Komen ArkansasRace for the Cure®Team Info

What a Day!

2011-10-24T12:21:00.007-05:00

"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

2011-09-20T11:26:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-09-14T16:32:00.000-05:00

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!!!!!

2011-09-09T12:05:00.001-05:00

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!

2011-09-09T09:53:00.001-05:00

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 SHARPBreast Cancer Survivor Tribute at 12:00 noonKids Roping at 1:00 p.m.Live Auction at 2:00 p.m. - lots of great itemsHave fun!!! Take some pictures and send them to us!!!!! It should be a BEAUTIFUL day!!!!!Shawna Long

Three Miles of Men Honorary Chair Highlighted

2011-08-31T16:09:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-29T09:33:00.003-05:00

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

2011-08-26T13:04:00.000-05:00

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

Skate for the Cure

2011-08-23T12:27:00.000-05:00

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

2011-08-19T13:17:00.001-05:00

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

2011-08-01T08:26:00.003-05:00

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

2011-07-29T08:24:00.001-05:00

(click on image to enlarge)

Jill

Guys for the Girls 5K

2011-07-28T08:14:00.002-05:00

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

2011-07-18T08:42:00.003-05:00

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!

2011-07-17T11:39:00.004-05:00

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

2011-07-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

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

2011-06-23T07:05:00.003-05:00

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!!!

2011-06-22T07:09:00.004-05:00

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!!!!

2011-06-21T12:13:00.001-05:00

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!

2011-06-01T08:44:00.001-05:00

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

2011-05-09T09:57:00.002-05:00

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

One month till KICK OFF!!!

2011-05-05T21:58:00.003-05:00

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!!

2011-04-26T09:54:00.000-05:00

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

2011-04-25T18:45:00.005-05:00

Firefighters Calender Judging Event~Woo Hoo!!

2011-04-15T16:46:00.020-05:00

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

2011-04-15T15:32:00.024-05:00

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

2011-04-15T14:36:00.011-05:00

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

2011-03-23T20:53:00.024-05:00

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

2011-03-18T10:05:00.000-05:00

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

2011-03-10T16:22:00.000-06:00

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

2011-02-23T13:46:00.004-06:00

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

2011-02-21T16:00:00.009-06:00

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

2010 Team Tshirts

2010-10-25T14:35:00.002-05:00

Here they are!

Everyone a Winner

2010-10-21T14:15:00.016-05:00

45,900!
Amazing!
45,900 of you came together on Saturday, October 16, to declare that We > Me, that you are the winning strength in the battle against breast cancer.

And what a glorious day! And what warm, loving, generous beings you all are. It was evident in the way you walked hand in hand with your family and friends; it was evident in the hundreds of men who lined the street to encourage their loved ones; it was evident in the teams who participated this year.

Take a look at the winners of our largest Teams categories--so many people wanting to help came together as teams. I wish we could list every single team, for you all deserve gold, no, pink stars.

And without further ado, our winners are:
Corporate (& largest):       Blue Team--AR Blue Cross Blue Shield
School team:                        UAMS Cancer Institute
Hospital team:                     JRMC
Financial/investment:      Simmons First
Community team:              Hot Pink Tomatoes
Small Business:                    Barbara Graves Intimate Fashions
Non Profit team:                 SPP Power Puffs
Government agency:        Milli's Pink Love
Church team:                       St. Mark Baptist Church
Social group/org:               Team Elliott-Joyce Elliott for Congress
Public relations/media:   The Paper Dolls--AR Democrat Gazette

And, we can't forget your creativity! The tee shirts that we received for the team t-shirt contest---wow--once again it was very hard picking just three! But we managed to narrow it down, and the winners, in no particular order are:
Rainwater, Holt, and Sexton
ATC Scientific Beauties
Arkansas Federal Credit Union

Check back tomorrow for pictures.

Thank you, our participants, our sponsors, our volunteers, our fundraisers, our survivors, our race committee, our staff, our TEAM CAPTAINS.
Thank you, Donna Easley, our 2010 Chair.
Thank you Ed Drilling and Anthony Lucas, our honorary 3 Miles of Men Chairs.

Yes, We > Me. Not just in October, but all year long.
May you all, all 45,900 winners that you are, be blessed with love, good health, and happiness, and may we all meet again next year on October 22.

Cheers!
Judi

Awards and team t-shirts are available in Jill's office. Please email teams@komenarkansas.org if you would like to get yours.

And remember that fundraising is open through November 16. There are still awards to be won.

What time is it?

2010-10-14T14:12:00.007-05:00

Correction! Correction please!
Please mark your calendars for 5:30pm on Friday for the Pasta Party at Dickey Stephens Park in North Little Rock. I was trying to get the party started earlier and said 5pm in the blog yesterday, but please note the CORRECT time will be 5:30pm.

There really is so much going on this weekend! If you need any transportation around town, the CATA bus decorated with this year's theme is still running, and the PINK Yellow Cab is still available as well. The Union Pacific Pink Ribbon locomotive is still here on display at 1000 W. 4th in North Little Rock, and finally, American Airlines' Pink Ribbon plane will be here tomorrow morning (Friday) at the airport.

Friday at 5pm, the Pink Duck Walk will be happening at The Peabody. If you've not seen the ducks at The Peabody, Friday will be THE time to see them as they stroll down their pink carpet!

After the Duck Walk, stroll on across the river to the Pasta Party which will begin at 5:30pm at Dickey Stephens Park. There will be lots of great food furnished by Romano's Macaroni Grill, soft drinks by Coca Cola, and The Rockets will be on hand for the musical entree. We may have a special song by a very special group, so come on down for a very fun evening!

Saturday after the race, you know you & your team will be ready for a wonderful brunch--why not check out "Put a Fork in It" at www.komenarkansas.org and head for one of the restaurants mentioned there? Those establishments participating on Saturday will give part of their proceeds to Komen. Or, check out the 6K Cafe brunch hosted by the Little Rock Junior League. You can check out all the details at the Komen website.

But remember, the most important thing to do is to make sure YOU are registered for the Race! The Race Space is still open until 2pm on Friday; after that, you can register at the Race. VERY IMPORTANT: if you or anyone you know is planning on running in the Elite Runner category, you MUST be registered and in the corral by 7:30AM. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Thank you all for participating, and, if you see a young woman wearing a pink veil in the race, please give Audrey Gillis your best wishes. She is participating in the Race this year in memory of her mother, and then later in the day Audrey will be getting married!!!

time is drawing near

2010-10-13T16:38:00.003-05:00

I can not believe it--this is Wednesday of Race Week!
So much is going on, and so much has happened.....

Today (Oct. 13th) is the LAST day to register online. You will need to go pick up your shirts & race bibs at the Race Space or the Registration Table at the Race.
The Race Space will close this Friday at 2pm sharp, so if you need Pasta Party tickets, pink postcards, or any other items, please remember the Race Space will close early.

3 Miles of Men: ladies, please remember to get the men in your life registered as well! They will get their own special tee shirts, and the first 100 men to show up at Capitol Smokehouse on Race Day will get a free breakfast!

Also, with every registration we get, that shoots us closer to being the THIRD Largest Race of its kind in the world! Don't you want to be part of something so awesome? Not only will we move into third place, but that also means more money for funding mammograms, mobile mammography units, more research, more lives that will be saved, all because of your generosity.

Also, today through Friday evening, the Union Pacific Pink Ribbon Locomotive will be at 1000 W. 4th in North Little Rock if you'd like to go see it. It will leave here on Race morning, close to the beginning of the race.

The Pasta Party will begin at 5pm this Friday evening! Food will be provided by Macaroni Grill, and entertainment by The Rockets. Please make plans to attend; tickets are $20 each, and a fun time will be had by all!

Don't forget--you can raise money by texting the word KOMEN to 20222. You can text up to 3 times, with $10 going to Komen each time.

Also, if you would like to bring out the interior decorator in you or your group, we still have some Port a Potties available for $100 each! Contact Komen for more info on this fun project.

Lastly, we would really like to thank all of our sponsors, our volunteers, our participants, families & friends who help make this Race such an awesome event. There is a lot of hard work that goes into the making of the Race each year, and we would not be able to do it without you all.
You are very special; thank you for being part of the Komen family.

See you this weekend!

Weekend scene.....

2010-10-08T09:08:00.006-05:00

Wow--it's Friday already, and so many things to do and see this weekend.

First, the 3 Miles of Men kick off with their Tailgate Party at Diamond Bear Brewery!
Party time is tonight from 5 - 7pm, and Larry's Pizza will be providing lots of delicious pizza, which can be washed down with free beverages from Diamond Bear.
Tell the men in your life to get busy and REGISTER! Then, come on down to 323 Cross Street in Little Rock for a rollicking good time with free refreshments, entertainment and prizes!

Do real men wear pink? Yes m'am they do--and you can see for yourself Saturday morning from 10 am to 2pm when the Dancing Firemen from the LRFD will be showing off their new uniforms for the Race, and also the men from the NLRFD will be showing off their wonderfully pink fire engine.
So if you haven't registered for the Race, that will be a GREAT excuse to get on over to the Race Space!

And, if you would like more ways to have fun this weekend, and still donate to Komen, here are a few ideas:

Crown Plaza Room for a Cure - Take Breast Cancer Lying Down!
October 1 - October 31, 2010

The Crown Plaza Hotel in Little Rock has decorated a guest room in all pink! Pink sheets, pink towels, pink rugs, everything pink! 50% of the $150 nightly rate will be donated to Komen for every night the room is booked. For more infomation, call the Crown Plaza Hotel at 501-223-3000.

Heather Owens Photography
October 1 - October 31

Heather Owens will donate 20% of the fees from a regular photo session and 20% of the fees from a mini-session on October 9th. Contact Heather for more information and to make an appointment at 501-786-0116.

Trivia Marketing Team T-Shirt Printing
October 1 - October 15

Trivia Marketing will donate $1 for every Race for the Cure Team t-shirt they print. Trivia Marketing also has design skills to help you develop your team name and t-shirt design. Call Todd Moen at 501-376-9999 for more information.

Bale Chevrolet 2011 Chevy Camaro 2LT Package with Pink Stripes
October 6 until....

Bale Chevrolet has produced a one of a kind 2011 white Camaro outfitted with pink stripes and the Komen Running Ribbon that is for sale. 100% of the profit after expenses will be donated to Komen. Call Bale Chevrolet for more details at 501-859-6262.

Have fun this weekend, and don't forget: with every registration we are closing in on moving up to being the 3rd largest race of its kind! The 17th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is NEXT weekend; make sure you and your loved ones are registered!

information

2010-10-07T09:56:00.004-05:00

In the last few days, I am sure you all have been made aware about a situation concerning a university and the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Vickey Metrailer, President of the Arkansas Affiliate Komen for the Cure Board, sent out a letter, which she has given permission to share with us on the blog. It is below:

Dear 2010 Race for the Cure Committee

Many of you have probably heard about or seen the media clips/blogs/facebook posts, etc. on yesterdays issue involving Harding University. First let me say that Harding has historically been very supportive of our affiliate, in particular hosting a walk on alumni weekend with proceeds sent to us. In addition, the president of Harding's wife is a breast cancer survivor and a RFTC participant.

Background Facts: NO national dollars or Arkansas Affiliate dollars go to Planned Parenthood. However, a few affiliates award grants to Planned Parenthood for clinical breast exams and mammograms. These grants are generally in areas where the Planned Parenthood clinic is the main medical provider for economic or geographic reasons. Komen dollars can only be used for breast health issues and all grants are carefully scrutinized to insure all dollars are being utilized properly.

Yesterday a Harding student demanded that items benefiting SGK for the Cure be removed from the bookstore shelves because of Komen's affiliation with Planned Parenthood. Somehow, Channel 4 and 7 were tipped off and covered the removal of items. Last night, Sherrye was on 4 and 7 accurately explaining the Komen/Planned Parenthood relationship and Sherrye has been interviewed today by 11 and KARK.

As of now, Sherrye has spoken to the President of Harding, the items are back on the shelves and Harding is issuing a statement supporting Komen.

Remember to register for the race.....we have a real opportunity to be #3 in the world.

As always, thanks for all you do.
Vickey

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We believe passionately in the work being done with breast cancer, and we appreciate your support, your generosity, and your faith in us.

countdown has begun....

2010-10-04T14:46:00.005-05:00

The countdown has begun! I hope everyone is just as excited as I am---the 17th annual Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure is less than 2 weeks away.

The Kids for the Cure race was held Sunday--over 500 children signed up to race around the Capitol grounds on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. A big thank you to all who participated; and kudos to all who volunteered to help.

This Friday will be the 5th annual 3 Miles of Men Tailgate Party! Are the men in your life signed up for 3MOM? This year the party will be at the Diamond Bear Brewery from 5-7pm, and Larry's Pizza will be providing great pizza and Diamond Bear the beverages. There will be prizes, music, and entertainment...so if your hotties aren't signed up, make sure they are by Friday!

Also, the 3MOM will get their own complimentary tee shirt when they register. On Race Day, the first 100 men to show up at the Capitol Smokehouse will get a free breakfast catered by the Smokehouse owners. Plus, they are directly on the Race route, so all the guys will have a great vantage point of cheering on the women racers as they come down Capitol Avenue.

Don't forget---the absolute easiest way to raise money for Komen? By simply texting the word KOMEN to 20222. You can text up to 3 times, and each time you do, you will donate $10 to the Komen foundation.

Last but not least, if you have friends or family who still need to register, they can go to the Race Space at the Pleasant Ridge West shopping center in west Little Rock (just behind Carino's.) We have lots of great volunteers just waiting to help everyone register, buy a few goodies or buy tickets to the Pasta Party! So stop by and visit won't you? We'd love to see you!

Kids, Shopping, & Being Pink

2010-09-29T11:59:00.009-05:00

Hi y'all--are you all getting ready? The Race for the Cure is almost here, and there are so many activities and events...

This weekend is going to be full!
Do you have your little ones registered for the Kids for the Cure? Their race will be this coming Sunday, October 3rd, from 2-4 pm, on the grounds of the State Capitol. There will be other activities going on, so please make plans to attend--your family will have a rollicky good time! You can also register at the event. We'd especially like to thank Burger King and KATV for their sponsorship of Kids for the Cure.

Are you looking for somewhere to register your children (or yourself), plus get a little Christmas shopping in on the side? Well, look no further than Komen's own Race Space! We are so excited to have the Race Space opening this Friday, October 1st, at 10 a.m. This year we are pleased to announce the Race Space will be in the Pleasant Ridge West Town Centre, (behind Carino's) at 11525 Cantrell in west Little Rock. The ladies at the Boutique (at the Race Space) have all kinds of wonderful pink ribbon items! You can choose from picture frames, jewelry, t-shirts, glasses, sweatshirts, bags, etc. A good way to get started on your holiday shopping; plus you are donating to a great cause.

While you are there, don't forget to register the men in your family for the 3 Miles of Men. They will get their own t-shirt; plus, they get a tailgate party October 8th at Diamond Bear brewery with plenty of Larry's Pizza to boot! And on Race Day, the first 100 men who show up at the Capitol Smokehouse will get a free breakfast. I work across the street from the Smokehouse--they are a nice bunch of folks who serve up some pretty good 'cue!

So get your racing shoes broken in--you're going to need some comfortable footwear with all the activities we have planned between now and October 16th! (If you need some new tennies, make a beeline to Go Running! They will help you out with some great new gear for Race day.)

Last but not least--be sure to wear PINK on Friday, October 1st. Why? Because our very own governor Mike Beebe has declared Friday to be Arkansas Go Pink For the Cure Day! He is encouraging all Arkansans to wear pink to promote efforts for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Please let everyone in your life know this by passing along this info to your family, friends, churches, businesses--let's cover this state in PINK on Friday, October 1st!

WE > ME; let's band together and be each other's WE and support each other in the search for a cure.

I'm going PINK, are you?

Hot Time in the City

2010-09-16T08:21:00.006-05:00

A question:
What do firemen and Race for the Cure have in Common?

Answer: First off, let me give a big shout out to the wonderful fire fighters who responded to an apartment fire at my complex last night---they came in (6 trucks!!) and proceeded to tackle the fire which they contained very quickly. Guys- Great job! But, all the while I'm standing there watching them work, I'm thinking, "WOW! These guys are REALLY hot (yes, I actually thought that!) I wonder if these will be the Dancing Firemen that have been the "Hot Spot" during the Race for the Cure?!" Whew, if they are--ladies, we are in for a treat!! 3 Miles of Men, all I can say, your work is cut out for you--the competition is on!

And with that, let's catch up with the latest Komen news hot off the presses!

A month from today--can you believe it--people from all over will be pounding the streets of Little Rock-NLR for the 17th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Have you registered yet? Teams offline registrations are due today, so Team Captains, if you have paper registration forms for your team, please get your info and money to us ASAP--thanks!

Yesterday we had our last meeting at the Komen offices before the Race--next month we will be meeting during Race Week at the Race Space. Your Komen committee members have been on fire getting preparations ready for the Race.

Another big shout out goes to the volunteers who have worked so hard getting the shirts folded and ready for mailouts; to Donna's friends from AT&T who helped get the warehouse ready for us; the people who located the warehouse for us to use; to Trane for the cooling systems--thank you all! If you would like to volunteer to help at the warehouse (2225 Cantrell, by Cajun's) or to sign up to help at the Race Space, contact the Komen offices.

Also, thank you goes to Regional Recycling who has signed up to be not only a sponsor, but will bring pink recycling containers on Race Day. So don't throw away those plastic water & food containers--look for the pink bins!

Also, big thank yous to Kristi & Windstream for mailing out the fundraising tee shirts. (Want one? Raise at least $150, send in the money to Komen, and you'll receive a great shirt! the more $$ you raise, the better chances you have for winning some fabulous prizes!)

Needing to work off some of those summer pounds? Fitness for a Cure is happening Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6:30-7;30pm at War Memorial Stadium. The online fitness program, which is new this year, has 322 participants signed on! (Debbie Hall--I'm rooting for you!)

And if you are walking around downtown -- take a ride on our bus! CATA has a pink & white Komen bus this year, decorated with our theme "WE > ME". It looks great.

The Kids for the Cure has 230 children registered so far! If you have kids 12 and under, be sure to note October 3rd on your calendars. The Kids for the Cure race will be happening that day at 2pm on the State Capitol grounds. A fun time will be had by all! If you would like to volunteer, or have a booth for the event, please let the Komen office know.

And, if you have money just burning a hole in your pocket--the Race Space will be opening on Friday, October 1st! The space this year will be in the Pleasant Ridge West Shopping Centre on Cantrell (behind Carino's). The Boutique ladies assure us there will be great Komen products again this year. Remember--Christmas isn't too far away--you can do some Yuletide shopping now AND help a good cause. Volunteers are also needed to man the Space--if you can help in the afternoons during the week, we would love it! (Who knows--maybe some of those hot firemen will stop by to register for 3 Miles of Men!)

Speaking of 3MOM, ladies--please encourage your hotties to sign up. We are looking for more groups to entertain the Race participants--if your group juggles, plays music, has dancing firemen, whatever your talent--we want YOU! come join in the fun October 16th.

3 Miles of Men will have a Tailgate Party hosted by Diamond Bear brewery on October 8th, and, on Race morning, Capitol Smokehouse will be serving up breakfast, topped off with Craig O'Neill as the emcee. And, with The Buzz 103.7 on board as well for the Race, a fun time is guaranteed!

Also,word on the street is that Arkansas' own Governor, Mike Beebe, has started his own 3MOM team this year; Republicans--you going to let the Democrats one up you? Green Party, Tea Party--show your spirit as well!

Paint the Town Pink has had a few businesses showing their pink spirit already. If your business would like to donate time on your electronic billboard for Komen, we would love to have you sign on!

And if you really want to get the word out to your customers, "Adopt a Block" and "Tinkled Pink" are some really good ways to have 45,000+ potential customers see your advertising during the Race. Contact Komen for more information.

Remember too--that after the race, all these runners/walkers will be hungry and thirsty. So Restaurant people, participate in "Put a Fork In It". You will get LOTS of business & help Komen at the same time!

Speaking of food, the Pasta Party people are putting some final touches on their preparations. They do still need some "hot boxes". If you have any items you would like to donate for the silent auction that night, we'd love to hear from you.

More food-yummmmm! We want to thank Golden Corral for catering to our Survivors again this year. Also, the Survivors Luncheon volunteers are looking for wicker baskets, door prizes, and items for goody bags; if you would like to donate any, please let us know.

If the thought of all this food is going straight to your hips, The Little Rock Marathon people have a deal for you. Sign up to do the Marathon for the Cure when you sign up for the 2011 Little Rock Marathon (or half marathon, relay team, or 5K). You can raise funds for Komen as you run/walk the marathon. Training is going on now to get participants in shape; contact Komen or the Little Rock Marathon organizers for more info. 17 people have signed up so far--why not join them?

Finally, big hugs and much sympathy for our Chair, Donna Easley, and her family. Donna's father recently passed away. Donna, we know he is so proud of you--and you can bet he's going to be watching all the activities on October 16th with your mom from the best seat in the house.

Teams--this is it!

2010-09-15T16:51:00.003-05:00

Team Captains--
Are you ready?
Do you have your spreadsheets all done?
Just a gentle reminder-- the deadline for turning in the offline registrations with your spreadsheet is September 16th. Which, by my calendar, is less than 24 hours now!

If you need help--please contact us at teams@komenarkansas.org
and we will be happy to answer questions.

Online registrations have until October 1st if you want your shirt mailed directly to you; October 13th to pick up your shirt at the Race Space. (Which opens October 1st in the Pleasant Ridge West Shopping Centre behind Carino's.)

Now, get those registrations in and then relax. (But not for too long--Tbyrd is expecting you at War Memorial stadium!)

Ice Ice Baby

2010-09-10T13:51:00.006-05:00

Wow--hasn't this been a hot summer?!

How would you like to cool down a bit this weekend? Come on over to Arkansas Skatium this Sunday, September 12, for a really special treat.

The Diamond Edge Figure Skating Club, along with Baptist Health, is sponsoring the 10th annual Skate for the Cure from 1 to 4 pm. This event, which benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, will feature a short exhibition show by up and coming national pairs ice champions Ashley Cain and Josh Reagan.

So strap on your pink skates, break out your parka and head over to 1311 Bowman Road in Little Rock this Sunday. Admission to the event is $10, of which $8 goes to Komen. Even if you've never skated before, you'll be having a lot of fun while raising money for the fight against breast cancer.

See you there!

Fitness for the Cure

2010-09-05T22:08:00.003-05:00

All right Ladies--

This is Labor Day weekend; we know everyone has enjoyed lots of your sweetie's barbecue, your gramma's chocolate pie, and washed everything down with sweet tea!

So, your jeans feeling a bit snug about now?? Well, Komen has just the solution for you!
Join us Tuesday Sept. 7th at 6:30pm at War Memorial Stadium--Tbyrd will have you walking those pounds off in no time.

The 2nd annual Fitness for a Cure begins this week, and you can join in as we walk, run, and learn great new tips about exercise and fitness.
Simply register online for $10, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the next 6 weeks Tbyrd and friends will help you get ready for the Komen Race for the Cure.

Live outside of Central Arkansas? New this year is a free online fitness program for those not able to make it to War Memorial.

For more information check out the Komen website, www.komenarkansas.org.
See you Tuesday!

Stop the presses!

2010-08-11T13:15:00.010-05:00

Several folks from Komen were on the road this morning announcing the formal Kick Off for the 2010 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure.

On KATV, the design winner for the Kids Race for the Cure shirts, Owen Silzer, was on their morning program. And over at Today's THV, Matt Propst and Errin Dean were promoting 3 Miles of Men.

Then, at 10:30 on this warm summer day, Donna Easley, Sherrye McBryde, Anthony Lucas, Herren Hickingbotham and Ed Drilling announced that the 2010 Race for the Cure was open for business!

There is a great need in our poor rural state for mammograms. There are 25 counties in Arkansas that do not have fixed mammography services. Thanks to a new mobile mammography unit through UAMS, over 1000 women in 11 of those counties have been able to get mammograms and 9 were diagnosed with breast cancer. That is 9 lives saved! With your support, hopefully in the near future, all 75 counties in Arkansas will have access to mammograms for their residents.

A new way for everyone to donate this year is by texting the word "Komen" to 20222. $10 will be donated each time. You may text 3 times, but don't forget to save one of those times for Race Day!

To find more information about Race Day, please go to www.komenarkansas.org. Please sign up for the Race for the Cure while you are there.

And if you think you're not in shape to do the race, just think again! Tjuana Byrd (Tbyrd), for the 2nd year in a row, is heading the Fitness for a Cure at War Memorial stadium on Tuesdays & Thursdays starting September 7th. The cost is $10, and you can sign up when you register for the race. If you don't live in Central Arkansas, but still would like to participate, there will be a free online Fitness program as well.

You can sign up as a runner, a walker, or if you like sleeping in, you can still register and get a tee shirt to sleep in on Race Day!

And get the guys in your life involved as well. 3 Miles of Men is a great way to get them on our team. They get a snazzy shirt, free tailgate party at Diamond Bear Brewery with free pizza from Larry's Pizza & beer from Diamond Bear! And, they get to hobnob with our very own former Razorback Anthony Lucas.... I think I hear my family now logging on to register!

The most important thing, though, is you being a part of the Komen family. With all of us working together, we are greater than just one.

WE > ME

Join us, won't you?

Press Conference

2010-08-10T16:35:00.004-05:00

Extra! Extra! Komen Arkansas to hold Press Conference!

Be there on August 11 as Donna Easely and the rest of the Komen crew holds the Komen Race for the Cure Kick Off press conference at the History Pavilion by the Junction Bridge, just to the left of the base of the Bridge on the Little Rock side (in Riverfront Park).

It will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday morning and we hope to see you there!

Remember, WE > Me; let's make it a reality!

sizzlin' news

2010-07-22T14:17:00.014-05:00

I am staring out the window, watching the clouds going by. It looks cool and peaceful, but we all know that isn't the case--summer is sizzling out there--and so are the Komen folks! They are buzzing about like bees, so let's jump in and get started with all the news.....

We had our July meeting yesterday (July?! already?) and we had some proud grandmothers announcing the births of their newest grandchildren! Sherrye McBryde and family welcomed grandson Miller (photo below) this week and Shelia Vaught's family welcomed a brand new granddaughter. Congratulations all! It was good to see Amy Treadway back in the fold--lots of hugs to you, Amy.

Now, down to business:
Kids for the Cure design contest has a winner--Owen, a preschooler from the Anthony School. Thanks to our judges from Channel 7 and Burger King for choosing the winner. There were some awesome designs, so I know the judges had a hard time just picking one. Be sure to look for Owen's drawing on the website. Don't forget, the Kids' Race for the Cure will be October 3rd on the State Capitol grounds. Kids who register will get a tee shirt with Owen's winning design. Click here to see the design.

On Sunday, July 18th, Mary Margaret and her crew held an awesome Team Captains Party at the Patrick Henry Hays Center in North Little Rock. Around 150-200 team captains were there to gather Race information, eat Papa John's pizza and win door prizes generously donated by Dillard's! We appreciate Channel 7, Today's THV, and Fox 16 for covering the event. A good time was had by all. If you weren't able to attend Sunday's soiree, please visit the Komen website at www.komenarkansas.org for all the latest news, registration info, blogs, and Facebook pages.

TByrd and her group will continue Fitness for a Cure this year, along with an online Fitness Program for those who do not live here in Central Arkansas. To register for the program here, please register and pay your $10 online. This is limited to the first 500 people. The online program will be no charge.

Changes for the Pasta Party include an earlier starting time at 5:30 pm, up a half hour from previous years. Why the change? Well, you'll just have to be patient and keep an eye on the website! We do need items for the Silent Auction, so if you would like to donate something, please contact us at Komen. Thanks! We're also looking for one or two portable cooktops to borrow.

August is just around the corner, and that means you will find Donna, Sherrye, Emily and many others gathering at the Junction Bridge for the Kickoff Press Conference. Join us, won't you, at 10:30 a.m. on August 11th? We'll see you there.

Men! Registration for 3 Miles of Men is now open! What do you get when you register? A smokin' hot 3MOM tee shirt, and a chance to entertain, encourage and amuse 45,000+ ladies! There's also a Tailgate Party, hosted by Diamond Bear Brewery, which will be happening on October 8th. Contact Matt Propst at mjpropst@pinnaclebsi.com for all the 3MOM happenings!

Tinkled Pink--who doesn't smile at that? Let's encourage our teams to plonk down $100 to be decorators for the day! I know I visited a decorated port-a-potty last year--and even tho I knew that there was a line outside, I had to linger a bit to check out all the pictures & chotchkes that were inside. It certainly tinkled me pink!

Errin Dean had lots of news for us at this gathering. First off, did you know that you can now raise money for Komen by texting? Send "KOMEN" to 20222 and you will have instantly donated $10. You may text up to 3 times, $10 each time. Remember to save 1 of those times so you can text in and donate on Race Day, October 16th.

And if you are visiting any of your doctors between now and September 6 2010, encourage them to be involved with "Doctors for The Cure". For $1000, your doctor will have their name included & prominently displayed at the Survivor Luncheon and Breakfast; they will have their name included in the recognition of "Doctors for the Cure" on the Komen website; they will receive a "Doctors for the Cure" tee shirt, and will also receive a framed certificate of appreciation for participating in the program. For more information contact Amy Treadway or Donna Easley, and encourage all your doctors to be involved.

Also, for $1,000, your business, team, you, anyone can have their name or logo painted on a block along the race route. A pretty inexpensive way to have at least 45,000 potential customers!

The Hot Pink Heroes Luncheon was held June 30th at Cajun's. The people honored were the top fundraisers for last year's race. Honorees included Danielle Smith, who holds "Ropin' For A Cure" every year in memory of her late mother B.J. This year the top 5 fundraisers will win some fabulous prizes--so join in the fun! For starters, $150 will get you a fabulous pink & white "We > Me" tee shirt. A spiffy way to stay cool and stylish while raising money, doncha think?!

