Komen Arkansas Blog

Message From a Soldier

elizabethowen — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 16:14:40 +0000

I’m in the U.S. Air Force, which has taken me far away from my family and friends in Arkansas, making it difficult to be with my Mom each year as she takes part in the annual Race in Little Rock. But 2009 found me further away than usual. You see, in Sept of 2009, I was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for over 7 months.

I was lucky enough to have fairly reliable internet access while in Iraq, so I often read many of the Facebook posts your organization posted in the weeks leadiing up to the 2009 Race. In the days leading up to the Race in Little Rock, I made a post on your FB wall, nothing big, just a few words of love and encouragement for my Mom as she prepared for another Race.

In the post, I mentioned I had made it from Baghdad, which caught the attention of some of the Race’s organizers. Because of my special situation, I was very honored to have been made an ‘Honorary Member” of the 3 Miles of Men.

But the best part was when my Mom was recognized prior to the Race when the Race’s MC announced her name and my words of encouragement to her from Baghdad, Iraq. She was also recognized by Craig O’Neil at that night’s post-Race dinner.

I was truly touched by the way the Race’s organizers took a special interest in my story and especially touched in the kind treatment my Mom was rendered because of my special circumstances. My Mom truly enjoys the Race for the Cure each year, but the Race of 2009 was just a little bit more special. Thank you so much. Good luck for a GREAT Race in 2010.

TSgt John D. Carlton III

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Audra Gills Gets Married on Day of the Race…

elizabethowen — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:56:41 +0000

For the full news story and video, click here.

Dancing Firemen This Saturday!

elizabethowen — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:54:29 +0000

In case you haven’t heard, the Little Rock Dancing Firemen and the North Little Rock Firemen and their pink firetruck will be at Race Space this Saturday helping us try to move up to the 3rd Largest Race in the World. We are so close! Here is a little inspiration for you…. (They’ll be there from 10 to 2!)

Just the Facts Ma’am…

elizabethowen — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:50:40 +0000

In light of recent news developments regarding the removal of Komen items from the Harding bookstore, we want to make sure everyone has the facts about how Komen Arkansas uses its donations and proceeds. Sherrye McBryde, Executive Director of the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G Komen, has made this statement, “I can emphatically say that not one penny of any of Arkansas money or any of Komen national money goes to Planned Parenthood.”

For further information, see the official statement from Komen here: http://ww5.komen.org/plannedparenthood.html

Harding University faculty and staff have been very supportive of Race for the Cure in the past, and while this has been an unfortunate misunderstanding, Arkansas Komen looks forward to putting this behind them and concentrating on what counts right now… the upcoming race! Don’t forget to sign up!

Don’t Forget To Sign Up!

elizabethowen — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:40:30 +0000

Ladies, will only need 300 more women to sign up and we’ll be officially be the 3rd largest race in the world! Please encourage a friend/coworker to join you on race day.

http://arkansas.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/LIT_ArkansasAffiliate?fr_id=1815&pg=entry

Wear Pink Tomorrow!

elizabethowen — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Governor Mike Beebe has declared this Friday, October 1st, as Arkansas Go Pink For The Cure Day. He urges all citizens in every community to join him in promoting efforts for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. He urges everyone to wear pink on October 1st as a symbol of Go Pink For The Cure Day. By joining together, GO PINK FOR THE CURE DAY will bring awareness of the importance of mammography and remove barriers for women seeking mammograms. Together we can make a difference and save lives. Visit www.komenarkansas.org for more information.

Survivor Spotlight: Ashlee Stephens

elizabethowen — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:03:51 +0000

How did you find out you had cancer?

My 4 year old was getting up in my bed to read a bedtime story when she hit me right in the breast. It hurt much worse than it should have, so I checked it out and found a lump.

What was the most extraordinary thing someone did for you?

My friend, Jessica, picked my daughters up from school for me on the days I had chemotherapy. She didn’t have to do that for me. I think that was one of the nicest things by far!!!

What advice would you give someone battling cancer right now?

Accept help when offered and keep a positive attitude. I would always tell myself “you can beat this!!!”

Why is the race important to you?

Race day is a celebration of life…of survival. It’s overwhelming to look around and see all the women in their pink shirts and to know that you have a bond like no other. When you get a group of women together that size, amazing things are going to happen!!! The air downtown on race day is electric!!

Fireman Friday

elizabethowen — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:00:18 +0000

It’s FIREMAN FRIDAY!!! Lets celebrate the return of the LRFD Dancing Firemen by Texting for the Cure! There are five firemen in the photo, so lets pay for five mammograms today ($150 each). Text komen to 20222 to make a $10 gift to the Arkansas Affiliate. A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone… bill or deducted from your prepaid balance (you can do it up to 3 times).

Survivor Spotlight: Judy Wylie

elizabethowen — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:44:12 +0000

What was the most extraordinary thing someone did for you?

I went to my first treatment and there sat a little lady with no hair, no eyebrows, and no lashes, but she was beautiful. She had a smile that just didn’t stop. She told me that I was going to be just fine and what I could expect to happen to me. She told me what things would help and I just knew she was in really bad health and her fight had been long and hard. But that didn’t matter, she would still call and check on me and bring me things to brighten my day. Her care reached so far she traveled to Northwest Arkansas and did the RFTC there in my honor when the whole time her battle was so much worse than mine. She went far above kindness to someone she barely knew and I found that extraordinary. I will never forget the friend I made that day of my first treatment and each year I now walk the RFTC in memory of her as she lost her battle with breast cancer and I lost a very dear friend.

What advice would you give someone battling cancer right now

Stay positive. Find a friend that’s been there before you and surround yourself with loved ones. They will give you the perspective not to give up. Also, find something that makes you feel good about yourself whether it be a manicure, facial or massage. It makes a world of difference!

Why is the race important to you?

The race is a symbol of hope and a beacon of light for me. It symbolizes those lives that have been saved, and those that will be saved in the future.

Are there any other messages you would like to share?

Breast cancer has many masks and can hide in many places, so early detection is the only way to fight the battle.

Survivor Spotlight: Cheryl Ashmore-Callahan

elizabethowen — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:10:46 +0000

How did you find out you had cancer?

Breastcare Program- mammogram

What was the most extraordinary thing someone did for you?

I can’t single one thing out, I have been really blessed.

What advice would you give someone battling cancer right now?

Stay positive.

Why is the race important to you?

Tough fight, but together we can win against cancer.

Are there any other messages you would like to share?

I would like to thank everyone for their help and encouragement. KEEP ON PRAYIN FOR A CURE!!