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Race Where You Are CD-0006280054-03
Saturday, May 15, 2021
KOMEN COLUMBUS VIRTUAL RACE 2021 FOR THE CURE
INSIDE Letter from Race Director .........................................page 2G
Race for the Cure Bingo Card ..................................page 2G Acloché’s Mocktail of Hope recipe..........................page 3G Supporter stories........................................................page 6G
Registration for the Virtual Race for the Cure still open through May 14 at komen.org/columbusrace
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My name is Alyssa Petrella and I am the S southeast Ohio. On behalf of the organiza our local newspaper, The Columbus Dispa
FROM THE RACE DIRECTOR It’s never better than when we are together. When we walk side by side, we paint Columbus Pink and honor our shared mission to save lives and end breast cancer. Undeniably, a virtual Race for the Cure is a different experience than our traditional gathering downtown; however, it remains a special opportunity for the community to come together for hope and impact in support of breast cancer patients and survivors. Due to the timing of our annual event and the unpredictability of
COVID-19, we had to make the tough – but safe – decision to host this event virtually for the second year in a row. And even so, the need for participation and support is especially great this year as cancer patients have been so heavily impacted by the pandemic. Research has slowed, and many clinical trials have come to a halt resulting in delays in the critical breakthroughs patients rely on to beat breast cancer. Regardless, the team at Komen has been working tirelessly to connect people with life-saving screenings and to ensure that treatment is accessible
to everyone. As a participant you’re already doing your part to support the critical work Komen does for women here in central Ohio and across the United States. And this year, we’re asking you to go one step further and donate money over and above your Race for the Cure registration. Just think, if we could all raise an additional $100, we could make the burden lighter for thousands more here in Central Ohio. This Race will allow us to make (pink) lemonade out of lemons and go all-in this year to support our loved
Beyond providing the race with amazing in ones who printing have been Dispatch’s of diagnosed, the annual who Pink Pap are in treatment, and to who are their working survivors and patients share inspi hard to have some hopeRace in aday. very dark elements to the annual time. And, of course, to celebrate those courageous souls who are no longer with us. you will choose to be a part of th We hope Let’s rally, let’s fundraise, let’swho get are a wonderful women and families out there and make a difference for our loved ones, our families and our Warmest regards, community!
Alyssa Petrella Alyssa Petrella Komen Columbus Race Director Development Director, Columbus Susan G. Komen
Here are a few fun ideas to jazz up your Virtual Race for the Cure: Wear pink pajamas while watching the Virtual Race for the Cure Opening Ceremony online at www.komencolumbus.org at 8 am on Saturday, May 15th Complete your Race for the Cure Bingo card by midnight May 15th and be entered to win a Race for the Cure Swag Bag Jumpstart your Race Day by hosting a Pink Brunch fundraiser complete with a Mocktail of Hope (see recipe at right) Invite friends to dress in their finest pink and come cheer you on along your special route!
Check out Komen.org for great fundraising ideas to complete your Virtual Race Day!
Komen sets national bar for patient care coordination A Komen Columbus patient support program is now being nationally replicated across the country as a way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and health disparities. Julie McMahon, Director of Patient Navigation for Susan G. Komen, said the organization’s Patient Navigation Program first started two years ago and aims “to resolve any issues patients face during their breast health care journey.” This includes education about a diagnosis, working with local health care systems, and connecting patients to local and national resources, all in context of their physical, emotional, financial and familial distress. “Needs for basic needs have grown exponentially because of COVID,” McMahon said. “The social and emotional needs can be as difficult as the physical diagnosis of breast cancer in some cases.” Laura Grueser, Susan G. Komen Patient Navigator, said the pandemic cost thousands of women jobs and employer-based insurance. “We saw a huge uptick,” she said. “It wasn’t just about access to health care. It was basic needs like housing and food.” Grueser said one breast cancer patient was sleeping in her car while receiving treatment. The fund provided financial support while Grueser connected her to social service organizations, working to keep the patient’s cancer care program on course. “Life doesn’t stop because of a breast cancer diagnosis,” added Alyncia Mason, Susan G. Komen Patient Navigator. Mason helped a local family whose mother was undergoing treatment and couldn’t afford Christmas gifts, personally
“Breast cancer is a journey best walked together in community. Social distancing makes that hard, but not impossible. It’s been critical for us to use technology so cancer patients know they’re not alone.” –Julie McMahon, Director of Patient Navigation for Susan G. Komen
delivering items she secured from a local toy drive. “We’ll be facing the pandemic’s consequences years from now,” she said. According to McMahon, the pandemic prompted many women to delay routine screening. As a result, the National Cancer Institute predicts an “upstaging” of cancer diagnosis. The organization forecasts 10,000 excess deaths from breast and colorectal cancers in the U.S. over the next 10 years, peaking in the next two years. McMahon fears this will adversely impact populations already experiencing disparities, especially among Black and Hispanic women. To combat COVID’s wide-ranging reach, Komen Columbus completely re-built the way it works. The physical office is a thing of the past. The group insourced its patient navigation work and its Breast Care Helpline through a multi-channel communication system (phone and email, with text and chat coming soon) in both English and Spanish.
