What a Day!

"The weather was glorious, the crowd monstrous, and the atmosphere electric. What a wonderful race day."

A friend sent me an email with the above and I couldn't say it better myself. I hope that all of you had at least half the amazing day that I had on Saturday. I still start to cry every time I think or talk about it. Thank you for your part to make it the day it was! 

I am so sorry that Shawna and I did not do a better job about keeping the blog up as Race Day approached. Both of us got rather busy with everything going on. I hope you were able to get the information that you needed.

Of course, now that it's all over, if you didn't make it to the Pasta Party--another awesome event!--I'm sure you are wondering who won the awards. All of our teams did an excellent job of recruiting this year. We had 25,363 people registered as a team member on over 900 teams. However, this number of teams is unofficial as I have not had a chance to make sure how many have at least 10 members. Anyway, here are the winners: 

Largest Teams by Category with Team Captain and # of Members:
Public Relations/Media - Paper Dolls (Arkansas Democrat Gazette) - Donna Anderson - 49
Social Group/Organization - Little Rock Futbol Club Girls - Clara Rankin - 66
Church - St. Mark Baptist Church - Regina Moss & Shelia Jones - 121
Government Agency - ASP Angels (Arkansas State Police) - Sheila Standley - 124
Small Business - Barbara Graves Intimate Fashions - Yoneko Johnson - 131
Non-Profit - SPP Power Puffs & Line (Southwest Power Pool) - Linda Helms - 205
Community - Searcy Team - Anna Overbay - 224
High School - MSM2011 (Mount St Mary Academy) - Grace Crifasi - 286
Financial/Investment - Simmons First - Amanda Horton - 363
Corporation - Blue Cares (Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield) - Damona Fisher - 957
Hospital - JRMC (Jefferson Regional Medical Center) - Rebecca Pittillo - 1077
School - UAMS / Cancer Institute - Celese Marshall - 1406

Team T-shirts (alphabetical order):
Lee's Ladies - Rhonda Theis
The Pink Pals - Carla Stewart
Woo Pig Boobie! - Janna McAfee

Participants' Choice T-shirt:
You might remember that this was new this year. People were able to vote on their favorite shirt at the Race Space, $1 per vote. The winning shirt:
M'Iraqis (Insultech) - Kenneth Andrews

Congratulations to everyone! I believe Shawna took photos of the winning shirts and will ask her to post them.

You can still order 2012 Fired Up for the Cure calendars featuring local firefighters. Click here for more information.

You can also still register for the beautiful diamond necklace and earrings. Click here for more information.

And last, but by no means least, you have until November 22 to submit your donations toward the fundraising prizes. Be a FUNDRAISING HERO by helping women in Arkansas who are underinsured and need assistance. $150 is the average cost of a mammogram in Arkansas; raise $150 and possibly save a life.

Once again, thank you for making the 2011 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure a success. Mark your calendars for October 13, 2012 but keep in mind that this could change. We plan around the Razorback schedule and it is up in the air with Texas A&M joining the conference. Watch here, facebook and komenarkansas.org for future details.

Love you all,
Jill

Surviving

What am I doing?

I am walking as a Breast Cancer Survivor as well as to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Arkansas. I began my fight against Breast Cancer February 2009. It then metastasized to my liver in 2010, and then onto my brain in 2011. I can say that fighting this fight, again, has not been easy. BUT, you have to keep fighting every day and stay strong. DO NOT GIVE UP! Cancer doesn't give you a choice in what happens to your body, but YOU have the power to control how you react to it. If you give in, the cancer will take over. If you fight-like-a-girl, it loses! In my case, I have fought for 2 ½ years now and even at my weakest moments, I wasn't going to allow cancer to run/ruin my life and guess what? I am still winning!

My fight may have ended once the cancer began to metastasize, but with all the new technology/research that is available due to mostly the Susan G. Komen Foundation, I am still able to keep up my fight and continue to beat this! I want to continue to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer in hopes to put an end to it!

Deborah Farrar

Deb’s Diamondhead Divas

Posted by: Shawna Long

Skate for the Cure....Amazing!

Brittany Schmucker and Adam Munday

Thanks so much to all who attended the Skate for the Cure this past Sunday! The event was a great success raising $1250!! That is more than ever before and that is thanks to all of you! Hope everyone had a good time! Wasn't Brittany Schmucker and Adam Munday amazing!!! I look forward to seeing lots more from them!!!