And this summer and fall, while you are riding the CATA buses around town, be sure to look for our Komen breast cancer awareness messages inside all the buses and trolleys.

Stay cool!

Peace & hugs,

Judi

Party!

2010-07-17T17:38:00.004-05:00

where will the hippest, coolest place be on Sunday, July 18th?

Why, the Komen Team Captain Party! Come join us for lots of fun, information, and maybe a door prize or two.
The party gets underway at 2pm at the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Center in North Little Rock, and lasts no later than 4pm.
Dress comfortably and casually, and come meet with other team captains, ask questions, learn about activities and events centered around the Race for the Cure.

Log on www.komenarkansas.org to for more information and to download your 2010 Team Captain kit.

We are looking forward to meeting with everyone!
remember, WE > Me.
Let's team up to beat breast cancer once & for all.

Cheers--

Judi

Circle of Life

2010-06-30T08:15:00.001-05:00

Life is a circle; while some are rejoicing new beginnings, others may be mourning an ending...and so it goes with our Komen family.
We would like to extend our condolences to Amy Treadway Iacaboni in the loss of her husband, Vince, and to Sue Mosely in the loss of her mother.

As the circle goes round, we are ecstatic to learn that our Elizabeth in the Komen office is pregnant!

And as the circle continues, we are proud to announce that Online Registration just opened! Jill Winholt explains in an email:

First stop is www.komenarkansas.org. Look around and see what's going on with the affiliate. When you're ready, place your cursor over Komen Race for the Cure so that the menu pops up below. From there, click on Race Information and then Team Information on the right of the next page. This will take you to the Teams page where you can find all of the information you should need regarding teams. Be sure to download the Team Captain Kit.

When you're ready, click on Register on the left side of the page. If you are going to be the Team Captain, you will need to register first and get the team set up. Then your team members can join the team. Of course, this is assuming that you are registering online. If not, information is in the Kit to register offline.

Also, we have a team blog that you might want to check out: http://arrftcteams.blogspot.com and we are on facebook with a group for captains: AR RFTC Team Captains. We also have pages on facebook for the affiliate and Three Miles of Men: Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Arkansas and Komen for the Cure Arkansas- 3 Miles of Men.

Yell if you have any questions. Email us at teams@komenarkansas.org. Or better yet--join us for the Team Captains' Party on July 18th! It will be at the Patrick Henry Hayes Senior Center in North Little Rock at 2pm.

And if you get all hot & thirsty waiting for the party, stop by Planet Smoothie and pick up a Pink Promise Smoothie. Part of the proceeds will go to Komen.

Erin Dean, our Sponsorship chair (and Soiree Cover Girl!) announced that sponsorship is going well. The AT&T Pioneers have raised $3000 as well. We are looking for more Race Friends and Block sponsors. If you or your company would like more info, please contact Komen and we will be happy to help you.

Our very own Elizabeth Owens who blogs for us at Komenarkansasblog.com has been contacted by Better Homes & Gardens for a feature. Elizabeth is looking for more survivor stories, personal stories, etc. Please contact her with your information. Who knows? You may be reading about yourself or your family/friends in an upcoming issue.

The Kids for a Cure tee shirt contest drew 280 entries....a lot of talented young artists, which makes it so hard to choose a winning entry. Don't forget their race will be October 3rd on the State Capitol grounds.

The press conference will be Wednesday, August 11, on the Junction Bridge at 10:30 a.m. Please be there to support Komen!

If you have a business with an electronic billboard or sign, think about posting Komen Race info on them during the month of October. We want to Paint the Town Pink! Please contact Donna Easley if you would like to volunteer your billboard or sign.

Teaser Alert! The Survivor Luncheon this year after the Race? Be on the lookout for disco balls! That's all I'm sayin....

We would like to get restaurants signed up for this year's Put A Fork in It. Restaurants who participate pledge a certain amount of their profits on Race Day towards Komen. So be sure to go nosh at those restaurants on Race Day! A list of the participating establishments will be published at a later date.

And, if you want to be fit and in fighting form for the Race this year, Fitness for the Cure with our own Tjuana Byrd will be back for the 2nd year in a row! New this year for the Fitness Byrds: there will be a $10 fee to sign up. However, if you can't make it to LR to participate, there will be a Virtual Fitness Training online that will be of no cost. This allows those ladies who live out of town to join in the program without all the traveling to and fro.
How do you register for the Fitness program? When you register for the Race, there will be a space on the form for you to choose.

Don't forget the Team Captains Party on July 18. We are looking forward to welcoming new and old friends into our circle.

Activism

2010-06-10T13:06:00.005-05:00

Recently, several states had primary runoffs to see who will be on the slate for the elections in November. Now, I don't know if your candidates are in the winner's circle, but I hope you took part, either by voting or volunteering for a candidate or cause.

Don't you wish beating cancer and other diseases were this easy--just casting a vote? But, it doesn't matter what the cause is, everything starts with a single step. Someone deciding that life can be made better, so they step forward to do something.
Won't you step forward, and help us find a cure for cancer?
It can be as easy as donating your time or money. Be a Team Captain. Urge your friends & family to join your team or be Team Captains themselves.

Today I received an email from Jennifer Luray at the Komen Advocacy Alliance. This is part of the email:

"Cancer screening and treatment programs around the country are at risk of being cut if Congress doesn't move quickly on a bill that would extend enhanced federal funding for Medicaid.
Women's lives are at stake. Without the extension, states will have to make deep cuts into core public health services and vital services like mammography and treatments like surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Loss of these services could be detrimental to women without private insurance.
Take action today and urge your legislators to extend enhanced federal funding for Medicaid, so we can protect women's access to cancer screening and treatment services."

"If these cuts happen, thousands of otherwise-eligible women will be unable to get regular screenings, leading to later diagnoses, more advanced cancers, and lower chances of survival – and leading to higher expenses for federal and state budgets down the road.
We understand the difficult budget environment but in this case women's lives are literally at stake. Your legislators need to know that their constituents support this funding. Now's your chance to tell them how important this is to you!"

Please, contact your legislator and urge them to extend the Medicaid funding.

Remember, We > me.

And it all starts with a single step.....

Lazy days of Summer? NOT!

2010-06-08T09:00:00.003-05:00

Summer has arrived! Lest you think your RFTC committee is out tanning by the side of the pool, think again--Donna has us busy as bees! Fundraising, organizing, getting the registration site ready for operation, just all kinds of good things.

In case you haven't gotten a Team Captain letter, go to the link listed here and read all the good happenings that are coming your way!

http://www.komenarkansas.org/assets/images/team-captain-letter.pdf

Don't forget the Team Captains' Party which is July 18th at 2pm! We will be looking forward to seeing old friends and new.

Looking for something for the kids to do this month? Check out the Kids for the Cure^® t-shirt design contest which is being sponsored by Burger King & KATV Channel 7.

The Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is hosting a T-shirt design contest for the Kids for the Cure^® program, part of this year’s Arkansas Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock on October 16, 2010. Kids will have the opportunity to register for the Race as a Kids for the Cure^® participant.

The Arkansas Affiliate invites children 12 and under to submit an original drawing for our Kids for the Cure® T-shirt. The winning artwork will be used as the signature design on the 1,500 T-shirts ordered for this program.
The rules for the competition are:

Artwork must be submitted on 8 ½” x 11” white paper or cardstock and mailed flat (folded paper cannot be formatted for T-shirt printing) to Komen Race for the Cure, 904 Autumn Road, Ste 500, Little Rock, AR 72211, by Monday, June 14.

Incorporating the theme of this year’s Race: “we > me” is suggested.

Design should incorporate the Komen pink ribbon somewhere in the art.

Only markers should be used in the artworks. Do not use crayons or colored pencils, as they do not transfer well onto T-shirts.

On the back of the artwork, please include the following in pencil:
Designer’s Name and Age
Name of school
Year in school
Home address
Parent or Guardian’s name
Contact telephone number and email address

By submitting a design, the designer and the designer’s parent or guardian consent to the entries becoming the property of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and agree to the entry being used for promotional purposes. Entries will not be returned.

The winners and their parents or guardians will be asked to attend the 2K Family Walk on October 16, 2010, as part of the Race Festivities. The entries will be judged by a panel of judges based upon creativity, neatness and the overall spirit of the Race for the Cure®. The judges’ decision is final.

Funds from the Race for the Cure® are used to help eliminate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease and are used for education, screening, treatment and research programs.

*Hard copies of this are available at the following participating Burger King locations:
Benton: Congo Road Bryant: Reynolds Road
Cabot: Bill Foster Memorial Hwy, West Main Hot Springs: Central Ave, Grant Ave
Little Rock: Rodney Parham, East Broadway, Chenal Parkway, Cantrell, Col. Glenn
Malvern: Martin Luther King Blvd
North Little Rock: East McCain, Camp Robinson Road, Maumelle Blvd
Pine Bluff: North Blake Street, Olive Street
Sheridan: Hwy 167
Sherwood: East Kiehl

New for 2010--the Team Captains Facebook group! This will take the place of the 2009 Race's Komen Captains. The group name is "AR RFTC Team Captains."
While you are browsing Facebook, don't forget to check out our other pages--"Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Arkansas" and the "Komen for the Cure Arkansas--3 Miles of Men."

Danielle Smith held her annual "Ropin' for a Cure" over Memorial Day weekend in Rosebud, AR. It was a great event and raised lots of money. Everyone had a great time. Way to go, Danielle!

The next committee meeting will be June 16 at noon.

For other information and upcoming events, you can follow our blog. If you have a Komen event, please let us know!

Have a fun summer!

Kids for the Cure

2010-05-28T15:39:00.004-05:00

Kids for the Cure t-shirt contest is open!
Click here to download the 2010 Kids for the Cure t-shirt design contest rules. Children 12 and under. Deadline June 14. Sponsored by KATV Channel 7 and Burger King.

Also, save the date! First Kids for the Cure event to be held on October 3.

Have a great and safe weekend,
Jill

Lovely (and busy!) Month of May 2010

2010-05-27T09:00:00.004-05:00

Hi y'all!

This has been a very busy month for us all, and summer hasn't even started yet! I want to thank Jill for covering for me at last month's meeting--thank you so much. I did get to attend the latest meeting, which was last Wednesday, May 19th.

I love listening to Donna Easley talk--she began by telling us about the Arkansas Travelers' Mother's Day game. The Travelers all wore pink jerseys, which were auctioned off after the game. She was modeling one for us- If you want one, save your pennies & come next year for your chance at a stylin' pink jersey!

Note from Jill: Above, Donna (right) is sporting the 2009 jersey while I (left) was honored to be presented with the new 2010 style jersey. Thank you, Donna!!!! Below, Donna is chair of the 17th Race (2010) and I will chair the 18th Race (2011). Fun times!!!!!!!

In case you haven't seen it already, our 2010 Race theme this year is (drum roll, please):

we > me

Just think about this--we can accomplish so much more as a team than just 1 person. There is so much strength when two or more are in this together. So, how can you accomplish this? Simple: become a Team Captain. Encourage your whole team to fundraise. Volunteer. Join together as a team to find a cure for breast cancer. This year is even more personal for me as one of my "church mommas" has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. So I will be there with my church, my team, and you all to help find a cure for this disease. "Bring it on breast cancer...we've got the passion and the power to take you down!"

Watch this video from the creative minds at Thoma Thoma. Specific details about the race will be sent next week. Use this link to watch on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGzQXTQVfs).

And we are happy to report that the Sponsorship committee is doing an outstanding job obtaining donations this year. Thanks to so many of you all, and to new Sponsors such as Go Running, that just opened up in the Heights. They will be a sponsor for the "27 minutes and under" runners so go visit the good folks at Go Running and support them. They have lots of great merchandise. Check them out when you go shopping for your RFTC gear.

Alana Harris is sending out the Team Captains Newsletter -- she worked really hard on it, and it is chock full of great information for all the Team Captains. So be on the lookout for your copy.

Such items include:
The Team Captain Kick-Off Party which will be July 18, 2010 at 2pm at the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Citizens Center in North Little Rock. "This will be a time to ask questions, visit with other team captains, learn more about activities leading up to the Race, and learn what a vital role you can play when it comes to educating people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cures."

New for 2010 concerning Teams Communication, announcements will be made through two methods of communication:
1) The Team Captain Facebook group! This will take the place of the 2009 Komen Captains. If you are looking for us on Facebook, the group name is "AR RFTC Team Captains." While you are on Facebook (and we know you are!) be sure to become a fan of these great pages: "Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Arkansas" (We now have over 10,000 fans!) and "Komen for the Cure Arkansas- 3 Miles of Men" (they have over 400 fans on Facebook!)
2) You can also follow our blog designed specifically for our Team Captains at http://arrfcteams.blogspot.com. Here you will find general team info, list of upcoming activities, and tips to help you Race for the Cure! Some of the hot topics include Fundraising Ideas, Recruiting team members, Team Captains Members, Team Captains blog, Team Captains Facebook group, Team Registration, Team SPIRIT!! and, last but not least, prizes!

We are still looking for door prizes, so please let us know if you have some that you or your group or business would like to donate.

Other news going on:
"Kids for the Cure" will be looking for a new design for this year's race. Information has been sent out to Benton schools and the LR schools. Burger King, as a sponsor for the event, will put Kids for the Cure t-shirt contest rules in their kids' meal boxes. Oct. 3rd will be the first ever event for Kids for the Cure. It will be a race of about one mile and will take place on the State Capitol grounds. More details later.

The Pasta Party people are looking for ways to have Macaroni Grill prepare the food for the party directly at Dickey Stephens Park; if you have any ideas or equipment they can borrow, please contact us. Thanks!

The Arkansas Affiliate has won another award! From the Wesley Chapel United Method Church comes the "Outstanding Womens Service Award". Awesome! What dedicated folks we have--you all get gold stars.

Finally, don't forget to mark your calendars for Sept. 12! Arkansas Skatium on Bowman will host their annual fundraiser for Komen, Skate for the Cure, by showcasing up and coming talents from the ice skating world. The cost is $10 to get in, with $8 going to Komen.

So much info, but so much fun! Thanks again to Jill for covering for me last month.

Peace and Hugs,
--
Judi
royalpinkbeatle@gmail.com

p.s. Don't forget Ropin' 4 a Cure at Smith Arena in Rose Bud this Saturday and Sunday. Click here for details.

April 2010

2010-05-18T12:13:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the delay in reporting to you on the latest Race Committee meeting. It has been crazy!

The meeting was held on Wednesday, April 21, and started with tears and laughter with the showing of the 2009 Race video. You can access it here. You might want to have your tissue handy.

Donna issued a challenge to have 10,000 "people who like us" (fans was much easier to type) in Facebook by the end of April. If you're a facebooker, please join us at Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Arkansas.

Melissa and Wade with Thoma & Thoma were our special guests today.

They have been working with Donna on this year's theme and have lots of exciting plans. The theme, you ask?

The grants luncheon took place on March 31. $1.2 million were given to 24 grantees. Sherrye also reported that UAMS has been given a Promise Grant from national in collaboration with several other organizations to give a "vaccine" to women considered high risk for breast cancer. Is the CURE around the corner?????

