April 10, 2025 • 30 mins
The Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh MORE THAN PINK Walk will take place on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Schenley Park.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
- Location: Schenley Park
- Event: Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh MORE THAN PINK Walk
- Purpose: To raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and support.
- Get Involved:
- Walk: Participate in the walk to raise funds and support the cause.
- Volunteer: Help with event setup, registration, or cheering on walkers.
- Donate: Support the event by making a donation.
- Learn More: Visit the Susan G. Komen website for more information.
- Walk: Participate in the walk to raise funds and support the cause.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
And welcome in. This is a public affairs program shedding
the light on the interest, issues and concerns of the
greater Pittsburgh area. Good morning, my name is Johnny Hartwell
your host. Today we're going to be talking the twenty
twenty five Coman Pittsburgh More than Pink Walk. Molly Sweet
is back in the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Molly, good day.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Now.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Usually when somebody comes in and wearing all the colors,
I always say, you know, it's radio. We really can't
see you, but you have enough pink apparel. I think
I think this might even light up radio.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
I am the represent representative of Coman, so I am
always in the pink, especially in this season.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Oh yeah, that means summer's just around a corner. That
means that's right kind of your busy season. Though, this
is it.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
We're in it, We're in the heat of it and
it's going great.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Now we're going to be talking about some of the
things that you're working for, but let's get down to
brass tacks. We want to talk about the walk. So
that is everything we need to know about the upcoming walk.
It's not on Mother's.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Day, it is not on Mother's Day, and it wasn't
last year or the year prior. It's going to remain
the week after Mother's Day.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
It actually makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
It actually surveyed quite well.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
I can imagine, because on Mother's Day, I mean of
such a worthy cause in Pittsburgh always supports the walk.
Speaker 4 (01:16):
But you know, for mom to I mean that a
bit of an old fashioned tradition, and I think the
modern day moms are like, no, we would like our day.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Thanks, right, So they get two days exactly, moms get
two days, you get Mother's Day and then of course
correctly because we walk for all.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
And you know, our sponsors really loved it too, because
there was more engagement after the walk, right because people
weren't running to brunch.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Right right, So all right, tell us I interrupted you.
I oh, that's all right, tell us everything we need
to know about this year.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
So always in forever it's been at Shenley Park, Flegstaff
Hill still there. The event opens up at eight am.
It's on Sunday, May eighteenth, one week after Mother's Day,
and the event begins at eight. The program is at nine.
We have MC's from w T A E t V.
(02:07):
I believe it'll be Andrew Stocky and Michelle Right big
supporter for a long, many many years, I want to say,
over twenty. Yes, and it's really it's incredible to support
and it truly helps. It helps drive all of other
registrants and everyone's aware because of their helps.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
They always do a great job.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
So excellent, yay and Stocky and Michelle Wright are the best.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Yeah, yeah, they really are. They really are. You know,
because I've hosted events and I see what they do.
I'm like, I'm not that charismatic at all.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
It's impressive.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
So all right, and again if somebody so, people almost
sign up ritually every year, but if they haven't done so, right.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
So in years past when it was the Race for
the Cure, formerly the Race for the Cure, there was
a registration fee. Now with the Community Walk, it's there
is no registration for whatsoever. You can even register the
day off. So if you're registered, you have a team
and somebody wants to come along, we encourage that. I
think we registered close to one thousand people day of
(03:12):
last year. Oh, speaking of last year, I want to
have a little bragging moment about Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
I've heard, I heard.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Yes, So last year the twenty twenty four walk broke
all the records across the nation with growth, so we
grew the most in participants, fundraising, sponsorship.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
All of it.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
So no pressure. All eyes on Pittsford. Everybody, please come
and bring the sunshine. Oh yeah, good job, do it
again this exactly. But we had a beautiful day last
year and that always makes it so much better. So
I'm going to ask you to put in a good
word with the big guy for me.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
All Right, we get nice weather again. So what is
the goal this year?
Speaker 4 (03:52):
So the goal is a half a million dollars five
hundred thousand dollars. I was just looking at my thermometer
when I walked in here on my dandy event website,
which is coman ko m e n dot org backslash
Pittsburgh Walk. Okazy, That is the event website. You don't
want to go to just coman dot org. Go to
(04:14):
coman dot org backslash Pittsburgh Walk.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Coman dot org backslash Pittsburgh Walk.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
There you can register, see all of the events that
are going to be happening that day. There'll soon be
a site map. We're still adding sponsors. We have one
more week to close our last sponsors, so they'll you know,
everything will be updated. The walk route is the same
as last year, which is really lovely. It's around Shenley Park.
I like it because it starts uphill, goes around the
(04:43):
Baba Cutter golf course and then comes downhill and then
there's Milly's ice cream truck right there, so it's perfect.
You know, you've earned it.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So so can you mention some of the sponsors that
I would.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Love to mention some of the sponsors. We have so
many and they we could not do this event, which
is quite the spect without all of the support. So
we've already mentioned WTAE who is are presenting media sponsor.
iHeartMedia of course is doing spots for us as well
as Wish FM. But our Hope Village sponsor, which is
the tent, the beautiful Tent where all of our survivors
(05:16):
and thrivers and anyone that's ever had a breast cancer
diagnosis of any kind. I've been asked that a lot recently. Oh,
I have only started treatment, so I'm not a survivor. Yes,
if you are in this world of the breast cancer
disease state, you are a survivor.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
That's the only way we.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Can designate, and it's important that when you register to
make sure you note that because they're going to mail
you your pink shirt that you want to have for
Hope Village because it's quite the processional down to this state.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
I want to.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
It's absolutely gorgeous. Last year was all the feelings. So
so registration is free and there is a registration is free,
but there is a fundraising model to earn a partin
discipline shirt. Long gone are the days of long lines
and wasted money on T shirts. That's out in my
basement for two years. So we encourage everyone to fundraise,
(06:11):
but to fundraise one hundred dollars individually buy let me think,
oh yeah, April twentieth, and your T shirt will be
mailed right to your home to wear that day. If
you fundraise after that or even that day, you'll still
get a shirt, it'll just be a little bit later.
