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Inside: • Living with cancer

Fighting breast cancer: The faces of Komen | P6-7

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For survivors, create a lifelong cancer care plan | P2

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• Where the money goes

75 percent of funds raised for Komen CAN AZ stays in AZ | P4

Sunday Lutz, Mikala Edwards, Dr. Bodour Salhia, Leticia Zepeda Flores, Helen Hurry

A CCAA AZ Komen CAN

S U S A N G . KOM E N C E N T R A L A N D N O RT H E R N A R I Z O N A

’ Now we’re

2 1 Y E A R S O F S E RV I C E

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

komenCANaz.org

info @ komenCANaz.org

602-544-2873

Komen’s CAN-do attitude

“The name change of our Affiliate reflects precisely what our mission is and where it’s being carried out.” — Carolyn Evani, President, Komen CAN AZ Board of Directors

BY DEBRA GELBART

he people helped by Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona® (Komen CAN AZ) may not know that the Affiliate recently changed its name to more accurately reflect what the organization does and who it serves, but these patients are aware of how Komen CAN AZ has made a difference in their lives.

Funds at work

Take 64-year-old Christopher, who last

year was diagnosed in Flagstaff with breast cancer. Initially reluctant to accept Komen CAN AZ funds for his treatment out of concern that a young mother may not get the care she needed if he were given help, Christopher did accept the assistance offered and today, thanks to a grant funded by the local Affiliate, he is recovering. Also in northern Arizona, a mother of two young children received a breast cancer diagnosis but had no insurance or other treatment options. With the help of Komen

CAN AZ funds, this mother received treatment and now has been cancer-free for over a year and able to care for her child, who was diagnosed with cancer before she was. “The name change of our Affiliate reflects precisely what our mission is and where it’s being carried out,” said Carolyn Evani, president of the Komen CAN AZ board of directors. “We CAN help people like Christopher and the young mother in the central and northern parts of the state.” Komen CAN AZ (continued, page 4)

Olympian Amanda Beard is Honorary Race Chair BY GREMLYN BRADLEY-WADDELL

A Heather Roberts, interim executive director for Koman CAN AZ, hopes to expand the organization's mission beyond the annual Race.

Committed to the cause

Komen CAN AZ interim executive director wins prestigious national award BY DEBRA GELBART

eather Roberts is a trailblazer. In June, she was selected from among 120 other Komen affiliate professionals around the country for the Excellence in Leadership Award at the annual Susan G. Komen Leadership Conference in Dallas. As the Race and Special Events Director, she became the first recipient to hold a title other than executive director of an affiliate. Now the new interim executive director for Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona® (Komen CAN AZ), Roberts has been associated with the Affiliate for more than seven years, longer than any other current staff member. Roberts was the first to direct the annual Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure® from inside the organization, after years of the Affiliate having an outside company manage the event. She became Volunteer Race Co-Chair in 2006. Since then, Roberts brought more people onto the volunteer race committee and increased the average fundraising per participant, doubling it in her first year alone. Roberts first became part of the Komen organization through her college roommate's family. “Both of her grandmothers were diagnosed with breast cancer as well as her mother,” Roberts said. “I knew, after seeing the incredible network of support that

my roommate’s mom had through the organization and Race for the Cure, that I wanted to be a part of helping women fight breast cancer.” She is the immediate past Race and Special Events Director, managing not only the Phoenix Race for the Cure, but all other event programming the Affiliate undertakes. During her time in charge of the Race, she maintained oversight and responsibility for the Affiliate’s volunteer program, including volunteer cultivation and empowerment of the Race Committee. As interim executive director, she hopes to continue expanding the Affiliate’s important year-round mission impact work and diversify revenue streams beyond the Race, currently the organization’s signature fundraiser. Komen CAN AZ Board President Carolyn Evani and immediate past Executive Director Beverly Kruse nominated Roberts for the Excellence in Leadership Award. “Heather is truly an outstanding person—as an individual and an employee,” Evani said. “I couldn’t have been more thrilled when she won the award than if I had won the Nobel Prize.” Evani added, “She embodies everything that’s best about our organization, our mission, our work and the community. And, her operational knowledge of our organization is unparalleled.”