Also a big thanks to those that planned the event!! Great job!!!!

Skate for the Cure!!!!!

Join us!!!!

Diamond Edge Figure Skating Club
presents
Skate for the Cure
Sunday, September 11
2:00-5:00 p.m.
at the Arkansas Skatium
featuring
the Ice Dance Team of
Brittany Schmucker and Adam Munday
Ice Show at 3:15 p.m.
Admission $10
(of which $8 will go to Komen)
Skate with us before the show!!! I don't know about you but I spent A LOT of time at the skating rink growing up....I'm a child of the 80's!!!! Just about every song I hear from the 80's reminds me of the rink!!! Some of my favorite childhood memories are from there so I'm excited about combining two of my passions. This will be a GREAT show....it will be dedicated to the 10th Anniversary of 9-11.

Shawna

Don't forget Roping for a Cure THIS SATURDAY!

Giddy up!!! The 5th Annual Roping for a Cure will take place this Saturday September 10, 2011 at Smith Arena in Rose Bud AR!!!! Click here for more information: http://www.smitharena.com. This looks like it will be a great time! Lots of work goes into planning events such as these! So dust your boots off, grab your family and head on out there! This event is held in memory of Danielle's mother Betty Jane McAfee Smith. Last year they raised OVER $21,000! Wow.....all proceeds going to find the Cure! Non profit! Amazing!!!!!

Roping begins at 9:00 SHARP Breast Cancer Survivor Tribute at 12:00 noon Kids Roping at 1:00 p.m. Live Auction at 2:00 p.m. - lots of great items Have fun!!! Take some pictures and send them to us!!!!! It should be a BEAUTIFUL day!!!!! Shawna Long

Three Miles of Men Honorary Chair Highlighted

Our very own Anthony Lucas will be highlighted on HBO's "Hard Knocks: A Decade of NFL Training Camps".

"Be sure to watch “Hard Knocks: A Decade Of NFL Training Camps” tomorrow (Wednesday), August 31 at 9 pm CT on HBO. The special is scheduled to run for 90 minutes and will feature D1 Little Rock Facility Coordinator Anthony Lucas. Anthony suffered a career ending injury during Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys. Hard Knocks will take a look back and then feature Anthony's role since with D1."

Be sure and watch,
Jill

Why she races~By Jennifer Rodman

My Momma is My Best Friend! Thank God for Her!!!

Almost 12 years ago we received the shocking news... Mom had cancer and it wasn't looking good. I was 8 years old at the time and my whole world had just come crashing down on me. My Mom was my best friend and there was no way i could grow up without her. She assured my brother and me that everything would be ok, We were going to fight this aggressively... We would not give up!!!

I'll never forget going to all the doctors appointments and watching my Momma as she went through treatment after treatment. But she still stayed strong... She made sure I never missed dance or cheer practice.

You would've had to known my Mom back then to know that she had the most beautiful, thick, brown, curly hair... Most nights, after a day of school for me and a day of work and treatments for her, I would sit with her and brush her hair. I remember more and more of that beautiful hair falling out with every stroke of the brush. Finally she made the decision to shave what little was left off. It was then that we explored into the world of wigs.

(Just for a laugh, I must say this) One day as we were headed into Wal-Mart, a breeze caught up and Mom and I were walking one way and the next thing we knew her wig was flying in the opposite direction... If only you could've seen us chasing that darn thing across the parking lot.

After a mastectomy and months and months of Chemo and Radiation... It was over!! We were done!! My Momma had beat cancer!!!

Until 5 years later... It was back and worse than ever. She was stage 4 now. The cancer had broken her back, and when looking at a PET Scan, the cancer was all over her body. NOT AGAIN I couldn't help but think. I'll never forget the look on my Dad's face when the doctor said... "Take her home, make her comfortable, there's nothing we can do for her, it won't be much longer." My dad proceeded to tell that doctor just how things were and we would NOT give up on her! And he was right... She did it again! The cancer was gone.

But, It wasn't long and it was back again...

So here we are today... Still fighting this battle with Breast Cancer. And ya know what? We still haven't given up!!! Just this year we've gone from chemo every week to radiation everyday... But, now she takes just two small pills a day. No other treatments :) They say she will never be in remission but I believe with all my heart that one day we will hear that precious R word.

