Nine-time Swimming National Champion Calls Surviving Cancer Greater Accomplishment than Winning Gold SAN DIEGO, July 17
SAN DIEGO, July 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R), the
world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists
committed to ending breast cancer forever, has named Deena Deardurff Schmidt
as San Diego's 2008 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor. Schmidt, former head
swimming coach at San Diego State University, 1972 Olympic gold medalist, and
swimming world record holder, will serve as an inspirational spokesperson to
help raise awareness of breast cancer screening and education in San Diego
County and support Komen San Diego in its mission to eradicate breast cancer
forever.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070122/NYM084LOGO)
Schmidt, who dedicated most of her adult life to swimming, both as a
competitive athlete and a women's collegiate swimming coach, has always
maintained a healthy lifestyle and stayed in top physical shape. Finding a
lump in her breast during a routine self breast exam in the shower was a huge
surprise to her. When Schmidt was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 47, her
life changed forever.
"I quickly learned that breast cancer doesn't discriminate. It is a
disease that can affect anyone regardless of age, race and physical stature,"
said Schmidt.
Schmidt underwent two lumpectomies, a mastectomy and chemotherapy for her
breast cancer. Her undying determination, the support of her friends and
family and the breast cancer resources and information available to her were
driving forces in her fight against breast cancer. Schmidt is now a breast
cancer survivor, and she has made it her mission to speak out and help others
learn more about the disease.
"In the beginning I had thought, foolishly, that no one needed to know
what I was up against, but when I learned that one in eight women would be
diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, I felt it was my duty to open up
and share my story," added Schmidt. "I encourage women to use the resources
and advice provided by medical professionals and organizations like Komen to
educate themselves about early detection methods and available breast cancer
screening and treatment options. These resources helped me in my battle
against the disease, and to me, the victory of survivorship is a greater
victory than winning Olympic gold."
On Sunday, November 2, 2008, Deena Deardurff Schmidt, along with more than
13,000 San Diegans are expected to unite in Balboa Park for the Twelfth Annual
Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure(R). A survivor ceremony will be
held prior to the race to recognize Schmidt as well as other San Diego breast
cancer survivors.
For additional information about the San Diego Race for the Cure or Susan
G. Komen for the Cure, please visit the national Web site at
http://www.komen.org, or the San Diego Affiliate web site at
http://www.sdkomen.org. San Diegans can sign up for the November 2, 2008 San
Diego Race for the Cure on the San Diego Affiliate web site, or by calling In
Motion at (760) 692-2900.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego
Since its inception in 1995, more than $6 million has been given to local
organizations that provide breast cancer education, screening, diagnostics,
treatment and patient support for the uninsured or underinsured in San Diego
County. Through a combination of fundraising events, grant-writing workshops,
educational seminars and advocating for state legislation, the volunteers of
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego are dedicated to addressing the
immediate breast health needs of the communities they serve. Seventy-five
percent of proceeds are awarded each year through a grant process to local
organizations. Each grantee conducts a program that offers breast cancer
education, screening or treatment to residents in the San Diego area. The
remaining 25 percent is directed to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure National
Grant Program to fund research on a national and international level.
http://www.sdkomen.org
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do
everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise
became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer
movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network
of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower
people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.
Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, the organization has
invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source
of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
http://www.komen.org
Contacts:
Laura Farmer Sherman Rachel Lipsitz
Executive Director PR Chair
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Susan G. Komen for the Cure,
San DiegoSan Diego
858-273-5760 858-449-9575
laura@sdkomen.orgrlipsitz@vidacommunication.com
SOURCE Susan G. Komen for the Cure
