Susan G Komen Race for the Cure Ozark

2019

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6 | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk | April 2019 Todd and Dee Harbaugh will serve as the Honorary Walk Chairs for the 2019 Susan G. Komen Ozark MORE THAN PINK Walk™ on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Pinnacle Hills Promenade Mall in Rogers. Todd Harbaugh is currently the Executive Vice President -Walmart U.S. Supercenters. He and his wife, Dee, are active members of the Northwest Arkansas community. "We are both honored and thrilled to have Todd and Dee Harbaugh serve as our Honorary Walk Chairs this year," said Lauren Marquette, Executive Director of the Ozark Affiliate. "We are excited to bring the next evolution in the history of the Race for the Cure® series to Northwest Arkansas in order to increase people's connection to our mission and raise funds to provide critical support for local women and men who are in need of lifesaving services. Todd and Dee's support will help us move beyond awareness in order to do more for our community." "We are honored to be this year's Honorary Chairs. It's exciting for us to see the community come together to support such an incredible cause," said Todd Harbaugh. The Susan G. Komen organization is the only breast cancer organization that fights breast cancer on all fronts. The way in which the Komen Ozark does so will be reflected in the four pillars at the MORE THAN PINK Walk™ event- Research, Care, Community and Action. Participation in this event and individual fundraising help provide services for every step of the breast cancer journey, including education, outreach, bilingual breast health navigation screening and diagnostic services, emergency assistance, transportation and research. Todd and Dee Harbaugh, Honorary Chairs for the 2019 Susan G. Komen Ozark MORE THAN PINK Walk TM Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life. Here in Northwest Arkansas, Susan G. Komen Ozark is a local resource for women who need breast cancer education, screening, diagnostic and support services. Through annual events including the Komen Ozark MORE THAN PINK Walk and individual contributions, Komen Ozark raises funds that enable women to detect and survive breast cancer. Seventy-five percent of all funds raised by the Affiliate stay in this service area to fund breast health programs for women who would not otherwise have access to screening and treatment. Twenty- five percent of funds raised supports the Susan G. Komen® research program. Komen Ozark has awarded more than $11 million in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in their 10 county service area. Susan G. Komen as an organization has set a bold goal to reduce breast cancer by 50% in the US by 2026. To accomplish this goal four focus areas have been established. Research We know that research saves lives and that progress in early detection and targeted breast cancer treatments has led to improved survival rates. Breast cancer deaths decreased by 39% between 1989 and 2015. Despite these improvements, more than 40,000 women and men still die of breast cancer in the US. By funding and finding breakthrough treatments for aggressive and metastatic breast cancer, developing improved diagnostic tools, and increased participation in clinical trials Komen is working to meet the bold goal. To date, Komen Ozark has provided $3.75 million to these research efforts. Fundraising goes on to pursue new clinical trials and treatment options that could change countless lives and save generations of women. Care Komen Ozark helps individuals that do not have access to quality care by providing necessary screening and diagnostic services. Grants to our community partners remove barriers that would otherwise prevent women from seeking assistance for their breast health concerns. This year Komen Ozark has provided grant funds to 6 community partners to support local breast health programs. These grantees provide education, navigation, screening, diagnostic and treatment services. In addition, grant funding is provided for women that may need assistance with food, rent, transportation or utilities while battling breast cancer. This holistic approach is designed to insure women stay in treatment and receive lifesaving services. Every person fighting breast cancer deserves affordable, high-quality care in their community. Community Komen Ozark works in the community to ensure that local women and men are educated on breast health. The affiliate offers additional education and support opportunities through our "Survivorship Series" to cover topics that survivors and/or women or men living with breast cancer want to hear including; life after a diagnosis, nutrition, exercise, body image and intimacy issues, genetic counseling, mindfulness writing and psychosocial support. Komen Ozark wants women and men to know that they aren't alone in this fight. Action Komen Ozark actively participates in advocacy at a national, state and local level. Affiliate staff meet annually with Arkansas Congressional delegates to discuss funding, research and other needs. In 2017, Komen Ozark worked with state lawmakers to pass oral parity legislation in Arkansas. This legislation had widespread impact on all cancer patients, not just breast cancer. This oral parity legislation insures that health insurance covers orally administered anti-cancer medications at the same level as IV administered anti-cancer medication. Recently, Komen Ozark has been successful in helping to pass new legislation that prohibits an insurance company from requiring a person who has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer to "fail first" on specific medications before they will cover the medication that was originally prescribed. This practice is called Step Therapy. Komen Ozark refused to sit back while our sisters, mothers, neighbors and friends are suffering. We also empower people fighting breast cancer with education, resources and guidance to take control of their care. The work and mission of Komen Ozark

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