Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kick-Off Breakfast 2014

By: Briana Smith, Social Media & Product Branding Specialist, WAXIE Sanitary Supply

“Let’s put the American Cancer Society out of business!” rallied Susan Taylor (Executive Director, External Affairs - Scripps Health) who closed out the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kick-Off Breakfast at the Town & Country Hotel in San Diego, CA yesterday morning.

That’d be nice, wouldn't it?

Since 1993, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has been fundraising towards this goal of eradicating breast cancer through their Making Strides Walks. In 2013, they had over 30,000 at the San Diego Making Strides Walk in Balboa Park raising over $945,000. WAXIE has been a proud supporter of the walk since 2007, and now all of our divisions are helping in the fight for more birthdays participating in nine different walks across the Western United States.

Luckily, deaths from breast cancer have decreased by 34% since 1989 due to better detection rates, awareness, effective treatments, and research that is continuously discovering even better & more personalized treatment options.

The breakfast was emceed by Peggy Walkush (breast cancer survivor & top fundraiser for Making Strides) & Marianne Kushi (NBC 7 San Diego), who reminded those in attendance of the current status of breast cancer in the U.S. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed for women and 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Chances are many of us have known someone who has been affected by breast cancer.

The first speaker was Monique Binda, who had recently battled stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. She took us through her cancer journey, which included a video of her husband shaving her head so that she wouldn’t have to watch it fall out slowly due to chemo. She also selflessly donated her hair to Locks of Love. Monique said that “Cancer is ‘easy’; being a survivor is the hard part. You are always wondering is it going to come back.” She is a huge supporter of the ACS Making Strides organization, and mentioned how important they have been to her throughout her journey from diagnosis, to treatment, and then going into survivorship. She also encouraged everyone to follow their Facebook page, as the daily affirmations that are posted really helpful.

Next up was Pacesetter Kathy Schultz. An ACS Pacesetter is someone who has raised $2,500+ in a given year. Kathy talked about all the people in her life who’ve been affected by breast cancer and how each one of us can help by raising money to support the ongoing research efforts, as well as the programs & services offered by ACS for those battling the disease. She gave examples of all the ways that people can fundraise: email (in fact one of her first donors was an ex-boyfriend), company matching, reminders, a donation jar at her desk at work, and a birthday tea party where she asked for donations in lieu of birthday gifts.

Following Kathy, was Caleb Serban-Lawler who has taken creative fundraising to a whole new level. Caleb’s known a couple of families who have had to deal with breast cancer. Unfortunately, one of those families has lost a loved one to the disease. Inspired to make a difference, Caleb decided last year to dedicate his ‘Carnival of Horrors’ Halloween Haunted House into a unique fundraiser opportunity. Caleb has been putting on a haunted house for years and he decided that instead of charging admission fees he’d have a donation jar. Last year he raised over $2,500 and hopes to reach $5,000 this year with his Haunt for a Cure. He’s even made a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jazr97PouwQ

Lori Bremmer then came up to speak about ACS Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), which campaigns for cancer research funded by the government through a $20/year membership. For more information about ACS CAN: http://www.acscan.org/donatecenter

Peggy Walkush came back on stage to spread the word about an upcoming comedy show “The Boob Show” presented by herself and Finest City Improv on October 10th & 17th. Proceeds will benefit the ACS Making Strides organization. http://FinestCityImprov.com/boobshow  

The ACS has many resources from programs to services to help women facing cancer, including:

• 24/hr Hotline: (800) 227-2345 – sometimes you just need to talk to someone & even in the middle of the night.
• Look Good Feel Better: Going through treatment isn’t always the easiest on one’s body, especially on the hair, skin & nails; women can get a free consultation and make-up kit, as well as wigs and scarves.
• Hope Lodge: Treatment can be difficult, especially if one has to travel out of town. The ACS has 31 Hope Lodges were cancer patients & their caregivers can stay for free.
• Road to Recovery: Chemo & radiation treatments really drain a cancer patient of their strength and it’s not always easy to get to doctor appointments; Road to Recovery offers a ride to those who may not have a way to get to those appointments.
• Gas Card Program: The United Cancer Assistance Network provides free gas cards to qualifying cancer patients for transportation to & from treatment appointments.