Connecticut Affiliate
Governor M. Jodi Rell at the Survivor
Breakfast, June 2, 2007. Also pictured,
left to right, Dr. Kristen Zarfos,
Breast Surgeon who led fight against
drive-thru mastectomies in CT,
and Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez
About the Affiliate
Komen's presence in Connecticut began fourteen years ago with the Susan G. Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure® in New Britain. In 2004, Komen Connecticut moved its headquarters to the city of Hartford.
Race for the Cure
In June 2007, the Affiliate hosted its fourteenth Race for the Cure, its fourth in Hartford at the foot of the State Capitol building. Connecticut governor M. Jodi Rell, a two-year breast cancer survivor, attended the Race as she has done every year. Connecticut is a leader in funding breast cancer at the state level, and the governor is a strong advocate. Since Affiliate founder and current president Pauline Kezer was Secretary of State when Komen came to Connecticut, Komen has played and continues to play an integral role in shaping breast cancer policy at the state level.
The 2007 Race reflected the Affiliate's efforts to reach out to diverse target populations in the state, bringing together people from a wide range of cultural and economic backgrounds, and even included a Taiwan team.
Survive & Conquer
Komen CT Survive & Conquer 2006
Pauline Kezer, president,
LaSalle Lefall, Jr., MD,
Claudia Weicker, Symposium Chair,
and Julie Rowland, PhD
The Affiliate's Survive & Conquer Symposium, held in 2006, attracted over 400 survivors, advocates and medical professionals. Chaired by former Connecticut first lady and breast cancer survivor Claudia T. Weicker, the event was the largest breast cancer symposium ever held in the state. Former Komen Chairman of the Board Dr. LaSalle Lefall and Julia Rowland, PhD, of the National Cancer Institute Office of Survival were keynote speakers.
Grants
Komen CT awarded 32 grants in the latest grant cycle. One unique program involves teaching breast health to women with intellectual disabilities. Most Connecticut hospitals receive funding from the Affiliate, along with community organizations like the YWCA, Health Districts, and Planned Parenthood outreach and education programs. Additionally, each year the Affiliate holds a Grantee Seminar to discuss current breast cancer issues. The seminar provides a unique opportunity for breast cancer service providers to network and share best practices.
Growth
To build capacity to serve the entire state of Connecticut and meet its national goals, the Affiliate is currently conducting a search for its first Executive Director to join a staff of two this Fall.
Remembering Patty Bradshaw
Patty Bradshaw
In December 2006, Komen CT lost Vice President and dear friend Patty Bradshaw to breast and bone cancer. In her memory, the Affiliate has established the Patty Bradshaw Small Grants Education Fund.
Komen CT and the WNBA
2007 CT Sun/Komen CT Ball Exchange
Team of Breast Cancer Survivors
With Connecticut's professional women's basketball team, the Connecticut Sun, Komen CT holds a breast cancer awareness event each year-Pack the Place Pink. As part of the event, twelve breast cancer survivors serve as a Ball Exchange Team, receiving pink and white basketballs from team members at center court before the game.