Komen For The Cure

Community involvement has always been important to me. Whether it was serving in high school through the Mayor’s Youth Committee, or painting house for underprivileged at Baylor’s Steppin’ Out, giving back is what fulfills me most. Albert Schweitzer said, “I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” In that vein each Thursday I will highlight service. I will let you know what I am up to or ways that you can give back to your community.

I traveled to Dallas, home of South Fork and the Cowboys for the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Affiliate Conference.
As a board member of the Austin Affiliate, I attended the annual conference to learn about the forecast for Komen in the new year. With the new name: "Komen for the Cure" instead of "Komen Foundation" and the 25th anniversary year, you can imagine the Komen is geared to make even greater strides in the fight to eliminate breast cancer.
In addition learning about our new programs, the progress that has been made by scientists, and the dedication our sponsors have committed to for the upcoming year, I had the opportunity to meet the members of other affiliates and share ideas.
The cheer all weekend, all year, and until breast cancer is a disease of the past was, "I Am The Cure." There is so much that each one of us can do to prevent breast cancer from taking lives: early detection, education, donating your time, talents, and treasures, just to name a few.

Three highlights for me were meeting Rene Syler, former co-host of CBS' Early Show. Renee recently underwent a double Mastectomy as a preventative measure--both of her parents have breast cancer. Rene was dynamic and empowering and I am excited to see what great things she will do in the future.
In fine Dallas (notice I didn't say Texas because that would include Austin ;-P) fashion, we has a Texas hoedown at Eddie Deans. Although I was a bit skeptical, I had an absolute ball. We dined on bbq, danced to a country band, watched armadillo races, took pictures, and I got a picture with a longhorn, on a longhorn!! As I was on top of the longhorn, I yelled Sic 'em Bears!"
On the last night after awards were given to the top affiliate and Nancy Brinker gave her final empowering words, we danced the night away to Starship, as in Jefferson Starship (or is it Airplane), as in We Built This City, Sara, Set the Night to Music, and Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now. Need I say any more?

I was blown away by Nancy Brinker, the founder of Komen who made a promise to her sister who died from breast cancer, that she would not stop fighting until there was a cure for this disease. The power and the emotion with which Nancy Brinker speaks about and acts to eliminate breast cancer would make one think the promise she made to her sister Susan G. Komen, was made yesterday, not 25 years ago. I commend Nancy for her strength and determination.
I encourage you all to get involved with the fight and will be sharing ways throughout the year. You can find out more about Komen at www.komen.org


- RXW