And one important note about the shirts, because Johnny I
get a lot of questions about shirts. Oh okay, it's
(06:32):
a big it's a hot topic because we want to
everybody wants their shirt.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
We're fixated in Pittsburgh about T shirts. I get it.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
So if you're a survivor thriver person that's been diagnosed
with breast cancer. Regardless of fundraising status, you will get
your pink shirt. If you fundraise, you're gonna get two shirts.
Oh nice, So that's that. So let's talk about those sponsors.
So Hope Village, the beautiful Hope Village is sponsored by
upmc McGee Women's Hospital in the UP Hillman Cancer Center.
(07:01):
Do amazing, incredible work. Stay tuned. There may be a
very special incentive for top fundraisers. Of a. We have
two common research scholars here in Pittsburgh that have been
putting most of the therapeutics on the market right out
of here. And they have a new beautiful research lab
and we're discussing maybe tours and learning where all those
(07:22):
mission dollars are going. You know, everyone wants to see it.
Where is it going? And a lot of it's going
right here to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
That's great.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yeah, so more to come. I probably shouldn't have spilled
the beans, but they're such wonderful. Uh oh, I know,
no one's listening. Oh that's not right. Also, we have
our national ready brands. We just did a national partnership
with GNC, so they will be activating locally because they're
based here. We have a new sponsor in Kelfo Plumbing,
(07:51):
Heating and AC, a new sponsor in merk a new
sponsor in Thermo Fisher Scientific, a new sponsor in State
Capitol Bank. Our good friends the Pittsburgh Pirate Charities, they're
going to activate this year in a tent for the
first time and give out stuff of course, Giant Eagle,
(08:11):
new sponsor Saint Clair Health, and thirty plus year sponsor
Weinstein Imaging.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Okay, so they've been with you guys for a long while.
What is the history? How long have you been doing that?
Speaker 4 (08:23):
So Coleman is, oh, boy, you're going to test I
want to say, forty three years old. And it was
based in Dallas, as we were talking about earlier, and
so that's where the whole you know, germ of the
idea of it began. And then there were affiliates that
popped up all over the country and started to do
their own races for the cure with guidance from the
(08:45):
corporate office. But they were all their own entities essentially,
they were their own businesses.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
If you will.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
When we consolidated, that's when we changed the walk and everything.
So We've had an affiliation here in Pittsburgh for over
thirty five years. We're one of the first. So that
is also why it's such a tradition here in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
And you know, no pressure, you know, well Pittsburgh is
you know, we're kind of we always seem to punch
above our weight.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
And I agree. I told them last year Pittsburgh was
here for it.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Yeah, as well, we do. You know, we're a city
of innovation, We're a city of participants. We are We
also understand the you know, the ramifications of breast cancer.
We know that we cancer has touched all our lives,
and breast cancer certainly among the you know, the most insidious.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
It is the number one cancer of all of them.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Actually, and two friends I have two dear friends this
year come down with breast cancer and it's heartbreaking.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
At our ageent happens more and more, I feel like,
but the numbers are very real. So nationally, one out
of eight women in the whole country, So get a
room of ten women. The numbers are real. My Northeast
team has ten women on it and one had to messectomy,
so one out of eight women will hear those words.
You have breast cancer. There are many forms of breast cancer.
Some are much more insidious than others, Some are fast,
(10:05):
some are harder to find. It's very important. I've learned
this year that women are their very own squeaky wheel
of advocacy for themselves. I'm seeing many more women, much younger,
being diagnosed, knowing something's wrong and having their doctors kind
of poo poo them say, oh, it's just a cyst.
(10:27):
You're too young, you're too young. We have two speakers
at our walk. One is a stage three breast cancer
survivor and one is a stage four breast cancer survivor.
They are in their thirties.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
So this is what we've found from a We get
all our statistics from the American Cancer Society, all the
cancer states, and there was a tenure study that was
just released and I like to say these words slowly.
I had to read it twice. So in the past
ten years, more women are being diagnosed under the age
of fifty than over. So that's significant, is it? Because
(11:04):
it's if I knew why, I would I know it?
Speaker 1 (11:07):
I know, yes, But I think more women are aware
that mammograms play an important part in their.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
Right lives and that's step one. And so you have
to go get your mammogram, and if there's any family history,
you have to be very squeaky and push for it
earlier or every six months.
Speaker 5 (11:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
I mean I have a friend who's also involved in
cancer research who always says, if if you feel like
something is wrong, speak up. Don't just loudly yeah, don't
just say you know, maybe they'll push it off and say, well,
we'll check it out next year.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Well, that's what women are famous for doing, putting themselves
last on the list, right. So I'm going to just
parlay right into what we have going on legislatively, because
that's very important in this discussion. So last year we
talked a little bit about a House bill that was
introduced and it is called the Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Bill.
It's been reintroduced again this year and it's a very
(12:03):
important bill. And so I'm going to try to, in
layman's terms, explain, so we all know about the Affordable
Care Act and when that came out, that was when
women across the nation were able to have coverage for
their first mammogram at forty years old unless a doctor
deems it necessary sooner. That's wonderful, that's great, but that's
only step one because twelve percent of women that have
(12:26):
an irregular mammogram have to have follow up supplemental imaging testing,
whether it be another mammogram even or an MRI or
an ultrasound out of pocket. Is how we are dealing
with that right now in Pennsylvania. Last year, I told
you seventeen states had passed this type of bill so
that that can be covered by insurance, and now it's
(12:49):
thirty and we're not there yet.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
So Pennsylvania not yet. Pennsylvania has not passed this law.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Not yet, but it's been reintroduced and it's now called
House Bill for three three and it was introduced by
state Representative Gina Curry. Me thank her for her support.
She's been at this for us for a while. And
we are looking for folks that would like to be advocates.
