Pink Tickets

In just a little over a week, thousands of racers, survivors, their friends and families will all be hitting the central Arkansas area to take part in the 21st Susan. G. Komen Race for the Cure.

We have a team registered for the race:  The Bookends!  (kinda fitting, don't you think, since we all work at a library?)
The Arkansas State Library first had a team way back in 2000.  We started out with one Survivor, Wanda, then not long afterwards, added another, Martha. And then another name was added, Barbara. This year we add another staff member, Emma.   In between these 4 wonderfully brave women, we've had other staff members, including myself, who have had their own scary moments after mammograms didn't come up "all clear".
Fortunately for us, our biopsies came back all good.  But for our four staff members, they ended up with not a Golden Ticket, but, a Pink Ticket.  All four underwent treatments.  Three of our four have heard the words, "good news! you are cancer free!" 
Unfortunately, for one of our warriors, Martha, even though she fought as hard as she could, she lost her battle early this year.
This is why, year after year, I send out the call to come fight the war on cancer.  So that we don't lose anymore Marthas.  So we can keep our Wandas, our Barbaras, and our Emmas.

If you haven't registered yet for this year's Komen Arkansas Race, please consider doing so.

The race will be October 4th in downtown Little Rock & North Little Rock, with a brand new race course!
Registration is still going on-- you can log on to www.komenarkansas.org and register, or you can go out to register at  the Race Space (11619 Pleasant Ridge, Little Rock, 72212).   If you can't go out to the Race Space, I will be happy to take your registration form & money and pick up your race packet for you.
 If you will not be able to participate in the Race itself, but would like to help, you can always register for the Sleep in for the Cure--you still get a race shirt, and you can sleep in! (but why sleep in when there's always so much going on Race Morning?!!) 
Guys, you can participate by being a "3 Miles of Men" member--sign up, and you get your own special 3MOM shirt, and you can come cheer on all the ladies as they run/walk through downtown.

If you don't want to participate in the Race, but would like to donate some money, we will be happy to accept your donations!  Generous folks such as Mindy, Karmelita, Inell, and our own Emma gave heartfelt donations, as well as a wonderful Anonymous Donor.  Thank you all!

Again, you can go to www.komenarkansas.org to donate online or find the address to mail it in.        If you do not wish to go online, again, see me, and  I will be happy to take your donations to the Komen office. 

Let's not lose anymore.   Join us in downtown Little Rock on October 4th.
Let's win this war on cancer.
 Let's not hand out anymore Pink Tickets.

Sizzling!

I want to say 'Kudos!" to all the volunteers who showed up to help get the 2014 Kick-Off Party for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure off and running yesterday at the Promenade at Chenal.  Or should I say, off and sweating?!
It was plenty hot out there, as the event was outside, in the afternoon heat.  Afternoon heat.  100 degrees hot. Don't even think of looking at the heat index temps.
But these volunteers would be there in the sizzling heat or the freezing cold if it meant getting the upper hand on beating breast cancer.   They are serious about finding a cure. 
And you should be too.
Cancer is claiming the lives of too many people. So come on and join us in finding a cure.

there are tons of ways you can help:

Race for the Cure will be October 4th at 8:00 a.m. in downtown Little Rock. 
Register for the race, and don't forget to look at the NEW Race Route for this year!
You say you're not in shape for a 5k?  Pshaw---there is help out there for you---when you register for the race, you can also sign up for their program, Train for the Cure.  An easy six week program that will have you ready to go on Race Day!
Still not motivated to work out, but want to to help?  Just register for the Sleep in for the Cure!
That way you can still register, but on October 4th you can comfortably snooze away in your awesome tee shirt that you received just for registering.
Want to get the men in your life involved?  Search no more--3 Miles of Men is just waiting to welcome your husband, boyfriend, father, son, brother, grandson.  They want all your men to line the Race route and cheer you on as you stride down that route! They also get to enjoy their very own Tailgate Party on September 25th!

Want to do something else besides just participate in the Race?   Friend, we have just the sort of thing you are looking for!
you can Fundraise--one example--Go Pink Day.  Encourage everyone to wear pink on Friday, October 3rd.  Plan an event for that day, such as a bake sale, or have everyone pay $5 for the privilege of wearing jeans.  Have a raffle.  There are all sorts of ideas.

If you are part of a team (and why aren't you?), have your team participate in Tinkled Pink.
For $100, your team can decorate, inside and out, a port-a-potty! Show your creative side!

On Race Day, after the Race, you can Dine out for the Cure.  Several restaurants will be participating that day, so go eat, drink, and be merry, and raise money, all at the same time!

One long-term project that has been going on, and continues to need volunteers, is Spit for the Cure.
You fill out a form, do some spitting in a vial, and help medical researchers.  It's free, you just need to fill out an update form that they will send to you once in awhile.

Did I hear someone say, "Volunteer?" Yes, you, and I am looking at YOU--can volunteer!
Whether it's folding tee shirts, working in the Race Space, setting up or breaking down Race day activities, helping at the Pasta Party, or like those brave souls yesterday, standing outside to help at the Kick-off Party.   (I think they would have heartily welcomed an ice bucket challenge!)

There are so many other different ways you can participate, so go to www.komenarkansas.org and find a way that you can help find a cure. 

Move. Be Moved.  Help find that cure.

Peace,
Judi King
2014 Captain of The Bookends