Arizona’s First Low Dose

3D Mammography

JCL.com/3D AR-0008072169-01

manda Beard’s always been a fierce competitor. At just 14, the striking Californian established herself on the international swimming stage by winning a Gold and two Silver medals at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. More medals at subsequent Olympics followed, bringing her medal tally to an impressive seven. Now, as the 2013 Honorary Race Chair for the 21st Annual Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure®, Amanda is taking on a new opponent: cancer. And she’s doing it for very personal reasons. Her paternal grandmother, Rosalie Beard, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and is today not only a cancer survivor but a great source of inspiration to many, including her granddaughter. That’s why Amanda says, “I can be a warrior and fight for my nana.” She’s also asking the public to show its warrior spirit by joining or otherwise

“I can be a warrior and fight for my nana.” — Amanda Beard supporting her team, "Swim Like a Mom," which is also the name of her blog. The team’s fundraising goal of $4,660 isn’t a randomly chosen figure, by the way – each dollar is in honor of every woman in Arizona expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. A Tucson resident and mother of two, Amanda is married to photographer Sacha Brown. She released her memoir, In the Water They Can’t See You Cry, last year and blogs about subjects ranging from motherhood to exercise. When she’s not spreading awareness about the fight against breast cancer, she can be found hanging out with her family or training for the 2016 Olympics.

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2 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

All in the family Cancer touches every loved one, not just the patient

BY ALISON STANTON

hen Blayre Riley learned that her mom, Barbra Watson-Riley, had a recurrence of breast cancer, she felt “scared and sad, all at the same time.” Although she still feels frightened sometimes, Blayre said she knows it is important to talk to her mom and dad as well as other people about her feelings. “My mom said I’m very good at closing in my emotions when I need to, but sometimes I break down because I don’t understand what is happening,” she said.

Family illness

Tracy Thurston, MC, LPC, Program Director at The Wellness CommunityArizona in Phoenix, said that a cancer diagnosis definitely affects every member of the family, not just the person who is fighting it. “Cancer is truly a family illness,” she said. “We offer many programs for children who have experienced cancer in their family. One of the programs that we offer that is very helpful to kids, their parents and grandparents is Kid Support.” Kid Support is a support group where children learn coping skills and how to talk about their feelings, Thurston said. The kids do different activities and meet other children who are going through this experience. “Often children are nervous to have fun and play. We encourage them to laugh and do normal things. It’s important

Susan Leigh and a group of other survivors founded the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

Living beyond cancer

Important for survivors to create a lifelong cancer care plan

iscovering cancer and undergoing sometimes difficult and lengthy treatment are milestones to any cancer survivor. But ask someone who is battling the disease or is in remission if he or she ever feels that the fight is won. Their answer will most likely be a resounding, “No!” Susan Leigh, BSN, RN knows this firsthand. She has battled Hodgkin’s disease, then breast and bladder cancers. “We are not guaranteed that we will survive our disease, and we don't know if we are going to get another cancer,” she said.

3 steps of cancer survival

PHOTOS BY LEANNA

Barbra Watson-Riley and Blayre Riley that families take time to enjoy one another during the cancer journey.” This is just one of many family support programs available in Arizona. A complete list of resources and groups are available online at komenCANaz.org.

Conquering fear

For Blayre, who turned 11 in August, talking to her school psychologist, her aunts, and close friends of her mom about what is going on and what she is feeling has been very helpful in sorting out her emotions and fears. She also spoke with the son of her mom’s cancer mentor. Having the chance to speak with a peer whose mom had also undergone treatment for breast cancer has been extremely helpful to her daughter, Barbra said. As a Komen CAN AZ board member, Barbra knew that Blayre probably had a greater knowledge of breast cancer than many other kids. Still, she said, she was grateful that she had another child to connect with. “He was able to say things to her like ‘this is what I was feeling,’ which I thought was so important, because I couldn’t always say things to Blayre in a way that other kids could.”

Family Resources

For more information about programs offered for family members of people with cancer, call Komen CAN AZ at 602-544-2873 or visit komenCANaz.org

Empowered by knowledge

BY LINDA FINE CONABOY

According to Leigh, survival starts the moment a person is diagnosed and is followed by three stages of recovery. They are: Active treatment

1 2 3

Therapy and remission, which Leigh describes as a constant in the life of any survivor; Long-term survival. Still active in her field, she is currently on medical leave from her job as a cancer survivorship navigator with Arizona Oncology, dealing with treatment-related cardiac issues. Because of her experiences, Leigh and a group of other survivors founded the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), an organization recognizing that surviving cancer is more complicated than simply being sick or well, having cancer or being cancer free. Besides offering a vast base of knowledge, the NCSS, in collaboration with other cancer organizations, developed a template called The Cancer Survival Toolbox, available for download at www.canceradvocacy.org/toolbox.