So if you're interested in advocacy, we have local advocates
across the whole nation that help us on Advocacy Day
(13:16):
for nonprofits, they can do virtual meetings with there's lots
of things, so if they want to reach out to me,
I'd be happy to get them connected. With advocacy because
there's a lot of work to be done. But I
think this year is our year. I think it's it.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Well, you would think that, you know, breast cancer doesn't
designate party affiliation.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
No, no, no, no. Breast cancer absolutely does not discriminate.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Unfortunately, unfortunately.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Yes, it is true that black women have a forty
percent higher chance of than white women of dying from
breast cancer, but that has to do with health inequities
and follow up appointments and out of pocket. It's just
that that's a whole different systemics issue that we're working
on it. Women actually right now in the ten most
(14:02):
desprought cities in America with boots on the ground trying
to connect the dots on that problem. But things like
this don't make it easier, right when we can't do
the follow up so out of pocket for just incidentally,
for a follow up test ranges between one thousand and
five thousand dollars, So there's not a mom on Earth
(14:22):
that's going to do that. They're going to say, I'll
get to it next year. I'll wait for my next vanmigram,
I know I would have done that just a five children.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Just a few minutes ago, we were bragging about how
Pittsburgh is. It's the best, you know, the best we've
you know, we we've increased with the most amount of
participants and money raised and all that good stuff. Yet
this legislation has not been passed. So if you're if
we're talking here today, what can people do to help
you get that legislation passed through through the state?
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Great question, Johnny Hartwell, they can go to Koman dot org,
which is our national website, and there is an advocacy
tab and they can go there and they can register
to be a Coman advocate and it will will be
contacted by our advocacy army. We have a whole wing
of people that work in DC that we work statewide
and federally. Yeah, and so if you're interested in that,
(15:14):
we welcome you. I could use some more of voices
on this in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
All right. Now, the reason where we're talking with Molly
Sweet of Coman, the More Than Pink Walk is coming
up on Sunday, May eighth, eighteenth, eighteenth. Sorry what did
I say eighth? Oh yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
That's so I'll keep you honest chat.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
All right.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
So, you know, for people who are just tuning in.
If somebody tell us everything we need to know about
the walk in case they missed the information.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
Well, the first thing is they absolutely have to come
because it's going to be fabulous, and it is on Sunday,
May eighteenth.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
A week after mother a week after Mother's Day. You
can show up on Mother's Day.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Sure, camp out for a week. Our tents will be
on Friday, but it's not until Sunday. Okay, okay, and everything.
The event starts around at eight a m. The program,
the program begins at nine point thirty, so it's an
absolce and then excuse me nine and then the walk
is at nine thirty and it's just a beautiful morning
(16:11):
to register, which is free for all, all inclusive. This
is not only our largest fundraising event of the year,
which and of course it is, it's also our largest
opportunity to have a community gathering, a celebration of our survivors,
of everyone that's in this fight. And it's really a
celebratory event, but also it's an educational event. You'll be
able to go through all of our pillars and see
(16:34):
what we're doing in real time with the money and
that that's being raised and it's significant, and we do
have you know, a lot of that work being done
right here in our area. A lot of people want
to know where the money goes. It mostly goes to
our mission, which are all of our programs and research
funding and advocacy right so all of those things. We
(16:56):
no longer have any offices, no more brick and mortar,
not even a core print office. So all of those
dollars are now flowing down to mission. So I'm very
proud of that we've grown through all of these tough years,
and I want Pittsburgh to win again this year.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Not only is it a celebration of survivors, yeah, which
is incredible, but and this is the sad truth, it's
also an opportunity to remember all those moms, yes, ants
and loved ones that we have lost.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
We have an absolutely beautiful tent called We Remember That
is I personally love setting up. It's off always from
the Shenanigans and it's very meditative. There are ribbons and
lights and you can hang their cards to put who
the memories are of, and there's little clips and it's
(17:46):
a quiet space and it's just beautiful and it's always
hard for me to take it down because there's photos
and it's really something to see. It's my favorite thing
we do actually, and.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
A lot of participants always wear you know shirts that.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Oh yeah, the great yes.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Oh some of them last year were just fantastic, And
I have to say I'm sorry, but the names of
these teams, it's my favorite part. I get so excited
for the new names. And last year I started posting
every week, let's welcome you know these and it became
almost like viral. People were waiting to see what the
names are because some of them are great. You can
(18:23):
well imagine.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
You mentioned some of the sponsors and we will mention
those that again, but you also have a number of
companies that color oh yes, that join in on the celebration.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Yes, thank you for mentioning it.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Yes, we have quite a few that have come aboard
as corporate teams, and so again free to register as
a team. I go down and do a PEP rally
and get everyone fired up and give them tips and
tricks for fundraising, and we do kickoffs and everyone does
that a little different. Jancs was beautiful, big pink explosion,
(18:58):
pink cupcakes, everything, did a presentation. Their CEO is that
was wonderful. I will be doing those at Thermo Fisher.
I just did one at the Sheraton Station Square, Hitachi Energy,
you name it, and I love doing them. So get
the team registered. I will get a notification as soon
(19:18):
as any team is registered, Okay, and then I reach
out to you.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
We're talking to Molly Sweet of Coman promoting the twenty
twenty five Coman Pittsburgh More Than Pink Walk, coming up
on Sunday, May eighteenth at Chinley Park. What do you
do throughout the year? What is your participation? What do
you do? What the heck do you do?
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Molly?
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Yeah, what do you do? I mean?
Speaker 2 (19:38):
This is besides we're pink all the time.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
You do wear a lot of pin when you come
in here, yes you do. But because it has to
be a huge effort to put this on. So it
is so once once May nineteenth rolls around, you've got
to start, per I just pass out. You've got to
get ready for the sure, of course you want to.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
You wanna let all your sponsors know how well it went,
you know how, give them all the numbers, all that good.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Stuff, and encourage them to come back exactly.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Exactly all of that, but also you know, breast cancer
isn't just one time a year, it's all of the time.
My role, I think is what you're asking is I'm
a community developer. So that what that means is I'm
in the community. Everything that's public facing or fundraise based
is me for all of Southwestern people.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
It's pretty easy to see her coming, to be honest
with you, see that, Thanks Johnny.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
So what I do in the springtime, we have a
schools and sports program called Go Pink for the Cure.