Committee Reports:

Online Fundraising is working on the Hot Pink Heroes Luncheon, t-shirts and prizes.

E-Chair - please let Ann know if you have anything to communicate. Angela is looking for stories about interesting people for the blog.

Sponsorship has certainly been busy recruiting new and returning sponsors for the Race. Channel 7 will be on stage this year. Thanks to Thoma & Thoma, we have a beautiful color sponsorship brochure this year, and we have added some special sponsorship opportunities. A new addition this year is a Kids for the Cure sponsor, Burger King. This announcement was made by Ann Brown in costume.

Another new sponsorship this year is the Block Adoptions. This sponsorship provides the company/organization/individual with a 3' x 5' banner of their logo in the intersection of their designated block. The cost is $1000. Let us know if you are interested.

Kids for the Cure is working on a new event this year--an actual race for the kids! We don't have details yet, but this will NOT be on Race Day. Kickoff of the t-shirt contest will take place at Dino Dash and we will be contacting school art teachers to encourage them to have their students participate.

Training Program - Tbyrd promises that participants will do the race at a whole new level. Walkers to joggers to runners to racers. They will work on both health and fitness. The 6-week program will begin just after Labor Day and will meet at War Memorial Stadium on Tuesdays and Thursdays with one Wednesday. There will be a $10 fee.

Three Miles of Men has also issued a Facebook challenge to have 400 "people who like us" by the end of April. Again, if you are a facebooker, please join us at Komen for the Cure Arkansas- 3 Miles of Men.

Put a Fork In It is looking for new and returning restaurants to participate. Also, KFC currently has a promo with their Buckets for a Cure. For every pink bucket, they will donate 50 cents to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. A KFC in Lexington, KY painted their store pink. You can also go to www.bucketsforacure.com and post a breast cancer story or message.

Executive Director Report:
Sherrye reported that BreastCare has less money for their program. We are working on public policy......
Kelly Kreth received the National Co-survivor Award.
The Travs will once again auction pink jerseys at their game on Mothers Day at Dickey Stephens Park.

The meeting closed with Donna presenting door prizes to Melissa and Wade--no, not the crown.

I know that Judi's reports are more exciting, but she was unable to attend. Pray that she is healthy and available for the next meeting.

Jill

Mother's Day Weekend Events

2010-05-07T09:12:00.003-05:00

Plans for the weekend?

If not, check out the Diamonds and the Travelers games this weekend. Both are doing something to benefit Komen!

The Arkansas Diamonds Arena Football Game
Saturday, May 8th
7:00 PM
Verizon Arena, North Little Rock
A portion of ticket sales are being donated to the AR Affiliate

The Arkansas Travelers Baseball Game
Sunday, May 9th
2:00 PM
Dickey Stephens Park, North Little Rock
The players will be wearing pink jerseys that will be autographed and auctioned - with all proceeds benefiting Komen.

Happy Mother's Day,
Jill

Very Important Dates

2010-04-15T13:56:00.003-05:00

Yes, it is spring here in Arkansas.
How can we tell? The flowers are popping up all over, and the Komen calendar is beginning to bloom with all sorts of activities!

This weekend, April 17 -18, the 3rd annual Kick for the Cure Adult Soccer Tournament will be held at Burns Park in North Little Rock. Komen will have an education booth set up during the tournament and we are in need of volunteers to help staff it. If you are interested, the shifts are:
9 AM to Noon - Need 1 or 2 people
Noon - 5 PM - Need 1 or 2 people
Please let Emily Story know if you are interested in volunteering this weekend. You may contact her at
(501) 202-4399
(501) 975-2502 fax or http://www.komenarkansas.org/

If you can't volunteer, then take your family out for a fun weekend. All the proceeds will benefit the Arkansas Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation.

Don't put your calendars away just yet--for on May 29- May 30, 2010 at the Smith Arena in Rose Bud, Arkansas, Danielle Smith will be hosting Ropin' 4 a Cure! This event, in memory of her mother Betty Smith, promises lots of action as cowboys dressed in Pink will be lassoing their hearts out for a good cause.
For more information please email smith.arena@yahoo.com or go to their website at http://www.smitharena.com/
Again, all proceeds will go toward the Arkansas Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Then as we go through summer, we gear up for our highly anticipated Team Captains' Party!
The Party will be at the Patrick Henry Hays Center in North Little Rock at 2 pm. We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces there, as well as welcoming all the new Team Captains.

Remember to keep this date circled in pink on your calendar:
October 16, 2010--the 17th annual Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure will be happening in downtown Little Rock!

We will have more activities coming your way, so leave plenty of room on your datebook.

Now, go out and enjoy those flowers!

peace & hugs,
Judi
royalpinkbeatle@gmail.com

Beginnings....

2010-04-05T16:16:00.003-05:00

Spring is here; change is in the air; and are you ready to get running? I hope so, because Donna Easley, our 2010 Chair, held the first Committee meeting on March 17th to begin planning the 2010 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure. Everyone met at the Komen affiliate office, and Papa John's once again provided us with their delicious pizza.
Donna reminded everyone, first and foremost, to take care of you. Remember, that is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Then we headed off into Race Committee introductions, and afterwards, the reporting began fast & furious.
Ellen Kreth, 2009 Race Chair, announced that we raised almost $2 million, and over 45,000 people registered for the 2009 Race. She then reminded everyone that 75% of all money raised stays here in Arkansas, and the other 25% goes to National, but it all goes toward research.

By the time we'd had our first meeting, $112,000 had been raised already--which is a good start toward our goal this year of $2 million.
We'd also like to mention that Ellen's husband, Kelly, has won a Komen National Co-Survivor award. This is one of 6 National Awards given out by Komen each year. Yeah Kelly! Ellen wrote a very touching letter about Kelly's support and love for her when she was diagnosed and through her treatment.

The Sponsorship committee reported that they have a new sponsorship packet, which Thoma Thoma produced this year. Many of our great sponsors have returned this year such as Papa John's and Kimberly-Clark. Russell LeMay will be sponsoring the Port a Potties.
A change for this year: a new program called Block Adoption. We will have 33 blocks offered for $1000 each. These blocks will be printed with the sponsors' business logos along the Race route. So if you know of a business who would like to sponsor a block, please let us know. This is a quick and easy way to get your business' logo out to at least 45,000 racers.
Mark your calendars: The Team Captains Party will be July 18th at the Patrick Henry Hays Center in North Little Rock. Last year's party was set up as a health fair/pep rally, and it was such a success that the same format will be used again. We do need 10 door prizes for the Team Captains Party. (Side note: I was a Team Captain last year, and I won the pearl necklace earring set that was donated by JC Penney. You wouldn't believe all the compliments I get whenever I wear them.) If you have an item you would like to donate, please contact us.
The committee for "Because I Care" is thinking of changing the name, as some people are confused by what it means. So that committee will be busy thinking of new names while they are also doing more work to simplify online fundraising.
They would also like to work with the Teams Committee to start a mentoring program for Team Captains to increase fundraising participation. If anyone has any ideas about this--please let us know. Being a Team Captain can be a bit confusing at times, and so having someone to contact to ask about registrations, shirts, etc. would be a great help. Stay tuned for more info.
The Race Brochure will be circulated at the next meeting for all to make necessary changes.
Ellen started a great new Training program last year as an opportunity for Race participants to get in shape for the race. They will offer it again this year, and Tjuana Byrd (TByrd) has agreed to chair the program again. (Go TByrd!) (Another side note: I ran into a sorority sister I hadn't seen in quite some time because her mother & I both participated in the fitness program last fall.)
The 2010 Pasta Party is planned for Dickey-Stephens Park on October 15th; they are working to improve the sound system so that everyone will be able to hear.
The Registration committee has lots of new faces that will be helping out at the Race Space, which will again be at the Pleasant Ridge Shopping Centre. Think about having your team volunteer this year at the Race Space--you will meet a lot of the friendly Komen folks, plus you get a chance to do some early Christmas shopping, all while helping a great cause.
The E-Chair folks are working on our Facebook pages as well as tweeting on Twitter. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Whew! So much news and that was just our first meeting! Remember, the reason why we are an award winning affiliate is because of YOU, our hardworking volunteers, friends, families, and participants. YOU are the reason we are the FOURTH largest Race in the world, and because of you, we are well on our way to winning the race against breast cancer.
Until next time,

Peace and hugs
Judi King
royalpinkbeatle@gmail.com

Sponsorships

2010-03-30T11:49:00.005-05:00

The Sponsorship Committee is in full swing asking sponsors to renew their support for 2010 and recruiting other companies and organizations to also invest in the lives of Arkansans.

If your company or organization is interested in becoming a sponsor for the 2010 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^®, please visit our website for more information and to download the 2010 Sponsor Book.

Thanks,
Jill

Events

2010-02-03T14:19:00.006-06:00

I don't know whether you are aware of it, but there are lots of opportunities to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure even though it is not Race time. Here's a little information about a few things going on:

Tuesday, February 9
8:00 p.m. at Juanita's
The Pink Ribbon Comedy Tour
"Laughter is the BREAST Medicine"
Tickets $10
This group of guys is traveling across the country raising money for Komen in honor of Kevin's mother who was diagnosed recently with breast cancer. They will be making a stop at Juanita's for one show.

Wednesday, February 10
UALR WBCA Pink Zone
Jack Stephens Center at UALR
7:00 p.m.
Pink t-shirts will be given to the first 500 fans. Breast cancer survivors will be honored at half-time. Click here for more information.

Friday, February 19
Fashion show hosted by Korto Momolu
6:00-9:00 p.m.
Dillard's Park Plaza

Central Arkansas resident Korto Momolu will unveil her new line of jewelry and accessories titled, Korto Momolu for Dillard's. Momolu, who gained international acclaim as the runner up on the hit TV series Project Runway, has partnered with Dillard's to produce a collection of bags and jewelry that will be sold in select Dillard's stores nationwide.

The launch will be hosted by Momolu and include a free runway fashion show. Korto will show her Fashion Week presentation in partnership with the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and feature the auction of a custom designed, limited edition piece of jewelry with all proceeds going to the Affiliate.

Saturday-Sunday, April 17-18
Kick for the Cure Arkansas
Burns Park

Kick for the Cure Arkansas is a spring soccer tournament weekend hosted at Burns Park in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The primary purpose of the weekend is to raise awareness and money for the Arkansas Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Click here for more information.

Saturday-Sunday, May 29-30
Ropin' 4 a Cure
Smith Arena, Rose Bud, Arkansas

Danielle is making plans for the 2010 Ropin' 4 a Cure to be held Memorial Day Weekend. It currently has the 2009 information, but click here for more information.

Coffee for a Cure
Please don't forget about our continuous fundraiser, Coffee for a Cure.
The Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has teamed with Premium Refreshment to bag 100% Free Trade Ugandan coffee. For every bag sold, the Arkansas Affiliate will receive a $1.50 donation to be used for treatment, education, support services and awareness programs. Look for Coffee for the Cure coffee in central Arkansas Kroger stores and other retail stores, or order at www.premiumrefreshment.com.

Well, those should keep you busy for now.

Hugs,
Jill

2010 Off to a Great Start

2010-01-13T14:47:00.013-06:00

Yes, it's time for us to start (or continue) planning for the 17th Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure. My mind is already spinning.

You should already have the date for the Race, but just in case--October 16, 2010. I do expect to see you there!

Your Race Chair this year is Donna Easley. I've worked with Donna as long as I have been involved with the Race and know that you are going to love her if you don't already. She's a fantastic lady! She started out volunteering with Komen as one of you--team captain for AT&T. Well, I guess it was Southwestern Bell back then. Anyway, look for a fun year!

I am also pleased to announce that I will be working closer than ever with Donna this year as her Co-Chair. I have SO very much to learn before I chair the 2011 Race. WHAT?!!!!!!!

No, I am not deserting you! There are several changes taking place on our side for Teams, but I don't think you're going to be affected by many of those changes. The one that will affect you is that Alana Harris has agreed to chair the Teams Committee and to be your main contact. Many of you have had contact with Alana over the past few years as she has helped answer emails, etc. I will be here to help her this year so that she can handle it all in 2011. (BTW, Alana says her name rhymes with banana; I remember it by taking the t's out of Atlanta.)

Alana with her precious twin daughters.
She also has an older son, so she is one busy lady.
On that note, we are also looking for someone to assist and learn along with Alana. We need someone that can answer questions over the phone or email without getting in trouble with their job and that has at least a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Access. Give me a yell if you have an interest.

I also wanted to let you know that we have set the date for the Team Captain Party--Sunday, July 18. Please put it on your calendar now and make plans to attend.

Would love to hear from you.

Hugs,
Jill

Happy Holidays

2009-12-23T08:43:00.011-06:00

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Safe, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Jill

Image downloaded from TwistedPapers.

2009 Team Awards

2009-10-20T08:43:00.008-05:00

I hope everyone had a GREAT time Saturday at the 16th Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^®! I'll provide an update once we have all of the numbers finalized, but I thought some of you might be interested to know the winners of the Team Awards. These were announced at the Pasta Party on Friday night.

LARGEST TEAM
Listed by Division - Team - Number of Members - Team Captain
School - University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS/Cancer Institute) - 1499 - Karen Wood
Corporation - AR Blue Cross Blue Shield (Blue Team) - 1233 - Damona Fisher
Hospital - Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) - 1048 - Rebecca Pittillo
Community - Searcy Team - 525 - Leah Coleman
Financial/Investment - Simmons First - 380 - Amanda Horton
Non-Profit - Nurses for the Girls - 371 - Shari Erwin
Church - St Mark Baptist Church - 238 - Mattye Willis & Shelia Jones
Small Business - Barbara Graves Intimate Fashions - 153 - Trina Brickey
Government Agency - ASP Angels - 115 - Sheila Standley
Social Group/Organization - Team Coco-Let's Go Nuts - 83 - Coco Dorsey

GROW GETTER
This is the team with the largest percentile increase from last year.
Kohler Company - 318.18% increase - Teresa Lazenby

T-SHIRTS
(these are in no particular order - we simply select the top 3)
Pulaski Tech
Team Coco
Lee's Ladies

Not officially a Team Award, but closely related and announced Saturday morning:
Largest Three Miles of Men Team
Black Men United - 211 - Jesse Mason

If your team is listed above and no one has claimed your award, they will be available in the office next week (October 26).

Also, if you would like your Team T-shirt back, they will be available in the office next week (October 26).

The office is located on the 5th floor at 904 Autumn Road in Little Rock (behind IHOP off of Chenal). Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thank you to all of you for your hard work and dedication. We could not be the 4th largest Komen race if it were not for our outstanding Team Captains. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Hugs,
Jill

Are You Ready?

2009-10-16T13:11:00.003-05:00

Wow! I forget how crazy it really is the week of the Race! This year has been no exception. I hope I'm not too late in getting some of this information out to you.

KIDS FOR THE CURE
Kids for the Cure are being asked to participate in the Survivor Parade this year. If you have a child participating in Kids for the Cure, please bring them behind the stage at 4th and Broadway after the Race (about 9:00).

