Executive Director Says Thank You By Sharing One Woman’s Hope
Dear Loyal Friends of the Race for the Cure,
On May 4, I met a beautiful woman named Karen. If it wasn't for her bald head and my being told she was recently diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, I'd have thought she was the healthiest woman in the world - on that night, she certainly was the happiest. She never ceased smiling, filled with pride as her nephew presented a check on TV at the CBS 3 Call for the Cure.
Four days later, I saw Karen again, having just walked the entire 5K at the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure... same ceaseless smile, same joy, full of pride at her achievement as her sister told us that Karen insisted they leave the wheelchair in the car. Among the dozens of events going on that day, having worked her way through crowds of 120,000+, Karen, her sister and nephew sought me out to say thank you.
For nineteen years, I've felt I have fallen short in finding a way to sufficiently thank our Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure family for your amazing passion, generosity and support. But, appropriately, on our milestone 20th anniversary, Karen showed me the way - for when Karen and her family thanked me, they were really thanking all of you.
If you ever need to be reminded of how much the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate and the communities we serve appreciate your support and participation - how valued and critical you are to our mission - think of Karen's story. Here is a woman fighting for her life, yet at our Race, that life to her was better than anyone else's.
I am sure many of you have similar stories to share of loved ones touched by the Race for the Cure. Through the Race, you filled all these people with hope. You allowed them to be embraced in the compassion of thousands. You empowered them to take that victory walk. And most importantly, you assured them that, their 11-year old nephews, 6-year old daughters, or whoever's future they are dedicating to nurturing, will survive this disease... that we will look out for their generation, and keep fighting until all generations are living in a world without breast cancer.
And so, like Karen, on behalf of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate and the millions of men, women and children relying on us for hope, compassion and empowerment, I simply say thank you for helping to end breast cancer forever.
Warmest regards,
Elaine I. Grobman
Executive Director
Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure