AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THEINDIANAPOLISSTAR 1ST WEDNESDAY,APRIL 1, 2009 K7
Photos
Submitted
The “I Will Survive” conga line kicks off the annual P ink TieBall at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
Pink Tie was areal b all
●By Ingrid Cummings For Custom P ublications
he run-up to the annual Komen
Indianapolis Race for the Cure is
abusy,joyous time. The annual
Pink TieBall in February is
without adoubt the most festiveT
way to kick off t he city’scrusade
against breast cancer.
The Scottish Rite Cathedral was the
backdrop this year f or “A Silver Screen
Soiree.” The sold-out event drew 520
guests —compared to 380 last year.
Aprelude to the Race for the Cure,
the Pink TieBall is amajor fundraiser
for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure –
Indianapolis Affiliate. It’ssecond only
to the race, which t akes place Saturday,
April 18.
Dana Curish, executive director
of Susan G. Komen for the Cure –
Indianapolis Affiliate, said the 2009
ball was ahuge success from every
standpoint, including fundraising.
“We’re still counting, but we’re at least
at $140,000 —upfrom last year,” she said.
Morethan 500 people attended February’sSusan G. Komen for the Curefundraiser,whichpays afestive tribute to breast cancerFun for acause
survivors.Customarily,the ball would be
called ablack-tie event —except for
the stipulation t hat gentlemen don Lifetime
pink ties. Pink i s, of course, the color
that symbolizes the fight against breast achievement
cancer.Atthe ball, supporters wear,
compare and admire n eckties, bow ties, awards
scarves —all styles of pink neckwear.
The evening’ssilent auction featured Three local residents received
items such as aweek’sstay at aresort 2009 Komen Indianapolis Lifetime
on Hilton Head and acondo in Florida, Achievement Awards a tthe
Pink TieBall:agolfing getaway in Pinehurst, N.C., and
an African safari. O ne lucky raffle w inner ● Joseph Mark and Michael Miller,
took home a14-carat gold David Yurman creators of the p atented Suros
cuff bracelet. Automated Tissue Excision and
“All these deluxe items were donated,” Collection device, which is used to
Curish said. “We had great big items all excise breast tissue for biopsy
the way down to small jewelry.” ● Dr.George
Guests dined on Ooey-Gooey Toffee Sledge (right),
Butter Cake, sipped Komentinis —a an oncologist,
martini takeoff made with vodka and pink researcher and
citrus —and danced to the music of The co-director of the
Flying Toasters. IU Simon Cancer
“The focus was on having fun and Center’sbreast
showcasing sponsors and breast cancer cancer program
survivors,” Curish s aid.●
Supporters enable researchers to keep fast pace
●By Ashley Petry For Custom Publications
esearchers who focus treatment for women with recurrent Malkas said private funding from “One area that’svery
on breast cancer often or metastatic breast cancer. organizations such as Susan G. Komen exciting —and we’re
say their goal is to “put Similarly,Dr. George Sledge, for the Cure is “absolutely critical.” starting to see this
themselves out of business” co-director of the center’sbreast In fact, Susan G. Komen for the
by finding acure for the cancer program, has developed Cure is the world’slargest s ource of very clearly —isR
disease. But when will that treatments that prevent the nonprofit funds dedicated to finding the ability to really
happen? Recent advancements in the development of new blood vessels the causes and cures for breast c ancer. individualize the
field suggest we might indeed s olve the in tumors. His research has earned Since the organization was f ounded in treatment of awoman’s
puzzle within our lifetime. numerous accolades, and Susan G. 1982, it has awarded more than 1,100
“Welive in the most exciting and Komen for the Cure –Indianapolis research grants totaling more than breast cancer.”
most important time ever for cancer Affiliate recently honored Sledge with $400 million.
research,” said Linda Malkas, the Vera aLifetime Achievement Award. “People putting on their sneakers, —Linda Malkas
Bradley chair of oncology at the IU Malkas, meanwhile, has been getting out there and raising funds —I IU Simon Cancer Center
Simon Cancer Center.“It’savery fast- working to identify the molecular think every breast cancer researcher
moving time.” signatures, or markers, that would go out and shake their hands,”
Researchers today are working on differentiate normal and cancerous Malkas said.
all aspects of breast cancer,including cells. As aresult, she and her team are The investment in breast cancer
prevention, detection and treatment. developing drugs that recognize and research already has paid off in terms
They also are getting abetter attack only cancerous cells. of earlier detection and more-effective
understanding of the disease and its Globally,researchers are focused treatment. In 1982, the five-year
causes. on an even wider range of breast survival rate for women with breast
“It’sall going on at the same time,” cancer studies. cancer was 74 percent. Now,when it’s
Malkas said. “People are just pressing “One area that’svery exciting — detected early,the survival rate is 98
forward.” and we’re starting to see this very percent. More exciting developments
clearly —isthe ability to really —and perhaps even acure —are on
individualize the treatment of a the horizon.Homegrown research
woman’sbreast cancer,” Malkas said. “Good things are coming,” MalkasLocally,researchers at the IU Simon
said. “Wereally can do this. It’salreadyCancer Center are working on awide
happening, and it’sonly going to getvariety of projects. For example, Kathy Grassroots support
better.”●Miller,associate director for clinical While government funding does
research, has worked to improve play arole in breast cancer research,
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8