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Dear Friend,
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Kansas City created this special Race edition eNewsletter to provide you with information about the 18th Annual Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure. Feel free to forward this information to other interested people.

Why I Run

Jessica Livingston ran her first Susan G. Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure in 2009 and joined Debbie's Circle of Friends in 2010 Race. Inspired by a few friends who were runners, Jessica started running as a form of exercise. But the Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure meant more to her than other races because she had a personal connection to the cause.

When Jessica was about 27 or 28, she noticed her right breast was sore and found a lump. "I was so scared," recalls Jessica. "I thought of 'lumps' as being round, but mine was more flat and ovalish." Soon after the discovery, Jessica went to see her doctor and pionted out the lump. With no family history of breast cancer and her young age, the doctor told her it was probably fibrocystic breasts.

Just before her 34th birthday, Jessica noticed the lump had changed. "It felt like a small pea, amongst the the flat ovalish mass that was still there," Jessica remembers. She called to doctor to schedule her annual appointment. Although her doctor did not think anything was wrong, she scheduled a mammogram and ultrasound for the following week - the week of Thanksgiving. "During the ultrasound, the tech said the spot was suspicious and asked me to come back that afternoon to do a biopsy."  

Over the holiday weekend, Jessica's boyfriend Joey proposed to her. But her joyous celebration would be short. On Monday, November 29, 2010, Jessica received a call at work that she had breast cancer. The holidays were filled with doctor appointments and surgery. The new year included 4 chemotherapy treatments, 35 rounds of radiation , and a five year prescription to prevent the cancer from returning.    

This year, 39 of Jessica's friends and family are joining her in the fight to find cures for breast cancer. To date, Jessica's Lucky Seven Team has raised $3,770. Thank you for making an impact! 

Who are you racing for? Email us your story at abourek@komenkansascity.org.

Do you know the facts about breast cancer? Click here to learn more about breast self-awareness.

2011 Emcee - Christa Dubill, NBC Action News 

We are so excited to welcome Christa Dubill and NBC Action News as our Television Media Partner for this year's Susan G. Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure. On July 4, Christa became the 5 and 10 p.m. newscast co-anchor with Mark Clegg.

Christa, a Kansas native and graduate of the University of Kansas, has anchored NBC Action News Today since her arrival in September, 2007. In addition to her involvement with Komen Kansas City, Christa serves on the boards of directors for Boy Scouts Heart of America Council and American Heart Association. She also serves on the advisory board for the Junior League of Kansas City, MO.

"We are so pleased to have Christa working with us on this year's Race," says Carli Good, Development Director of the Greater Kansas City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "She is natural communicator and works hard to share nonprofit stories that matter with her viewers." 

NBC Action News is committment to educating Kansas City about breast cancer in an effort to help save lives. Recently, the issue hit close to home for the staff when one of their own was diagnoised with breast cancer. On Tuesday night, NBC Action News Weekend Anchor and Health Reporter Cynthia Newsome announced she is currently battling breast cancer and shared her story in hopes of helping other women. Be sure to tune in NBC Action News over the next few weeks as Christa Dubill shares stories of breast cancer survivors and Komen grantees. 

See Cynthia's Personal Story      

Recruiting Listeners to Join the Cause

Cumulus Media has partnered with Komen Kansas City for the 2011 Race for the Cure. If you listen to Funny 102.5, 94.9 KCMO, Magic 107.3, 105.1 Jack-FM, or 95.7 The Vibe, you may have heard one of their Race PSAs. But Cumulus is doing more than just playing PSAs, they are encouraging their listeners to get involved in this year's Race. One promotion included Sade concert tickets giveaway for people who joined the team or made a donation to the Magic 107.3 Team. Tune into your favorite Cumulus radio station to learn more about this year's Race for the Cure.

           

You Have Questions - We Have Answers

The 18th Annual Susan G. Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure is just 2 1/2 weeks away. Are you ready? We know you probably have questions about where to pick-up your Race t-shirt, Race day parking, what time the Race begins, and what the route is for this year's Race. Find the answers you are looking for on our Frequent Asked Question (FAQ) Race page. And don't worry about what the weather is going to be like on Race day. We promise to have more iced water than ever before at this year's Race for the Cure.

Support the 2011 Race for the Cure Sponsors

This event would not be possible without the support of all our national and local sponsors.

 

Local Presenting Sponsor:

Fit for the Cure Sponsor:  Survivor Pavilion Sponsor:

Promise Sponsor:  Pink Honor Roll Sponsor:   

Diamond Sponsor:         Early Detection Sponsor: 

Platinum Sponsors:
KC Business & KC Magazine
NBC Action News & 38 The Spot

Gold Sponsors:
Dick's Sporting Goods
Town Pavilion
Union Station

Silver Sponsors:
GE
Grantham University
Kiewit Power
McDonalds
Starbucks

Bronze Sponsors: 

Finish Line Sponsor: Black & Veatch

5K Start Line Sponsors: Farmers Insurance & 
                                           Jersey Mike's

Kids for the Cure Sponsor: KC Pumpkin Patch

Piggy Bank Sponsor: Commerce Bank

Crystal Sponsors: Freight Quote, Roasterie, Rubin Brown, United Health Care, & UPS

Water Station Sponsors: Block Real Estate, Labconco, Perceptive Software, SureWest, Stinson Morrison Hecker, LLP 
   

Important Deadlines You Need to Know

Sunday, July 31 - Team online registration closes at 6 p.m. You only have a few more days to recruit team members for this year's Race.

Monday, August 8 - Individual online registration closes at 11:59 p.m.

Tuesday, August 9 - Team t-shirt pick-up at Ameristar Casino from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. This is also the final day to submit your Team T-shirt Contest entries. They can be dropped off at Ameristar Casino or emailed to racechair@komenkansascity.org.

Wednesday, August 10 - Saturday, August 13 - Pick-up your Race t-shirt or sign-up for late registeration at Dick's Sporting Goods.  

Sunday, August 14 - 18th Annual Susan G. Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure at Union Station. Race begins at 7:30 a.m. 

Wednesday, August 31 - Final fundraising donations collected are due. Click here to view fundraising incentive prizes for this year's Race.

Click here to access your Participant Center. Remember to enter your user name () and password.