McMahon said as of April 1, Komen increased the income eligibility for financial assistance to serve those living at 300% or below the Federal Poverty Line, up from 250%. The Komen Treatment Assistance Program helps keep underserved and underinsured women currently in treatment for breast cancer by getting them much-needed funds to pay for everything from the rent to food or groceries. Komen staff also took psychological first aid training and launched an online virtual peer support experience to help families cope with physical isolation. “Breast cancer is a journey best walked together in community,” said McMahon. “Social distancing makes that hard, but not impossible. It’s been critical for us to use technology so cancer patients know they’re not alone.” To advance this cause, Komen recently launched the 2021 Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Impact Series. The free events offers those living with MBC and their loved ones a safe, collaborative space to gather information and practical resources to help make decisions for improved physical and emotional health. Komen staff will also continue to encourage COVID vaccinations and adherence to routine personalized screening. “We’ve set a national bar for patient care coordination,” said McMahon. “We hope our new initiatives will raise that bar even higher.” Anyone needing more information about breast health or breast cancer or how to access the Patient Care Center or Treatment Assistance Program can contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at helpline@komen.org or 1-877-GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636).
There is no routine mammogram. cancer.osu.edu/mammo CD-0006280054-02
DISPATCH.COM | SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | 3G
Acloché’s Mocktail of Hope
1 cup Country Time Pink Lemonade (Powder form) 48oz Dole Pineapple Juice 2 liter Canada Dry Ginger Ale 1/2 cup Crushed Watermelon *Optional: for an extra watermelon sweetener add 1/4 cup of Torani watermelon syrup
Discover
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Watermelon Ice Cubes
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2 cups of seedless watermelon *Can be made the night before
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Directions
Cut a medium watermelon into chunks 2x2 size. Place in blender and use the burst or crush button to breakdown watermelon. Do not puree, consistency should have tiny shreds of watermelon. Place 1/2 cup aside (can be refrigerated in a sealed container, if prepping the night before). Pour crushed watermelon into silicon ice tray and freeze for at least 5 hours or overnight. Using a gallon pitcher/container, pour in pineapple juice, then slowly pour in ginger ale, be aware the combination will cause liquid to foam as you pour, allow foam to subside and continue to pour slowly until bottle is empty. Add the pink lemonade powder drink mix slowly, stirring as you add, this will also cause drink to foam, allow the foam to subside and continue until all ingredients are incorporated. Pour in the 1/2 cup of watermelon and stir. If using, add optional syrup last. Pour your “Acloché Mocktail of Hope” into your favorite drinking glass, add a few watermelon ice cubes and enjoy!
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The future for breast cancer treatment is very promising. Targeted therapies allow us to limit toxicity and improve efficacy. Analyzing the genetics of each patient’s tumor allows us to truly personalize each plan of care.” Jeanna L. Knoble, MD • Zangmeister Cancer Center
Zangmeister Cancer Center: The Choice for Compassionate, Comprehensive, Cutting-Edge Care The rapid release of new therapies for breast cancer means more patients living longer with better quality of life. Oral drugs are largely replacing IV chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy limit the toxicity of treatment for many patients. At Zangmeister Cancer Center, we collaborate with our colleagues in radiation therapy, breast surgery, genetics, pathology, clinical research and plastic surgery to ensure each patient has a comprehensive, multidisciplinary plan of care. Support from our pharmacists, social workers, nurse navigators, dietitians and financial counselors minimize the impact of cancer on daily life. We deliver the most advanced and innovative treatments focused on each patient for the best possible experience — because each patient’s cancer journey is unique.
A D I V I S I O N O F A M E R I C A N O N C O L O G Y P A R T N E R S , P. A .
(614) 383-6000 ZangCenter.com
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What Women Need to Know About Covid-19 Vaccines and Screening Mammograms Taylor notes it is important for the mammography team to know about the timing of vaccination at the time of cancer screening so they can provide their best interpretation of the imaging results.