SURVIVOR PARADE
The parade will begin at 4th and Broadway. It's going in the opposite direction as before and will have a FANTASTIC ending. No awards, etc. following the parade this year. All survivors PLEASE come to 4th and Broadway about 9:00 to line up for the parade. You will NOT want to miss this one.

SURVIVOR BREAKFAST
The entrance to the breakfast is on 6th Street about 50 feet from Broadway. Wear your pink shirt and/or bib or be with a survivor for entrance.

SURVIVOR PHOTO
The photo will be taken on 6th Street between Spring and Broadway.

PASTA PARTY
Don't forget the Pasta Party tonight from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park. Team Awards will be presented. Tickets available at the door for $20. They have some GREAT silent auction items.

PINK DUCK WALK
They will roll out the pink carpet for the ducks at The Peabody today at 5:00.

FACEBOOK
If you are not a fan yet, please join us. We have the largest FaceBook fan base with the exception of our national office. We currently have 7,193 fans. Just think if every fan recruited one more person. Search for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Arkansas.

RACE DAY
Wow! It's tomorrow! The Race Route Entertainment is going to be AWESOME!!!!!! See you all there!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,
Jill

Coffee for the Cure, Jason's Deli, Put A Fork In It

2009-10-06T11:44:00.011-05:00

Coffee for the Cure™

We are proud to partner with Premium Refreshments to launch the new Coffee for the Cure™. The coffee is "free trade" from small farms in Uganda which borders and shares the landscape of the renowned Kenyan coffee farms just to the east.

For every 12 oz. bag sold, Premium Refreshments will donate $1.50 to the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure^®.

The coffee is available for sale at the Race Boutique at Pleasant Ridge Town Center and at the Race Boutique on Race morning, October 17, in Downtown Little Rock. Be looking for the coffee at your favorite stores soon!

Jason's Deli

Jason's Deli is donating 10% of their food sales on Monday's during the month of October between the hours of 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. Yummmmmm!

Put A Fork In It

Join us downtown for the Race, then have lunch at a "Put A Fork In It" restaurant. These restaurants will be donating a portion of their food sales on Race Day, October 17, to the Komen Arkansas Affiliate!

Print out a Put A Fork In It Flyer to distribute to family, friends, co-workers and team members. If you are a restaurant and would like to join "Put A Fork In It", please email Amy.Treadway@baptist-health.org.

American Pie Pizza: 4830 North Hills Boulevard, North Little Rock
American Pie Pizza: 9709 Maumelle Boulevard, North Little Rock
Beef O'Brady's:115 Audubon Drive, Maumelle
Blue Coast Burrito: 4613 East McCain Blvd., North Little Rock
Bosco's Restaurant: 500 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock
Boulevard Bread Company: 1920 North Grant, Little Rock (breakfast only)
Boulevard Bread Company: Rivermarket, Little Rock (breakfast only)
Browning's Mexican Grill: 5805 Kavanaugh, Little Rock
Cantina Laredo: 207 North University at the Midtowne Mall, Little Rock
Capi's: 11525 Cantrell Road at Pleasant Ridge Town Center, Little Rock
Cheeburger Cheeburger: 11525 Cantrell Road at Pleasant Ridge Town Center, Little Rock
ChiZi's Pizza: 11121 North Rodney Parham, Little Rock
CIAO Italian Restaurant: 405 West 7th Street (dinner only), Little Rock
Copper Grill: 300 Third Street, Little Rock
Creegan's Pub: 301 Main Street in North Little Rock, Little Rock
Delicious Temptations: 11220 North Rodney Parham, Little Rock
EJ's: 523 Center Street, Downtown Little Rock
El Chico: 1315 Breckenridge Drive, Little Rock
El Chico: 8409 I-30, Southwest Little Rock
Faded Rose Restaurant: 1619 Rebsamen Park Road, Little Rock
Fantastic China: 1900 North Grant, Little Rock
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium: 323 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock
Franke's Cafeteria: 11121 North Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock
Golden Corral: 5001 Warden Road, North Little Rock
Jimmy's Serious Sandwiches: 5116 West Markham, Little Rock
Juanita's Mexican Cafe: 1300 Main Street, Little Rock
Lilly's Dim Sum, Then Some: 11121 North Rodney Parham, Little Rock
Moe's Southwest Grill: 4834 North Hills Boulevard in North Little Rock
Moe's Southwest Grill: 12312 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock
Moe's Southwest Grill: 7409 Alcoa Road in Bryant
Moe's Southwest Grill: 625 Salem Road in Conway
Panera Bread: 11525 Cantrell Road at Pleasant Ridge Town Center, Little Rock
Papa John's Pizza: West Little Rock 501-224-7300
Papa John's Pizza: North Little Rock 501-791-0505
Papa John's Pizza: Heights 501-664-5777
Papa John's Pizza: Jacksonville 501-982-9111
Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits: 716 East Broadway in North Little Rock
Trio's: 8201 Cantrell Road, Little Rock
Tropical Smoothie: 11900 Kanis Road, Little Rock
Tropical Smoothie: 12911 Cantrell Road, Little Rock
Whole Hog Cafe: 2516 Cantrell Road, Little Rock
Vieux Carre': 2721 Kavanaugh Boulevard, Little Rock
ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Company: 5600 Kavanaugh Boulevard (Lunch Only), Little Rock

OK, I just had lunch, but I'm hungry just reading all of these wonderful places.

18 days,
Jill

Needed, Team T-Shirts

2009-10-02T13:19:00.004-05:00

Wow! Race Space opened this morning at 10:00 following the blessing. It is totally awesome.

What the place really needs though are Team T-shirts. You can now drop them off at the Race Space during operating hours (below), the Affiliate offices between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or mail to the Komen for the Cure Affiliate offices at 904 Autumn Road, Suite 500, Little Rock 72211 (if you want to chance the mail this late).

I recommend taking them to the Race Space. You really need to check it out. Donna and her committee have done an amazing job on the Boutique. Even if you are already registered, you need to go by and see what they have available. Keep in mind that quantities are limited to what they have. They do not reorder. So SHOP EARLY!

The Race Space is in the same location as last year. It is at Pleasant Ridge Town Center (11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock) located 2 blocks west of I-430 and Cantrell/Hwy 10. Right beside Kitchen Co. in the shopping center.

They opened today and will be open every day until Friday, October 16th.

Hours of operation:
Mondays through Fridays: 10 AM - 7 PM
Saturdays - 10 AM - 6 PM
Sundays - 12 PM - 6 PM
(2 PM closing on Friday, October 16th)

Shop til you drop,
Jill

Vote 2010 Race Shirt Contest

2009-10-01T08:45:00.007-05:00

You might remember this excerpt from yesterday's post:
Donna Easley, 2010 Race Chair, reported that the public can vote on next year's Race t-shirt. Voting will take place October 1 through November 8 this year. Cost to vote is $5 per vote and the shirt with the most money wins. 75% of the proceeds raised in the voting will stay with the local affiliate. More details to come!

Here's the information:
Don't forget, the first ever, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® "Vote 2010 Race Shirt" campaign begins this week on October 1 and runs through November 8. The public can vote for their favorite design by going to www.komen.org/raceshirt and making a $5 minimum donation. At the end of the voting period, the design with the most revenue raised will be the official t-shirt for the 2010-2011 Race Series. So, donors are encouraged to make as large a donation as possible to ensure that their favorite wins. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds raised in the Affiliate's service area will stay in the community and all donations are tax-deductible.

There you have it,
Jill

Race Committee Meetings #7 and #8

2009-09-30T14:16:00.006-05:00

Time has really gotten away from me! In case you haven't heard, we've been processing offline teams and have lots of other things going on in regards to this Race.

Offline Teams Processing is complete. Local teams have been asked to pick their packets up by tomorrow evening (you should have received an email or phone call). Teams outside of the local area were FedEx'd on Monday and should be arriving soon if not already.

With all of this, I failed to post an update following our committee meeting on September 16. Then we had another meeting today. I decided to combine the two into one post as some of the info is out of date from the 16th.

I'll start with Ellen's challenge today:
We are 17 days from Race Day. Tomorrow will be 16 days until our Sweet 16. In honor of this, Ellen has challenged us to call, email, FaceBook, Twitter or talk to everyone we know that has not registered for the Race and ask them to do so tomorrow, October 1. She wants to see 1600 registrations in that one day.

Pink Martini Party was a huge success and raised $34,000. Despite the "lovely" weather, everyone had a great time.

The Boutique is set up and ready for opening on Friday, October 2, at 10:00 a.m. Donna shared some of the great items available this year. The word is EARLY. Shop early because "when they're gone, they're gone". We got our beautiful plum Committee t-shirts and jackets today. There are a few jackets that will be available in the Boutique. Come do your Christmas shopping for those special people in your life (or yourself). The Race Space is in the same location as last year.

Early Mail Out started mailing on September 11. As of last night, they have mailed out 22,230 packets. There has been a great response of volunteers, but they are in need of help on Monday night, October 5. Contact me if you are interested, and I will put you in touch with Peggy.

Kids for the Cure t-shirts started mailing on Thursday, September 24. T-shirts are still available if you haven't registered your child.

The Fitness Program is going very well averagine 75-150 participants each time. Many of the participants are amazed that they have been able to accomplish as much as they have in this time. They are so excited about this event that they have designed their own t-shirt.

Pasta Party is going to be great! Amy, Ashley and their committee have arranged for 20 auction items and are looking for more. Fun times at Dickey Stephens Park!

Local sponsors are going to be set up in pods this year instead of lined up. Booths will not open until 6:00 a.m.

The Bouffants will be performing as the Race begins this year. They will perform at 7:00, when the Race begins and for an hour once the 2K begins.

The Friday Survivor Spotlights have become Monday through Friday spotlights on the blog. Channel 7 continues to showcase restaurants from Put a Fork in It on Mondays. Lots of other media showings going on around town.

All entrances to the Survivor Breakfast will be on 6th Street. Admission to the breakfast is a Survivor t-shirt, pink bib or with a survivor. Survivor Photo will be taken on 6th Street between Spring and Center.

Survivor Luncheon. Wow! What can I say? Raffle items include a pendant specially designed and created by Cecil's and a 5-day cruise. A jazz ensemble will be performing with Craig O'Neill as Master of Ceremony.

The Survivor Parade will begin where it usually ends and end where it usually begins. Starting place is 4th and Broadway. Survivors will have a special hat for the parade and will walk through a banner at the end of the parade. An all female 160-member band has been secured as well as the NLR Fire Department's pink fire truck. There will be a float which will include the survivors who have completed the fitness program along with those featured in the Survivor Spotlights.

Three Miles of Men Tailgate Party is Friday, October 9, at Diamond Bear from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. The big door prize is 4 tickets to the Arkansas vs. South Carolina game with limo service to and from the game. There were some great comments on what a great ambassador Anthony Lucas is for our cause.

Tickled Pink has sold 40 porta potties to be decorated. More are available if anyone is interested.

Put a Fork in It has about 45 locations. Help us raise more money by eating at one of these locations after the Race. There is a list of participating restaurants online.

Volunteers have filled all of the 468 slots for working at the Race Space with the exception of 98. They still need volunteers for the 1:15 - 5:30 p.m. shifts Monday through Friday on the following dates, October 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 15 as well as the 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. shift on October 6. If you are interested in volunteering, contact me and I will put you in contact with Laurie.

Paint the Town Pink will begin tomorrow with the fountain at the Doubletree. The water will be pink for the month of October. We are also working with the trolley system, the Big Dam Bridge and the Clinton Library.

Skate for the Cure raised $1300.

We received $20,000 from ask.com and can get $10,000 more if we have the most people participate in I Am the Cure online.

Donna Easley, 2010 Race Chair, reported that the public can vote on next year's Race t-shirt. Voting will take place October 1 through November 8 this year. Cost to vote is $5 per vote and the shirt with the most money wins. 75% of the proceeds raised in the voting will stay with the local affiliate. More details to come! Donna also announced Race Day 2010--October 16.

We currently have 29,265 registered for the Race.

Our next meeting is October 12.

Thanks,
Jill

October 2 Deadline and Other Info

2009-09-28T13:10:00.004-05:00

What a busy time of the year!

Most of you have already received this. However, if you registered offline or have not yet registered, I didn't want you left out in the dark. The following is an email from Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure sent to those who registered online.

Thank you for registering for the race!! We want you to come have fun with us on race morning. Our presenting sponsor, Baptist Health, and our founding sponsor, Hickingbotham Investments, will have representatives on stage to start the race.

Just a reminder to friends and family, the last date to register and have their shirt mailed is next Friday, October 2nd at midnight. (Everyone should continue to fundraise on their Because I Care page.)

We want to tell you about two race events and two affiliate events.

HOPELINE FOR VERIZON WIRELESS

Please donate old phones and old phone accessories to Verizon Wireless HopeLine program! HopeLine accepts wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any manufacturer for reuse and recycling. All phones donated to HopeLine that can be refurbished are reused and those that are not salvageable are recycled in an environmentally sound way under a zero landfill policy.

Phones donated to the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program help victims of domestic violence feel safer and less isolated by giving them a way to call emergency or support services, employers, family and friends.

Donation boxes can be found at all Verizon stores and will be available at Race Space at Pleasant Ridge Mall starting on Friday, October 2nd and downtown Little Rock on Race Morning, Saturday, October 17th. Thank you Verizon for sponsoring our 5K.

PajamAware

To help us reach our growth goals, please continue to tell your friends, family and co-workers if they can't make the Race for the Cure on October 17th, they can sign up for "PajamAware", sponsored by Hank's Fine Furniture. They can be with us in spirit and still receive the 2009 Race for the Cure t-shirt! You don't have to be there to be aware!

If you register as a "PajamAware" participant, you will receive a link to Hank's Fine Furniture to sign up to win a special "Awareness" king or queen size mattress and box spring set. In addition, the Central Arkansas Hank's Furniture stores will be selling these special mattresses. With every purchase between September 15th and October 31st, the Arkansas Affiliate will receive a $100 donation from Hank's. For more information about the "Awareness" Free Mattress Give-Away, visit http://www.hanksfurniture.com/awareness

So, if you decide to sleep in on October 17th, you can still support the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure through "PajamAware", and be sleeping on a great mattress, too!

Register for "PajamAware"

Coffee for the Cure

Coming soon! Coffee for the Cure. Available for sales starting on October 2nd at the Race Boutique and Race morning. Look for tasting booths in the exhibit area on Race morning! This product is offered by Premium Refreshment Services. $1.50 of each bag will benefit the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

NASCAR Foundation Track Walk

The NASCAR Foundation Track Walk at Memphis Motorsports Park. This is an opportunity to walk on the race track!! 50% of the funds raised will benefit The NASCAR Foundation. 50% of the funds raised will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Saturday, October 24, 2009 11:00 a.m. For more details go to https://foundation.nascar.com/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=1162&srcid=311.

Remember: It's MY RACE to win on Saturday, October 17th in downtown Little Rock.

Thanks,
Jill

Volunteers Needed and OFFline Deadline

2009-09-14T10:59:00.009-05:00

Sorry to be behind in updating you. It has been crazy!

