1. Issue 21 • Winter 2015
The Susan G. Komen® Promise
is to save lives and end breast
cancer forever by empowering
people, ensuring quality care
for all and energizing science
to find the cures.
“The Promise” to share news of Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio
SURVIVOR SHARES SUCCESS,
IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION
KOMEN NORTHWEST OHIO
2014-2015 SMALL GRANTS
n Cancer Patient Services
Breast Cancer Assistance Program
419-423-0286
Project Services:
Treatment support
County Served: Hancock
n Lucas County Breast Health Coalition
University of Toledo
Empowerment for Successful Living:
A One-Day Conference
for Breast Cancer Survivors
419-530-4171
Project Services:
Education and survivorship
Counties Served: Fulton, Lucas,
Ottawa and Wood
n Nightingale’s Harvest
Nutritional Changes
for Palette and Texture
419-779-2961
Project Services:
Treatment support and survivorship
Counties Served: Lucas and Wood
n YWCA of Northwest Ohio
YWCA and Komen Breast Health
and Education Project
419-241-3235
Project Services:
Education and treatment support
County Served: Lucas
The Curran family left to right: Conor, Kit, Kelly, Dick and Andrew
SAVE THE DATE FOR
PARTY IN PINK
April 30th
Inverness
Country Club
More details to come
By Kristen Tomins
At 54-years-old, Kathryn “Kit” Curran, like many women, had plenty of life
plans and goals for herself. While enjoying those plans with her husband
and three children, working two jobs she loved – one of them being her own
business – Kit also found herself busy and reluctant to get her mammogram
screening.
In August of 2013, Kit’s plans were interrupted after being diagnosed with
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) Stage 0 breast cancer, as well as Lobular
Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS), in her left breast. Even though Kit worked two jobs,
she found herself without medical insurance. Kit thought she was in for a
difficult journey until she was referred to a Komen-funded grant.
Following her diagnosis, Kit underwent a bilateral mastectomy (removal of
both breasts) and began the first stages of her reconstruction. Now, a little
more than a year later, Kit is grateful and happy to announce she is cancer-free,
although she said for many, it’s not so easy to say that.
“So many people are connected to breast cancer,” she said. “It’s a shared
experience; it’s emotional, but Komen makes it very personal to you.” Upon
revisiting her journey a year later, Kit said she realizes now just how significant
the grants and programs available from Komen are, calling her experience
“life-changing.”
(continued on page 2)
®
2. Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Thank you for your valued support in 2014! I’d like to extend a
special thanks to the Mark S. Feldstein Private Foundation for
launching a Year End Challenge Grant. The $5,000 Challenge
Grant – offered by the Mark S. Feldstein Private Foundation and
my husband Dan and I – helped close out the year by raising
nearly $15,000! Enough to fund another community grant that
will save local lives right here in our 24-county service area!
Thank you!
Now as we look to 2015, we are more committed than ever to
improving the statistics and making an impact in our area. One way that we are driving
that goal is by completing a Community Profile, which is an 18 month research process
that analyzes the need in our 24-county service area. The Profile identifies the counties
and communities in our service area that have the highest incidence of breast cancer
and the highest mortality rates. The Community Profile data then drives the priorities
for funding local grants with a primary goal of reducing the breast cancer incidence and
mortality rates in our most high risk counties. Look for a full overview of the Community
Profile to be available in the fall of 2015.
Komen is always looking for new partners in our fight against breast cancer. The North-
west Ohio Affiliate is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a Walgreens Affil-
iate based grant for the Mission for Minority Breast Health Project. Please take a moment
to learn more by reading about the local partnership described below.
Please join me and all of our board members on Thursday, April 30, 2015, as we present
our 2015 grants to the community. The evening promises to be fun and powerful with
Chrys Peterson joining us to emcee the evening. The event will be at Inverness Country
Club from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with remarks at 7:30. Tickets are $40 per person and there
are sponsorship opportunities available. Look for more information on our website in
early March or call the office at 419-724-2873.
Finally, mark your calendars now for the 2015 Northwest Ohio Race for the Cure
events – Findlay Race for the Cure is Saturday, September 26 and Toledo Race for
the Cure is Sunday, September 27. Please mark your calendars now!
Imagine a world without breast cancer,
Teresa McHugh
The Promise • Page 2
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT SURVIVOR
SHARES SUCCESS
WALGREENS GRANT AWARDED TO SUSAN G. KOMEN NORTHWEST OHIO
Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio was awarded a grant from Walgreens in support of $64,743.00 over the next two years for
the Mission for Minority Breast Health Project. The project aims to improve breast health equity among African American and
Hispanic/Latina women in Allen, Erie and Lucas Counties by addressing culturally appropriate breast health/cancer education
and risk reduction education, minimizing barriers to access breast cancer screening, and empowering individuals. The project
is a community-based project aimed at building individual and community capacity
through outreach, education, social support, and advocacy. The goal is to build sus-
tainable capacity for breast health within the African American and Hispanic/Latina
communities in Allen, Erie and Lucas Counties.
(continued from page 1)
“Komen Northwest Ohio provided
me what I needed to take care
of myself first,” she said. “I’m still
alive and recovering well because
the program was there and acces-
sible.”
Kit participated for the first time
in the 2014 Toledo Race for the
Cure alongside her family and
friends who joined “Team Curran”
to support her in her fight with
breast cancer, an experience that
she said was more meaningful
than she ever imagined.
“I’m still unable to wrap my mind
around the whole thing and how
many people were there to sup-
port not only me, but the entire
community,” she said. “[Komen]
makes it inspirational and mean-
ingful, and it brings people to-
gether under circumstances that
are otherwise difficult to make
light of.”
Kit lives in Maumee, Ohio and
credits the loving support of her
husband, Dick, and three children
Conor, Andrew and Kelly, as well
as the support of her friends,
co-workers, doctors and Komen
Northwest Ohio for supporting
her throughout her journey, lead-
ing to an ultimate victory against
breast cancer.
3. The Promise • Page 5
RUNNERS
TOP 3 FEMALE SURVIVORS:
n Denine Cramer
n Christy Miller
n Julie Whitney
TOP MASTERS
FEMALE SURVIVOR:
n Angie Thetford
TOP SENIOR
FEMALE SURVIVOR:
n Linda Regelin
OVERALL FEMALE FINISHER:
n Sarah Dickey
OVERALL MALE FINISHER:
n Julius Kiptoo
MASTERS
TOP FEMALE FINISHER:
n Michelle Brooks
MASTERS
TOP MALE FINISHER:
n Craig Nieset
TOLEDO
RACE FOR THE CURE
IN MEMORY OF:
Linda “LuLu” Key
IN CELEBRATION OF:
Denise McCroskey
THANK YOU TO OUR 2014 TOLEDO RACE SPONSORS
Visit www.komennwohio.org
to read their full stories
4. The Promise • Page 6
THANK YOU ...
to the following local restaurants
who participated in the 2014
Dine Out for the Cure program!