I have all sorts of wonderful teams that do fundraising
for that. In October it's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
we have DIY fundraising. We have all sorts of creative
ways to fundraise and many new platforms. Oh, I should
mention for the walk. There's an app for that and
(20:53):
it's pretty cool. But I just want to mention it
because there are two apps for coman. You want the
more them Pink Walk app for the walk, and then
if you did other fundraising around the year, that's Susan
she Coman fundraise app.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
Gotcha? Oh yeah? So if I hear you right, you
have nothing to do through No.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
I'm really bored. I yes, No, nothing no, it's I
love it. I'm in the community almost every day, going
to networking events, meeting other really just like you said,
trying to build up the corporate base and the friends
and family teams. And if you have an idea, I
will help you make it into a fundraiser.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Okay, what about volunteers. If somebody do you need volunteers.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
We always need volunteers, all right.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
So if somebody you know, maybe they're going to participate,
sure in a memory or somebody that loved one who's had.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Absolutely we have a wonderful volunteer manager. And right on
that same event website coman dot org backslash Pittsburgh Walk,
there's a tab that says volunteers. Click on there you
can see what shifts are available for the setup day
or the day of sign up, and when you arrive
that morning, they'll be of course received instructions. And when
(22:06):
you arrive that morning, there'll be a volunteer check intent
and we'll get you taken care of. So we're always
looking at volunteers. We will not turn them away. If
any like big football teams would like to come and
hand out water on the route, I'm looking for that room.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Yeah, all right, so you mentioned volunteers, but tell us
a little bit more about your team who gets ready
for this walk each and every year.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
The Coleman team. Yeah, well they're fabulous. But we are
a virtual organization, so a lot of times we use
the words where this person sits. Sometimes I don't know
where somebody even is because I will be talking to
everywhere I'm here. We have a brand new, wonderful executive
director that sits in Philadelphia.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
Her name is rach Lackham.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
She just began, and we have a new manager that
does exactly what I do in Philadelphia. There's no one
in the middle yet, in the middle of the state,
but I'm sure there soon will be. And the new manager,
Meg Carrol, that just started in Philadelphia, started today and
I haven't even metter yet. So I'm going to today.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Oh it's going to be a busy.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Now it's not too late to get on board as
a sponsor. Now, today is the last day. Is there
any wiggle room on that.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
Or they have sometimes there is wiggle room. It all depends,
but yes, today's officially the last day if you wanted
to get on our T shirts for those levels, those
higher levels. But I'm always available to discuss sponsorship and
you can reach me at four one two seven five
two seven four six four or m Suite at Koman
(23:38):
dot org.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
All right, all right, so get in there. It's not
too late to get on the t Sh're in there.
There is some wiggle room. May ife you get in,
but you're not going to get the full effect of
all Very.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Creative, I'm very creative. We can come up with a
fun activation.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
Oh yeah, Now you talk about the mission and the
money that you raise, and you talked a little bit
about your programs. Can you talk a little bit about
some of the programs that.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
Oh I would love to. I will tell you that
we have a lot of wonderful programs, but my most
favorite thing that we raise money for is our Coman
Patient Support Center, which is one eight seven seven go Comen.
You can also reach them online on that line. Women
or men are navigated by our patient navigators that are
(24:22):
culturally trained and competent. They can help you with just
about everything in your cancer journey and they're there for
you and they're bilingual. And this is just huge because
they can help you with financial assistance, they can help
you get a doctor's appointment. They can help you find
a support group, they can explain about your diagnosis, they
can help you in a myriad of ways. And there
(24:44):
are hours I should have it in front of me,
but they're open most of the time. And again one
eight seven seven, go coman if you've just been diagnosed,
you're overwhelmed, you have any extra questions. It's just such
a wonderful resource, and Pennsylvania really used our resources significantly.
We actually granted out cash directly to women over three
(25:08):
hundred and eighty thousand dollars last year.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
You I mentionine it it's an over once the DIAGNOSI
has been delivered, it can be overwhelming and you feel
like you're alone. And if you have these kind of programs.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Yeah, it's wonderful. And you know, I just found out
that most of the funding that we did grant out
to women incidentally, if they qualify stage one through three
would receive directly five hundred dollars, which we brought up
from three to fifty. Stage four used to be five hundred,
now it's seven fifty. Sometimes there's pauses and funding because
we literally go through all of the money, but most
(25:39):
of the time, if you qualify that's just straight cash.
That isn't a voucher. We're not telling a woman you
have to use just it for this. And we found
out that most of the money used was for utilities, gas,
babysitters and bills not so that helped them get to
their treatment and they probably we wouldn't have otherwise.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Yeah, you know this, this hour, this half hour has
gone so quickly. We'll only have a couple of minutes left.
So let's kind of recap sure if somebody wants to
help out with the legislation HB four three three, which
is briefly, kind of explain what that is.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
Right, that's a Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Bill. Essentially, it's
the follow up to once they find something, you're going
to need another test. We need to have that covered
under insurance in this state. So it is House Bill
four three three. And to go to coman dot org
and sign up to be a Coman advocate.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
But the reason why you're here is for the more
than pink walk. Tell us everything we need to know
about the event coming up the week after Mother's Day.
Speaker 4 (26:40):
The week after Mother's Day, which is Sunday, May eighteenth,
the most wonderful Walk of the Year, The More Than
Pink Walk will be at Schenley Park. We are looking
for everyone to register. You can even register day of
but to register you want to go to the event
website which is coman ko m e n dot org
org backslash Pittsburgh Walk. There you can find the schedule
(27:05):
of events, where to park, the site map, what fun
things are going to be doing, all of the things
and once you register a team, I will be notified.
So I'll be reaching out and.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
Make sure you check out the sponsors because if it
wasn't for them, it.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Would couldn't do it.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
Merely as successful as it is in Pittsburgh. We are
punching away above our art.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
We are. We have added quite a few new sponsors
this year.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
Johnny Okay, can you tell us about those?