First, I wanted to remind those of you with OFFline team members that the deadline to have your packets postmarked is Wednesday, September 16. Please include SIGNED entry forms for each of your team members, your reconciliation form, the money, your spreadsheet and anything else that pertains to your team. The spreadsheet is available online or you can email me to send it to you. Your completed spreadsheet should be emailed to ar.rftc.teams@gmail.com.

The Offline Team Processing consists of three parts which we loving refer to as Data Processing, War Room and Pick Pack and Ship. Data Processing makes sure that your spreadsheet reconciles to the amount of money received, etc. We then upload that information into an Access file and run labels and reports on your team which are sent to the War Room. The War Room puts the labels on Race Bibs, pulls Pasta Party tickets, counts out coupons, etc. to prepare your team. They bag everything up along with the Team Captain Gift and the reports. Pick Pack and Ship then gets the bag to pull t-shirts, survivor hats, etc. to pack them and prepare to ship if applicable. All of this to say that many people are involved in this process and we are looking for additional volunteers.

We will begin processing your packets in Data Processing at the end of this week. This area is taken care of and no volunteers are needed. However, the War Room will begin their processing next Monday, and Pick Pack and Ship should then begin on Wednesday. Our warehouse is in the Riverdale area near the soccer fields and USA Drug's corporate offices. We work Monday through Friday evenings and as needed and available all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. It usually takes about 2 weeks to complete all processing.

If you or your group are interested in helping us out, please contact me at ar.rftc.teams3@gmail.com. We would love the help and it's always interesting for our Team Captains to see behind the scenes as to how we process your teams. And we have lots of fun!

Jill

Race Committee Meeting #6

2009-08-20T12:36:00.007-05:00

Wow! It seems like forever since our last meeting. I guess that's because so much has happened in the meantime.

The 6th meeting of the 2009 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure Committee took place on Wednesday, August 19.

59 days to Race Day!!!!!!

Jimmie Lou Fisher was introduced as our 2009 Honorary Chair and shared a few words with us.

Because I Care reported that the Hot Pink Heroes Luncheon had taken place since our last meeting. It began with Windstream presenting a check for $2000 as the beginning of their Because I Care fundraising for 2009. Also, in addition to the prizes this year, every participant that sends emails from their personal page, donates or recruits donations for Because I Care will receive a Thank You bracelet for helping in our efforts to raise $350,000 this year.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and the blog.

We get the warehouse on Monday to start getting it ready for team processing and mailout.

The Boutique has some really great items this year. This will be the last year that we will be able to get some of the specialty items. Donna showed us a cap and t-shirt that say "Fight Like a Girl". And the switchflops are in. There will be a small number available at the Race Space.

Donna Easley won the Tinkled Pink challenge with 4 porta potties recruited. The prize is a Rejuvenation Spa Day. Donna donated her prize back as a challenge next month.

Communications reported that the blog is up and going with survivor spotlights. Please leave comments as these are passed on to the survivor. Donna did an excellent job on the Press Conference. KATV is doing a spotlight every Monday morning featuring one of the restaurants participating in Put a Fork in It.

National Sponsors are being contacted to make sure we have everything they need for Race Day.

Pasta Party needs to know what groups need tables. They are going to look at the facilities on October 2 to get the "lay of the land". And they are looking for more silent auction items.

Fitness Program ill have a meeting of leaders on August 25. 170 are currently registered to participate. Kick-off is September 7.

Survivor Luncheon is looking for door prizes.

Three Miles of Men has been getting lot of questions. They can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter. 148 are presently registered for Three Miles of Men. They think this weekend at Dickey-Stephens Park will be a great opportunity to recruit more men to register. Anthony Lucas will be there part of the time.

Registration reported that the bibs are in. They will be set up to register at the Travelers games this weekend. Race Space will be in Pleasant Ridge Town Center beginning October 2. 2600 are now registered.

Early Mail Out will start folding as soon as the shirts arrive. They will have some day shifts this year. Plans are to start mailing on September 8. 107 are registered for Kids for the Cure.

Volunteers is having a party at the warehouse on September 10 as a thank you and appreciation to the volunteers. Everyone will be able to sign up for shifts at that time. Team Captains are invited to this also. 5:30-7:00 p.m. at 2100 Brookwood.

Survivor Breakfast is progressing well.

Skate for the Cure is September 13 from 1-4 with the ice show at 2:30 featuring Steven Evans, Novice Silver Medalist US Championship. This should be a great show.

Sponsorship is still working. We have a new sponsor for the Survivor Luncheon, Golden Corral.

Emily asked that everyone send her the names that need to be included in the Thank You Ad.

We have teamed up with Premium Refreshment (formerly Clear Mountain Water) to bring you Coffee for the Cure, our very own coffee. Bags will be $10 and will be sold in various retail outlets and at the Boutique. It should be ready by October 2. There will also be opportunities for tastings in various locations--definitely at the Pasta Party, Race, Survivor Breakfast and Survivor Luncheon.

Put a Fork in It has 36 restaurants lined up to participate and is negotiating with several others. This list can be found online at www.komenarkansas.org and clicking on Komen Race for the Cure, Race Information and Put a Fork in It.

Next July, the affiliate will be involved with a class to teach mammographers to give mammograms to women with disabilities. They are also involved with other organizations looking at the future of BreastCare. The Community Profile came back with a few changes.

The next meeting is Wednesday, September 16. Sweet 16!

Thanks,
Jill

Registering Multiple People

2009-08-17T15:08:00.005-05:00

As most of you know, there is a feature in the online registration so that you can register family members without having to start all over in the process. However, some of you are trying to use it to register team members. Although this works, you need to be aware that the system will time out. If this happens, you will lose all of the information you have already entered.

I know this can be frustrating, but it was designed to register a few people at a time, not an entire team. And we have no control over the time allowed for this.

You are welcome to use this to register team members, but if you time out and call us, all we can offer you is our sympathy. Sorry.

Everything else ok out there?

Thanks,
Jill

Press Conference

2009-08-11T16:02:00.003-05:00

Don't forget the Press Conference and Rally on Wednesday, August 12, at 10:30 a.m. at War Memorial Stadium. We would love to have you there.

Please enter the stadium at the North end zone by the office and the big pink ribbon will lead the way. There is plenty of parking and we promise to keep it short. And perfect weather is forecast!

Jill

Tinkled Pink

2009-07-31T10:09:00.019-05:00

Tinkled Pink is a unique, fun, affordable sponsorship opportunity for the 16th Annual Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^®. For only $100, a business, school, team or individual can sponsor a port-a-potty at the Race.

This is a great way to advertise your organization with an opportunity to reach 46,000 racers, volunteers and supporters. Where else can you reach so many for so little?

You can visit the website for the registration form and to see a few of the past potties. The form includes guidelines and other information.

In case you missed them, here are a couple of fake potties decorated for the Team Captain Party.

You can mention that I referred you. Diane and Katherine are giving a prize to the committee member that recruits the most Tinkled Pink Sponsors.

Have fun,
Jill

Three Miles of Men

2009-07-29T12:56:00.008-05:00

Don't forget to recruit the guys in your life:

Three Miles of Men (3MOM) is gearing up for another successful year. To help keep participants and racers informed about all of the activities, as well as get the word out to others who have not previously been involved, 3MOM has joined the electronic age on both Twitter and Facebook.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/3MilesOfMen

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Komen-for-the-Cure-Arkansas-3-MIles-of-Men/103721563041?ref

Follow all of the news and announcements related to 3MOM with one or both of these and encourage your guys to join too.

Also, Matt has contributed to the Race blog with a post about 3MOM.

If you have questions, let me know and I'll put you in contact with Matt Propst, 3MOM Chair.

On a personal note, is anyone out there?

Jill

Ropin' 4 a Cure

2009-07-23T10:41:00.024-05:00

If you missed the Team Captain Party on Sunday, you missed one fired up lass. Danielle Smith is one motivated woman, and her focus right now is raising money for Because I Care.

Danielle took 3rd place in Because I Care in 2006, 2nd place in 2007 and 1st place in 2008 with over $8000 raised that year. Her goal this year is $20,000. Danielle does this in memory of her mother, Betty Smith, whom she lost to breast cancer

Ropin' 4 a Cure is Danielle's event and she has put her heart and soul into it. It has grown from a one day event to two full days and has grown so much that she hired a company to run it for her. She has companies calling her wanting to be sponsors. The ropers fight hard to win the two pink saddles and a horse trailer. This year, Danielle is requiring all of them to wear pink shirts to participate. Sounds like a fun event!

This year's Ropin' 4 a Cure will take place on Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, at Smith Arena in Rose Bud, Arkansas. Books are open from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. with Rope at 9:00 a.m. They will have concessions but bring your own lawn chairs.

For more information, contact Danielle at smith.arena@yahoo.com.

Jill

Blast Off

2009-07-20T14:31:00.011-05:00

Yikes, it's time to register. What do I do now?

The Team Captain Party has come and gone. Wow! It was great to see so many smiling faces yesterday! What was even better was seeing old friends, meeting new ones and finally putting faces with some names. We must have the greatest group around! You are all amazing! I hope you liked the new format.

Some of you are still asking, "What in the world do I do now?" It's all out there, but this might help a little.

Go to www.komenarkansas.org

Download the Team Captain Kit here (from above, click on Race for the Cure, Race Information and Team Information)

If your company is paying the registration, contact Jill at ar.rftc.teams3@gmail.com

Click on My Race Center, check everything out, set up your Because I Care page and ask friends and family to support you

Tell your team members to register (Join a Team) and set up their pages

Sit back and enjoy

If you happen to still be registering offline, you'll also need the spreadsheet. We're having a few technical difficulties with that, so you'll need to contact Jill at the present time for it.

Also for offline entries, the Team Entry Form is available by itself here.

For those who missed the party, you also missed the big announcement. We are the 4th largest race in the Komen series!

Well, I have pictures to share, but I'm having slideshow problems, so I'll post those later.

Thanks,
Jill

Organization Paying?

2009-07-17T17:03:00.003-05:00

If your organization is planning to pay all or a portion of your team members’ registrations, your team can still register online.

Contact me at ar.rftc.teams3@gmail.com to set up a code for your team. Please include in the email (1) your name, (2) team name, (3) a phone number where I can contact you and (4) how the fees will be paid. If they will be paid by credit card, I will call you to obtain all of the pertinent information. If I need to contact someone else for this information, please include their name and phone number in the email as well and tell them to expect a call.

Thanks,
Jill

Online Registration

2009-07-17T15:49:00.004-05:00

If you have registered online in the past, it may be a little crazy this year. Please bear with us and be patient. We will help you and your team members through the problems.

Several of us have been busy as little bees this year cleaning up the online database to get it ready for a conversion that recently took place. The database has been “under construction” since the 2005 Race and one or two people have signed up anew each year so that they had up to four profiles. And one or two more registered friends, neighbors and family all under the same email address.

For the conversion to take place, we had to try to get it down so that there was only one of each person, and each and every participant had to have a unique email address. We had to make some hasty decisions as to whether Jane Doe at this address in 2005 was the same Jane Doe at that address in 2007; was Joe Smith born on this date the same as Joseph Smith born on the same date; or was Janice Brown at this address with no birth date the same as Jan Brown at the same address. If we determined that they were the same person, we merged their records together so they would only have one profile.

Because of the lack of information on some and the fact that it was humans working on this project, there is the possibility that some people got merged incorrectly and we now have at the wrong address, wrong birthday or completely merged with another person.

And because everyone had to have a unique email address, we had to make some up. Again, we sometimes had to make a guess as to the true owner of the email.

Oh, and many user names and all passwords were changed with the conversion.

Because of all of this, it is going to be a little difficult for some people to retrieve their user name and password. In some cases, you will be able to have them emailed to you. Please try this avenue first. Go to www.komenarkansas.org and click on Sign In. Scroll down and you will see Email me My Password and Email me My User Name.

If this does not work, please email ar.rftc.teams3@gmail.com. We will work with you to obtain your user name and password and those of your team members.

Once you have accessed your account, please review the information to make sure that everything is correct before registering.

We apologize for this inconvenience. Believe me, we weren’t happy about everything, but it will be wonderful when it is all said and done. And it is a one time event.

Thanks for understanding,
Jill

p.s. In case you haven't received the email I sent this afternoon, the website is active, the Team Captain Kit is available under Team Information, and registration is open. Hope to see you Sunday!

Race Committee Meeting #5

2009-07-16T14:40:00.004-05:00

The 5th meeting of the Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure took place on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

93 days to RACE DAY!

Ellen announced that Jimmie Lou Fisher, former Arkansas State Treasurer, is serving as Honorary Chair for our 2009 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure. Jimmie Lou is a recent breast cancer survivor and is undergoing treatment.

Sherrye McBryde announced that we have a new website this year designed through National. We are one of ten pilot affiliates. It should be active, hopefully, tomorrow: www.komenarkansas.org. Sherrye also demonstrated to the committee how easy it is to design your personal Because I Care page and communicate with your friends to ask them to support you once you have registered for the Race online. One small kink in the process can be adding photos to your page; they can only be 200kb in size. You can go to www.shrinkpictures.com and create a smaller image of your photo for this purpose.

Our honored guests today were Caroline Cline and her sister Elizabeth. Caroline is the winner of the 2009 Kids for the Cure art contest. Her design will be featured on the KFTC t-shirts this year. (I’ll post the design in the next few days. It will be announced Friday on Channel 7’s Good Morning Arkansas at 9:00 a.m.)

Mary-Margaret reported that we are channeling our inner teenager and pumping up for the Team Captain Party on Sunday at the Hayes Center in North Little Rock from 2:00 to 4:00. Everyone was encouraged to put on their active wear and head for the center for a great time. It will be interesting to see the creativity of some of the booths. Sounds like there are going to be some yummy booths in addition to Papa John’s Pizza. She kind of reminded us that “it’s MY RACE to win.”

Susan Talley Brown reported that the Team Captain Kit is being finalized and is now available online. The buttons are in and you can get yours at the party on Sunday. The team captain gift has been ordered – and you are going to love them.

Volunteers are needed to help people register at the Arkansas Travelers game on August 21, 22 and 23. We are planning a Volunteer Round-up Party on September 10 at the warehouse instead of an after-race Volunteer Thank You Party.

Communications has been getting media requests already and it is 93 days until the race. The race blog is now active: http://komenarkansasblog.com.

The Press Conference is scheduled for August 12 at 10:30 a.m. at War Memorial Stadium on the field in the south end zone. Donna said she will keep it short but exciting. It might be a little noisy at the beginning – what surprise has Donna cooked up for us?

Fit for the Cure is set for kick-off on Labor Day at 6:30 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium on the field. The program will be for six weeks on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30. This is for everyone who wants to prepare for the Race whether they plan to run, walk or walk quickly. Volunteers are needed as leaders. Tbyrd promises to have someone there to help make that happen (whatever that is) for those participating. The only way to register for the Fitness Program is to register online and pick the Fitness Program from the options on that page. It is limited to 500 participants!! Register early.

Pasta Party will be selling tickets at the Team Captain Party. The Pasta Party will be at Dickey-Stephens Park this year.

