Komen Oregon & SW Washington invests dollars in services based on priorities identified in the Community Profile—health education, screening and early detection resources, support to survivors and fighters during and after treatment, cutting-edge research locally, and advocacy for breast health services and patient rights.

A LETTER FROM OUR CEO

A Happy New Year to our Komen community!

As 2016 begins, we reflect on the previous year’s work and celebrate the accomplishments Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington has achieved, together, with you. Just some of the highlights include:

• The Latina Initiative project: To date, more than 1,100 Latina women have received mammography screening, toward our 5-year goal of 3,000, and 13,500 individuals have received general breast health education in dozens of community settings. The five-year goals are to increase the screening rate by 10% and to reduce late-stage diagnoses and death rates by 14%.
• Thirty-two civic and faith-based organizations held 52 Worship in Pink events in October, where 62 volunteer ambassadors educated over 15,000 people, mainly in the African American community, about the importance of screenings.
• Lunch for the Cure continues to bring together community, civic, and business leaders to learn about the impact of Komen’s work locally, with record attendance and dollars raised at this important fundraising event.
• The community grants program funded $700,000 in education, screenings, and treatment access, serving underinsured and uninsured populations faced with significant breast cancer disparities, lower screening rates, and higher late-stage diagnoses.
• A $450,000 Komen research grant was awarded to Dr. William Redmond at the Providence Cancer Center to advance the understanding mechanisms that stop a patient’s immune system from fighting breast cancer and to develop new immunotherapeutic approaches for better treatment options for women with metastatic breast cancer.

We are grateful for your continued stewardship and support of Komen’s mission to provide services to individuals throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. As you read this newsletter, it is clear that Komen’s work is only possible because of the partnerships we have with many individuals, businesses, organizations, and foundations. This year, our 25th anniversary, we will serve our local communities with a renewed commitment to addressing this disease and specific breast health disparities through focused programs on early detection, survivor and fighter support, and advocacy, as well as, improvements to breast cancer treatment through research. It’s going to be a year of celebration and forward progress, and I hope you join us along the way.

Best Wishes, 

Andrew Asato
Chief Executive Officer

NEW DIRECTORS

Important voices are joining the leadership at Komen, adding diversity to our decision-making. Jennifer R. Garreau, MD, a Surgical Oncologist at Legacy Health and Katie Deming, MD, a Radiation Oncologist from Kaiser Permanente NW have joined our Board of Directors. Welcome! 

NEW COMMUNITY PROFILE

The 2015 Community Profile provides a thorough assessment of breast health services and the state of breast cancer in the Komen Oregon and SW Washington service area, which includes all of Oregon and three counties in SW Washington. The community profile identifies service gaps, establishes priorities for improving breast health services, and evaluates the impact of breast health programs and public policies across the service area. Read more.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Did you know that Komen has a program that reduces transportation barriers for rural women in treatment for breast cancer? We provide gas cards, as well as hotel and food assistance, for women and men who are living at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level and are traveling more than 25 miles, one-way, to treatment. This Komen Treatment Access Program is supported by the Toni Mountain Fund.

ROSA PARKS AWARD

Susan G. Komen Oregon and Southwest Washington was honored to receive the Rosa Parks Award from Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church of Portland, January 16-17, 2016, during their 10th Annual Drum Major Ecumenical & Award Services. Deaconess Arizonia Warren, who lost her 32 year old daughter to complications from breast cancer, gave a very moving introduction of Komen before she presented the award to Andy Asato during the Salute to Greatness Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday. On Sunday, during the Empower the Dream Ecumenical Service, Komen shared the stage with Governor Kate Brown, Mayor Charlie Hales, keynote speaker Dr. Louis Palau, and other eccumenical dignataries. 

SURVIVOR & FIGHTER PROFILE

Read how April Doll honors her friend, Catherine Rogers, by sharing her breast cancer journey and message of hope. Read more.

BREAST CANCER ISSUES CONFERENCE

The 2016 Regional Breast Cancer Issues Conference is March 5, 2016, featuring keynote Annie Parker, three time cancer survivor, author of the book and inspiration of the film Decoding Annie Parker. The conference provides survivors, support persons, and health care professionals the opportunity to learn and discuss breast cancer topics with leading researchers, doctors, and more. Learn more>> 

ADVOCACY

Congress unanimously approved the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2015. It extends the authority of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) through 2019 to continue issuing a fundraising stamp for cutting-edge breast cancer research. “Stamping out breast cancer can be as simple as buying a stamp!” says Jackie Speier, one of the Representatives leading the effort. 

LUNCH FOR THE CURE

The Lunch for the Cure, on April 21, 2016, brings together business and community leaders who recognize the importance of investing in saving lives and ending breast cancer. The 10th anniversary will feature Nelson Farris, longest tenured employee at Nike, with a very personal breast cancer story. Learn more>> 

RACE FOR THE CURE

Portland will celebrate its 25th anniversary of Race for the Cure on September 18, 2016. Registration will open late February! Mark your calendar. It's going to be a party!

VOLUNTEER

Thank you for 8,000 Hours! These are the hours that volunteers gave to help us in 2015! From our board of directors to event committees, office volunteers to finish line cheerleaders, interns to medical advisors – we couldn’t do it without volunteers! Interested in helping us in 2016? Contact us at volunteers@komenoregon.org 

EMERGENCE

Renowned artist, Jerry Venditti, partners with Susan G. Komen Oregon & SW Washington in celebration of its upcoming 25th anniversary. This original, one of a kind, painting will be part of a special auction at Lunch for the Cure, in addition to giclee prints available for purchase here>> 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Umpqua Dairy Products donated over $8,000, distributed toward affiliates in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. This money was collected through the sales of the limited edition Umpqua Huckleberry Cheesecake Ice Cream in a special PINK round ice cream carton during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you are interested in creating a fundraising event or participant in one, click here!

Activities & Events

		Portland Winterhawks-Pink the Rink  January 22, 2016 Sponsor a game puck in honor of a loved one and/or purchase some personalized items. There will be several of opportunities to contribute. Proceeds will support the fight against breast cancer. Learn more>>
		Reser / Don Poncho Ongoing From January 1 - December 31, 2016 Don Pancho's most popular pre-cut chip boxes will be affixed with the breast cancer ribbon in support of Komen Oregon and SW Washington. Learn more>>
		Ledbetter  Ongoing Ledbetter designed a pink headband and multiband to sell at their store website. $3.00 from every band sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington. Learn more>>
		Fred Meyer Community Rewards Ongoing Support Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington by shopping at Fred Meyer with your rewards card. All you have to do is link your Rewards Card and scan it every time you shop at Fred Meyer. Look us up by name! Learn more>>
		Wells Fargo ATM Program Ongoing Support Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington by simply pushing a button at any Wells Fargo ATM in Oregon. Learn more>>
		Ryan's Pink Lady Cider Ongoing A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Ryan's Pink Lady Cider will benefit Susan G. Komen Please join them and "Drink Pink for the Cure." Learn more>>