Speaker 5 (27:30):
Sure?
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Absolutely well. Our Hope Village, which is the beautiful tent
for all of our survivors and thrivers, is brought to
us by upmc megee Women's Hospital and upmc Hellman Ready Brands,
GNC Kelfo Plumbing and Heating, which is a new sponsor,
Merk ThermoFisher Scientific which is a new sponsor, Tri State
Capitol Bank, which is a new sponsor Our Friends, the
(27:50):
Pirates' Charities, Giant Eagle, Saint Clair Health and a sponsor
for over thirty years, Win and Stein imaging.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
The twenty twenty five comen Pittsburgh More Than Walk, More
Than Pink Walk Sunday, May eighteenth, Shanley Park. You can
sign up and get more info at coman dot org,
backslash Pittsburgh Walk the Vibrant Molly.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Thank you so much, Bring the sunshine Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
There you go as always. If you have any comments, concerns,
or an idea for a future program, please email us
from this radio station's website. I'm Johnny Hartwell, thank you
so much for listening.
Speaker 5 (28:37):
As veterans, we're no strangers to helping others.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
It's what we were taught, trained and told to do.
It could be for anything, helping a friend move.
Speaker 5 (28:47):
Listening to a fellow veteran for hours at any hour
of the.
Speaker 6 (28:50):
Day, well just simply making time for people. A neighbor,
a loved one, or even a stranger where often the
first to help. All this, there's no question about it.
Speaker 5 (29:00):
But we do have one question for the veterans listening.
Speaker 6 (29:05):
When was the last time you reached out for help.
Perhaps it's time to do for yourself what you would
do for others.
Speaker 5 (29:13):
If you or someone you know needs resources, whether it's
for stress, finances, employment, or mental health, don't wait reach out.
Speaker 6 (29:24):
Find more information at VA dot gov slash reach. That's
VA dot gov slash Reach.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
Brought to you by the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs and the AD Council.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
Hitsburg.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Divas are gathering to make sweet music in the beautiful
hills near Swickly to fight cancer. I'm Bonnie Diver inviting
you to join me for the Songs for Live concert
to benefit hair Piece Charities. Five of the most soulful, jazzy,
rock and sol divas will entertain in a beautiful outdoor
setting her Sweekly on Saturday, May thirty. First, bring your
(29:57):
launch hairs and picnic basket or order one of our
catered box stinners. Get tickets at Hairpeace dot org. That's
hair p E a c E
And welcome in. This is a public affairs program shedding
the light on the interest, issues and concerns of the
greater Pittsburgh area. Good morning, my name is Johnny Hartwell
your host. Today we're going to be talking the twenty
twenty five Coman Pittsburgh More than Pink Walk. Molly Sweet
is back in the studio.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Molly, good day.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Now.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Usually when somebody comes in and wearing all the colors,
I always say, you know, it's radio. We really can't
see you, but you have enough pink apparel. I think
I think this might even light up radio.
Speaker 4 (00:34):
I am the represent representative of Coman, so I am
always in the pink, especially in this season.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Oh yeah, that means summer's just around a corner. That
means that's right kind of your busy season. Though, this
is it.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
We're in it, We're in the heat of it and
it's going great.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Now we're going to be talking about some of the
things that you're working for, but let's get down to
brass tacks. We want to talk about the walk. So
that is everything we need to know about the upcoming walk.
It's not on Mother's.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
Day, it is not on Mother's Day, and it wasn't
last year or the year prior. It's going to remain
the week after Mother's Day.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
It actually makes a lot of sense.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
It actually surveyed quite well.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
I can imagine, because on Mother's Day, I mean of
such a worthy cause in Pittsburgh always supports the walk.
Speaker 4 (01:16):
But you know, for mom to I mean that a
bit of an old fashioned tradition, and I think the
modern day moms are like, no, we would like our day.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
Thanks, right, So they get two days exactly, moms get
two days, you get Mother's Day and then of course
correctly because we walk for all.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
And you know, our sponsors really loved it too, because
there was more engagement after the walk, right because people
weren't running to brunch.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Right right, So all right, tell us I interrupted you.
I oh, that's all right, tell us everything we need
to know about this year.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
So always in forever it's been at Shenley Park, Flegstaff
Hill still there. The event opens up at eight am.
It's on Sunday, May eighteenth, one week after Mother's Day,
and the event begins at eight. The program is at nine.
We have MC's from w T A E t V.
(02:07):
I believe it'll be Andrew Stocky and Michelle Right big
supporter for a long, many many years, I want to say,
over twenty. Yes, and it's really it's incredible to support
and it truly helps. It helps drive all of other
registrants and everyone's aware because of their helps.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
They always do a great job.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
So excellent, yay and Stocky and Michelle Wright are the best.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Yeah, yeah, they really are. They really are. You know,
because I've hosted events and I see what they do.
I'm like, I'm not that charismatic at all.
Speaker 2 (02:41):
It's impressive.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
So all right, and again if somebody so, people almost
sign up ritually every year, but if they haven't done so, right.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
So in years past when it was the Race for
the Cure, formerly the Race for the Cure, there was
a registration fee. Now with the Community Walk, it's there
is no registration for whatsoever. You can even register the
day off. So if you're registered, you have a team
and somebody wants to come along, we encourage that. I
think we registered close to one thousand people day of
(03:12):
last year. Oh, speaking of last year, I want to
have a little bragging moment about Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (03:18):
I've heard, I heard.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Yes, So last year the twenty twenty four walk broke
all the records across the nation with growth, so we
grew the most in participants, fundraising, sponsorship.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
All of it.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
So no pressure. All eyes on Pittsford. Everybody, please come
and bring the sunshine. Oh yeah, good job, do it
again this exactly. But we had a beautiful day last
year and that always makes it so much better. So
I'm going to ask you to put in a good
word with the big guy for me.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
All Right, we get nice weather again. So what is
the goal this year?
