Children of Breast Cancer - Saving Moms Lives (back to newsroom)

For 12 years, the Komen Tarrant County Race for the Cure® has honored area breast cancer survivors and those who have lost the battle with the disease. This year, we turn our attention to an often overlooked part of the community affected by breast cancer: children.

“We added Kids for the Cure? to recognize that children are affected by breast cancer when their mothers, aunts, grandmothers, teachers and other women in their lives were diagnosed with the disease,” says Race chair Wanda Stutsman, a breast cancer survivor with two children. “As a community, we can show these children that we are working to find a cure for breast cancer so no other children will suffer as they have.”

The 2004 Komen Tarrant County Race for the Cure® will feature entertainment by local children, plus a Kid’s Tent with games and activities. Children 13 years and younger have a reduced entry fee of $10, and will get their own special T-shirt, designed by kids of breast cancer survivors.

Here are the stories of some of those survivors and their children:

Nancy Stolz, Keller
“Mommy has a booboo on her chest.”

That’s how Nancy Stolz and her husband, Sean, explained Nancy’s breast cancer to their children, Hope, then five, and Hunter, then three.

“We tried to be very open with the kids, but on their level,” says Nancy. “We warned the children that I would lose my hair, and Hope found that ‘scary.’ But Sean is bald, so I asked: ‘Is Daddy scary?’ Then Hope and Hunter seemed okay with it.”

Two years later, Hope, now seven, was talking about what she learned in school that day about mammals. Most mammals have hair, she was told.

In mid-sentence she said to her Mommy: “Remember when you almost weren’t a mammal?”

Kelly Smith, North Richland Hills
Less than a week after her seventh birthday, Abby Smith’s mom, Kelly, was diagnosed with breast cancer – just one day before her 37th birthday.

According to Abby, prior to the diagnosis, her mom worked all the time. “Now she goes out a lot with her friends,” says the young girl.

Those friends are members of a Young Survivors breast cancer support group that Kelly attends at least monthly.

Abby, now 11, is very private about her feelings and wouldn’t talk much about what she was experiencing . So Kelly suggested that she put her feelings in writing.

“Abby reacted normally for a young child whose mother is facing a life-threatening disease,” recalls Kelly. “She asked her grandmother, ‘Why my mother?’”

Jennifer Wersal, Fort Worth
Jennifer Wersal was only 30 when she went to her OB/GYN for a check up. She and her husband, Eric, were ready to start a family.

The doctor noticed a lump in her breast.

Because she was adopted, Jennifer had no family history to go by, so she had her first mammogram, which appeared negative. To be sure, a biopsy was performed, which showed that Jennifer had breast cancer.

Two years after treatment, she gave birth to her son Carson, now 2. Jennifer, who is also diabetic, and Eric have decided Carson will be their only “little gem.” The three of them look to the future with a positive attitude.

“We laugh as much as we can.”

Nancy Simko, Mansfield
When Nancy Simko, an elementary school administrator, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, her daughter Reagan, now 17, faced the terrifying realization that her mother might not always be there.

“We sort of switched places,” says Nancy, 51. “She was able to take care of me, but there were also times when she would be quiet and distant. Mostly to let me rest, but I could see her fear.”

Nancy decided that being open with everyone in her life was the best way to tackle her challenge. She talked to everyone at Bryant Elementary School, from staff to students.

“The kids would be very curious about my condition, but they were also very solicitous. It helped me be strong.”

Today, many of Reagan’s schoolmates seek her out for advice when one of their parents becomes ill.

Nancy assures Reagan that they will always be proactive about check ups. “When you have a daughter, you also have to be aware of her fears for how breast cancer may affect her someday.”

Additional Support Opportunities

Tinkle Pink
Post-O-Potties are a MUST at a Race, and this year, organizations, doctor’s offices and anyone else can decorate a Port-O-Potty for $100 in the Tinkle Pink program. There are 48 portable toilets, each of which can be decorated in a theme, Greek colors, advertising, etc.

Friends Asking Friends On-line Pledge Program
Runners/walkers can support the Race further by seeking pledges from friends, family and co-workers around the world via a homepage set up through www.tarrantraceforthecure.org. Prizes will be awarded to the top four who raise the most money. Each participant will be entered to win a 32-inch JVC Flat Screen Television.

In the Pink and Men for the Cure®
A $50 sponsorship for either program includes race entry, T-shirt and a heavy-duty black apron, for either indoor or outdoor cooking, embellished with a pink ribbon.

Spirit Runner
Register as a Spirit Runner for $25 and receive a Komen Tarrant County Race for the Cure? T-shirt and visor.

Breast Cancer Survivor Recognition Program
This program celebrates survivorship with song and dance. All Survivors are invited to the Pink Hat Café, sponsored by the Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, for breakfast from Central Market, and door prizes. All breast cancer survivors are recognized with a pink hat and pink race number. A group photo will be taken at 7:15 am.

Komen Tarrant County Race for the Cure®
Saturday, April 10, 2004

WHERE:
Sundance Square, Downtown Fort Worth
Free parking is available in the City Center garages with entrances located on Commerce, Calhoun & Jones Streets, and 3rd & 4th Streets.

WHEN:
Saturday, April 10, 2004
6:30 am-7:30 am Race Day Registration, T-shirt pick-up
7:15 Survivor Photo at Awards Stage
7:30 Aerobic Warm Up
7:45 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk
8:00 Co-ed 5K Run/Walk and Competitive 5K Start
9:15 Survivor Recognition Ceremony, Awards Presentation,
and live entertainment by local children.

WHY:
Funds raised during the Komen Race for the Cure® Series support the Foundation’s mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. Up to 75% of the net income from each Race stays in the community to fund local breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects. A minimum of 25% of the net income from each Race supports the Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION – ONLINE at www.tarrantraceforthecure.org

Early Registration through April 4, 2004 $20
Late Registration April 5th through April 8th $25
Race Day Entry Fee $30
Kids 8th grade (13 years) and younger $10
Kids Race Day Fee $15
NO Registration April 9th

Register at www.tarrantraceforthecure.org until March 29, 2004.
(teams excluded)

www.tarrantraceforthecure.org
Race Hotline: 817-989-2873

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure® Series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrating breast cancer survivorship and honoring those who have lost their battle with the disease. With funds raised by the Komen Race for the Cure® Series, the Komen Foundation with its Affiliate Network is able to fund breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Since its origination in Dallas, Texas, in 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure® Series has grown from one local Race with 800 participants to a series of more than 100 Races with 1.5 million people in 2003.

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