The Union Recorder

Features

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
September 30, 2009

Local event raises funds for Komen Foundation

Jessica Luton

It is estimated that 192,370 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States in 2009.

However, thanks to fundraising efforts by breast cancer research, prevention and survival organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer, when it is caught early before spreading beyond the breast, is now 98 percent compared with just 74 percent in 1982.

In conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an event known as the Pink and White Ball was held last weekend at the Milledgeville Country Club as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The third annual event offered a raffle and door prizes, as well as a four-course meal and performance by a local bank known as the RX Band.

Local event coordinator and Kroger customer service employee Leslie Johnson said the decision to join the fight to end breast cancer and help out with the event was made due to personal circumstances.

“Three years ago, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said. “Less than a year later, my sister-in-law was diagnosed, too. When Susan G. Komen came up as a possible charity to work, I did some research on it and I was inspired by the story that started that organization.”

When the foundation was started in 1982, the premise of the organization was based on a promise that founder Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister.

Brinker told her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever, and with the start of the organization, that dream continues on.

Today, the organization is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find cures, a media kit on the foundation states.

With events like the Pink and White Ball being organized throughout the United States and the world each year, money raised during the events is donated to the foundation and goes toward prevention, research, awareness and help for survivors.

“They’ve made great breakthroughs with research,” said Johnson. “It just touched my heart when I read that story, and I really enjoy doing it. You hear a lot of good stories, but you also hear sad stories. But I just really enjoy helping people.”

Johnson said it’s unfortunate that many people do not think to get involved with a cause unless it somehow affects them personally, but she enjoys being a part of the solution.

Johnson said an estimated $3,000 was raised at this year’s event, but money is still coming in toward the cause.

To make a donation to the cause, call Leslie Johnson at (478) 452-1461 or Bonnie Murphy at (478) 453-9346.

For additional information on the Susan G. Komen Foundation, visit www.komen.org.

Text Only
Features
Poll
AP Video
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come 8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Facebook
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Stocks