I have to say that the love we have received from friends and family and most of all God, has gotten my family through all this and they continue to do so. So to everyone who has been there for us, just let me say Thank You. Most of you probably don't even know how much those "I'm so sorry's and Is there anything I can do?" has meant to me and my family.

Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

I LOVE YOU MOMMA!!!!
Jennifer Rodman

Shawna Long

Survivor Cheryl Harrington's Story~This is my Storm

THIS IS MY STORM!!!
On November 20, 1999 I realized I had a lump in my right breast. This was on a Saturday, so I had to wait until Monday to see the doctor. I went to my OB GYN on Monday and he did a mammogram and said I needed to go to the hospital and have an ultrasound done. During this time, my mom called me at the doctor's office and told me my grandmother had just passed away, so I left the doctor's office and went to the nursing home to comfort my mom and family. At that time, we had no idea what was going on inside my body. I went that afternoon and had the ultrasound...turned out there was suspicious activity in the breast and they wanted me to have a biopsy. They tried to do the biopsy by needle aspiration in the doctor's office but wasn't successful. On December 9th they did the biopsy and confirmed it was breast cancer. On the 27th of December I had a mastectomy. I can still remember what we called then the "blood babies". I went home with them to keep the fluid out of the surgical area. At that time, I had 9 positive lymph nodes and they classified me as Stage IIB Breast Cancer. I went through a series of chemotherapy and found out I am severely allergic to Taxol. Of course, after the chemotherapy, I had a round of radiation for 45 days...the next five years was spent taking Tamoxifen. During this time, I had reconstruction surgery to the right breast, which any woman who has had that done knows how painful that can be.

After being taken off of Tamoxifen because I had survived the five years, I thought my cancer was gone for good. In April of 2006 my back began to hurt really bad. I went to the emergency room on several occasions and they told me it was pleurisy. I continued to hurt and was losing weight quickly; my throat began to feel like it was closing in on me. I went to my regular physician and he ran a series of test on me. He told me the scans came back and showed I had nine sizable tumors in my right lung and several throughout my body. He put me in the hospital for dehydration. He immediately sent the Oncologist in to see me. I was in really bad shape, told my husband to take me home and make me comfortable...the cancer was very advanced. Of course, I said "no way"--we will fight and we did. Started Chemo immediately, but my back was still killing me. My Oncologist began treating me for shingles. Thought that was where my pain was coming from. After many months of chemo and sickness, I went to see a pain management doctor. I thought surely they can help me...I had what is called a pain block...I still don't think childbirth compared to the pain that procedure gave me. Of course, the pain was no better...so I went to a neurosurgeon who found that the cancer had eaten my T1 away and it had collapsed...good reason for all the pain huh ! He scheduled surgery and put in donor bone tissue and placed a titanium plate from my C7 to T2. He said the cancer was wrapped around my spine and was able to remove a small amount of it. I was placed in a neck/back brace and had a hospital bed brought in to my home for comfort. I didn't do everything the doctor said to do, but I did do enough to get through the ordeal.

Next step, of course, was to radiate the tumor wrapped around my spine. I guess things had come a long way since my first experience with radiation because what they planned was very unexpected. They had a face mask that molds to your face and bolts down to the table. It was a total nightmare for me and when I left out after the first visit crying, my husband and I decided there must be something else that can be done.

We had seen the TV commercials about the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and thought we would see what they were about. I was able to get online and chat with them. It was within a very short time, I was scheduled to fly out to Tulsa, Oklahoma and visit with them and see what they thought of my case. Ross and I were both very impressed with the hospital, it was like nothing I had every experienced. It was warm and very welcoming....I still don't know how they do it but they can remember names like no one I know. They set us up with radiology and immediately had a game plan. My first request was they not use the face mask.....not a problem; they had a shoulder mold. That was the best news I'd heard in a while. I stayed and had the treatments and felt really good about the outcome. It's hard to not feel positive around this group from the center.