Speaker 4 (03:52):
So the goal is a half a million dollars five
hundred thousand dollars. I was just looking at my thermometer
when I walked in here on my dandy event website,
which is coman ko m e n dot org backslash
Pittsburgh Walk. Okazy, That is the event website. You don't
want to go to just coman dot org. Go to
(04:14):
coman dot org backslash Pittsburgh Walk.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Coman dot org backslash Pittsburgh Walk.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
There you can register, see all of the events that
are going to be happening that day. There'll soon be
a site map. We're still adding sponsors. We have one
more week to close our last sponsors, so they'll you know,
everything will be updated. The walk route is the same
as last year, which is really lovely. It's around Shenley Park.
I like it because it starts uphill, goes around the
(04:43):
Baba Cutter golf course and then comes downhill and then
there's Milly's ice cream truck right there, so it's perfect.
You know, you've earned it.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So so can you mention some of the sponsors that
I would.
Speaker 4 (04:54):
Love to mention some of the sponsors. We have so
many and they we could not do this event, which
is quite the spect without all of the support. So
we've already mentioned WTAE who is are presenting media sponsor.
iHeartMedia of course is doing spots for us as well
as Wish FM. But our Hope Village sponsor, which is
the tent, the beautiful Tent where all of our survivors
(05:16):
and thrivers and anyone that's ever had a breast cancer
diagnosis of any kind. I've been asked that a lot recently. Oh,
I have only started treatment, so I'm not a survivor. Yes,
if you are in this world of the breast cancer
disease state, you are a survivor.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
That's the only way we.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Can designate, and it's important that when you register to
make sure you note that because they're going to mail
you your pink shirt that you want to have for
Hope Village because it's quite the processional down to this state.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
I want to.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
It's absolutely gorgeous. Last year was all the feelings. So
so registration is free and there is a registration is free,
but there is a fundraising model to earn a partin
discipline shirt. Long gone are the days of long lines
and wasted money on T shirts. That's out in my
basement for two years. So we encourage everyone to fundraise,
(06:11):
but to fundraise one hundred dollars individually buy let me think,
oh yeah, April twentieth, and your T shirt will be
mailed right to your home to wear that day. If
you fundraise after that or even that day, you'll still
get a shirt, it'll just be a little bit later.
And one important note about the shirts, because Johnny I
get a lot of questions about shirts. Oh okay, it's
(06:32):
a big it's a hot topic because we want to
everybody wants their shirt.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
We're fixated in Pittsburgh about T shirts. I get it.
Speaker 4 (06:40):
So if you're a survivor thriver person that's been diagnosed
with breast cancer. Regardless of fundraising status, you will get
your pink shirt. If you fundraise, you're gonna get two shirts.
Oh nice, So that's that. So let's talk about those sponsors.
So Hope Village, the beautiful Hope Village is sponsored by
upmc McGee Women's Hospital in the UP Hillman Cancer Center.
(07:01):
Do amazing, incredible work. Stay tuned. There may be a
very special incentive for top fundraisers. Of a. We have
two common research scholars here in Pittsburgh that have been
putting most of the therapeutics on the market right out
of here. And they have a new beautiful research lab
and we're discussing maybe tours and learning where all those
(07:22):
mission dollars are going. You know, everyone wants to see it.
Where is it going? And a lot of it's going
right here to Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
That's great.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yeah, so more to come. I probably shouldn't have spilled
the beans, but they're such wonderful. Uh oh, I know,
no one's listening. Oh that's not right. Also, we have
our national ready brands. We just did a national partnership
with GNC, so they will be activating locally because they're
based here. We have a new sponsor in Kelfo Plumbing,
(07:51):
Heating and AC, a new sponsor in merk a new
sponsor in Thermo Fisher Scientific, a new sponsor in State
Capitol Bank. Our good friends the Pittsburgh Pirate Charities, they're
going to activate this year in a tent for the
first time and give out stuff of course, Giant Eagle,
(08:11):
new sponsor Saint Clair Health, and thirty plus year sponsor
Weinstein Imaging.
Speaker 1 (08:18):
Okay, so they've been with you guys for a long while.
What is the history? How long have you been doing that?
Speaker 4 (08:23):
So Coleman is, oh, boy, you're going to test I
want to say, forty three years old. And it was
based in Dallas, as we were talking about earlier, and
so that's where the whole you know, germ of the
idea of it began. And then there were affiliates that
popped up all over the country and started to do
their own races for the cure with guidance from the
(08:45):
corporate office. But they were all their own entities essentially,
they were their own businesses.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
If you will.
Speaker 4 (08:50):
When we consolidated, that's when we changed the walk and everything.
So We've had an affiliation here in Pittsburgh for over
thirty five years. We're one of the first. So that
is also why it's such a tradition here in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
And you know, no pressure, you know, well Pittsburgh is
you know, we're kind of we always seem to punch
above our weight.
Speaker 4 (09:10):
And I agree. I told them last year Pittsburgh was
here for it.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Yeah, as well, we do. You know, we're a city
of innovation, We're a city of participants. We are We
also understand the you know, the ramifications of breast cancer.
We know that we cancer has touched all our lives,
and breast cancer certainly among the you know, the most insidious.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
It is the number one cancer of all of them.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Actually, and two friends I have two dear friends this
year come down with breast cancer and it's heartbreaking.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
At our ageent happens more and more, I feel like,
but the numbers are very real. So nationally, one out
of eight women in the whole country, So get a
room of ten women. The numbers are real. My Northeast
team has ten women on it and one had to messectomy,
so one out of eight women will hear those words.
You have breast cancer. There are many forms of breast cancer.
Some are much more insidious than others, Some are fast,
(10:05):
some are harder to find. It's very important. I've learned
this year that women are their very own squeaky wheel
of advocacy for themselves. I'm seeing many more women, much younger,
being diagnosed, knowing something's wrong and having their doctors kind
of poo poo them say, oh, it's just a cyst.
(10:27):
You're too young, you're too young. We have two speakers
at our walk. One is a stage three breast cancer
survivor and one is a stage four breast cancer survivor.
They are in their thirties.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 4 (10:40):
So this is what we've found from a We get
all our statistics from the American Cancer Society, all the
cancer states, and there was a tenure study that was
just released and I like to say these words slowly.