Three Miles of Men has been contacted by other affiliates wanting to learn what we’re doing. For the first time, we have an Honorary Three Miles of Men Chair, Anthony Lucas, former Arkansas Razorback and NFL player. He will attend the Press Conference, Pasta Party, Tailgate Party and who knows what else.

Tinkled Pink has their fliers ready. The form is available on the website. This sponsorship is a lot of bang for the buck at $100 to decorate a porta-potty that will be seen by MANY people.

Put a Fork in It has secured 34 restaurants to participate so far. The restaurants will be listed on the website. These restaurants will give Komen 10% of the gross sales of race day. So, go eat after the race at those restaurants.

The Pink Martini Party is shaping up for September 12 at the home of Chip and Cindy Murphy. Tickets are $75. They will have a live auction and live music. Dress is casual chic.

Sponsorship Committee has outdone themselves. Great job!

Ellen, our fearless Chair, celebrated the 8 year anniversary of her diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer last Friday with a haircut. As she came out of the salon, she was greeted by her friend Mary Ellen, her mom, her daughters and I’m not sure who else. Mary Ellen uses the same hair dresser and, in honor of Ellen’s 8 years, also got a haircut and donated 8 inches to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths.

The next meeting is Wednesday, August 19.

Thanks,
Jill

Komen Captains

2009-07-13T10:21:00.007-05:00

It's been a while since I mentioned our social network, Komen Captains (click here for previous post), and wanted to remind you to join if you haven't already. I think activity will pick up next week after the Team Captain Party.

We've also made a change in regards to joining Komen Captains. For some reason, some of the invitations that I have sent out for people to join have not been received. That is not good. With this change, you no longer have to receive an invitation to join. Just go to www.komencaptains.com and sign up.

While signing up, you will be required to provide a photo for your profile. I was running a test using a computer that didn't have a photo on it, so I wanted you to be forewarned.

After I approve your request to join, an email will be sent notifying you of the approval and that you can now access the network.

My apologies to those who have tried to join and been unable to do so. I hope this will take care of the problem.

Also, if you have any questions or issues that you think I need to cover here or would like to put your 2 cents worth in, please let me know.

Thanks for all of your support,
Jill

Kids for the Cure

2009-07-10T15:03:00.003-05:00

You don’t have to be a grown-up to participate in the Race or to raise money to end breast cancer. Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^® has added a new participation event this year, Kids for the Cure^®.

Kids aged 12 and under are encouraged to register. Children who register as Kids for the Cure^® will have their very own youth sized t-shirts. However, only 3000 shirts will be ordered, so kids need to register early.

The winning design of a recent art contest will be the artwork for the 2009 Kids for the Cure^® Race shirt! Channel 7 will announce the winner of this contest on Good Morning Arkansas on Friday, July 17, at 9:00 a.m.

In order to receive one of the T-shirts, children MUST be registered in the Kids for the Cure^® program.

Funds from the Race for the Cure® are used to help eliminate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease and are used for education, screening, treatment and research programs.

OK, I can’t emphasize enough that you need to get your team to register ONLINE and register early once registration opens. If kids sign up for this using the offline forms, it’s a pretty good bet that they will miss out on this. There will ONLY be 3000 shirts ordered and there will NOT be another order and there are no shirt substitutions. It will also be hard to exchange sizes – you can’t until race space opens and then only if they are available. Sizes will be issued as requested while that size lasts. Once a size is gone, we will go to the next size. Let me say again, when all 3000 Kids for the Cure^® shirts are gone, they are gone; there is no reorder or substitution.

I have a feeling that questions are going to come up regarding children 5 and under (who normally do not pay). Children 5 and under still do not have to pay, BUT they do NOT receive a t-shirt. If you want a Kids for the Cure^® shirt for a child 5 or under, they must be registered for Kids for the Cure^® and pay the entry fee.

Please remember that these shirts are Youth sizes Small, Medium and Large.

Thanks,
Jill

Team T-shirts

2009-07-08T09:34:00.024-05:00

Some of you have started plans on your team t-shirt, so I thought it might be a good time to go ahead and get this information out to you.

Over the years, many of you have asked what criteria we use in judging the t-shirts. It's probably not the answer you want, but we do not have any set criteria. It's basically what appeals to most of our judges. The judges vary from year to year. It could be committee members or other volunteers. I know, I'm not much help. Sorry.

I thought photos of last year's winners might spur you on. I was unable to obtain photos, but the team captains did provide me with graphics of their designs. Please remember that these are in no special order. We select three winners, not first, second and third. Also, remember that the theme last year was This One's for the Girls.

This first one was Arkansas Federal Credit Union. I missed most of the shirts last year but absolutely loved this one. No, I didn't judge.

Stephens.

And USPS.

And here's the information regarding the submission of your t-shirt:

Show your Team Spirit and promote your organization by creating a Team T-shirt. It is up to each team to create their own t-shirt design and have their shirts printed. These are NOT provided by Komen. And it is NOT a requirement.

Three awards will be presented for the Best Team T-shirts. This is not a first, second, third place; just three awards, period.

Please have an extra shirt printed to submit for judging. Team T-shirts must be received no later than Friday, October 9. They can be submitted with your Team Packet; mailed to the Komen Office at 904 Autumn Road, Suite 500, Little Rock, AR 72211; delivered to the office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; or delivered to the Race Space at Pleasant Ridge Town Center during operating hours.

T-shirts will be displayed at the Race Space and at the Pasta Party (weather permitting). Awards will be presented at the Pasta Party.

DOs and DON'Ts
-Team t-shirts CANNOT use the Race logo.
-Team t-shirts CANNOT be pink except those to be worn by survivors.
-Teams can use a pink ribbon but NOT the ribbon used in the Komen logo.
-Teams can use the phrase Susan G. Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^® as long as it appears exactly as written here (including the ® symbol).

Happy designing,
Jill

Why?

2009-07-01T13:14:00.008-05:00

Why would my team members want to register ONline?

1) It's quick and easy.

2) Race t-shirt and bib will be mailed directly to the participant at the address they use when they register.

3) T-shirts should be received sooner than those for OFFline team registrants. (Although shipping does not begin until about the first of September, ONline registrations are processed pretty much in the order that they are received. We will not begin processing OFFline teams until after the middle of September.)

4) Chances are better to get the correct size t-shirt as processing begins for ONline first.

5) Your team member can register for Train for the Cure at the same time. (This is limited to the first 500 who register.)

6) If a child is interested in registering for Kids for the Cure, they have a better chance by registering ONline early. (There will only be 3000 Kids for the Cure t-shirts available.)

Why do I want my team members to register ONline?

1) For all of the above reasons.

2) Easier on you. Once they have registered, you can pretty much sit back and relax other than arranging for a team t-shirt or any special events or treats if applicable.

Remember that the Team Captain Party is Sunday, July 19, and ONline registration should open the same day. Even if your team registered ONline last year, you will need to register yourself and set your team up so that your team members can join the team. Personal information carries over from year to year but team information does not.

Thanks,
Jill

Team Captain Party

2009-06-30T09:26:00.001-05:00

2009 Team Captain’s Party

Susan G. Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure

NEW FORMAT for this event!!!!

Please join us
Sunday, July 19, 2009
2:00 to 4:00
Patrick Henry Hays Senior Citizens Center
401 West Pershing
North Little Rock, AR 72114

NEW FORMAT:
In an effort to improve our meeting, we will be having a "fair"
with booths for the different parts of the race.
You will be able to go to any and all of them
to meet your need for information.
Don’t miss the Boutique.

Thank you Papa Johns for the pizza.

Teams are sponsored by:

Updated website available around July 15: http://www.komenarkansas.org/

Team blog: http://arrftcteams.blogspot.com/

Team Social Network: http://www.komencaptains.com/

Race Committee Meeting #4

2009-06-17T13:59:00.002-05:00

The 4th meeting of the Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure took place on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.

125 days to RACE DAY!

The Put a Fork in It Committee sent out 175 letters to local restaurants asking them to participate in this event. Responses are starting to come in. A brochure will be printed to let Race participants know which restaurants are included.

A blog is being developed for the Race.

Sixty entries were received for the Kids for the Cure art contest. The committee has narrowed this down to 20. They hope to announce the winner within a couple of weeks.

The Team Captain Party plans are underway. It will be set up kind of like a career day or science fair. (Don’t forget that the Boutique will also be set up and will have items available now that will not be available by the time Race Space opens in October.)

The Team Captain buttons have been ordered and they are working on a Thank You gift.

The Hot Pink Heroes Luncheon has been scheduled for Thursday, July 16, at Juanita’s. The Because I Care t-shirts will be purple this year with white lettering. The newer ribbon (in the Komen logo) will be used for the I. Top prize will be a travel package to include luggage and airline tickets. Second prize is a piece of jewelry from Stanley’s Jewelry.

Tinkled Pink is working on a flyer but has already “sold” some of the porta-potties to prior participants. (Let us know if your organization is interested in decorating one. Fee is $100 and you do NOT have to do the un-decorating.)

We’re going to Paint the Town Pink. If you have any ideas for this, please let us know.

Remember to register for Train for the Cure when you register online for the Race. There will be a button to click on for this. It is limited to the first 500. This option will disappear once 500 have registered. The first session will be on Labor Day, September 7, at War Memorial Stadium from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sessions are on Mondays and Thursdays. (I imagine this will be a fun time for all with Tbyrd heading it up.)

Sherrye McBryde provided the Executive Director report:

We are very close to the conversion of our new software and website. We have been cleaning up the database and getting it ready for this conversion.

The Community Profile has been completed. This helps to know where to focus the money which is raised. A brief summary of the profile shows that 12.5% of Arkansas families are at or below the poverty level; the median income in Arkansas is $37,555. Both of these put Arkansas 49th out of the 50 states. 22.7% of Arkansas women aged 18 to 64 have no insurance. One positive note is that our mortality rate is equal to the national average. Through this report, the affiliate has determined that they should focus on 20 of the counties in their service area which have no fixed mammography services.

The next meeting is Wednesday, July 15.

Thanks,
Jill

Runway to the Cure

2009-06-15T14:25:00.001-05:00

Fashion Show & Luncheon
July 24
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
St. Bernards Auditorium

Raffle tickets will be available during the
fashion show for $5 each or 5 for $20
for several valuable prizes. Must be present to win.

Get your tickets today!
VIP Tickets (first 2 rows - 104 seats available)
$30 each or $150 for 6
Regular Tickets
$25 each or $120 for 6

www.stbernardsfoundation.org or call 870-336-5009

Proceeds benefit the Arkansas Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure^®

Race Committee Meeting #3

2009-05-21T09:37:00.001-05:00

The 3rd meeting of the Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure took place on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. LOTS going on!

Paul Allen with the Arkansas Travelers attended to make a presentation of the money raised at the Mother’s Day at Dickey-Stephens Park. The Arkansas Travelers will also have 3 days in August that people who register for the Race will get into the ballgame free.

Ellen Kreth, 2009 Race Chair (16th race)
and Donna Easley, 2010 Race Chair (17th race)
in their pink Arkansas Travelers jerseys
Publishing Concepts sponsored the pink jerseys that were worn by the players and auctioned off after the game. Shari Erwin also told us that Publishing Concepts is working to recruit the largest team of nurses, Nurses for the Girls. They have already begun registration at nursesforthegirls.com.

The theme for the Race this year is It’s MY RACE to win. The focus for this is to do something (the Race) for you. We tend to do things for others, so this one is for you. Concentrate on yourself and remember that your health is important too. (Please note that we are no longer allowed to have our own race logo. This is simply the theme.)

Team Captain Kits are in process and will be ready for download by the Team Captain Party on July 19. Mary-Margaret has everything under control for the party in spite of her new baby boy—William Terry born April 3. Congratulations, Mom and Dad Marks! And Donna is getting ready to order Boutique items to have on hand.

Train for the Cure has been confirmed at War Memorial Stadium and will be limited to 500 participants. You can register for this program when you register online for the Race beginning July 19. Once 500 have registered, this option will no longer be available.

The Press Conference has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, also at War Memorial Stadium.

The Pink Martini Party has been scheduled for September 12 at the home of Cindy and Chip Murphy. Cost will be $75 per person and will include a live auction.

AND the Three Miles of Men Tailgate Party has been set for October 9 at Diamond Bear. Three Miles of Men will also soon be joining Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Arkansas (go join as a fan if you have not already done so) on Facebook.

There was much discussion on Kids for the Cure. I have already posted about the art contest for the t-shirt and I think the other details deserve a post of their own, so I’ll skip that part for now. However, Komen will have a booth at Dino Dash on May 30 to hand out the rules and information concerning the Kids for the Cure T-shirt Contest.

The committee is working on Put a Fork In It. They are contacting restaurants to ask them to donate a portion of their Race Day proceeds. These restaurants will be listed in various places to encourage participants to patronize them after the Race, including the Jumbotron. If you know of any restaurants that might be interested, please let us know.

Vickie Metrailer, Komen Board President, gave us an update from the Board and thanked us for all of our work. That thank you extends to all of you, as we could not have a Race and raise the money without each of you. She began her work with Komen in 1996 when there were 7400 race participants. Last year, there were 46,000 participants and grants were given this year to the total of $1.1 million. THANK YOU!

We also ended the meeting with a presentation. Gracie Kreth attends Crestwood Elementary in North Little Rock where the 5th graders held a Charity Fair. Each charity represented had a booth and each booth had an activity to raise money for their charity. Gracie’s charity was Komen. She had a Mini Race for the Cure and raised $97.75. Way to go, Gracie!

Gracie and Ellen Kreth
Next meeting is Wednesday, June 17.

Thanks,
Jill

Kids for the Cure®

2009-05-20T14:14:00.001-05:00

Kids T-shirt contest sponsored by

The Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is hosting a T-shirt design contest to kick off our new Kids for the Cure^® program in this year’s Arkansas Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock on October 17, 2009. Kids will have the opportunity to register for the Race as a Kids for the Cure^® participant.

The Arkansas Affiliate invites children 12 and under to submit an original drawing for our first ever Kids for the Cure^® T-shirt. The winning artwork will be used as the signature design on the 3,000 T-shirts ordered for this program.

The rules for the competition are:

Artwork must be submitted on 8 ½” x 11” white paper or cardstock and mailed flat (folded paper cannot be formatted for T-shirt printing) to Komen Race for the Cure, 904 Autumn Road, Ste 500, Little Rock, AR 72211, by Monday, June 15.

Incorporating the theme of this year’s Race: “It’s MY RACE to win” is suggested.

Design should incorporate the Komen pink ribbon somewhere in the art. (Take note of the ribbon in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure logo at the top of the right hand column of this blog.)

Only markers should be used in the artworks. Do not use crayons or colored pencils, as they do not transfer well onto T-shirts.

On the back of the artwork, please include the following in pencil:

Designer’s Name and Age

Name of school

Year in school

Home address

Parent or Guardian’s name

Contact telephone number and email address

By submitting a design, the designer and the designer’s parent or guardian consent to the entries becoming the property of Susan G. Komen for the Cure^® and agree to the entry being used for promotional purposes. Entries will not be returned.