“People with cancer all want to hear that we are cured. Rather than waiting, we advocate living each day to the fullest.” — Susan Leigh

Breast cancer resources

To learn more about local breast cancer resources and Komen CAN Arizona’s work with Leigh, visit komenCANaz.org.

Leigh said the Susan G. Komen sites, both national and local, are valuable knowledge sources. She recently used the resources at the Komen CAN AZ 3rd Annual Survivor Education and Empowerment Conference, where she helped everyone from the newly diagnosed to a 20-year survivor develop a cancer care plan. “People with cancer all want to hear that we are cured,” she said. “Rather than waiting, we advocate living each day to the fullest.” She also advises that selfadvocacy and personal research can be lifesaving tools when it comes to dealing with cancer. Additionally, she strongly stressed the importance of gathering copies of personal records so other healthcare providers know a patient’s past history. She added that the responsibility of accomplishing this job this lies squarely with the patient.

Embrace Cancer someone with

and it might loosen its grip.

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4 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

Komen CAN AZ: ‘Now our name reflects who we really are’ (continued, from the cover) serves the nine counties of central and northern Arizona, while Susan G. Komen Southern Arizona® operates separately to serve the remaining five counties in the state.

Valuable resources

Christopher and the young mom received their help through North Country HealthCare in Flagstaff that received a grant from Komen CAN AZ. Elizabeth Markona, Health Promotion Programs Manager

Coconino

for North Country HealthCare, a publicly supported community health center, said the facility received $150,000 from Komen CAN AZ in 2013. “We provide diagnostic services not covered through other sources and treatment assistance with those funds,” Markona explained. “Komen CAN AZ provides a link to treatment when women (and men) are diagnosed and have no other resources. Our screening program sees approximately 600 underserved and uninsured women in our community annually, and we use

75% 25%

Navajo

Yavapai

Gila

Maricopa

Pinal

stayed right here in the state. The other 25 percent have gone to fund international Komen research programs.” She said grants to organizations like North Country HealthCare fund breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs throughout the service area, with $789,644 granted to northern Arizona programs in the past three years alone. “And now our name reflects who we really are,” Evani said. “We are dedicated to helping people throughout central and northern Arizona.”

21 YEARS OF IMPACT:

TO STAYS IN INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL AND RESEARCH NORTHERN ARIZONA COMMUNITIES

Apache

Mohave

La Paz

Komen CAN AZ funds to ensure that we never have to give a patient a diagnosis of breast cancer without a plan to treat the cancer. We prioritize lifesaving care with an emphasis on cancer removal, chemotherapy and radiation. Without Komen CAN AZ funds, we would have fewer resources for treatment and our screening services would have to be more limited.” “In 21 years of operation in Arizona,” Evani said, “we have raised more than $24.2 million from from the local community, and 75 percent of those funds have

33,742 2,275 2,683 154,985

FREE OR REDUCED COST MAMMOGRAMS DIAGNOSTIC TREATMENTS

BREAST CANCER TREATMENTS EDUCATIONAL CONTACTS

WHERE THE MONEY GOES INVESTMENT TO DATE:

$24.2M total

LOCAL EDUCATION, SCREENING AND TREATMENT:

$18.8M

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH:

$5.4M

THIS YEAR, $1.2M WILL PROVIDE:

1,050 535 1,840 162

INDIVIDUALS WITH EDUCATION DIAGNOSTIC TREATMENTS

FREE OR REDUCED COST MAMMOGRAMS

DURING PAST THREE YEARS, NORTHERN ARIZONA PROGRAMS REPRESENT 19% OF TOTAL GRANTED FUNDS:

