Greater Houston Weekly - Top Of The Week
Keeping hope alive
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| Dorothy Paterson who is participating in the 2008 Komen Houston Race for the Cure also serves as secretary on the Houston Affiliate Board of Directors. Dorothy was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in 1998, and went through many surgeries, chemotherapy treatments and reconstruction. Since that year, she has participated in every Komen Houston Race for the Cure. In Dorothy’s nine years of participating, she has raised more than $125,000 in personal pledge donations, and was Race Chair for the 2006 event. |
By Sharon Spoonemore
When the Komen Houston Race for the Cure begins Saturday, Oct. 4, breast cancer survivors, their families, friends and advocates will make a statement as they run, walk, party, or even sleep-in to increase awareness and raise money to help fight breast cancer.
Komen Houston Race for the Cure is the largest foot race in Houston with more than 29,000 participants attending in 2007. The Komen Houston Affiliate has given more than $15.4 million to help fight this disease and an additional $5 million for breast cancer research throughout the seven counties it serves.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is the result of a promise made by Nancy G. Brinker to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. The Komen organization as a whole has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill this promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
Dorothy Slater Paterson understands that emotional promise between sisters, and she too has become passionate about the “cause.”
At the age of 42, she was a wife, a mother of two young children and a geologist for Marathon Oil. Paterson discovered a lump in her breast through a self-examination. Although she had a mammogram the previous summer, Paterson was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer within a year of the mammogram.
“Thankfully, I found the lump early enough that with a year and a half of treatment, I’m cancer free,” said Paterson. “I had both breasts removed and had reconstructive surgery. I owe my life to the inspired physicians at M.D. Anderson Hospital. Twenty-one years later I’m not only a survivor, but I’m thriving.”
A year after her discovery and during her recovery, Paterson’s family joined her in her first Komen Race for the Cure.
“The spirit of celebration at the Race was overwhelming,” said Paterson. “Since I was still recuperating, my family joined me in a walk. The place was full of emotion. Seeing the sea of survivors’ pink T-shirts was so inspiring and reassuring for all of us. The Race is all about keeping hope alive. This is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.
“One of my most treasured times was running in the Race in 1999 with my daughter,” she said. “I even trained for that one. I felt such a tremendous victory over the disease. It was truly my Gold Medal!”
When it came to fundraising, Paterson was first encouraged by a friend to post a pledge sheet in the coffee bar at Marathon Oil where she worked.
“I actually argued with him and said that I couldn’t ask for anything more after the support they had already given me through the illness,” Paterson recalled. “But he was persistent and assured me that they would be willing to give. I posted it that morning and was overwhelmed to find over $500 pledged by the end of the day.”
Since that small beginning, Paterson has raised more than $125,000 during the past 10 years. Her passion for helping other women with cancer runs deep.
“In Houston we have the highest rate of uninsured people in the country,” said Paterson. “Mothers must stay healthy to keep their families thriving. I don’t want to see them have to make a choice between putting food on the table or getting a mammogram. Spreading the word about early breast cancer detection and treatment is vital. The Komen Houston Affiliate provides educational resources as well as access to screening and treatment. Research is also a priority with $3.8 million granted for research just in the greater Houston area.”
Breast cancer survival rates have proven to be much higher with early detection according to Dr. Noushin Hart, an oncology radiologist at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital.
“The earlier breast cancer is detected and the earlier stage it is, the longer five-year survival it has,” Hart said. “The five-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least five years after their cancer is found. Five year relative survival rates are – Stage I 100 percent, Stage II 86 percent, Stage III 57 percent and Stage IV 20 percent.”
Paterson and others are encouraging all the participants of the 2008 Race to aim for at least $100 in donations.
“Susan G. Komen for the Cure has raised $1 billion dollars in 25 years,” said Paterson. “Our goal is to raise $2 billion over the next 10 years.”
Paterson considers herself a “fulltime breast cancer advocate” whose husband, Malcolm, has been a “rock and best supporter.”
She serves on the Komen Houston Board of Directors and teaches training classes for volunteers in Houston and for Komen headquarters in Dallas. One of her most recent assignments was to serve as Komen’s International Race Ambassador in Frankfort, Germany.
“We will host 22 people from 10 other countries who want to see how the race is done and take it back to their countries,” Paterson explained. “There is a global burden for breast cancer. We are using what we’ve learned to help cure cancer globally. I wouldn’t have chosen this path, but I’m thrilled to be able to offer hope to others in the battle against cancer and finding a cure. We’re closer than ever before.”
Houston Komen Race for the Cure
To see details or register for the Komen Houston Race, or for information about breast cancer screening or treatment, go to www.komen-houston.org or call (713) 783-9188.
Pick Your Fun and support Race for the cure in a variety of ways
Family Walk / Kids K (1/2 mile)
5K Timed Competitive Run
5K Non-Competitive Run
5K Walk
Family Walk/Kids K is a shorter distance (approximately 1/2 mile) route for families to enjoy.
Anyone can form a team! Whether you are a group of friends, a large corporation, a family or a community organization, you can form a team
Sleep in for the Cure is perfect for Komen supporters who are out of town Race morning or who prefer to participate in the Race in the comfort of their home. Sleep in for the Cure participants can register and fundraise on teams, and are eligible for Pledge Program prizes!
2008 Memorial Birds Honor a loved one you have lost to breast cancer by reserving a Memorial Bird in his or her name. This bird will be released during the Opening Ceremonies on Race morning at the 2008 Komen Houston Race for the Cure.
2008 Survivor Salute Flags Honor the breast cancer survivor in your life with a Survivor Salute Flag. The flag will display the survivor’s name and will fly on race day as survivors run or walk the course.
Komen Houston Race for the Cure is the largest foot race in Houston with more than 29,000 participants attending in 2007. The Komen Houston Affiliate has given more than $15.4 million to help fight this disease and an additional $5 million for breast cancer research throughout the seven counties it serves.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is the result of a promise made by Nancy G. Brinker to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. The Komen organization as a whole has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill this promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
Dorothy Slater Paterson understands that emotional promise between sisters, and she too has become passionate about the “cause.”
At the age of 42, she was a wife, a mother of two young children and a geologist for Marathon Oil. Paterson discovered a lump in her breast through a self-examination. Although she had a mammogram the previous summer, Paterson was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer within a year of the mammogram.
“Thankfully, I found the lump early enough that with a year and a half of treatment, I’m cancer free,” said Paterson. “I had both breasts removed and had reconstructive surgery. I owe my life to the inspired physicians at M.D. Anderson Hospital. Twenty-one years later I’m not only a survivor, but I’m thriving.”
A year after her discovery and during her recovery, Paterson’s family joined her in her first Komen Race for the Cure.
“The spirit of celebration at the Race was overwhelming,” said Paterson. “Since I was still recuperating, my family joined me in a walk. The place was full of emotion. Seeing the sea of survivors’ pink T-shirts was so inspiring and reassuring for all of us. The Race is all about keeping hope alive. This is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.
“One of my most treasured times was running in the Race in 1999 with my daughter,” she said. “I even trained for that one. I felt such a tremendous victory over the disease. It was truly my Gold Medal!”
When it came to fundraising, Paterson was first encouraged by a friend to post a pledge sheet in the coffee bar at Marathon Oil where she worked.
“I actually argued with him and said that I couldn’t ask for anything more after the support they had already given me through the illness,” Paterson recalled. “But he was persistent and assured me that they would be willing to give. I posted it that morning and was overwhelmed to find over $500 pledged by the end of the day.”
Since that small beginning, Paterson has raised more than $125,000 during the past 10 years. Her passion for helping other women with cancer runs deep.
“In Houston we have the highest rate of uninsured people in the country,” said Paterson. “Mothers must stay healthy to keep their families thriving. I don’t want to see them have to make a choice between putting food on the table or getting a mammogram. Spreading the word about early breast cancer detection and treatment is vital. The Komen Houston Affiliate provides educational resources as well as access to screening and treatment. Research is also a priority with $3.8 million granted for research just in the greater Houston area.”
Breast cancer survival rates have proven to be much higher with early detection according to Dr. Noushin Hart, an oncology radiologist at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital.
“The earlier breast cancer is detected and the earlier stage it is, the longer five-year survival it has,” Hart said. “The five-year survival rate refers to the percentage of patients who live at least five years after their cancer is found. Five year relative survival rates are – Stage I 100 percent, Stage II 86 percent, Stage III 57 percent and Stage IV 20 percent.”
Paterson and others are encouraging all the participants of the 2008 Race to aim for at least $100 in donations.
“Susan G. Komen for the Cure has raised $1 billion dollars in 25 years,” said Paterson. “Our goal is to raise $2 billion over the next 10 years.”
Paterson considers herself a “fulltime breast cancer advocate” whose husband, Malcolm, has been a “rock and best supporter.”
She serves on the Komen Houston Board of Directors and teaches training classes for volunteers in Houston and for Komen headquarters in Dallas. One of her most recent assignments was to serve as Komen’s International Race Ambassador in Frankfort, Germany.
“We will host 22 people from 10 other countries who want to see how the race is done and take it back to their countries,” Paterson explained. “There is a global burden for breast cancer. We are using what we’ve learned to help cure cancer globally. I wouldn’t have chosen this path, but I’m thrilled to be able to offer hope to others in the battle against cancer and finding a cure. We’re closer than ever before.”
Houston Komen Race for the Cure
To see details or register for the Komen Houston Race, or for information about breast cancer screening or treatment, go to www.komen-houston.org or call (713) 783-9188.
Pick Your Fun and support Race for the cure in a variety of ways
Family Walk / Kids K (1/2 mile)
5K Timed Competitive Run
5K Non-Competitive Run
5K Walk
Family Walk/Kids K is a shorter distance (approximately 1/2 mile) route for families to enjoy.
Anyone can form a team! Whether you are a group of friends, a large corporation, a family or a community organization, you can form a team
Sleep in for the Cure is perfect for Komen supporters who are out of town Race morning or who prefer to participate in the Race in the comfort of their home. Sleep in for the Cure participants can register and fundraise on teams, and are eligible for Pledge Program prizes!
2008 Memorial Birds Honor a loved one you have lost to breast cancer by reserving a Memorial Bird in his or her name. This bird will be released during the Opening Ceremonies on Race morning at the 2008 Komen Houston Race for the Cure.
2008 Survivor Salute Flags Honor the breast cancer survivor in your life with a Survivor Salute Flag. The flag will display the survivor’s name and will fly on race day as survivors run or walk the course.
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