Journalists & breast cancer survivors challenge media to race for a cure

Dr. Sanjay Gupta | BIO
AC360° Contributor
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent

Several Washington based journalists and breast cancer survivors, including CNN's Jill Dougherty, are challenging the DC media to Race for the Cure. Congressional offices, government agencies, several embassies and even White House officials have already committed teams. The Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Curetakes place on June 5th, on the National Mall.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer while covering the end of the Yeltsin regime in Moscow. Coincidentally, I found the tumor myself after coming home from my daily run. Ten years, two surgeries and 6 months of chemo later, I am a survivor and a runner in the Global Race. – Jill Dougherty, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, CNN

I became an activist against breast cancer in early 1992 when I went to two funeral Masses in one day for friends who had died from the disease. I vowed then to support every Race for the Cure that came along. – Cokie Roberts, News Analyst, ABC, NPR

To read more about the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and learn how you can help, Click here

Read the full letter...

April 22, 2010
Dear Colleague,
In the United States, close to 200,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone and more than 40,000 will die. Around the world, more than 1.3 million new breast cancer cases will be diagnosed this year and more than 465,000 will die. Every 68 seconds, somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer – the most prevalent cancer among women today.

As breast cancer survivors ourselves, we understand this crisis all too well. That's why we, your colleagues in news media, come to you today with a challenge: form a race team and take part in the 21st annual Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure on June 5, 2010 on the National Mall. It is our hope that this friendly competition among the Washington journalism community will motivate your colleagues to help raise awareness about the global impact of the disease and help Susan G. Komen for the Cure fulfill its promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

Breast cancer is a disease that affects us all. Whether it's you, your wife, your mother, your daughter, your father, a relative or a friend who has battled this disease, we all know someone. Here's why we're forming our own teams this year:

I found a 9 cm tumor while nursing my six month old son. After 17 chemo treatments and a double mastectomy and radiation, I will be joining the Global Race this year with my two young daughters age 7 and 9. – Jennifer Griffin, National Security Correspondent at the Pentagon, FOX News Channel

I was diagnosed with breast cancer while covering the end of the Yeltsin regime in Moscow. Coincidentally, I found the tumor myself after coming home from my daily run. Ten years, two surgeries and 6 months of chemo later, I am a survivor and a runner in the Global Race. – Jill Dougherty, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, CNN

I became an activist against breast cancer in early 1992 when I went to two funeral Masses in one day for friends who had died from the disease. I vowed then to support every Race for the Cure that came along. – Cokie Roberts, News Analyst, ABC, NPR

I am a three-year breast cancer survivor whose tumor was found at age 41 during a routine mammogram. Four surgeries and three months of chemo later, I joined a rowing team for breast cancer survivors and regularly participate in the Race for the Cure with my husband Todd. – Deborah Charles, Correspondent, Reuters

By accepting our challenge to form a news outlet race team, you will be joining the many embassies, congressional offices, government agencies and White House officials who have already committed to forming their own teams. Teams can consist of two or more walkers, runners, sleepers, kids and/or volunteers. There is no additional fee to start or join a team and any fundraising goals your team wishes to set are completely individual. Even if you cannot participate personally, we hope your organization will be represented. You would also be generating some friendly and valuable competition among your peers in the media!

When you register your team on the website, you will have an opportunity to select a division (for example, "Corporate or Friends/Family"). The top fundraising team and largest teams in each division will receive special recognition at the Global Race. Most importantly, the top fundraising and largest news outlet team will enjoy bragging rights among your colleagues until the next Global Race.

For more information on how to participate in the Komen Global Race or to form a team, please feel free to have your office contact Pam Stevens at (202) 654-6517 or pstevens@komen.org. You can also visit the Web site, http://www.globalraceforthecure.org.
The Komen Global Race is unique in the Komen Race for the Cure series. In addition to the funds it raises for local breast education, screening and treatment programs, it also helps us shine a light on the growing global cancer crisis and invest in breast health programs in communities around the world.

Over the years, Komen has invested almost $40 million to international education, community outreach programs and research at global institutions.

We hope you and your news outlet will join thousands of fellow breast cancer advocates and survivors like us on June 5 to help erase this deadly disease. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Griffin
National Security Correspondent
FOX News Channel

Jill Dougherty
Foreign Affairs Correspondent
CNN

Deborah Charles
Correspondent
Reuters

Cokie Roberts
News Analyst
ABC/NPR