$789,664

FUNDED 11 PROGRAMS ACROSS NORTHERN ARIZONA

BREAST CANCER TREATMENTS

The History of Komen CAN AZ BY LINDA FINE CONABOY

ver the years, the Susan G. Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure® has not only raised public awareness about breast cancer, but also raised funds to support breast cancer education, screening, treatment and research. The local affiliate, Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona, now known as Komen CAN AZ, is able to support its nine-county service area in numerous ways. Its areas of impact include: • A Community Grants Program that has granted $24.2 million since its inception • Advocacy at the state level • Community Empowerment through educational presentations by Community Outreach Ambassadors and through strategic partnerships in the community • Connection to local resources – including everything from wigs 2006 and prosthetics to clinical trials and treatment programs • Survivor support, including its annual FREE Survivor Education and Empowerment Conference With its partners, staff and board all committed to ending breast cancer forever, the local Affiliate’s accomplishments include a list that goes far beyond its life-saving Community Grants Program. The accompanying images and dates feature just a few highlights from Komen CAN AZ’s 21-year history, showing why it is an asset to the state and to those touched by breast cancer: 1993: The first Phoenix Race for the Cure 1994: Buddy Check 12 program established (Now in its 20th year, this program netted 12 News – the local NBC television affiliate – an award from Komen National) 1997: The first Komen breast health and breast cancer community needs assessment is done for the nine county service area of the Affiliate 2001: The Affiliate hires its first employee to further the mission to end breast cancer forever 2003: Komen CAN AZ wins its first Affiliate of the Year Award (also recognized in 2012) 2004: Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure

1993

2010 2010 surpasses 40,000 participants 2006: The Affiliate establishes its Community Outreach Ambassadors program, training volunteers on breast health and 2011 breast cancer to educate the community 2010: Grants exceed $2 million, and the community Affiliate establishes a Diversity and Inpartners to turn 2013 clusion Council representing the African Arizona into an Option American, Asian American, Hispanic, 3 state, giving more women a chance at Native American, LGBT and immigrant survival and expanding its Breast and and refugee communities Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (BCCTP) funding 2011: First Survivor Education and Empowerment Conference held 2013: Komen CAN AZ rallies for Arizona Medicaid 2012: Komen CAN AZ collaborates with

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6 | SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013

FACES OF KOMEN Jan Baltzer

Karen Cronin

Mesa

Scottsdale

Survivor, Community Outreach Ambassador, Race for the Cure Committee member

Survivor, Community Outreach Ambassador, Race for the Cure Participant

Why I Volunteer: “Participating in the Race for the Cure is just another way to give back. Raising money, particularly for the Race for the Cure in Phoenix, is so critical because that money actually stays in Arizona to help individuals here.”

Why I Volunteer: “After being diagnosed, I realized I needed to give back to the community so I not only raise funds for this worthy cause, but I give of my time to do the Race. I love being in such a positive and reinforcing environment.”

After Jan completed her treatment for Stage 1 breast cancer, she felt inspired to do something to help other women. As a COA, Jan explains about how early detection saves lives and encourages women to be sure to schedule regular mammograms.

Jan Baltzer

As an employee of Wells Fargo, Karen helps to organize teams to represent the bank in the Race for the Cure. She was inspired to become a COA because she wanted to be part of an organization that helps to educate others about breast cancer.

Karen Cronin

Mikala Edwards

Phoenix

Young Survivor, Race for the Cure Participant Why I Race: “I participate as a runner to prove that my body is not broken. Being around the spirit of other fighters, family and friends reminds me that I am, and continue to be, a conqueror.” Mikala was diagnosed with stage 3B breast cancer shortly after turning 25. In May, 2012 she finished her treatment and is now the Project Manager on an initiative project with John C. Lincoln Breast Health and Research Center that brings support services to young breast cancer survivors across Arizona.

Celia Garcia

Rebeca and Jim Haugse

Helen Hurry

Co-Survivor, Community Outreach Ambassador, Race for the Cure Participant

Survivor and Co-Survivor, members of the Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure Survivor’s Subcommittee, Race for the Cure Participants

Survivor, Community Outreach Ambassador, Race for the Cure Participant

Phoenix

Why I Walk: “I walk for a cure and to give people the courage to keep fighting. I also walk so that one day we may come together and celebrate finding a cure for this disease. I want to be part of ensuring that fewer people have to live their lives without those they love.”

Surprise (not pictured)

Phoenix

Why We Walk: “We want to honor Rebeca’s mother who lost her battle physically, but will always survive as our inspiration to serve and HOPE, which stands for ‘hold on, pain ends.’ We hope cancer will end someday too. We also walk to honor those who have fought cancer or are still fighting.”

Why I Volunteer: “My motivation comes from wanting others to know that they can have their lives back. Cancer is my enemy and I will fight it on any level that I can.”

Helen was inspired to become a COA based on her own experience with breast cancer. During her Celia was inspired to journey, she realized there become a COA because she was a lot that she didn’t hoped to have a positive and Rebeca and Jim are commit- know or expect, so she tangible impact on people ted to helping educate people wants to help others by in her community who have about the importance of providing information been personally affected and resources whenever breast health. By serving on by breast cancer. Her goal the subcommittee, they want possible. By doing is to empower women and to give others the same feelthis, Helen says it will spread the word that make everything that she ings of encouragement and Komen is there for them. support that they experienced has been through worth it. during their first Race.