After all was said and done, I had a hysterectomy and began a regimen of Arimadex. My cancer had been 100% estrogen fed and 70% progesterone fed, so this was a must. That was in May 2007. I have been having Pet Scans every three months since. In September of 2008, I had my first clear scan...no metastatic disease. You can only imagine how excited and thankful to the Lord we were to get that news. We decided to extend the timeframe of my scans by one month, so the next was scheduled for January. Immediately after this scan, my husband and I looked at the films ourselves. We had gotten pretty good at reading them. We knew we saw something that didn't look right; just wasn't for sure. The Oncologist said it could just be inflammation and let's give it three months and see what we look like. Ross and I both were concerned the cancer was returning and awaited the three months for another scan. Once I received this scan and we looked at it; we knew immediately we were looking at another battle.

I immediately called the CTCA and scheduled an appointment but decided we would go and listen to what our own Oncologist had to say. She wanted to give it another two months and let it grow a little bigger so they could get a better reading....my husband was so disgusted he left the room. To say the least, we couldn't wait to get back to the CTCA.

As of this date, I have now battled this cancer five (5) times ! I've had a lot of chemo over the last few years and a lot of radiation....but God has been with me all the way ! I have been able to use my cancer as a ministry to reach people that are sick and tell them how Jesus can heal.
I am on Tamoxifen again....it worked for five (5) years; so maybe it will work again !! I go back in October 2011 to do all of my scans and see how things are going. I have a great support system....

We have all the confidence in the world that we will see a clean scan again one day....as my husband puts it, you can only get better when Jesus is in charge of the hospital you are going to and he walks with us each step of the way!!!

Thanks for all the prayers, cards, food and love shown my family over the years! Now, let's support this very worthy cause....

FYI: The Title comes from a message Brother Dennis Holmes preached when I was very sick….I can still remember most of the words to that sermon….”This is my Storm”…with God holding my hand all the way!!!

Story by Cheryl Harrington


Shawna Long

Diamond Edge Figure Skating Club presents

Skate for the Cure

Sunday, September 11
2:00-5:00 p.m.
at the Arkansas Skatium
featuring the Ice Dance Team of
Brittany Schmucker and Adam Munday
Ice Show at 3:15 p.m.
Admission $10
(of which $8 will go to Komen)

Brittany Schmucker and Adam Munday teamed up at the beginning of August 2010 and placed 6th at the 2011 U.S. National Figure Skating Championships. They have quickly gone from Novice level to Senior, which is the highest level in figure skating.

Brittany is 18 years old and attends American University in Washington, D.C. She has been skating for 10 years and is a member of the Tulsa Figure Skating Club. She has qualified and competed in multiple Jr. National and National events. Along with her passion for ice dancing, she enjoys ballet and musical theatre.

Adam is 24 years old and has been skating for over 17 years. He is a member of the Highland Skating Club in Seattle, Washington. He started skating with the intention of playing hockey but quickly transitioned to figure skating due to his fascination with the harness. This is his fifth ice dancing season and is a three-time National competitor for the discipline. When he is not skating, he is working, reading, or playing video games.

They are coached by Alexi Kiliakov, Elena Novak and Dmytri Ilin in Washington, D.C. They will be skating their short dance which for the 2012 season is Latin rhythms with the Rhumba.

In keeping with the Race theme of Hope Runs on Heroes and in observance of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, we will have a patriotic show with lots of red, white and blue. Come enjoy a fun afternoon in a nice, cool location.

Hope to see you there,
Jill

Train for the Cure

Train for the Cure, sponsored by Weight Watchers, is a running and walking group designed to help get you ready for Race for the Cure. While training for the race, we'll also learn about proper shoe fit and exercise attire as well as how to properly stretch and cool down. But one of our biggest goals is to make it fun!

Interested? Read on!

Who is this for? Anyone interested in getting fit for the race and beyond! You must register for the Race and the Clinic. (There is a one time $10 clinic fee you will pay when you sign up.)
What is this? A fun, positive group atmosphere that will keep you motivated and on track with your exercise plan.
Where do we meet? At War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Enter at the entrance directly off Fair Park.
When do we meet? Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7 pm, beginning September 13 up until the race.
Why should you join? Why not?

Please remember, participants are responsible for bringing their own water.

Can't make it to the clinic? Gather your friends and play along at home! To do so, register for Race for the Cure online and also sign up for the "Virtual Train for the Cure". You will receive weekly emails that tell you what is going on at the clinic so you can do the same at home. There is no cost for the virtual clinic.

Let us know if you have questions.


BTW, just 64 days until the 18th Annual Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure!