TOLEDO
n American Table
n Applebee’s
n The Blarney Irish Pub
n Bob Evans
n Don Pablo’s
n El Camino Restaurant
n Frisch’s Big Boy
n Glass City Cafe
n Luckies Barn and Grill
n Manhattan’s Restaurant
n Max & Erma’s
n The Oasis Restaurant
n Pizza Papalis of Toledo
n Ruby Tuesday
n Spaghetti Warehouse
n Star Diner
n Ye Olde Cock n’ Bull
n Ye Olde Durty Bird
FINDLAY
n Applebee’s
n Bob Evans
n Cedar Valley Cafe
n City Barbeque
n Max & Erma’s
n We Serve Coffee
TOLEDO TOP TEAMS
LARGEST TEAMS – as of September 24, 2014
AWARD AND TEAM NAME MEMBERS
n Overall Largest – ProMedica 842
n High School Team Challenge – Sylvania Northview High School 61
n Friends/Family – Expecting Miracles 72
n Medical/Healthcare (1-249 Employees) – Team TRO 12
n Medical/Healthcare (250+ Employees) – Mercy 312
n Business (1-99 Employees) – Extreme Results 126
n Corporate (100+ Employees) – Owens Corning 233
n School/College/University – Toledo Public Schools 66
n First Time Team – Inspired Woman (Cornerstone Church) 54
TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS – as of October 31, 2014
AWARD AND TEAM NAME MONEY RAISED
n High School Team Challenge – Northview High School $725.00
n Friends/Family – Team Andres $11,306.00
n Medical/Healthcare (1-249 Employees) – Team TRO $410.00
n Medical/Healthcare (250+ Employees) – ProMedica $8,964.25
n Business (1-99 Employees) – Team LuLu $13,616.65
n Corporate (100+ Employees) – Owens Corning $3,162.00
n School/College/University – Jacket Tumor-nators $2,870.00
n First Time Team – Wonder Woman’s Warriors $1,897.00
TOTAL RAISED $42,950.90
FINDLAY TOP TEAMS
LARGEST TEAMS – as of September 24, 2014
AWARD AND TEAM NAME MEMBERS
n Overall Largest – Marathon Petroleum Corporation 390
n High School Team Challenge – VB Black Knights 73
n Friends/Family – Emily’s Army 50
n Medical/Healthcare (1-249 Employees) – BVMA Treasured Chests 39
n Medical/Healthcare (250+ Employees) - Blanchard Valley Health System 117
n Business (1-99 Employees) – Bosom Buddies 40
n Corporate (100+ Employees) – Ball Metal Corporation 140
n School/College/University – NB for Kim 47
n First Time Team – City of Findlay 19
TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS – as of October 31, 2014
AWARD AND TEAM NAME MONEY RAISED
n High School Team Challenge – Army Brigade $1,780.25
n Friends/Family – Bodacious Babes $2,783.00
n Medical/Healthcare (1-249 Employees) – BVMA Treasured Chests $1,445.00
n Medical/Healthcare (250+ Employees) – Blanchard Valley Health System $2,028.00
n Business (1-99 Employees) – Bosom Buddies $3,228.85
n Corporate (100+ Employees) – Marathon Petroleum Corporation $34,118.23
n School/College/University – The University of Findlay $930.00
n First Time Team – Roaring for a Cure, Van Buren Lions $785.00
TOTAL RAISED $47,098.33
5. The Promise • Page 5
RUNNERS
TOP 3 FEMALE SURVIVORS:
n Denine Cramer
n Christy Miller
n Julie Whitney
TOP MASTERS
FEMALE SURVIVOR:
n Angie Thetford
TOP SENIOR
FEMALE SURVIVOR:
n Linda Regelin
OVERALL FEMALE FINISHER:
n Sarah Dickey
OVERALL MALE FINISHER:
n Julius Kiptoo
MASTERS
TOP FEMALE FINISHER:
n Michelle Brooks
MASTERS
TOP MALE FINISHER:
n Craig Nieset
TOLEDO
RACE FOR THE CURE
IN MEMORY OF:
Linda “LuLu” Key
IN CELEBRATION OF:
Denise McCroskey
THANK YOU TO OUR 2014 TOLEDO RACE SPONSORS
Visit www.komennwohio.org
to read their full stories
6. The Promise • Page 6
THANK YOU ...
to the following local restaurants
who participated in the 2014
Dine Out for the Cure program!
