The Fight Against Breast Cancer is TOO Important

A few weeks ago, I posted on why we fight. Today I am writing to emphasize that the fight against breast cancer is TOO important to let people become complacent. One of our dear family from Ka'Nunu Ohana is finding out about her grandmother today. While it doesn't look good for a prognosis, she remains hopeful. I call upon all Ka'Nunu Ohana to send in your prayers and thoughts for our friend, her family, and especially her grandmother.

Take this opportunity to remind ourselves why we fight the fight. Let this day be a rallying point and reinforce our commitment that everyone deserves a lifetime.

Ka'Nunu Ohana Fight ON!

This is why we fight!

I learned today that a good friend's grandmother, a 3 year breast cancer survivor, has found out that her cancer has returned. While she has been under monitoring the last 3 years, the cancer has now spread to the spine and hip. Prognosis is not yet determined and there are hopeful signs given that it is localized, but it is never good news to hear that cancer has returned.

This is why it is so important that we as a society take a stand in the fight against breast cancer. It is a common enemy that has the power to unite people of all different backgrounds. You can blame the environment, lifestyles, and even heredity, but that's no reason that people should have to live with or die by such a horrible disease.

If anything about this post has touched you, please offer a prayer to my friend's grandmother. And as you think about your life, people you love, think about taking action. Donate, give your time, DO SOMETHING!

Camp Logistics with a new feel

The 2010 season is quickly getting under way. Many cities are filling up or closed to crew. San Francisco is no different. This year the city by the bay gets a new CVC. With that comes a desire to up the crew game. I have been fortunate enough to be asked back as captain of Camp Logistics. Wi every passing year, I feel blessed and honored to hold this position. It is a duty that I do not take lightly and each year when event is over, I reflect on new ways to improve the coming year. I think this year is definitely going to be different. I hope to have a more engaging experience for those who will be members of the team. There are three pillars of stakeholders that must be balanced. First are the walkers. Without them, we have no event. Second is the crew. We are the backbone of the event and without the crew, the walkers can have no event. Finally, the ultimate stakeholders are the survivors and hundreds' of thousands of people that will fall victim to breast cancer. I hope all out there who plan to participate enroll with an open. Mind and a willingness to make The 3-Day the best it can be.

San Diego Camp Logistics are FUNDRAISING ANIMALS!

As captain of the Camp Logistics team in San Diego since 2005, I constantly look for challenges to present to the team. Typically, we find more activities during event to take charge of and own. This year, I wanted to try and challenge the team in a different way and so far, the results have been truly amazing. It was a little more than 2 months ago, I got together with a few people on my team interested in helping out on fundraising ideas. What came out of those meetings were 2 ideas. First, was a hosted event at the Miami Grille at UTC in San Diego (see older posts). Our first foray into public fundraising events turned out to be a great experience not to mention raising a nice chunk of change. The second idea was just a pure and simple raffle which for a mere $5, people could get a chance to win an iPod Nano.

This is where I really think the team has shined. Starting on November 3rd, I asked the team to participate and a few people stepped up. In less than 2 days, the raffle already raised $500. Six days later, the raffle is now posed to break $1,500!
Now here is the truly amazing piece, the raffle has sparked others on the team to fundraise and to do so even without the use of the raffle. When I first signed up for 2009, I set a team fundraising goal of $5,000. By mid-year, we were so close to that, I up'd it to $10,000. In the last few days, I bumped it to $15,000 and I am ecstatic to write that we are on the verge of breaking $16,000, needing only $44 more.

It is so encouraging to see people rally together for something truly needed, especially in times where people are closely watching their wallets. I am so proud to be associated with such a fine group of people who have not only raised over $15,000, but have yet to show their greatest contribution on the field at the 3-Day San Diego starting on November 19 and through the weekend!

Fundraiser at Miami Grille, UTC, San Diego, fetches just over $1,000

On October 17, a handful of Camp Logistics crew from San Diego held their first fundraiser event in a public forum. Starting in the 4pm hour, the crew fanned out at UTC in San Diego to let people know that Miami Grille was donating proceeds of certain menu items to the Camp Logistics team. Friends, family, and coworkers, were invited by the Camp Logistics crew the week before. The event turned out to be a great first foray into fundraising. Thanks to Miami Grille for putting up proceeds from 4 menu items. Even the salsa dance instructor got in on the action, donating money collected from salsa lessons at Miami Grille to the Camp Logistics crew.During the night, customers enjoyed the specific food items and raffle drawings just about every 1/2 hour. Prizes ranged from hair treatments to fishing trips and included some iPods as well! One of the lucky winners of an iTouch was a Miami Grille employee who bought a few tickets! The night wound down with some final drawings and an uptick in the salsa dancing. Fun was had by all and most importantly, the crew raised just over $1,000 in donated proceeds and raffle drawings! The Camp Logistics team overall has raised over $12k and is still working hard to bring in more money for breast cancer research, awareness, and prevention. The San Diego crew in general has already reached $95k in donations and the event is still 3 weeks away. This year, the 3-Day San Diego will start on November 20.

Excerpts from the Company newlestter

Today, I got to share a part of my story along with another employee who is a survivor. Here is the excerpt...

Treating it

When Holaday was in the midst of the treatment, her oncologist told her something that has stuck with her even today: We are getting good at treating cancer, now we need to prevent it.

“It is amazing to see how the treatments have changed over the years,” said Holaday. “My oncologist said it is both good news and bad news that there are so many diagnosed with breast cancer. On one hand, it is a horrible thing to deal with. But on the other hand, it means there is an increased awareness that leads to early diagnosis and treatment, and increased survival rates.”

That is one of the reasons why she has passion around breast cancer research. Each year she tries to do one walk or event that helps raise money for breast cancer research.

This year she participated in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Race for the Cure. She was joined by dozens of other Intuit walkers last month and raised more than $14,000. They walked in honor of Sandy O’Connell, an Intuit employee who died from breast cancer in January.

And at the beginning of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, other Intuit employees participated in the Breast Cancer 3-Day, also benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation. More than 1,700 walkers and crew raised almost $4 million.

“When I was younger and my mother had breast cancer, I didn’t know how to deal with my mother’s disease, nor did I have the resources to help,” said Andrew Kok, staff business analyst, and was a crew member at the Oct. 2-4 walk. “I only relied on my mother telling me that she would be fine. Today, I am lucky she is a 12-year survivor. Now, I want everyone to know that they aren’t alone and there are resources for people affected with breast cancer as well as resources for family and friends.

In November Kok will be a crew member at another breast cancer walk in San Diego.

Fundraising is important: SD Camp Logistics Crew Hosts Event This Saturday!

I have been working on 3-Day events since 2003. While that may not be as long as some folks I know, I do know that it is too many. That's why fundraising is so important. It seems as though there is never enough money to finally end breast cancer. If there was, I would be volunteering on a different event by now right?

That's why the 2009 San Diego 3-Day Camp Logistics crew will be hosting a fundraising event on Saturday, October 17 at the Miami Grille at UTC in San Diego (near UCSD)! There will be raffle prizes and salsa dancing for donations. Miami Grille is generously donating some of the proceeds from food and drink items to the Camp Logistics crew.

So please come out to the Miami Grille if you live in the San Diego area. The money raised will go to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.