Jill

Roping for a Cure

Yee Haw!!! The 5th Annual Roping for a Cure will take place on September 10, 2011 at Smith Arena in Rose Bud AR!!!! Click on the following link for more information: http://www.smitharena.com. This looks like it will be a great time! Lots of work goes into planning events such as these! So dust your boots off, grab your family and head on out there in September! This event is held in memory of Danielle's mother Betty Jane McAfee Smith. Last year this event rasied OVER 21,000! Wow.....all proceeds going to find the Cure! Non profit! Amazing!!!!!

Shawna Long

I went for part of it last year, and it was a blast!

Jill

Press Conference

(click on image to enlarge)

Jill

Guys for the Girls 5K

Hey GUYS!!!! Here is another chance for you to be a part of the Cure! Join up for the Guys for the Girls 5K in Jonesboro AR. Click on the following link to get more information and register: http://www.racesonline.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=public.race_detail&race_id=12030

Looks like it will be a very good time!!!

Shawna

Miracle's Pink Team Mix and Mingle

Miracle's Pink Team is hosting a mix and mingle! Check out the following invitation for more details: http://new.evite.com/?utm_source=other_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=invite_details&eml=g_inv#view_invite:eid=0273AAQZXGL24EQUSEPASEQQOHKZO4&gid=0273AAPMT7NZ5QB5CEPAVPX4DWHYBA

Shawna

Have a cup of Hope!

Sitting here on this beautiful and quite Sunday morning (thankful for a day of rest)...drinking my lil bit of coffee with LOTS of Almond Joy creamer (Yum-O).
This mug was given to me by Laurie, my partner in crime for the TEAMS committee. Thank you girlie! Friends truly are a blessing. 

It has lead me to thinking this morning about HOPE. Our theme this year is HOPE RUNS ON HEROES. This means different things to each of us. What do YOU think of when you hear this? The word HOPE to me is so encourging. To have HOPE is to look forward to the next moment! To know that there is that HOPE can push us to go further than we thought we could or have before!

HERO.....gosh I have lots of HEROES! Some don't even know they are mine. You may be someone's and don't know. I KNOW you are! Heroes don't just wear capes.....The first hero in my life was/is my Grandmother. That gives me a great photo op idea! Stay tuned there....My most recent is our Race Chair this year Jill! She is awesome and has changed my life with just a few words....Thank you Jill for allowing me to be a part of the committee!

Ok, so now I wanna hear from YOU ALL! Who is YOUR heroes and WHY? You can post a comment here or on our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/komenarkansas

Shawna

Company/Corporate Name

Happy Independence Day! And a special Thank You to all who have served and those who are serving to protect our freedom! I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th!

Looks like some of you are well on your way to building your Team for 2011. Way to go!!!!

I wanted to explain a new feature to the online registration: Company/Corporate Name. Although any and all of you are welcome to use this feature, the main reason we added this is for organizations who wish to have multiple teams within their organization.

Examples:
Mount St. Mary's has several teams and compete with each other. Last year they had to keep up with the members manually. This year they can have several Teams under their Company.

For some reason, the guys at SPP don't exactly appreciate the team name: SPP Power Puffs. I just don't understand that. :o) Well, now the women can have their Team and the guys can have their own Team while we can count all of them under their Company.

There are also several teams with multiple locations. If they need to have their information separated, this is the perfect option for them.

If you have already started your team, didn't use this feature and want to, contact Shawna and Laurie at teams@komenarkansas.org. And contact them with any of your other questions/issues/comments.

Thanks for your support and dedication!

Happy 4th,
Jill

Fundraising Ideas

Be sure and check out the follow page for Fundraising Tips!!!!!

http://www.komenarkansas.org/assets/race-documents/101-fundraising-ideas.pdf

Happy Father's Day!!!

I hope you all had a good weekend for Father's Day.....may it have been celebrating with your Father/Daddy, talking to him, remembering him, dreaming of him, father of your children or future child. Cherish them for you never know when they will be gone from this earth.....

Did you know that men can get breast cancer too??? Check out the following link to learn more.... http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancerinmen/detailedguide/breast-cancer-in-men-what-is-breast-cancer-in-men

Shawna

Registration now OPEN!!!!

Yes it is!!!! We are so excited.....We already have over 18 teams registered!!! Remember if you have any questions, please feel free to contact myself (Shawna) or Laurie at teams@komenarkansas.org. We can't wait to see everyone's team shirt designs this year....Have you started thinking about the design or color??? Better get started because the race will be here before you know it!!!!