TOLEDO
n American Table
n Applebee’s
n The Blarney Irish Pub
n Bob Evans
n Don Pablo’s
n El Camino Restaurant
n Frisch’s Big Boy
n Glass City Cafe
n Luckies Barn and Grill
n Manhattan’s Restaurant
n Max & Erma’s
n The Oasis Restaurant
n Pizza Papalis of Toledo
n Ruby Tuesday
n Spaghetti Warehouse
n Star Diner
n Ye Olde Cock n’ Bull
n Ye Olde Durty Bird
FINDLAY
n Applebee’s
n Bob Evans
n Cedar Valley Cafe
n City Barbeque
n Max & Erma’s
n We Serve Coffee
TOLEDO TOP TEAMS
LARGEST TEAMS – as of September 24, 2014
AWARD AND TEAM NAME MEMBERS
n Overall Largest – ProMedica 842
n High School Team Challenge – Sylvania Northview High School 61
n Friends/Family – Expecting Miracles 72
n Medical/Healthcare (1-249 Employees) – Team TRO 12
n Medical/Healthcare (250+ Employees) – Mercy 312
n Business (1-99 Employees) – Extreme Results 126
n Corporate (100+ Employees) – Owens Corning 233
n School/College/University – Toledo Public Schools 66
n First Time Team – Inspired Woman (Cornerstone Church) 54
TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS – as of October 31, 2014
AWARD AND TEAM NAME MONEY RAISED
n High School Team Challenge – Northview High School $725.00
n Friends/Family – Team Andres $11,306.00
n Medical/Healthcare (1-249 Employees) – Team TRO $410.00
n Medical/Healthcare (250+ Employees) – ProMedica $8,964.25
n Business (1-99 Employees) – Team LuLu $13,616.65
n Corporate (100+ Employees) – Owens Corning $3,162.00
n School/College/University – Jacket Tumor-nators $2,870.00
n First Time Team – Wonder Woman’s Warriors $1,897.00
TOTAL RAISED $42,950.90
FINDLAY TOP TEAMS
LARGEST TEAMS – as of September 24, 2014
AWARD AND TEAM NAME MEMBERS
n Overall Largest – Marathon Petroleum Corporation 390
n High School Team Challenge – VB Black Knights 73
n Friends/Family – Emily’s Army 50
n Medical/Healthcare (1-249 Employees) – BVMA Treasured Chests 39
n Medical/Healthcare (250+ Employees) - Blanchard Valley Health System 117
n Business (1-99 Employees) – Bosom Buddies 40
n Corporate (100+ Employees) – Ball Metal Corporation 140
n School/College/University – NB for Kim 47
n First Time Team – City of Findlay 19
TOP FUNDRAISING TEAMS – as of October 31, 2014
AWARD AND TEAM NAME MONEY RAISED
n High School Team Challenge – Army Brigade $1,780.25
n Friends/Family – Bodacious Babes $2,783.00
n Medical/Healthcare (1-249 Employees) – BVMA Treasured Chests $1,445.00
n Medical/Healthcare (250+ Employees) – Blanchard Valley Health System $2,028.00
n Business (1-99 Employees) – Bosom Buddies $3,228.85
n Corporate (100+ Employees) – Marathon Petroleum Corporation $34,118.23
n School/College/University – The University of Findlay $930.00
n First Time Team – Roaring for a Cure, Van Buren Lions $785.00
TOTAL RAISED $47,098.33
7. The Promise • Page 7
TOP: Liberty Center High School Soccer teams raised $435 toward the fight
against breast cancer.
CENTER LEFT: The Grainger Foundation donated $10,000 to Komen Northwest
Ohio in honor of breast cancer survivor and retired employee Sharon McCluskey!
This money will be used for newly diagnosed breast cancer survivor organizers.
The goal is to provide information, resources and support to newly diagnosed
individuals in the Affiliate service area. Pictured left to right: Mary Westphal,
Komen Northwest Ohio Executive Director; Jared Fisher, Market Manager at
Grainger; Sharon McCluskey, breast cancer survivor and retired Grainger employee;
and Gayle Makin, Grainger employee and friend of Sharon’s.
