Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn’t until October, but spring is proving to be a popular time for events and fundraisers put on by local awareness groups.
Of these, one of the most prominent is the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Race for the Cure, which is slated for May 18. The run, the second-largest of its kind in the country after that of St. Louis, steps off from Columbus City Hall.
In 2012, the Columbus chapter of Komen topped $2 million in proceeds and brought in 45,000 participants, of whom 2,000 were breast cancer survivors. Proceeds went to a total of 34 programs to support the cause, the most the local chapter has ever supported.
“We cover over 34 counties, most of which are rural and Appalachian countries,” says Nicolle Racey, Columbus chapter director of communications. “Women who benefit from the programs tend to be under-insured or unable to afford their cancer treatment costs.”
Komen is also planning its second annual Pink Tie Ball, a formal fundraiser featuring silent and live auctions. Last year’s inaugural event took place in September.
Among the other local awareness-raising groups are:
-The Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio, a nonprofit established by survivors in 2004 that directs proceeds from sales of Ohio’s Breast Cancer Awareness license plates to organizations that provide urgent financial assistance for breast cancer patients. It also helps connect breast cancer patients with clinical trials.
-The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research, the fund started by Chris and Stefanie Spielman that has raised over $10 million for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Its 14th annual Stefanie’s Champions Awards luncheon, a fundraiser that honors individuals who have made a difference in the lives of cancer survivors, will take place April 10 at OSU’s Ohio Union.
-The Young Survival Coalition, whose central Ohio chapter was formed in 2002, is an organization consisting of young female breast cancer survivors who work for the purposes of outreach, education and support for other young patients and survivors. The next event on its agenda is a roundtable luncheon by the Columbus Young Professionals Club Networking Team at Buca di Beppo in the Arena District on April 9.
Amanda King is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