Have a great week!!!

Shawna Long

Memorial Day Weekend and Less.than.a.week.till.Kick.Off!

I trust you all had a good Memorial Day Weekend. I hope however you spent it that you remembered the reason for the day! I found a good site for information on the day if you would like to brush up on your history or share it with someone who might not know exactly what its really all about. Yes, it is a good weekend for cooking out and getting into the swimming pools for the first time leading into summer but we only get to do that because of those who fought for our freedom...... http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
 

I hope to see you all at the Kick Off this weekend June 5th and get to know you better!!! Laurie and I look forward to working with you to help make this the best Race EVER!!!!

Mother's Day 2011

Hope you all had a great Mother's Day!!!!! xoxoxo

One month till KICK OFF!!!

No, not till Razorback football but till the 2011 Team Captain Kick Off Event!!!!!! Get ready to have some fun and get the chance to met other Team Captains. The Kick Off is June 5, 2010 and we look forward to seeing you there!!!! You don't wanna miss it......

Second Committee Meeting~Honorary Chair Announced!!

The second committee meeting took place on April 20, 2011. Lots of exciting things continue to be announced.


We were excited when Jill announced Deena Burnett Bailey as our 2011 Honorary Race Chair. Deena was the wife of the late Tom Burnett who helped to overtake the terrorists on UA Flight 93 that went down in PA on 9-11.

Equally as exciting was the announcement of McDonald's becoming one of our newest sponsors. We couldn't be more excited to have them on board. Thank you...Thank you!!

















Plans continue to be made for the Team Captain Kick-Off on June 5, 2011. Be sure and check out my other post with all the information on this. Keep a watch for all of the up-to-date information right here for the Kick-Off and all other events. We look forward to seeing all the 2011 Team Captains there!!

Next meeting in May! :)

Shawna Long
TEAMS Committee

Team Captain Kick~Off

Firefighters Calender Judging Event~Woo Hoo!!

Oh my was this event HOT!!! Over 20 Firefighters from Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton and Alexander strutted their stuff on the runway for their chance to be the the first ever Fired Up for the Cure calendar which will be available later this year. They all brought their A games and did not disappoint! The night started off with an hour VIP Meet and Greet with the firefighters. This gave them the chance to personally introduce themselves to the ladies and try to get more votes! The guys were all so nice and very easy on the eyes.....All in attendance got to enjoy great food and drinks before getting ready for the show!!! The guys put on a great show. Votes were done with tokens, you liked them or the show they were putting on.....you put your token/tokens in the pink buckets. Tokens were available to purchase at the event. After they all got their turn and tokens had been tossed.....they all made a trip around the runway one more time sporting their Pink " I Survived Judgement Day" shirts. At this time, all the ladies got the chance to meet the firefighters when the guys lined up by the door with their buckets as the ladies were walking out. This was the last chance for votes......So, votes have been counted....and the winners are.....................................................Sorry, you gotta wait just like I do till the calendar comes out.....I know, I know.....I promise, it WILL be worth the wait!!!!!!!!

To view all my photos from this event....believe me...you wanna see them...click on the following link:

http://photo1.walgreens.com/walgreens/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=6366117003/a=7039809_7039809/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=walgreens/

A big thank you to the ladies below and to all the volunteers that helped put on this show and make it such a success!!!!

Shawna Long

TEAMS Committee

Plant it Pink with P. Allen Smith

Plant it Pink with P. Allen Smith in the North Little Rock Argenta District took place on March 26, 2011. Although it was a misty rainy morning lots of people came out to enjoyed the event! The Event started out with North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays introducing P. Allen Smith and Argenta District Foundation Leader John Gaudin.

The following link has a great video of P. Allen and John Gaudin discussing the event..check it out!!!

http://talkbusiness.net/article/CLEAN-amp-GREEN-PLANT-IT-PINK/1746/

P. Allen Smith lead a parade in the Argenta District thru the beautiful 25,000 Pink tulips.

To enjoy all the photos I took for this event please click on the following link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=297059&id=718957903&l=e82de52a2b

After the parade a few dedicated vendors were sit up to serve lunch..I would like to reconize Hot Dog Mike http://www.facebook.com/#!/hotdogmike, Pierre's Gourmet Pizza Co and Green Cuisine for being so nice to serve us lunch despite the weather! Thanks sooooooo much!!!

