The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer FoundationNational Race for the Cure® Recognizes the Extreme Value of Oneand the Dynamic Force of Many
Carol Anderson’s family is the most important part of her life.So, eight years ago when she found out that her son anddaughter-in-law were expecting her first grandchild, she wasecstatic. Then, just five months before the baby was due, Carolwas diagnosed with breast cancer. It was then that Carol promisedherself to do everything she could to ensure she was around whenher grandchild was born.
That December, Megan Anderson was born and Carol was there tosee her. That was also the year Carol began volunteering for theSusan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the leading catalyst inthe fight against breast cancer today.
“It was my way of giving back. When my granddaughter wasborn, I thought, ‘I need to do everything I can to eradicatethis,'” she said. “My motivation for volunteering isthat I don’t want my granddaughter to ever have to face breastcancer.”
Carol is one of more than 75,000 volunteers in more than 100U.S. cities and three countries that work with the KomenFoundation through programs like the Komen National Race for theCure® to raise funds and awareness to fight breast cancer.Through dedicated volunteers, the Komen Foundation has become themost progressive grassroots organization fighting breast cancer inthe world today.
Calling her grandchildren her passion in life, Carol strives tohave the type of close relationship with her grandchildren thatshe shared with her own grandparents. Her goal is to do whateveris necessary to make an impression on the lives of hergrandchildren. Which is why her diagnosis with breast cancer was ashock – she was in denial. Then she took action.
Carol became active in the Komen National Race. She organized ateam at the cancer clinic where she worked. She volunteered onRace Day. Like so many others that make the Komen National Racepossible, she did whatever she could.
“Wherever they need help, I say put me down and I willshow up,” she said. “The Komen Foundation is especiallyimportant to me because it gives me peace to know I am doingsomething to help someone else.”
The Komen National Race for the Cure®, like the other 112Komen Races nationwide, is run mostly by volunteers like Carol.More than 3,000 volunteers play a critical role in making theKomen National Race a reality. Every single volunteer makes adifference and together the volunteers form a dynamic force thatmakes the event a success year after year.
This year, Carol has given even more of herself by decoratingand hosting a dinner table at Embrace the Race, the officialkick-off dinner for the 2003 Komen National Race. Breast cancersurvivors hosted Race sponsors and members of Congress to thankthem for their continued support of the Komen National Race.Carol’s table was also hosted by her inspiration – her 8-year oldgranddaughter, Megan.
“Before the event, we were told to write a short biographyon ourselves so our table members would know a little aboutus,” she explained. “Megan read mine the other day andsaid ‘Wow, Grandma, I had no idea that I was your reason tolive.”
Passing that Komen spirit on to the next generation is what theKomen Foundation is all about. Carol’s promise to hergranddaughter is symbolic of the promise that created the KomenFoundation.
The Komen Foundation was founded in 1982 on a promise madebetween two sisters – Nancy Brinker and her dying sister, Susan G.Komen. Twenty years later, the Komen Foundation is the largestprivate source of funding for breast cancer research andcommunity-based outreach programs. Today, the Foundationcelebrates the power of a promise and how a single person’s visionand determination, like Carol’s, can make a difference in thelives of millions.
With the help of the thousands of volunteers, the Foundation isable to give almost every dollar raised to breast cancer researchand community-based outreach programs. General administrative andoverhead expenses for the Foundation, including fundraising, areheld to less than 25 percent.
The Komen National Race for the Cure® is constantly seekinggroups of volunteers for registration support as well asindividuals or groups who can work during office hours to helpplan and promote the Race. Race Day reaches full volunteercapacity very quickly. If you wish to be involved on Race Day,please submit your request promptly.
If you’d like to join Carol and other volunteers, please visit www.nationalraceforthecure.orgto download the volunteer sign-up sheet. Email the completedsign-up sheet to [email protected]or fax to 703-243-6586 for inclusion in the volunteer database. Atno time will your information be shared outside of the KomenNational Race For The Cure®. If you have any additionalquestions, please call 703-848-8884.
The latest information about the 2003 Komen Race for the Cure®Series can be found by calling (888) 603-RACE or visiting www.komen.org.For information about breast health or breast cancer, visit theKomen Foundation’s Web site, www.komen.org,or call its National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline, 1.800 I MAWARE (1.800.462.9273).