Timely cancer screening is critically important for the early detection of cancer, and oncologists urge patients not to delay their cancer screenings due to the pandemic. For women scheduling their annual screening mammogram, however, extra attention should be paid to the timing of the test and COVID-19 vaccination. Breast radiologists have observed swelling in the lymph nodes of the armpit area that could interfere with clarity of breast imaging. Because of this, the Society of Breast Imaging recently issued guidelines suggesting that women consider either scheduling their screening mammograms before receiving their COVID-19 vaccine or waiting four to six weeks after receiving the vaccine to reduce the risk of false-positive results. These occur when radiologists see something of concern on a screening mammogram that requires additional testing to rule out cancer. “This enlargement of lymph nodes is a sign the body is responding appropriately to the vaccine, but it can occasionally be seen in the armpit area on a screening mammogram. This could lead to additional unnecessary imaging, such as a focused ultrasound evaluation of the area,” says Clayton Taylor, MD, a breast radiologist with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
“We don’t want people to put off their screening exams, nor do we want them to put off getting their COVID-19 vaccine when they become eligible,” he says. “We believe that screening mammograms can be safely and accurately interpreted in patients who have recently received COVID-19 vaccines as long as that vaccination information is shared with health care providers in advance.” Recently published studies suggest that a substantial decline in cancer screening nationwide is occurring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a troubling trend that could lead to more advanced disease diagnoses and poorer treatment outcomes.
“Screening mammography is well established and it works. We do not want women to miss out on their annual mammograms because of COVID-19 vaccination,” says Taylor. “Most importantly, for women who have a breast problem—like a lump—COVID-19 vaccination should not delay seeking care and breast imaging if needed.” “We have reliable cancer screening tools available for colorectal, cervical, breast and prostate cancer, as well as lung cancer screening protocols for individuals who are at increased risk for this disease, based on smoking history. It is so important that people continue to get timely cancer screenings to improve chances of detecting cancer in its earliest—if not precancerous— stages,” says David E. Cohn, MD, MBA, a gynecologic oncologist and chief medical officer at the OSUCCC – James.
There is no routine mammogram. Get your James mammogram at one of several central Ohio locations, including our newest locations: • The James Mammography Dublin • The James Mammography Mill Run • The James Mammography Grove City • The James Mammography Westerville • Opening June 2021 – The James Mammography Pickerington • Opening August 2021 – The James Mammography New Abany To schedule, call 800-240-4477 or visit cancer.osu.edu/mammo.
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Robotic Surgery Approach Offers New Breast Cancer Surgery Option While cancer control and reducing the risk of recurrence are always priorities for women undergoing mastectomies, the accompanying change in physical appearance and loss of sexual identity can be traumatic for many patients, who already are facing the stress of having cancer. When a woman undergoes a traditional mastectomy, the nipple and the area around it (areola) are typically removed. This can result in a loss of certain sensations in the chest wall and in less optimal cosmetic outcomes. But with advances in microsurgical and robotic breast reconstruction techniques, Ko Un (Clara) Park, MD, a breast surgical oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), says it may be possible for some women to safely choose a different breast surgery approach that yields strong cancer control as well as improved cosmetic outcomes. Known as robotic-assisted nipplesparing mastectomy, the goal of this surgical technique is to preserve the blood supply to skin flaps and the nipple areolar complex to give women better cosmetic outcomes without compromising cancer control. The procedure is performed through a small incision with a robotic camera and small instruments attached to a robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon at the console. In a new clinical trial, Park and colleagues will evaluate the use of this procedure in women with certain forms of localized, early-stage breast cancer or hereditary genetic mutation that puts them at increased risk for breast cancer. Recent peer-reviewed medical studies have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of performing minimally
invasive, robot-assisted nipplesparing mastectomies. This clinical study will further evaluate the safety, effectiveness and potential risks of the procedure in women age 18 or older. “This is a technically demanding procedure, but the introduction robotic surgery systems gives us superior visualization that allows for extreme finesse in dissecting delicate tissues to achieve the best outcomes for our patients,” says Park, who specializes in breast cancer surgery including oncoplastic surgery at the OSUCCC – James. Park notes that breast reconstruction post mastectomy is a careful balance between cancer control and anatomical outcomes, and that every patient’s unique situation requires an approach that is right for her. A Personal Choice For Gesele Booker, 32, of Columbus, a breast cancer diagnosis always felt inevitable due to her strong family history. A change in her right breast found through self-breast exam led to a stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis and participating in the robot-assisted nipple sparing mastectomy clinical study at the OSUCCC – James. She chose to have a bilateral mastectomy to further reduce her breast cancer risk. She is grateful for the opportunity to choose a minimally invasive surgery to remove her cancer but also provide more natural cosmetic outcomes. “That is why I opted to participate in Dr. Park’s clinical trial. This work will help women feel like they don’t have to choose between cancer control and physical outcomes after breast cancer. The data will help guide those choices,” says Gesele. Cancer treatment does not end with surgery or medical treatment. ADVERTISEMENT
Photo credit: Gesele Booker
For many women, there are mental health benefits to preserving cosmetic outcomes post breast cancer surgery, especially for younger women who will live as survivors for many years to come, or for those choosing preventive surgery due to genetic risk,” she adds. The procedure is performed using the da Vinci robotic system for minimally invasive surgery techniques and is not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as part of standard therapy.
