bring more awareness to this disease and the nuances of diagnosing and treating it.

- Dr. Ko Un Park, surgical oncologist

Those signs include an orange peellike texture or dimpling of skin, a feeling of heaviness, tightening of the skin, engorgement of the breast and infection-like redness. “Women should know that no radical changes to the breast are normal, and breast self-exams are still very important. Some 50% of inflammatory breast cancers are diagnosed as stage 4 disease,” Park added. ADVERTISEMENT

Kara recalls being on a sister trip when Lori joked that her breast was so hard, that it felt like a steel plate, even suggesting that Kara should punch her as proof. “That is how she dealt with things— humor—but she was a physician, and I knew she was concerned,” Kara recalled.

Trusting her instincts and frustrated, she referred herself to a breast specialist who, following a biopsy, confirmed advanced-stage breast cancer. Lori then completed chemotherapy and radiation treatment and underwent a mastectomy, followed by additional chemotherapy regimens when the cancer recurred.

“She was determined to do anything so she could live and spend more time with her family,” Kara said. A perpetually giving Lori’s doctors concluded she had mastitis, person, Lori chose to channel her story a breast infection that sometimes occurs into awareness and fundraising to help in lactating people in the year following others facing the same diagnosis through childbirth. She was treated with antibiotics the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network twice. When the infection did not resolve, she was sent for a mammogram: no concerns. Foundation and the Hunt for Hope

fundraiser. Lori’s mother, Sheila Gill, says her daughter would want others to know they are not alone in facing this disease. Lori would encourage them to be their own health advocates, perhaps joining a group of people facing the same diagnosis. “Women need to be particularly vigilant after childbirth. Accurate diagnosis is often missed with mastitis being so common. Lori said she was so healthy otherwise that she ignored her own unease early on. She said she had sent many women patients for tissue biopsies who presented with symptoms like her own. She would want women to sincerely be their own health advocates,” Sheila said.

To learn more about inflammatory breast cancer, visit cancer.osu.edu/IBC.

“This disease can change radically in a matter of days, so it is important that women with inflammatory breast cancer start medical therapy as quickly as possible for the best chances of long-term disease control.”

be prepared to take immediate action to avoid belated diagnosis,” said Dr. Ko Un Park, a surgical oncologist who leads the new inflammatory breast cancer program at the OSUCCC – James’ Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center.

family medicine practice when her breast became extremely hard.

Lori with her sister, Kara Kent

“I encourage women to pay attention to changes in their breast tissue. While our bodies do change as we get older, radical changes in the shape, feel or symmetry of the breasts should always be evaluated by a physician,” added Dr. Amy Kerger, a breast radiologist and close friend of Lori. Watching her friend face this diagnosis cemented her career path to specialize in breast imaging.

There is no routine mammogram. Get your James mammogram at one of several central Ohio locations, including our newest locations: • The James Mammography Grove City • The James Mammography Westerville • The James Mammography Pickerington • The James Outpatient Care New Albany • Opening August 2022 – The James Outpatient Care Dublin To schedule, call 800-240-4477 or visit cancer.osu.edu/mammo.

One woman’s story brings awareness to a rare disease Lori was a 32-year-old mother of two children, then 4 years and 6 months old, and had just launched her own ADVERTISEMENT

6G | SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2022 | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

SUPPORTER STORIES

Nina’s story It has been 18 years since Nina Capers was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer, and it has been 17 years since she ran her first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. For Nina, Komen has been the constant in her life—the resource that was always there. In July 2004, Nina went through a divorce and in September 2004 she was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer, all while raising her three young daughters. Shortly after, Nina underwent surgery and began her treatment that would end up entailing 16 weeks of chemo, 33 radiation treatments, and 52 doses of Herceptin. Nina’s first exposure to Komen predates her diagnosis. Through her daughter’s former volleyball team’s involvement in Volley for the Cure, she was able to volunteer before she had a personal tie. She had helped a little with the event in the past, but the year after her diagnosis she dove in headfirst. “I cannot say thank you enough to Komen for always being there. From Volley for the Cure to the Race, they have always been just a phone call away. And they are always ready to help,” Nina said. “I am grateful to them every single day.” And not too long after that, Nina walked in her first Race for the Cure alongside her daughters. 2005 was her first race, and she has only missed one or two since. “I don’t think that there is any way to describe the feeling. It is so emotional, and it’s so much bigger than just you,” Nina said about the Race. “I lost both grandmothers and a cousin to breast cancer, but there is no time to be sad. The Race is pure happiness. It’s a time where you watch everyone else, don’t think about yourself, and just sit in an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that you’re there and making a small difference.” In 2004, Nina didn’t know if she would be able to see her daughters grow up let alone her future grandchildren.

“I cannot say thank you enough to Komen for always being there... I am grateful to them every single day.” –Nina Capers, Race for the Cure participant But now as she approaches almost two decades of Races, Nina walks proudly alongside not only her girls, but her grandsons as well. “When I was diagnosed, I was sure it was a death sentence—all I wanted was for someone to tell me I wasn’t going to die. And no one would say that,” Nina said. “But now, I can say to others that they will get through this. I know because I did, and I was certain I wouldn’t.” When Nina was diagnosed, HER-2 positive breast cancer was very new, and because of the knowns surrounding the cancer, she wasn’t considered to be in remission until many years after her treatment concluded. At Nina’s 10-year checkup in 2015, she finally got to hear the words “Nina, you’re cured.”

clockwise from top: Nina and her family, Haley, Mike, Liam, Luca and Carly, before the Columbus Komen Race for the Cure in 2019; Nina participating in the Columbus Komen Race for the Cure in 2013; Nina finishing her race in 2017 in the Columbus Komen Race for the Cure

Robin’s story In 12 years, Robin Frissora never missed a mammogram. But when COVID-19 struck in 2020, her mammogram was delayed for the first time since she was 34. That year Robin was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer, stage 1B. Robin’s treatment began very shortly after with a lumpectomy, and months of chemo, radiation, and Herceptin doses followed. After more than a year, Robin’s treatment officially ended on December 27, 2021, and her port was removed. Now just a few months later, she is gearing up for her first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this May.

“It’s a crazy bumpy ride, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel... It may not feel like it at times, but you can, and you have to—you have to fight for every minute.” –Robin Frissora, Race for the Cure participant “I am not one to draw attention to myself, but my mission is to raise awareness about early detection, and this Race helps me spread that message,” Robin said. “I think the Race will be emotional seeing all of the other survivors and people that are walking in memory of their loved ones, but I am just so glad that I am here to do it.” Robin’s grandmother battled breast cancer which led her to early screenings, and eventually fueled her dedication to regular mammograms. Because of Robin’s faithfulness, her cancer was detected early which was incremental in saving her life. Triple Positive Breast Cancer is extremely aggressive, and up until a few years ago, there were very few treatment options for it. In addition to early detection, years of research and clinical trials have finally presented new and effective options that are saving many lives, Robin said. “Early detection is key. And that’s what I feel gave me the best chance to survive,” Robin said. “But the unfortunate reality is that not everyone has access to early detection or even thinks about it, so any way that I can help raise money towards cures for these people is incredibly important to me.” When Robin was diagnosed two years ago, she sobbed the entire car ride home wondering how she would tell her then 15- and 19-year-old children that their mom’s life might be at risk. This year Robin will walk in her first Race for the Cure with her beloved family by her side in complete remission from cancer. “It’s a crazy bumpy ride, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” Robin said. “And for anyone grappling with a new diagnosis, you can do it. It may not feel like it at times, but you can, and you have to—you have to fight for every minute.”

left to right, from top: Frissora family vacation in 2021; Robin’s 47th birthday in 2021; Robin’s tattoo reminding her to “hope, pray, fight” everyday. It’s also the name of her walk team; Celebration of Robin’s last day of chemo in March 2021

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Breast cancer isn’t always obvious. The place to find it is. That’s why it’s important to get your yearly mammogram. Our conveniently located Mount Carmel Women’s Health Centers are dedicated to providing you with diagnostic testing and comprehensive services such as 3D mammography. And with our dedicated team of breast health specialists, you can get your mammogram in comfort and with confidence. So don’t delay. Schedule yours today. Call 614-234-7400 or visit mountcarmelhealth.com.

8G | SUNDAY, MAY 8, 2022 | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

We want to empower everyone who’s touched by cancer to keep dreaming about the things that inspire them: the vacations, the goals, the milestones and the celebrations.

After all, you had a life before cancer. And now is definitely not the time to stop living it. Keep making a scene. Keep making art. Keep making impulsive decisions. Keep making jokes. Keep making love. Keep making memories. Keep making peace. Keep making family recipes. Keep making the world better. Keep making your parents proud. You’ve got this. And we’ve got you. KEEP MAKING PLANS.