Ware Malcomb Warriors Making a Difference
I have run the Susan G. Komen 5K in Orange County at least 8 times. I have always been touched by this very special event. So much love, support and a strong spirit of sisterhood radiates throughout this day, dedicated to honoring breast cancer survivors. The Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure gives 75% of its funds to help underserved women in Orange County with breast care services, while 25% goes to the national foundation to support breast cancer research.
This year, the race took on a more personal meaning. In November of 2011 through a routine annual mammogram, I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer, Stage I. Healthy and active for my entire adult life, I was in shock. Through the love and support of my family, friends and work family, I endured a challenging year. I was fortunate in that they caught my cancer early. After a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction surgery, I was one of the lucky ones that didn’t have to go through radiation or chemotherapy. (See more of my story in the OC Register here: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/surgery-371421-breast-cancer.html%20%20)
Cancer has a way of making you feel very alone. As I traveled through this dark tunnel, and eventually saw the light at the end, I realized the importance of educating, helping and inspiring others.
With the generous support of Ware Malcomb, we created a Komen Race Team, the “Ware Malcomb Warriors.” Our company sponsored all employees in our Irvine, San Diego and Los Angeles offices who wanted to participate in the race, made a sizable donation, and paid for team shirts and a team celebratory lunch, among other things. We had an ambitious first year goal to raise $4,000 for Komen charity and recruit 50 participants for the race.
I am blessed to work with some very amazing, kind, generous people. My committee included Co-Chair Jina Song, Maureen Bissonnette and Cassidy Nelson, who helped create our very pink vision of community, generosity, and fun. We had several fundraising events including a kick off lunch where I shared my breast cancer story and a representative from Komen spoke, a happy hour, a delightful and delicious bake sale, and more! Through it all, I was continually touched by our staff, clients and industry friends who opened their hearts by giving their time, energy, and funds to support our efforts to help others.
I am so proud of our team and all that we accomplished. We raised over $8,500, more than double our original goal! We had 59 people participate in the Komen Race. Most importantly, our efforts have raised a significant amount of money that will fund over 68 mammograms! We hope you join us in this special cause next year!
Ruth Brajevich
CMO
p. 949.660.9128
e. rbrajevich@waremalcomb.com