For More Information This clinical study is funded by a Pelotonia Idea Grant. To learn more about breast cancer treatment and clinical trials at the OSUCCC – James, visit cancer.osu.edu/breastcancer or call 614-293-5066.
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SUPPORTER STORIES
Boomah’s Warriors Walking in Susan G. Komen Columbus’ annual Race for the Cure in May was something Akilah Summers, 41, and her cousin first signed up for in 2010 after simply being inspired by the story of local news anchor, Heather Pick. Pick, a well-known figure in central Ohio, sadly lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008. At the time of registration, breast cancer had not personally made its unfair way into Akilah’s life. But it soon would, like she never expected. In an unfortunate, nearly unbelievable circumstance, both Akilah’s and her cousin’s mothers discovered lumps in their breasts after performing self exams that very same May. At the age of 55, Akilah’s mother, LaVerne Summers, received the news that she had triple-negative breast cancer. LaVerne soon underwent surgery to remove her lymph nodes, and tackled chemotherapy during the months following her diagnosis. Akilah – and many family and friends – rallied around LaVerne the following May when she walked as a proud survivor during the 2011 Race for the Cure. At that time, LaVerne’s supporters walked under the team name “Triple Positive” to lightheartedly counteract the triple negative
“Race Day shows my son that anyone can be affected by this – male or female. It teaches compassion and the importance of giving back.” –Akilah Summers, Race for the Cure participant
diagnosis she beat. Akilah, and the rest of the team, walked with her mother by her side the next three consecutive annual races. But by the following year, things had taken a turn. LaVerne’s cancer came back nearly five years into her remission. She passed away in May of 2015 at the age of 60. Akilah, again supported by her friends, family and coworkers, walked that year with even more purpose, and with a completely different team name: Boomah’s Warriors. “My son was 8 months old when my mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Akilah. “He always called her Boomah.” Akilah’s son, Elijah, now 11, has been another integral part of the team. The magnitude of Columbus’ Race for the Cure – still the largest in the nation with more than 20,000 registrants at the last in-person Race – is a physical example of the impact breast cancer has had on people’s lives.
Elijah, LaVerne “Boomah” Summers and Akilah at the 2012 Race for the Cure
Akilah Summers and her son Elijah at the 2017 Race for the Cure
“Race Day shows my son that anyone can be affected by this – male or female,” said Akilah. In addition to walking in remembrance of Boomah, she said, “It teaches compassion and the importance of giving back.” For every eight women in the United States, one will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and African American women die at a 40 percent higher rate than Caucasian women – statistics that come as no surprise to Akilah. “It attacks anyone, and nobody is safe,” said Akilah. “You’re either directly affected or you know someone who has had it.” Given the direct impact that breast cancer has had on her life, Akilah prioritizes her breast health and encourages other women to do the same. Getting yearly mammograms (for Akilah that began at the age of 37) was a mandatory health
precaution she put in place for herself for her own “peace of mind.” “Cancer is a thief that creeps in and steals mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins and friends, and leaves the family behind to deal with the aftermath. So do your due diligence to make sure you protect yourself with self exams and yearly mammograms.” Going on her eleventh year as a Race for the Cure participant and Komen Columbus advocate, Akilah is preparing for another May, one where she will honor her mom and walk in her memory. The 2021 Race for the Cure, scheduled for Saturday, May 15, will be virtual for the second year in a row in light of the pandemic. In addition, there will be an in-person “Hope Parade” that will showcase breast cancer survivors socially distanced in their cars. While Race Day will look different for those who have participated for many years, such as Akilah and her family, they still walk. They still come together to celebrate LaVerne and the life she led; the battle she courageously fought. “May is a hard month,” said Akilah. “It’s always emotional. But I will always walk that distance.” She explained, “I truly feel like I’m walking with her.”
