Building on its mission to end breast cancer on a global scale, Susan G. Komen for the Cure – the world’s largest breast cancer organization – will sponsor a week of events in Israel from October 24 to 29. The Israel Breast Cancer Collaborative, a major partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and non-governmental organizations in Israel, is focused mainly on examining new scientific approaches to breast cancer prevention and treatment, as well as enhancing advocacy, awareness, screening and treatment. The more public face of the initiative will be the first-ever Israeli 'Race for the Cure,' Komen’s signature fundraising walk. "We’re hoping to get 10,000 people of all shapes, sizes, colors and religious denominations to Jerusalem," says coordinator Rena Riger. "Nothing like this has ever been done in Israel. Large-scale walks are usually politically related, while this is a health issue. So we want to reach beyond one city." Jerusalem race for a cure Komen partners and breast cancer support organizations in Europe and Canada will join in generating participation for the walk around the walls of Jerusalem's Old City on October 28. The 3.8-kilometer (2.36-mile) route was mapped out by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. "As a runner myself, I know the power of these events to unite people toward a common purpose," Barkat said. "We have many different religions and nationalities in Israel. This race brings them together in fellowship with all people who face the impacts of this terrible disease." The Old City stone walls may even be lit up in pink for the occasion, says Riger. Bright pink is the color that has come to be associated with Komen’s fight against breast cancer worldwide. "Komen gives all racers a white T-shirt, but survivors, including men, can get a pink t-shirt," she says. "The more people wearing pink T-shirts, the more it raises the level of awareness for early detection and support for people going through treatment." Jennifer Griffin of Fox News, a former Israeli correspondent who was diagnosed with breast cancer about two years ago, will provide live coverage of the Jerusalem Race for the Cure. The Christian Broadcasting Network will also cover the event live. The problem of breast cancer is particularly relevant in Israel, where it is the most common form of women’s cancers, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all new cancer cases in the country. About 4,000 men and women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Israel each year. Survival rate is 95 percent "In terms of breast cancer R&D, Israel is in the top five in the world," Riger states. "We are medically very advanced. If caught and treated early, the survival rate for Israeli breast cancer patients is 92 percent." Public awareness still has a way to go, though it has been enhanced by high-profile campaigns. For example, former education minister Yuli Tamir has openly discussed her illness in the media, encouraging others to seek screening and to "give people hope for their struggle," Riger relates. Israel also has many women’s organizations and NGOs devoting resources to the needs of breast cancer patients and their families, and many of these are partnering in the collaborative – including Naamat, Emunah, AMIT, One in Nine (which runs hot lines and health programs), Hadadi (a mutual assistance group), Beit Natan (geared to ultra-Orthodox women) and Tishkofet-Life’s Door. The major sponsors of the collaborative, including Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America and the Jerusalem municipality, hope that the international reputation of Komen will help them to reach even more lay people. According to Riger, in particular more work needs to be done to overcome stigmas in the Arab and ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities. Organizers hope that the week of events will forge relationships between Komen and theIsrael Cancer Association (ICA), health advocates and scientists, and enhance its partnerships in Israel and around the world with organizations such as the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Though the Israel Breast Cancer Collaborative is new, the relationship between Israel and Komen is not. Since 1982, Komen has awarded nearly $2 million in grants to research centers including the Weizmann Institute of Science, Hebrew University-Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, and support organizations such as Beit Natan and Tishkofet-Life’s Door. "We have enjoyed longstanding friendships and productive collaborations in Israel," says Komen founder and CEO Nancy G. Brinker, a Jewish American who named the organization in memory of her sister Susan. Israel goes pink for Komen The ICA is working with Komen on an invitation-only think tank designed to jump-start new approaches to breast cancer screening and risk assessment methodologies. The think tank, to be held at Weizmann during the week of events, will bring together about a dozen leading researchers and clinicians and is expected to culminate in a white paper announcing a major research project. Also during the week, Beit Natan will hold a women’s health fair at Jerusalem’s national convention center, and Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life will run programs for students on women’s health. About 50 high-level donor Komen Ambassadors from abroad will gather on October 25 at the Israel Museum’s Shrine of the Book, which will be lit up in pink for the kickoff event. Here they will have a chance to meet Israeli 'movers and shakers' such as fashion designer Dorin Frankfurt, the honorary race chairwoman. On October 27, US Ambassador James B. Cunningham and his wife will welcome delegates and sponsors at their home. "Komen is providing opportunities to participate in this historic trip as a delegate at several levels," says Riger. "With our Virtual Israel Participant [VIP] program, you can contribute to sponsor a runner or contribute generally if you are unable to attend." She adds that 75 percent of the money raised in Israel will stay in Israel for distribution; the remaining funds will go to the Komen Global Fund for research and development in third-world countries. "From our decades of work in Israel and in our outreach in other countries, we know that there is far more work to do to address this critical threat to women’s health," said Hadassah President Nancy Falchuk. "We are looking forward to adding the energy of 300,000 Hadassah members worldwide behind this important and life-saving effort." Co-chairs of the collaborative include US Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman; breast cancer advocate and Komen Global Ambassador Hadassah Lieberman; former US Ambassador to the Bahamas Ned L. Siegel and his wife Stephanie, a breast cancer survivor and board member of the Susan G. Komen Advocacy Alliance. Those interested in joining the delegation can visit komen.org/israel for registration information. | |||||
Monday, October 4, 2010
Susan G. Komen coming to Israel