I had to read it twice. So in the past
ten years, more women are being diagnosed under the age
of fifty than over. So that's significant, is it? Because
(11:04):
it's if I knew why, I would I know it?
Speaker 1 (11:07):
I know, yes, But I think more women are aware
that mammograms play an important part in their.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
Right lives and that's step one. And so you have
to go get your mammogram, and if there's any family history,
you have to be very squeaky and push for it
earlier or every six months.
Speaker 5 (11:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
I mean I have a friend who's also involved in
cancer research who always says, if if you feel like
something is wrong, speak up. Don't just loudly yeah, don't
just say you know, maybe they'll push it off and say, well,
we'll check it out next year.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Well, that's what women are famous for doing, putting themselves
last on the list, right. So I'm going to just
parlay right into what we have going on legislatively, because
that's very important in this discussion. So last year we
talked a little bit about a House bill that was
introduced and it is called the Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Bill.
It's been reintroduced again this year and it's a very
(12:03):
important bill. And so I'm going to try to, in
layman's terms, explain, so we all know about the Affordable
Care Act and when that came out, that was when
women across the nation were able to have coverage for
their first mammogram at forty years old unless a doctor
deems it necessary sooner. That's wonderful, that's great, but that's
only step one because twelve percent of women that have
(12:26):
an irregular mammogram have to have follow up supplemental imaging testing,
whether it be another mammogram even or an MRI or
an ultrasound out of pocket. Is how we are dealing
with that right now in Pennsylvania. Last year, I told
you seventeen states had passed this type of bill so
that that can be covered by insurance, and now it's
(12:49):
thirty and we're not there yet.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
So Pennsylvania not yet. Pennsylvania has not passed this law.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Not yet, but it's been reintroduced and it's now called
House Bill for three three and it was introduced by
state Representative Gina Curry. Me thank her for her support.
She's been at this for us for a while. And
we are looking for folks that would like to be advocates.
So if you're interested in advocacy, we have local advocates
across the whole nation that help us on Advocacy Day
(13:16):
for nonprofits, they can do virtual meetings with there's lots
of things, so if they want to reach out to me,
I'd be happy to get them connected. With advocacy because
there's a lot of work to be done. But I
think this year is our year. I think it's it.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
Well, you would think that, you know, breast cancer doesn't
designate party affiliation.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
No, no, no, no. Breast cancer absolutely does not discriminate.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Unfortunately, unfortunately.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
Yes, it is true that black women have a forty
percent higher chance of than white women of dying from
breast cancer, but that has to do with health inequities
and follow up appointments and out of pocket. It's just
that that's a whole different systemics issue that we're working
on it. Women actually right now in the ten most
(14:02):
desprought cities in America with boots on the ground trying
to connect the dots on that problem. But things like
this don't make it easier, right when we can't do
the follow up so out of pocket for just incidentally,
for a follow up test ranges between one thousand and
five thousand dollars, So there's not a mom on Earth
(14:22):
that's going to do that. They're going to say, I'll
get to it next year. I'll wait for my next vanmigram,
I know I would have done that just a five children.
Speaker 1 (14:29):
Just a few minutes ago, we were bragging about how
Pittsburgh is. It's the best, you know, the best we've
you know, we we've increased with the most amount of
participants and money raised and all that good stuff. Yet
this legislation has not been passed. So if you're if
we're talking here today, what can people do to help
you get that legislation passed through through the state?
Speaker 4 (14:51):
Great question, Johnny Hartwell, they can go to Koman dot org,
which is our national website, and there is an advocacy
tab and they can go there and they can register
to be a Coman advocate and it will will be
contacted by our advocacy army. We have a whole wing
of people that work in DC that we work statewide
and federally. Yeah, and so if you're interested in that,
(15:14):
we welcome you. I could use some more of voices
on this in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
All right. Now, the reason where we're talking with Molly
Sweet of Coman, the More Than Pink Walk is coming
up on Sunday, May eighth, eighteenth, eighteenth. Sorry what did
I say eighth? Oh yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
That's so I'll keep you honest chat.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
Thank you.
Speaker 4 (15:32):
All right.
Speaker 1 (15:32):
So, you know, for people who are just tuning in.
If somebody tell us everything we need to know about
the walk in case they missed the information.
Speaker 4 (15:39):
Well, the first thing is they absolutely have to come
because it's going to be fabulous, and it is on Sunday,
May eighteenth.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
A week after mother a week after Mother's Day. You
can show up on Mother's Day.
Speaker 4 (15:50):
Sure, camp out for a week. Our tents will be
on Friday, but it's not until Sunday. Okay, okay, and everything.
The event starts around at eight a m. The program,
the program begins at nine point thirty, so it's an
absolce and then excuse me nine and then the walk
is at nine thirty and it's just a beautiful morning
(16:11):
to register, which is free for all, all inclusive. This
is not only our largest fundraising event of the year,
which and of course it is, it's also our largest
opportunity to have a community gathering, a celebration of our survivors,
of everyone that's in this fight. And it's really a
celebratory event, but also it's an educational event. You'll be
able to go through all of our pillars and see
(16:34):
what we're doing in real time with the money and
that that's being raised and it's significant, and we do
have you know, a lot of that work being done
right here in our area. A lot of people want
to know where the money goes. It mostly goes to
our mission, which are all of our programs and research
funding and advocacy right so all of those things. We
(16:56):
no longer have any offices, no more brick and mortar,
not even a core print office. So all of those
dollars are now flowing down to mission. So I'm very
proud of that we've grown through all of these tough years,
and I want Pittsburgh to win again this year.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Not only is it a celebration of survivors, yeah, which
is incredible, but and this is the sad truth, it's
also an opportunity to remember all those moms, yes, ants
and loved ones that we have lost.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
We have an absolutely beautiful tent called We Remember That
is I personally love setting up. It's off always from
the Shenanigans and it's very meditative. There are ribbons and
lights and you can hang their cards to put who
the memories are of, and there's little clips and it's
(17:46):
a quiet space and it's just beautiful and it's always
hard for me to take it down because there's photos
and it's really something to see. It's my favorite thing
we do actually, and.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
A lot of participants always wear you know shirts that.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Oh yeah, the great yes.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Oh some of them last year were just fantastic, And
I have to say I'm sorry, but the names of
these teams, it's my favorite part. I get so excited
for the new names. And last year I started posting
every week, let's welcome you know these and it became
almost like viral. People were waiting to see what the
names are because some of them are great. You can
(18:23):
well imagine.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
You mentioned some of the sponsors and we will mention
those that again, but you also have a number of
companies that color oh yes, that join in on the celebration.
