Des Moines Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Along With Elizabeth Edwards and Other Breast Cancer Survivors and Activists, Calls for Action on Breast Cancer

DES MOINES, Iowa, Aug. 16  /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Des Moines Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will host four events August 16 - 18 to launch the state's participation in the Komen Community Challenge. The Des Moines Komen Community Challenge events mark the seventh stop of the 25-city campaign to elevate breast cancer on the national agenda and to draw attention to disparities in breast cancer mortality.

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On August 16, health care advocates, breast cancer survivors and elected officials will gather at the Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage sponsored by KCCI- TV at the Iowa State Fair for a Close the Gap rally, with featured speaker Elizabeth Edwards. On August 17, a breakfast forum will be held at Terrace Hill for a discussion on closing gaps in research, public policy and access to quality care that can make breast cancer deadlier for some women than others.

The Komen on the Go community education bus will be at the Blank Park Zoo on August 17 and at the Downtown Farmers Market the morning of August 18. August 18 will also be Komen for the Cure Night at the Iowa Cubs baseball game. Governor Bill Richardson will throw out the first pitch on Komen's behalf.  Des Moines Affiliate volunteers and representatives from Komen for the Cure headquarters -- wearing their trademark pink tees -- will be there to cheer him on.

Nationwide, one in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. Many Americans -- racial and ethnic minorities, low income women and those with little or no health insurance -- are less likely to receive quality cancer care and are more likely to die from the disease. This year in Iowa, it is estimated that approximately 2,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.

  AUGUST 16 EVENT
  Legislative Day at the Iowa State Fair - Close the Gap Rally

  WHO:    Featured Speaker: Elizabeth Edwards
          "Sheltered Reality" youth drum line
          Representative Geri Huser, Altoona (D): 42
          Senator Pat Ward, West Des Moines (R): 30
          Diana Balma, Vice President of Public Policy, Komen for the Cure
          Shelley Fuld Nasso, Policy Director, Komen for the Cure
          The Calendar Gals, a group of Des Moines area women who posed for

           a breast cancer fundraising calendar

  WHEN:   August 16 at 10 a.m.

  WHERE:  Anderson Erickson Dairy Stage, sponsored by KCCI-TV at the Iowa
          State Fair near the Cultural Center


  AUGUST 17 EVENTS
  Breakfast Forum at Terrace Hill

  WHO:    Barbara Grassley
          Shelley Fuld Nasso, Policy Director, Komen for the Cure
          Lisa Long, President of Komen Des Moines
          Jenny Carney, breast cancer survivor
          Breast cancer survivors and health care advocates

  WHEN:   August 17 at 8:30 a.m.

  WHERE:  2300 Grand Avenue
          Des Moines, IA 50312


  Komen on the Go vehicle at the Blank Park Zoo for Family Friday Night

  WHO:    Des Moines Affiliate Volunteers

  WHEN:   August 17 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.

  WHERE:  Blank Park Zoo, 7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines


  AUGUST 18 EVENTS
  Komen on the Go vehicle at the Downtown Farmers Market

  WHO:    Des Moines Affiliate Volunteers
          Representatives from Komen for the Cure headquarters

  WHEN:   August 18, from 7 a.m. - noon

  WHERE:  Farmers Market -- Downtown Des Moines on Court Avenue between 5th
          St. and the bridges


  Komen for the Cure Night at Iowa Cubs Game

  WHO:    Governor Bill Richardson, New Mexico, to throw the first pitch
          Des Moines Affiliate Volunteers
          Representatives from Komen for the Cure headquarters

  WHEN:   August 18, Farmers Market from 7 a.m. - noon; I-Cubs Game at 7:05
          p.m.

  WHERE:  Farmers Market - Downtown Des Moines on Court Avenue between 5th
          St. and the bridges
          I-Cubs Baseball Game - Principal Park, 350 S 1st St, Des Moines,
          IA 50309

  CONTACT:

  Kiersten Crowell                        Amanda Rinehart
  Flynn Wright                            Flynn Wright
  Phone 515-243-2845                      Phone 515-243-2845
  Cell 515-360-9560                       Cell 515-778-4498
  Email kcrowell@flynnwright.com          Email arinehart@flynnwright.com



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Susan G. Komen for the Cure