Survivor & Memorial Activities

Thank you, Donna Stoner
Donna Stoner, and Laura Zubeck
Laura Zubeck, Survivor & Memorial Activities Co-Chairs for your work and that of the generous supporters and volunteers who make our Race so special for survivors and families. Following are some of the ways we honor survivors, co-survivors and their families and friends on Race day and in our year-round Komen Detroit activities:

To see photos of some of our brave friends who lost their battle to breast cancer. Please scroll down to "Lost Loved Ones."

Survivor and Platinum Club member, Barb Roller, provided inspiration to a local dance group to perform a dance in dedication of all survivors, to the Melissa Etheridge song "I Run for Life." Click here to view the performance.

Survivor Café - A special place for Survivors. . .

Thank you, Donna Stoner
Donna Stoner and Pam Binson
Pam Binson, Survivor Café
Survivor Café Co-Chairs!

Thank you to Binson's Home Health Care Centers, Inc., and Community Care Associates Survivor Café 2011 sponsors.

Our Survivor Café welcomes survivors and their Co-Survivor guests with a light breakfast and loving hugs. Arabic- and Spanish-speaking volunteers welcome survivors who do not speak English. American Sign Language signers are also on hand for our deaf and hard-of-hearing guests. Komen-funded grantees and researchers are also invited as are policy makers and community leaders.

Every year the Survivor Café is lovingly dedicated in memory of Geri Lester. Geri served on the Komen Detroit Planning Committee from its inception through 2003. She dedicated herself to bringing supportive and educational services to the metropolitan Detroit cancer community and was one of the founding members of Gilda's Club Metro Detroit. Geri always saw the good in others, the gifts in everyday living and the hope in every situation. She lost her 20-year battle to breast cancer in May 2003, but her brave and cheerful attitude in the face of her own disease remains an inspiration to us all.

Pink Ribbon Program

Thank you, Charity Ferguson, Matt Moceri, Claudia Zilinski, and Laura Zubeck, Pink Ribbon Program
Pink Ribbon Program Committee! We need 10,000 ribbons all over again - if you can help, please email raceforthecure@karmanos.org.

The Pink Ribbon Program is sponsored by Meijer, with generous support from the Michigan Association of CPAs (MACPA) and all of the volunteers who decorate ribbons and help "pink up our town! Click here for more information about the Pink Ribbon Program.

Now is the perfect time  to decorate your ribbons! Makes a great fundraiser, too. The decorated ribbons will be hung on the Race route to "Pink up Woodward" on May 21.

Survivor Trolley

Thank you, Daphne Philson
Daphne Philson, Survivor Trolley Chair!

Thank you Tecumseh Trolley & Limousine Service, Inc. for providing the Survivor Trolley
Survivor Trolley. The Survivor Trolley
Survivor Trolley is for breast cancer survivors who are unable to walk the Race route, but still want to be part of the festivities. You must be a breast cancer survivor and registered for the Race to ride the trolley. The Survivor Trolley is sponsored by Quicken Loans. Please email raceforthecure@karmanos.org by May 16 if you would like to secure a spot. Space is limited!

Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® Stage - Where it all begins and ends

Thank you to the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA)
Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), and to Art Van Furniture
Art Van Furniture, our Stage sponsors. The Stage hosts the Opening Ceremony, emceed by Lila Lazarus
Lila Lazarus and the Closing Ceremony featuring a from WDIV Local 4 personality.

Thank you, Sheryl Hogan and Barb Werling
Sheryl Hogan and Barb Werling, Stage Co-Chairs, and their crew including Irma Barcenas and Lauren Blue, and to Peggy Dzierzawski
Peggy Dzierzawski and the rest of the MACPA
MACPA Executives, our Green Room Hosts!

We encourage survivors to view the ceremonies from the bleachers and be sure to dance to the beat of our volunteer Warriors in Pink
Warriors in Pink drummers, powered by Ford. When FM 98 WJLB's Foolish
Foolish calls, you'll be dancing
dancing on a beautiful pink carpet
pink carpet donated by Independent Carpet One Floor & Home of Westland.

2010 Opening Ceremony Memories - "I Run for Life"

Lila Lazarus
Lila Lazarus was with us again, as well as dignitaries
dignitaries and Kids Kicking Cancer to welcome the crowd, music to touch our hearts and survivors
survivors to remind us - more and more - that breast cancer is a survivable disease.1,800 breast cancer survivors joined us to laugh, cry, sing, dance, walk and "run for life." Thanks to WJBK's live broadcast on top of Hockeytown Cafe, viewers were able to enjoy the Race from home and make plans to be with us in 2011. WXYZ Channel 7 and WDIV Local 4 also donated live coverage of "the best day in the City of Detroit."

Ursula Walker and Buddy Budson
Ursula Walker and Buddy Budson led the survivors
the survivors in song with "America the Beautiful" and "Forever Young."

Minister April HearnMinister April Hearn , from New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, got the morning off to a great start by leading the crowd in an inspirational prayer.  New Prospect has been supporting the Race for many years. Thank you New Prospect! Rick Greenwell
Rick Greenwell then helped us all honor lost loved ones by playing “Amazing Grace” on the Native American flute.

