SW Michigan Komen Story

* The SW Michigan Affiliate Time Line
*Power of a Promise in SW Michigan
* 2004 SW Michigan Affiliate Board Members
*"in the pink" SW Michigan Affiliate quarterly newsletter

SW Michigan Affiliate Time Line

1996

  • First Race for the Cure® in Michigan at Battle Creek
  • First Look Program at Calhoun County Health Department received first grant awarded, totaling $10,000.

1997

  • Race for the Cure®
  • Awarded $30,000 in grants
  • Participant in BMW Ultimate Drive, Kalamazoo
  • Ms. Val Jansen recognized as First Local Hero at Ultimate Drive.

1998

  • Race for the Cure®
  • Awarded over $38,000 in grants
  • BMW Ultimate Drive; Ms. Dianne Hamilton named Local Hero
  • Affiliate incorporated

1999

  • Race for the Cure®
  • Awarded over $57,000 in grants
  • BMW Ultimate Drive; Mr. Wayne Young named Local Hero

2000

  • Race for the Cure®
  • Awarded over $54,000 in grants
  • BMW Ultimate Drive; Dr. Phillip Stott recognized as Local Hero
  • Lee National Denim Day, 96 companies participated
  • First Dance for the Cure initiated to memorialize Mary Robinson

2001

  • Race for the Cure®
  • Awarded over $100,000 in grants
  • First Sing for the Cure performed in Kalamazoo
  • BMW Ultimate Drive; Ms. Toni Freed recognized as Local Hero
  • Lee National Denim Day; Battle Creek proclaims Denim Day in Battle Creek.
  • Expansion of service area to six additional counties

2002

  • Affiliate one of six to participate in National Diversity Pilot Program; Offers a training in October
  • Membership Tea Reception held at the Park Club, Kalamazoo
  • Local restaurants support a Dine for the Cure Fundraiser on Mother's Day
  • Affiliate participates in over 25 awareness events Fall 2002
  • Komen SW MI Race for the Cure© grosses over $100,000 for the first time.
  • Gay Walker is Honorary Chair for the Third Dance for the Cure™
  • Joann G. Fisher receives first President's Award at Dance.

2003

  • Affiliate holds first Mission Reception at the Kalamazoo Ladies' Library. All 2002 Grant Recipients present posters. April Zapata, a WMU intern, also presents Affiliate History posters. About 60 people attend the event. Five Volunteers were recognized:
    • Sheldon Schwitek, a three year Dance for the Cure™ volunteer responsible for silent art auction;
    • Pat MacLeod, Affiliate Development Chair responsible for the Affiliate Mission Reception;
    • Pat Denny responsible for maintaining Affiliate literature
    • Barb Armstrong works with other breast cancer survivors through Komen and at the West Michigan Cancer Center;
    • Laurel Henkel coordinator of volunteers for Komen SW MI Race for the Cure©
    • For second year, Affiliate awards over $100,000 in grant money for breast health programs in SW Michigan.