All in all it was a GREAT day! Looks like this will be an annual event so please start now praying for good weather for the following years!

Shawna Long

TEAMS Committee

First Race Committee Meeting with 2011 Race Chair Jill Winholt

The first Committee meeting took place on March 16, 2011 with our 2011 Race Chair Jill Winholt. The Honorary Survivor for this year Dianne Woods, an 8 year survivor, was introduced and she opened the meeting with a prayer.

All members in attendance told how long they have been associated with the Race and what committee they serve. I myself have been a team captain for the past 4 years and this is my first year serving on the TEAMS Committee. I'm so excited and feel so blessed to be a part of such a great cause. So, needless to say, it was exciting to hear about the ones that have been serving for several years....giving so much of their time to help find the CURE!!

Donna Easley, the 2010 Race Chair, announced the exciting statistics about last years race. We had 45,948 participants with 56% of them being apart of a team. 2334 survivors were registered and 2832 Three Miles of Men. $2,059,843 was raised!!!! WoW!

Jill presented the theme this year....drum roll please.....

We have so many exciting events coming up all leading up to this year's Race for the Cure such as Dine out for the Cure, Kids for the Cure, Team Captain Kick Off, Skating for the Cure and much more! The Plant it Pink Event and Firefighter Calendar Event was announced both of which we have had and, as you will see in my upcoming posts, were GREAT events!

Please watch the blog for all the latest updates on upcoming events you don't want to miss.

Shawna Long

Plant it Pink with P. Allen Smith

Dear Komen Friends,

Don't forget this Saturday, March 26th, in downtown North Little Rock, we invite you to join the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and P. Allen Smith on a special Honor's Walk and parade through thousands of pink tulips to celebrate life! We want to fill the streets of Argenta with pink! Pink pom poms, pink hats, pink shirts and anything else pink to show your enthusiasm!

The parade will start at 10:30am near the corner of 5th and Main in the Argenta District in North Little Rock. Look for the North Little Rock pink fire truck! The parade, led by P. Allen Smith, will be approximately 6 blocks long, ending near 6th and Main where there will be children's activities and many local food trucks selling an array of cuisines just in time for lunch! The parade and activities will be filmed for P. Allen Smith's syndicated television show, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, and other future projects. So, bring the whole family, including children, grandchildren and grandparents for the fun! We will even have a survivor photo taken with P. Allen Smith! Prior to the parade, you are welcome to attend a presentation by P. Allen Smith on "Everything Pink Inside and Outside the Home". This roundtable discussion will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will also have remarks from the Mayor of North Little Rock and John Gaudin from the Argenta Arts District. There is no cost to attend, however, we would ask you to register at http://plantitpinkforkomen.eventbrite.com so we can be prepared for everyone. While at that website, take a look at the other events. You don't want to miss any of the fun!

As always, we thank you for your support, energy, enthusiasm and eagerness to help us stop breast cancer forever! We look forward to seeing you in downtown North Little Rock, this coming Saturday morning. Don't forget to wear your pink!

Shawna ~ Via Amy Treadway

New Leaders

OMG! This has been such a busy few months and we're just getting geared up. I hope you're ready!

I wanted to give you a little update on the Teams Committee before turning you over to them. As we feared last year, Alana Harris and her family have moved due to a change in her husband's career. We are sorry to see them go but wish them the very best and appreciate all of the work Alana has done for us the past few years.

Unfortunately, Judi King is also unable to continue work with the committee. Judi did a great job of keeping all of you informed last year and answering all of your questions. We also wish her well and appreciate her greatly.

But have no fear! I have recruited two more awesome women to be here for you and your teams. And WOW! do they have the energy! Both have been Team Captains for several years and are dedicated to our cause. I am excited to introduce to you Laurie Reynolds and Shawna Long.

Aren't they beautiful? And so very sweet! I know that you will love working with them. You can reach them at the Teams email, teams@komenarkansas.org. Shawna is also reviving the AR RFTC Team Captains facebook page. I will leave it up to these two ladies to tell you more about themselves.

We had our first Race Committee meeting this week and someone will be updating you next week with information from that meeting. Shawna and Laurie are also working to get the Team Captain Letter ready and in the mail to you.

