May Community Partner of the Month Presented by Kaiser Permanente

Published May. 17, 2018 12:38 p.m. ET

Susan G. Komen® San Diego’s mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in San Diego County and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

https://youtu.be/w_ofbCniPow

In San Diego, six women a day are diagnosed with breast cancer and unfortunately one woman a day passes away from this disease. Early detection and effective treatment provide the best chance of survival from breast cancer. And that’s what Susan G. Komen® San Diego is about. Komen San Diego is the only organization that studies San Diego County to identify the gaps in breast cancer care and the barriers to health access. Komen San Diego created San Diego’s only Breast Health Collaborative to ensure breast health professionals work together to bridge the gaps, identify best practices and provide a unified voice about the unmet needs of San Diego County. Komen San Diego provides free mammograms, biopsies, ultrasounds, care coordination, education and financial assistance for breast cancer patients’ most critical needs during treatment. Komen San Diego drives meaningful change by improving the law, changing systems, removing barriers and most importantly, elevating the lives of women and men impacted by breast cancer. Susan G. Komen is the largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside of the U.S. government. Nearly 40 percent of our research investment is focused on metastatic disease and much of that investment has been awarded to scientists in San Diego. We’re not waiting for a cure. We’re moving toward the cures every day. When is Now.

On Sunday, November 4th, it will be Team Lopez’s 10th year walking in Susan G. Komen San Diego’s Race for the Cure. Karla Lopez created Team Lopez in 2009 after her sister, Sandra was diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer. For a decade, Team Lopez has walked to come together as a family and give back to Komen San Diego and the community. With over 100 teammates annually, Team Lopez has grown to be the largest non-corporate team in the Race for the Cure. Between Team Lopez’s registration fees and fundraising activities, they have contributed over $50,000 to the fight against breast cancer.

After being in remission for a year and a half, Sandra was re-diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2012. This time with Metastatic/Stage IV Breast Cancer. The news was more devastating than her first diagnosis. The doctor gave Sandra five years to live but said she would help her live comfortably with medication. Today, despite all the odds, Sandra is still here, very much alive and doing well. Sandra continues to enjoy and live life as if she wasn’t sick. Karla and Sandra are warrior sisters battling this disease together.

“We give back and raise funds for Komen San Diego not only because they supported Sandra with free services but because Komen also funds breast cancer research and nearly 40 percent of their research investment is focused on metastatic disease,” said Karla. “I pray they find a cure so my sister can be saved.”

Sandra is also the mother of three children, sister to six siblings, a daughter and wife. Mother’s Day marks a decade since Karla surprised Sandra by shaving her own head so Sandra wouldn’t have to be hairless during chemo alone.

Watch their inspiring Mother’s Day story here: https://youtu.be/KanKzQxXQEA

Upcoming Events:

LEARN MORE about Free Mammograms at PETCO Park on Friday, June 8th.