Our thanks to Dr. Gerald Bepler, President & CEO,Karmanos Cancer Institute
Karmanos Cancer Institute, Katrina McGhee
Katrina McGhee (Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Headquarters, Dallas, TX, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Mayor Dave Bing and Ms. Yvette Bing, and the Survivor Honor Guard
Survivor Honor Guard for appearing in the 2010 Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony.

Our community Volunteer Warriors in Pink Drummers
Warriors in Pink Drummers powered by Ford
Ford, lined the pink carpet. Throughout the morning, these special musicians brought power, passion and excitement to our event. Thanks to everyone who contributed, especially Ford
Ford, Team Detroit, the volunteer drummers and Music Co-Chair Mary Mataczynski
Mary Mataczynski!

2010 Closing Ceremony Memories - "Where EVERYONE is a Winner"

Just before the ceremony began, WJLB's Foolish
Foolish transformed the wait into magic by encouraging survivors to dance down the pink carpet
pink carpet . Once again, the Ford Warriors in Pink
Warriors in Pink drummers helped make this very special.
Heather Zara
Heather Zara (WDIV Local 4) joined us to close our Race with awards. The crowd touched her heart and her compassion and energy touched ours. Heather was there from the earliest moments with fellow WDIV Local 4 News Morning Team
WDIV Local 4 News Morning Team members Guy Gordon, Andrew Humphrey and Rhonda Walker.
Top racers and award-winning teams were honored. Click here for Race results. Special awards for breast cancer survivors include:

• Top 3 overall breast cancer survivors
  Top 3 overall breast cancer survivors
  Amy Krzyzanowski  (20:09)
  Michele Hendrick  (21:06)
  Laura Bonasso (21:58)
• First Place Master Survivor (40 – 50)- Peggy Griffen (20:51)
• First Place Senior Survivor (56 or older)- Merion Knight (28:23)
• The Alexa Kraft Award, named for a talented Detroit runner who died of breast cancer at age 39 in 1988. This award is given to the first-place survivor. This year's winner was Amy Krzyzanowski (20:09).

Alexa Kraft Award - Remembering Alexa's spirit and her skill

One of Detroit's most talented female runners, Alexa Kraft, died of breast cancer in 1988 at the age of 39. We've named the First Place Overall Award in the survivor category in memory of Alexa Kraft. Thanks, Kraft family
Kraft family , for presenting this award to the  2010 winner, Amy Krzyzanowski
Amy Krzyzanowski (20:09).

Honorary Team New Balance - Celebrating fitness after cancer

Honorary Team New Balance celebrates stories of cancer survival and communicates positive messages about fitness after cancer. The  2010 Komen Detroit Honorary Team New Balance Member was Hiam Hamade
Hiam Hamade.

Congratulations to the 2010 winners!

•  Wayne Cares
  Wayne Cares, winner of the 2010 Detroit  Pistons "Pretty in Pink" Award for the team with the greatest number of survivors was honored on October 22 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
• Boob Crew, won the  2010 Visions Spa Salon "Spirit" Award.
• Glow Team Glow!, won the  2010 Outback Steakhouse "Co-Survivor" Award. Click here to read Glow Team Glow!’s story.

Here’s how your team can win this year!:

The “Co-Survivor" Award will be won by the team that submits the most inspiring co-survivor story (one-time per team). Each team is allowed one submission of 500 words or less. Inspire the rest of us with the story of someone who stood by the side of a survivor on your team. We need the story NO LATER THAN Sunday, May 15th. Email to Jan Tebelman at raceforthecure@karmanos.org. Sponsor and prize will be announced soon

Signing - Welcoming deaf and hard-of-hearing communities

Again this year, because breast cancer touches us all and we want everyone to feel welcome, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies were signed (LINK TO: ASL I.jpg) for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Thank you, Maureen Wagner and students (LINK TO: ASL II.jpg) from Oakland Community College.

Co-Survivor Program - Helping the people we care about cope with breast cancer

Thank you, Lindsay Casetta, Co-Survivor Program
Co-Survivor Program Co-Chair!

A "Co-Survivor" is the key supporter(s) of a breast cancer survivor or patient, living or deceased, who made/makes a significant difference in that person's cancer journey. There are as many ways to be a co-survivor as there are people. Thoughtful gestures big and small mean so much to survivors, whether they've just been diagnosed or completed treatment years ago. The big and small ways you help show your strength, love and support through diagnosis, during treatment and beyond.

The Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® recognizes co-survivorship in the following ways:

• Survivors honor the special person whose help made a real difference with a symbolic "Co-Survivor" gift in the Survivor Café.
• "Co-Survivor" Award, awarded to the team that submits the most inspiring co-survivor story (one-time per team). The 2011 winner: is Nan's Fans with an award sponsored by the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. 2010 winner Glow Team Glow! with award sponsored by Outback Steakhouse. 2009 winner Kimmi's Army to Save Second Base with award sponsored by Outback Steakhouse. 2008 winner: It's 'R' Time for a Cure with award sponsored by Tourneau. 2007 winner: Kaye's Lucky Charms with award sponsored by Coldwater Creek. 2006 winner: Stay & Play for a Cure with award sponsored by Tourneau - world's largest watch store! 2005 winner: Allison's Army with award sponsored by DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse).
• The Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® continues to recognize children as co-survivors at the 2011 Children's Area
  Children's Area . sponsored by Kelly Services and The Bonddesk Group.

Thank you, Julie Lupinacci
Julie Lupinacci (ZTA), Local Chair - National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program
National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program!

Susan G. Komen for the Cure began its partnership with Zeta Tau Alpha Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) fraternity, in partnership with the ZTA Foundation, in 1992. As a sponsor of the National Series Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program at Komen Race for the Cure® events, ZTA members nationwide volunteer countless hours in support of local Race events. Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation has funded a variety of programs associated with the fight against breast cancer. ZTA provides the signature pink T-shirts and caps for participants to wear during the race. As part of the Survivor Program, ZTA also provides pink “In Memory Of” and “In Celebration Of” back signs for participants to wear during the Race for the Cure events so they may race in honor of a friend or loved one. The ZTA Foundation also provides an educational item for each Race participant. ZTA is a member of the Komen Million Dollar Council donating over $3 million dollars to Susan G Komen for the Cure.

Wheelchair Availability

Thank you to Binson's Home Health Care Centers, Inc. for providing wheelchairs
wheelchairs, on loan for Race day. If you need to reserve a wheelchair, please contact us at: raceforthecure@karmanos.org / (248) 304-2084. Reserved wheelchairs will be available at the First Aid Tent. Look for red balloons.

Breast Cancer Outreach & Education - Life-saving information

Thank you, Phyllis Nelson and Laura Zubeck Education
Education Co-Chairs!
Throughout the year, Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® volunteers, with support from Karmanos Cancer Institute, offer breast cancer education opportunities throughout the community. Organizations and teams who are involved with the Race can arrange for onsite presentations or breast health education materials by emailing Lisa Braddix, Breast Cancer Program Specialist at braddixl@karmanos.org.
Thank you, to the volunteers from Karmanos Cancer Institute for replacing breast cancer myths with facts, wearing their "Myth Bustiers."
"Myth Bustiers" See if you mistakenly believe a breast cancer myth when you run into one of these friendly educators on Race day.
We were proud to present a Komen for the Cure educational initiative as part of our event.I AM THE CURE
I AM THE CURE.® is a rallying cry to motivate and educate everyone involved with the Race about breast health facts and how they can take charge of their own breast health. Thank you, Teresa Roscoe
Teresa Roscoe , I AM THE CURE.® Chair!
Cure Leader
Cure Leader teams were at the start and finish lines as well as on the Race route to cheer racers on with these important messages:

• See your doctor, learn your risk, I AM THE CURE.®
• Get mammograms and breast exams, I AM THE CURE.®
• Notice changes to your breasts, I AM THE CURE.®
• Start the fight by living right, I AM THE CURE.®

Stop by the I AM THE CURE.® booth provided for more information and a chance to test your knowledge about these breast health recommendations:

• Talk to your family to learn about your family health history.
• Talk to your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer and ask which screening tests are right for you.
• Know the simple steps for early detection: annual mammograms, clinical exams and regular breast self-exams.
• Know how your breasts look and feel, and report changes to your health care provider right away.
• Make healthy lifestyle choices that may reduce your breast cancer risk.

For more information about breast health, risk factors and steps you can take, please visit the I AM THE CURE® Web site at www.iamthecure.org.

Memories...pictures worth thousands of words

Thank you, Photojournalism Co-Chairs Sean Keenan
Sean Keenan and Bill Kern
Bill Kern and our wonderful volunteer photographers. Please click here for pictures from the 2011 Race. If you find yourself in a picture, please share a Race day memory by emailing raceforthecure@karmanos.org.
Please visit http://DetroitRFTC.dotphoto.com to see and buy photos from the 2011 Race. Proceeds benefit the Komen Detroit Race for the Cure®.

New this year, in recognition of our 20th annual Race and the lives we lose each year to breast cancer, we invite you to stop by our memorial site and take a moment to remember a loss that is personal to you. With the help of volunteers and support from Wayne State University ArtsCorps Detroit, you can help create a work of art that will grow and be on display every year at the Komen Detroit Race for the Cure. Open 7 – 10:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Tiger Club, south of Packet Pickup. See “In Memory” banner.
Each year, more than 40,000 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S. alone. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the friends and families who suffer this terrible loss. In their memory, we redouble our energies in the battle to end breast cancer forever.
Additional photos taken of survivors over the past few years appear here, and images of friends we have lost to breast cancer, appear here. If you have a photo you would like us to add, please send it with identifying information to raceforthecure@karmanos.org (electronic images only, please).
Click here to Share Your Story of Celebration and/or Memory..