Please make plans to attend the Team Captain Kick-Off on June 5. And don't forget all of the other events going on in the meantime. Remember to check the calendar. Oh, and we were told Wednesday to check out the tulips in Argenta now because they have bloomed early this year.

Looking forward to a great year,
Jill

Hottest Ticket in Town

Have you heard the news? Komen Arkansas has the hottest ticket in town and you don't want to miss it. Come join the fun and get Fired Up for the Cure!

Firefighters from Little Rock, North Little Rock, Alexander and

Bryant will compete for a spot in the upcoming

2012 Fired Up For The Cure® calendar!

And, you can be the judge! How? During the live show on Saturday, April 9th, the audience will watch more than 25 firefighters strut their stuff on the runway and have the chance to vote for their favorites using tokens (tokens can be purchased at the event). Buy your tickets early, there are only 500 for sale - 100 VIP tickets and 400 General Admission tickets!

Tickets (Age 21+ Only)

VIP tickets are $60 and include early admission with reserved seating. Visit with the firefighters at a private happy hour with beer and wine from 6:00 to 7:00 pm and enjoy wings from Buffalo Wild Wings and bar-b-que from Corky's. You will also receive a complimentary calendar in the fall when the calendars are printed. Only 89 65 VIP tickets left!

General Admission tickets are $25 with seating on a first come first served basis. The doors will open at 7:00 pm. Enjoy wings from Buffalo Wild Wings and bar-b-que from Corky's along with beer and wine.

Location
Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center
10800 Colonel Glenn Road
Little Rock, AR 72204

Votes/Tokens
Purchase tokens at the event and vote as many times as you'd like to ensure your favorite firefighters will be featured in the Fired Up For The Cure® calendar. Tokens will be sold in bags of 5 for $5, 15 for $10 and 35 for $20. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.

To purchase tickets, click here and link to www.komenarkansas.org.

Bring a copy of your receipt as your ticket into the event!

See you there,
Jill

Calendar

Be sure to check the Dates to Remember area to the right periodically. I'm updating as events are scheduled.

Please note the big changes for the Team Captain Kick-Off Party. The date this year is Sunday, June 5. Please put it on your calendar and make plans to attend. Also, it has been moved across the river. The kick-off will be at Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock in the J.A. Gilbreath Conference Center.

Lots more info coming in the days, weeks and months ahead.

Jill

Plant It Pink

Spring is in the air! And we are in for a very special treat this Spring as the Argenta Arts District turns PINK. Yes, 28 flower beds and 50 flower pots have been planted with 25,000 (count them, 25,000!) PINK tulips in time to bloom for the Plant It Pink Tulip Festival. The festival is March 25-April 3 in downtown North Little Rock’s Argenta Arts District to honor those families affected by breast cancer. Proceeds of the festival will go to benefit the Arkansas Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Click image to see larger version.

Sponsorships are available. Tulip planters are $350 each and tulip beds are $1,000 each. Each bed and planter will have a plaque with the sponsor's name. Many people are sponsoring the beds in honor or memory of a loved one. The plaque can have whatever you'd like - with limited space and words. And, the plaque will go to the sponsor for a keepsake at the end of the festival. Time is limited to get the plaques printed, so if you are interested, please act quickly.

Special events during the festival are:

Friday, March 25, 6 pm
Reception for sponsors and festival attendees
CityGrove Townhomes Art Park, $50 with space limited to 300

Saturday, March 26, 9 am
Garden Roundtable with P. Allen Smith - FREE, but need to register

Saturday, March 26, 10 am
Komen Honors Walk with P. Allen Smith - FREE, but need to register

Tuesday, March 29, 5 pm-8 pm
Tales from the South
Short stories about the impact of breast cancer in the lives of Southern writers
Tickets include dinner and a live recording of the program
Argenta Community Theatre, $50 with space limited to 200

Wednesday, March 30, noon
Luncheon with Dr. Suzanne Klimberg speaking about breast cancer research
Argenta Community Theatre, $20 with space limited to 100

To purchase tickets and get more details about the events visit:
http://plantitpinkforkomen.eventbrite.com/
To sponsor a bed/planter or event visit:
http://plantitpinkforkomentulipsponsors.eventbrite.com/

And remember to come see the beautiful PINK tulips.

See you there,
Jill