CENTER RIGHT: Michelle Dunn of Bolt Express presented Komen Marketing and
Communications Manager Stephanie Pilgrim with a check for $3,000 after a third
party event in February.
BOTTOM: Riverdale Cheerleaders – Cheer for a Cure raised $1,142.59 to help
Komen find the cures for breast cancer.
THIRD PARTY EVENTS SKATE FOR HOPE
TO HOLD EVENT
BENEFITTING KOMEN
NORTHWEST OHIO
IN MAY
Skate for Hope is a not for profit, char-
itable organization dedicated to the
goal of eradicating breast cancer.
The mission of Skate for Hope is to:
n Empower children & young adults
to better cope with a friend or
family member’s cancer diagnosis
n Raise funding for cancer research
n Provide health and wellness
education
n Honor Community Cancer Survivors
On Saturday May 2, 2015, Skate for
Hope will hold an Awareness and
Research Fundraising Show at Bowling
Green State University Ice Arena in
Bowling Green, Ohio. Proceeds from
the event will benefit Susan G. Komen
Northwest Ohio. Past performers
include Olympic Gold Medalists Sarah
Hughes and Scott Hamilton and three-
time US National Champion and 2006
& 2010 Olympian Johnny Weir.
To date, Skate for Hope has raised
over $543,000 to help find a cure with
donations to various non-profit orga-
nizations. General admission tickets
start at $11. To register to participate in
this event or for more information visit
www.skateforhope.org.
Susan G. Komen® Northwest Ohio is honored to be contacted so often by
passionate members of our community wanting to organize an event or promo-
tion benefiting breast cancer awareness and research. We partner with others
because it benefits both parties in terms of public awareness. Learn more about
how to hold a third party event and save lives in the fight against breast cancer
by emailing Stephanie Pilgrim at stephanie@komennwohio.org.
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday May 2, 2015
8. 3100 W. Central Ave., Suite 235
Toledo, OH 43606
Non-Profit
US Postage
PAID
Toledo, OH
Permit No. 242
2015 BOARD MEMBERS
Teresa McHugh, President
Michele Murnen Rice,
Vice President
Lori Decker, Secretary
Deborah Barnett
Karen Cline
Lori Edgeworth
Shaneli Fernando, M.D.
Molly Meyers
Bryan Minges
Marianne Peters, CPA
Judge Lynn Howard Schaefer
Mary Chris Skeldon
Charlie Soto
Christy Contardi Stone
The Promise is Published by Susan G. Komen®
Northwest Ohio
Phone: 419-724-CURE (2873) and 1-877-604-CURE Fax: 419-724-2874
Email: info@komennwohio.org Website: www.komennwohio.org
The Komen Northwest Ohio Affiliate serves the counties of: Allen, Auglaize, Crawford, Defiance, Erie,
Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Logan, Lucas, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky,
Seneca, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams, Wood, Wyandot and Monroe county, Michigan.
STAFF
Mary Westphal, Executive Director
Shannon Andersen
Special Events/
Mission Coordinator
Melissa Cogar
Operations & Volunteer
Manager
Stephanie Pilgrim
Marketing & Communications
Manager
Leslie Schubargo
Special Events Manager
Aubrey Whewell
Community Outreach
Coordinator
UPCOMING EVENTS
n February 7, 2015
Rockets for the Cure
UT Women’s Basketball
n February 28 and March 1, 2015
Pink in the Rink
Toledo Walleye
n May 2, 2015
Skate for Hope
Bowling Green University
n September 12, 2015
Survivor Breakfast
n September 26, 2015
3rd Annual Komen Northwest
Ohio – Findlay Race for the Cure
n September 27, 2015
22nd Annual Komen Northwest
Ohio – Toledo Race for the Cure
n October 2015
National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month
The running Ribbon is a registered trademark of Susan G. Komen