Mikala Edwards

Celia Garcia

Helen Hurry

I taught my three children to never give up. After my breast cancer diagnosis I followed my own advice and got a second opinion. There’s always hope. My answer was Mayo Clinic. Kim Loving, St. Augustine, FL Like Kim, thousands of patients come to Mayo Clinic every year for cancer treatment, diagnosis or a second opinion. Our team approach to care means you have a compassionate group of specialists - all working together for you. We work with many insurance companies and are an in-network provider for many people, most of whom don’t need a physician’s referral. Requesting an appointment is easy at www. mayoclinic.org/arizona. Find your answer at Mayo Clinic.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013 | 7

Survivors, co-survivors, community advocates and researchers cut across all segments of society. Here are some of those faces and their stories: Sunday Lutz Peoria

Survivor, Community Outreach Ambassador, Race for the Cure Participant

Rebeca Peralta

Dr. Bodour Salhia

Rita Thompson

Anne Wendell

Leticia Zepeda Flores

Co-Survivor, Community Outreach Ambassador, Race for the Cure Participant

Assistant Professor at TGen, Community Outreach Ambassador, Race for the Cure Participant, Komen CAN AZ board member

Survivor, Race for the Cure Participant

Survivor, Community Outreach Ambassador, Cancer Coach, Race for the Cure Participant

Survivor, Race for the Cure Participant

Gilbert (not pictured)

Mesa

Scottsdale

Surprise

Why I Volunteer: “I walk because I just really Why I Volunteer: “It is appreciate everything Why I Volunteer: “I take Why I Volunteer: “I strongly that the Susan G. Komen part in remembrance of my definitely because of the believe in Komen’s breast Central and Northern mother and sister, who both battle that I have seen my friend Anel fight with such cancer movement. This Arizona has done for passed away from cancer.” has She faith. reached and has movement fortitude me. I had no insurance, Sunday, an eight-year breast many parts of the globe taught me so much about and had so many tests that cancer survivor, decided to and the positive impact strength and determination. the bills were really mountbecome a COA when she has been astronomical. The The race symbolizes the ing up. I just really want to heard her manager at work Race is a manifestation of battle against cancer itself. ” do the walk to be part of describe her positive what Komen is all about the team of survivors.” Rebeca was inspired to experiences with the proand it is inspirational to be become a COA through Rita recently finished up gram. She especially loves a part of thousands uniting a long and hard treatment her friend Anel Marquez, spreading the word about against breast cancer.” who is a breast cancer for breast cancer, which the importance of mamsurvivor. She is proud to be As a scientist who works in included multiple surgeries mograms and breast self part of an organization that biomedical cancer research, including a double mastecawareness. Sunday said it Dr. Salhia strives to help encourages women to be tomy, chemotherapy and is especially rewarding to people and deliver a mesradiation. Rita’s niece in know she is helping people proactive and know what sage of hope to those who Michigan, April Payne, was get the resources they need is normal for them. are affected by cancer. so inspired by her aunt’s in order to take care of their By being a COA, she is spirit and determination, health. able to engage with others she helped raise over and share that message $1,000 for Komen CAN AZ. first-hand.

Sunday Lutz

Dr. Bodour Salhia

Rita Thompson

Phoenix

Why I Volunteer: “What inspired me to participate Why I Volunteer: “I help in the Komen Race is an raise money for Susan G. immense feeling of gratiKomen ... to fund commu- tude. If it wasn’t for Komen nity health organizations CAN AZ, Mayo Clinic and that provide needed diagno- Mountain Park Health sis and treatment to women Center I wouldn’t have gotwho otherwise couldn’t ten the treatment I needed. I afford it. I also participate also participate to motivate to show support for breast other women to take care of cancer survivors, as well as themselves as well as they the families of those who take care of their families.” didn’t survive.” Leticia was diagnosed

Anne was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer 7 years ago. As a Community Outreach Ambassador, she makes presentations to businesses and community organizations on breast health and breast cancer education, stressing the importance of mammograms and breast self awareness.

with Stage 2 breast cancer in October 2012. The assistance she received from Komen CAN AZ helped pay for her cancer treatment. Today, she says she is feeling well and has a strong desire to live.

Leticia Zepeda Flores

Anne Wendell

“Cancer is not an individual sport, it is a team sport. Empower yourself to pick the best team.”

~Sara Cancer Warrior

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