The winners and their parents or guardians will be asked to attend the 2K Family Walk on October 17, 2009, as part of the Race Festivities.

The entries will be judged by a panel of judges based upon creativity, neatness and the overall spirit of the Race for the Cure^®. The judges’ decision is final.

Funds from the Race for the Cure^® are used to help eliminate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease and are used for education, screening, treatment and research programs.

More on this new program later. With this deadline quickly approaching, I wanted to get this information to you as quickly as possible. It can also be found on the Komen Arkansas website.

Jill

Letter to Team Captains

2009-05-20T10:14:00.003-05:00

A letter went out on Monday to the Team Captains that we have in our database. In case you have not received yours, here's the info:

May 15, 2009

Dear Team Captain:

Sweet Sixteen! The Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is celebrating 16 years of fighting breast cancer on behalf of the women of Arkansas. We are excited about the 2009 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^®. Leadership is essential in building a great team and we can’t do it without you. Please join us to make Saturday, October 17, 2009, another record-breaking event.

We have new and exciting things happening this year and we don’t want you to miss any of it. This year’s theme for the Race is “It’s MY Race to Win” and the colors are pink and plum.

We are no longer maintaining a team captain database and email list. Announcements will be made via our two new methods of communication. We have our blog which is designed specifically for Team Captains, http://arrftcteams.blogspot.com. It includes general team information and a list of all upcoming activities. In addition, we have our own social network, Komen Captains. You can read about it and learn how to join on the blog (Exciting News posted on 4/7/09).

We are now on Facebook! Look for Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Arkansas and become a Fan. We will post fun and important info!

We also announced our start date for the Train for the Cure program: Monday, September 7th (Labor Day) at War Memorial Stadium. Our run/walk clinic will meet every Monday and Thursday night from 6:30 to 7:30. You will be able to register for the clinic when you register online for the 2009 Race, but space is limited.

The Team Captains Party will be held July 19th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Hays Senior Citizens Center in North Little Rock. We have changed the format in order to provide Team Captains more time to ask questions, to visit with other team captains, and to learn more about some of the other activities that take place preceding the Race.

While we have made great strides in Arkansas, there is still so much that needs to be done to help uninsured and underinsured women. And to do that, we must raise additional funds for mammograms. Please encourage your team to participate in our online (and very easy) email fundraising, Because I Care™.

We look forward to working with you as we celebrate Sweet Sixteen. If you are not the Team Captain for your organization this year, please forward this to the new captain.

Sincerely,

Susan Talley Brown
2009 Teams Chair

Thanks,
Jill

Vote for Kris Allen

2009-05-18T20:40:00.000-05:00

Just to keep things straight, this is not a Komen "authorized" post. This is purely my views. The ladies with Komen may or may not agree. In other words, I'm not asking at this time. :o)

I received an email this morning that said it better than I can:

Ok you guys, this is it!!!! Please watch American Idol on Tuesday, May 19th, AND vote, Vote VOTE for Kris Allen!! You can vote by calling toll free or by texting (there is no extra charge for texting by American Idol just At&t; if you have a texting package, then it goes by that. I encourage you to get an unlimited package, at least for this month to use to vote.)

You can go here to Kris Allen Nation for ALL the details for voting and events happening this week for support!!!!

Voting will be open for 4 hours this Tuesday instead of just two--8pm to 12am. Please vote as long as you can, as many times as possible...voting is unlimited on how many times you can vote. I know this seems like a long time, but this is the last night! If you can’t vote the whole four hours, please vote as many times as you can...some people have been able to get 4000 texts done in 2 hours so with 4 we will get so many more!

Remember to think positive on his winning and visualize Ryan Secreast saying “Kris, you are our New American Idol” and it will come to pass!!!!

Please pass this on to your friends, family and co-workers!

Thanks!!!!!!

There's also information at B98.5 and Fox 16.

Don't forget--VOTE!
Jill

New Sponsor - Genghis Grill

2009-05-15T12:37:00.001-05:00

Raise Money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and eat at one of Little Rock's newest restaurants - the new Genghis Grill!

Mike Pierce, Jr., the owner of the new Genghis Grill, is donating 20% of all food sales during the Grand Opening on May 18th, 19th, and 20th. That's this coming Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the 19th, please join us at Genghis Grill for a press conference at 2:00 p.m. where the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen will be introduced.

Genghis Grill is located at 12318 Chenal Parkway in west Little Rock.

We hope you all can go to Genghis Grill for a delicious meal and come to the Press Conference for a big showing in support of Susan G. Komen and our generous sponsor!

And thanks, Emily, for this announcement.

Jill

Mother's Day with the Arkansas Travelers

2009-05-05T09:07:00.001-05:00

Don't forget the Arkansas Travelers' Game this Sunday, May 10, Mother's Day at Dickey-Stephens Park. The game starts at 2 p.m. The Travelers will wear pink jerseys in honor of Komen. After the game, the jerseys will be auctioned, and the proceeds will be donated to the Arkansas Komen Affiliate! Please come out and enjoy the fun and support Komen.

Jill

Race Committee Meeting #2

2009-04-22T08:44:00.001-05:00

Hey gang! The second Race Committee meeting took place last Wednesday, April 15. However, I was on my way home after a great few days in Branson celebrating my birthday instead of attending the meeting. Our fearless leader and Race Chair, Ellen Kreth, was kind enough to contribute a summary of the meeting for your info.

Take it away, Ellen:

We had a great meeting on the 15th.

We opened the meeting with the Race video from 2008. What a great year it was!! Let me hear you say, "Sweet!" This is Komen's Sweet 16!!

We are gearing up for the Team Captains Party to be held July 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hayes Center in North Little Rock. We're excited about the format change. We are hoping to provide Team Captains with more time to ask questions, to visit with other team captains, and to learn more about some of the other activities that take place preceding the Race. We also announced our Team Captain Party Chair had a baby boy April 3!!

This year Komen gave away more than one million dollars in grants. We certainly applaud ourselves for that. But, we also learned from our grants committee that so much more is needed. Komen was submitted needed grant requests for more than triple that amount. That is why the Because I Care pledge program is so important. And, this year, the prizes for the winners of the Because I Care pledge program are even better than last year! While we are so proud of our Race, in that so many people participant, we realize how important our pledge program is and growing it to raise even more money so even more women can receive treatment for breast cancer.

We also announced our start date for a Train for the Cure program -- Monday, Sept. 7 at War Memorial Stadium. Our run/walk clinic will meet every Monday and Thursday night from 6:30 to 7:30. You will be able to register for the clinic when you register online for the 2009 Race, but space is limited.

We are now on Facebook!! Become a fan!! Look for Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Arkansas!! We will post fun and important info!

And finally, for the most fun part(y): May 10, Mothers Day, is also Komen Day at Dickey Stephens, and we are so excited. The Arkansas Travs are going to celebrate Komen by wearing Pink jerseys during the game. Those jerseys will be auctioned off at the end of the game and the money will be donated to Komen. You don't have to be a part of the committee to come to this fun game. We want all friends of Komen there to cheer on the Travs and raise money for Komen!!

Our next meeting is May 20!!

Thanks, Ellen! I also have it on the side that Alana updated the committee by telling them about our Komen Captains. Membership isn't taking off like I expected. Where are you? See the April 7, 2009 post if you missed that information. It's going no where without all of you contributing. Please send me comments or emails if you have suggestions or comments. I'll even take complaints--please be kind. :o)

Hugs,
Jill

Happy Easter

2009-04-10T13:14:00.001-05:00

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy and Blessed Easter.

Jill

Exciting News!

2009-04-07T13:03:00.001-05:00

Bryan Jones and his team at Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods were so kind to set up a social network just for us. I’m sure all of you are at least aware of Facebook (if not completely immersed in it) and probably plenty of other networks out there. Well, Komen Captains is the facebook for all of you (along with us) to be friends.

We would like to keep this as a small group (relatively speaking) to include our team captains and co-captains, so please do NOT invite your whole team to join.

Komen Captains has several features that I think you are really going to enjoy. You can share your stories, comments and ideas with other team captains. New captains can learn from seasoned captains and seasoned captains can learn from new captains. You can share your photos and videos. You can blog. You can read others’ blog posts and see their photos and videos. You can, hopefully, get ideas from others’ projects that have worked and learn from those that didn’t.

I am especially excited about the Forums. I have wanted to set up a message board where all of you could talk to each other, answer questions and share experiences. Forums is my answer. I have set up categories pertaining to different areas of the Race season with a General Chat in case I’ve missed an area. Others may be added as we go.

When starting a discussion, please check to see whether there is already a discussion underway regarding your topic, put it under the category that best fits your topic and create an appropriate Discussion Title. After all, we don’t need all of the discussions under Three Miles of Men to be titled Three Miles of Men. Be a bit more specific. And please play nice.

Moderators will be following along to help and assist where needed. We will also close or delete any discussions we deem inappropriate. There is a Moderator category where each moderator will tell you a little about themselves. If you wish to get in touch with one of us, please feel free to email us.

Have I totally lost you by now? I’m sure all of you just want to know how to join. As this is a private network, you can only join by invitation. Email me your name, team or company, and the email address you want to use at ar.rftc.teams3@gmail.com. PLEASE also use your name for the Subject of the email. (That helps me.) We will then send you an invitation. Please be patient as we may be flooded with requests here at the beginning.

Once you join, the web address for Komen Captains is www.komencaptains.com.

And, in case you are wondering, the blog will continue.

Jill

Arkansas Ride for the Cure®

2009-03-23T12:22:00.001-05:00

Arkansas Ride for the Cure®
Benefiting the Arkansas Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Bicycle Ride Through Beautiful Northeast Arkansas
10, 20 & 50 Mile Routes

Saturday April 18, 2009 - Jonesboro, Arkansas

Cyclists from all over Arkansas are invited to the first ever Arkansas Ride for the Cure® benefiting the Arkansas Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Saturday, April 18, 2009. Proceeds from the event will provide funds for education, screening and treatment programs for breast cancer. St. Bernards Healthcare, HMG (Healthcare Medical Group), St. Bernards Sports Medicine, and Gearhead Outfitters are the proud sponsors of this event.

For more information or to register online, click here or call 1-870-931-3627.

2009 Survivor Conference

2009-03-19T10:30:00.001-05:00

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
"Renew the Promise"
Breast Cancer Survivor Conference

April 4, 2009
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wyndham Riverfront Hotel
#2 Riverwalk Place
North Little Rock, AR

Deadline to register is April 1, 2009
For more information, contact Nikeba Davis
nikeba.davis@baptist-health.org
(501) 202-4394

1st 2009 Race Committee Meeting

2009-03-18T14:43:00.001-05:00

We're off to a wonderful start! It was great to see old friends and new alike. We had a great turnout for the first meeting! Let's see what news you would like to hear...

The color this year is PLUM and this is our SWEET 16. Health will be a major focus. Great news is that the Race Space will once again be located at Pleasant Ridge Towne Center. Of course, it doesn't open until October 2, but we like to know well in advance. We don't know the exact location at this time.

Report from the 2008 Race: Total registration was 45,938. (Sherrye said all but 8 were at the race. haha) Total amount raised was $1,875,000. After expenses, contribution to national research grants was $403,000 and grants given in Arkansas totaled $1,050,000.

The committee got their first look at the blog.

Team Captain Party is Sunday, July 19. There will be a format change. Instead of the sit down meeting style, there will be booths for different areas (i.e. Because I Care, Three Miles of Men) around the room that you can go to for information and to ask questions. Please make plans now to attend.

Three Miles of Men are planning their Tailgate Party and other events again this year.

New this year is a Training Program. This will be a 6-week program to get participants ready for the race. This is designed for people of all ages, but you must be registered for the Race to participate. They will meet twice a week at 6:00 p.m. for 1 to 1.5 hours. Kickoff is August 29, but I do not know yet where this will be taking place or how to register. It will also be available online and in the Democrat Gazette.

Because I Care had 28 Hot Pink Heroes in 2008. These are participants who raised $1201 or more during the Because I Care Campaign. Their luncheon will be sometime the week before the Team Captain Party. New levels and prizes are being planned for 2009. $150 will remain the level for a Because I Care t-shirt. 18 of the Hot Pink Heroes raised over $1501 each. The top fund raiser came in with over $8000, so start planning your strategy now.

We're very excited that the Pasta Party will be at Dickey-Stephens Park. It's shaping up to be a great change of venue. A Mother's Day Fund Raiser is also planned at the park. (More on that in a few days.)

Another new "event" planned for this year is Put A Fork In It. Various restaurants around town are being asked to donate part of their proceeds the day of the Race. You know we all want food after that great exercise we get on Race Morning. I'll keep you posted on what restaurants are participating so that you can make your plans accordingly.

I think that's about all of the news and reports. I'll be updating the calendar soon so that you don't miss anything. AND did you notice that I moved the Team Photos to the top?

Jill

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T07:00:00.001-05:00

Are you wearing green? Did you eat green eggs and ham? Don't you know that it's a fun day in Ireland today.

Just wanted to stop by and wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

The Arkansas Affiliate is about to kick off the 2009 Race for the Cure "Season". The first Race Committee meeting will take place tomorrow and Race Chair, Ellen Kreth, and the affiliate staff are busy getting last minute things ready for the meeting. I can't wait to find out all of the fun things planned for us this year. I'll check back with you after the meeting to fill you in on everything.

If you have ideas to share with other teams, please let me know. You can always email me at ar.rftc.teams3@gmail.com. And don't forget to send your team photo if you haven't already.

Thanks and have a green day,
Jill

Musings of a First Time Participant

2009-02-17T14:37:00.003-06:00

I participated in the Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure in Little Rock for the first time ever on October 11, 2008. I had heard of the race before, but I didn’t know the specifics of the event or the extent of its reach. When a coworker here at National Park Community College in Hot Springs sent out an email inviting those who were interested in participating in the 5k walk/run to register, I thought it sounded like a good cause and a unique, special way to spend a Saturday morning.

I was in no way prepared for what would take place
that Saturday morning. Thousands of women lined the streets wearing various team t-shirts, outfits, and accessories. There was everything from pink feather boas to pink reindeer hats. Spirits were high as women drifted in and out of various sponsor booths collecting sunscreen, bottled water, and an assortment of giveaways from vendors. Music was playing from a loudspeaker and celebrity MCs were giving away prizes and making motivating pep talks. You would think with so many people there would be chaos, yet everything was organized. At the starting time, the runners lined up in the front and walkers floated toward the back. Suddenly, we took off. I didn’t hear a starting gun, but I’m sure there was one. It was a beautiful day and a spectacular sight to see all of those women as far as the eye could see. The sidewalks were lined with men cheering us on by doing everything from whooping and hollering to throwing us beads. The crowd favorite was the fire truck full of firemen dancing.

As we crossed the finish line, I felt blessed that I was able to be a small part of something so inspiring, humbled that I was one of the lucky ones that had not been touched by breast cancer so far, and acutely aware that someday I, or someone I love, might be.

Suzanne Hendrix
National Park Community College

Thank you to Suzanne for sharing thoughts on her very first Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^®. Please remember that the logo used in this post was for the 2008 Race. We will share information regarding the 2009 Race as soon as it is available. -- Jill