Akilah Summers, joined by a group of coworkers during the 2010 Race for the Cure
Diagnosis highlights importance of community support After more than three decades of work, Karen and Rich Gandarillas had their retirement plans on the near horizon. A single sentence sent their journey into a world of uncertainty. “The diagnosis came into our life,” Rich said. “Stage 3, triple negative, breast cancer.” Nearly 10,000 Ohioans will receive a breast cancer diagnosis every year. The numbers surrounding diagnosis, treatment, and prevention can be so large and jarring that it can become easy to forget the human struggles that come with a single diagnosis. Rich and Karen’s story is a reminder of the cancer’s power and how crucial it is for a community to respond.
“No one volunteers to take the breast cancer journey.” Rich left Nationwide after 37 years to take work with his favorite service organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio. Karen planned to continue working at Nationwide, her work home for 35 years. A routine mammogram changed plans immediately. Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer grows faster and spreads more quickly than other forms of breast cancer. Doctors immediately started Karen on chemotherapy and performed a mastectomy of the right breast. Radiation and more chemo followed. “No one volunteers to accept this much life change,” said Rich, who quit his retirement job to become a care provider for his beloved wife. Karen continued to work because she “found her job to be therapeutic.” Cancer had other plans. In January, Karen started to have difficulty with her speech – specifically with producing words. The breast cancer spread to Karen’s brain between the temporal and frontal lobes. It was Stage 4 metastasized cancer. Surgery to remove the cancer was successful, but she will require months of speech therapy to get full speech capacity
“Support is critical.” COVID safety protocols made it impossible for Rich to be with Karen during much of her treatment. Fortunately, Karen never had to feel alone. Nurses would call or video chat with updates. Doctors and nurses would pray. Teams would collaborate to see how emerging treatments might help. “If you are selected to have cancer, Columbus, Ohio is a great place for care,” Rich said. Then there are the messages. Friends. Families. Volunteers. During one request for support,
Karen received more than 450 text messages and hundreds of emails and calls that included prayers, positive thoughts and lots of pictures. Karen knew she wasn’t alone. “The support that’s out there and everyone coming together meant so much to her.”
“We have been accepted into this unique family.” As Karen continues speech therapy and chemo treatments, she will also receive regular MRIs, CT scans, and oncology check-ups to keep her cancer at bay. Rich will play the role of care provider, cheerleader, and advocate. It’s not just for Karen, but all of the patients, family members, and friends whose lives profoundly change upon a cancer diagnosis. “We have a greater responsibility to educate and ask others to join,” he said. “We’ve done the research and know what Komen is doing not just locally, but nationally.” For instance, the Cleveland Clinic is testing a vaccine for Triple Negative breast cancer. Komen Columbus also funds research projects and supports programs that increase access to screening, diagnostic services, and care navigation. It’s a path that keeps families like the Gandarillas’ going, even when the obstacles can seem insurmountable. “The promise we have for the future and Susan G. Komen’s work with metastatic breast cancer patients gives hope,” Rich said. “We will encourage family members to share their stories. We will give. And we will encourage others to give. “
clockwise from above: During COVID, Karen had to go through every treatment alone, while her husband waited in the car. She’s pictured here with a sign thanking her friends and family for the hundreds of text messages, emails and phone calls she received. Karen and Rich Gandarillas at Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina on a recent trip; Karen poses with a gift from a dear friend. The stuffed animal is her favorite dog, a golden retriever. Karen is on the waiting list to adopt a “fabulous flunky” from 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, Ohio.
DISPATCH.COM | SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | 7G
Breast cancer isn’t always obvious. The place to find it is. That’s why it’s important to get your annual mammogram. Our conveniently located Mount Carmel Women’s Health Centers are dedicated to providing you with diagnostic testing and comprehensive services such as 2D and 3D mammography. And with all the safety measures we’ve put in place, you can get your mammogram in comfort and with confidence. So don’t delay. Schedule yours today. Call 614-234-7400 or visit mountcarmelhealth.com.
8G | SUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021 | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
That cancer screening you needed? You still need it. It’s time to take back your health. A lot of things have changed over the past year. But one thing hasn’t: our commitment to giving you expert care close to home. We are a certified member of MD Anderson Cancer Network®, a program of MD Anderson Cancer Center — recently named the top cancer program in the country. We combine the best of local cancer care with the trusted expertise of a national leader, providing you with screenings, personalized treatment plans, more options and more hope. It’s time to take back your health — safely. And OhioHealth is here to help you do it. Visit OhioHealth.com/Mammogram to schedule today.
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