Speaker 2 (18:34):
Yes, thank you for mentioning it.
Speaker 4 (18:36):
Yes, we have quite a few that have come aboard
as corporate teams, and so again free to register as
a team. I go down and do a PEP rally
and get everyone fired up and give them tips and
tricks for fundraising, and we do kickoffs and everyone does
that a little different. Jancs was beautiful, big pink explosion,
(18:58):
pink cupcakes, everything, did a presentation. Their CEO is that
was wonderful. I will be doing those at Thermo Fisher.
I just did one at the Sheraton Station Square, Hitachi Energy,
you name it, and I love doing them. So get
the team registered. I will get a notification as soon
(19:18):
as any team is registered, Okay, and then I reach
out to you.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
We're talking to Molly Sweet of Coman promoting the twenty
twenty five Coman Pittsburgh More Than Pink Walk, coming up
on Sunday, May eighteenth at Chinley Park. What do you
do throughout the year? What is your participation? What do
you do? What the heck do you do?
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Molly?
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Yeah, what do you do? I mean?
Speaker 2 (19:38):
This is besides we're pink all the time.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
You do wear a lot of pin when you come
in here, yes you do. But because it has to
be a huge effort to put this on. So it
is so once once May nineteenth rolls around, you've got
to start, per I just pass out. You've got to
get ready for the sure, of course you want to.
Speaker 4 (19:59):
You wanna let all your sponsors know how well it went,
you know how, give them all the numbers, all that good.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Stuff, and encourage them to come back exactly.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
Exactly all of that, but also you know, breast cancer
isn't just one time a year, it's all of the time.
My role, I think is what you're asking is I'm
a community developer. So that what that means is I'm
in the community. Everything that's public facing or fundraise based
is me for all of Southwestern people.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
It's pretty easy to see her coming, to be honest
with you, see that, Thanks Johnny.
Speaker 4 (20:31):
So what I do in the springtime, we have a
schools and sports program called Go Pink for the Cure.
I have all sorts of wonderful teams that do fundraising
for that. In October it's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
we have DIY fundraising. We have all sorts of creative
ways to fundraise and many new platforms. Oh, I should
mention for the walk. There's an app for that and
(20:53):
it's pretty cool. But I just want to mention it
because there are two apps for coman. You want the
more them Pink Walk app for the walk, and then
if you did other fundraising around the year, that's Susan
she Coman fundraise app.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
Gotcha? Oh yeah? So if I hear you right, you
have nothing to do through No.
Speaker 4 (21:12):
I'm really bored. I yes, No, nothing no, it's I
love it. I'm in the community almost every day, going
to networking events, meeting other really just like you said,
trying to build up the corporate base and the friends
and family teams. And if you have an idea, I
will help you make it into a fundraiser.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Okay, what about volunteers. If somebody do you need volunteers.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
We always need volunteers, all right.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
So if somebody you know, maybe they're going to participate,
sure in a memory or somebody that loved one who's had.
Speaker 4 (21:44):
Absolutely we have a wonderful volunteer manager. And right on
that same event website coman dot org backslash Pittsburgh Walk,
there's a tab that says volunteers. Click on there you
can see what shifts are available for the setup day
or the day of sign up, and when you arrive
that morning, they'll be of course received instructions. And when
(22:06):
you arrive that morning, there'll be a volunteer check intent
and we'll get you taken care of. So we're always
looking at volunteers. We will not turn them away. If
any like big football teams would like to come and
hand out water on the route, I'm looking for that room.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Yeah, all right, so you mentioned volunteers, but tell us
a little bit more about your team who gets ready
for this walk each and every year.
Speaker 4 (22:27):
The Coleman team. Yeah, well they're fabulous. But we are
a virtual organization, so a lot of times we use
the words where this person sits. Sometimes I don't know
where somebody even is because I will be talking to
everywhere I'm here. We have a brand new, wonderful executive
director that sits in Philadelphia.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
Her name is rach Lackham.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
She just began, and we have a new manager that
does exactly what I do in Philadelphia. There's no one
in the middle yet, in the middle of the state,
but I'm sure there soon will be. And the new manager,
Meg Carrol, that just started in Philadelphia, started today and
I haven't even metter yet. So I'm going to today.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Oh it's going to be a busy.
Speaker 3 (23:08):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Now it's not too late to get on board as
a sponsor. Now, today is the last day. Is there
any wiggle room on that.
Speaker 4 (23:16):
Or they have sometimes there is wiggle room. It all depends,
but yes, today's officially the last day if you wanted
to get on our T shirts for those levels, those
higher levels. But I'm always available to discuss sponsorship and
you can reach me at four one two seven five
two seven four six four or m Suite at Koman
(23:38):
dot org.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
All right, all right, so get in there. It's not
too late to get on the t Sh're in there.
There is some wiggle room. May ife you get in,
but you're not going to get the full effect of
all Very.
Speaker 4 (23:47):
Creative, I'm very creative. We can come up with a
fun activation.
Speaker 1 (23:50):
Oh yeah, Now you talk about the mission and the
money that you raise, and you talked a little bit
about your programs. Can you talk a little bit about
some of the programs that.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
Oh I would love to. I will tell you that
we have a lot of wonderful programs, but my most
favorite thing that we raise money for is our Coman
Patient Support Center, which is one eight seven seven go Comen.
You can also reach them online on that line. Women
or men are navigated by our patient navigators that are
(24:22):
culturally trained and competent. They can help you with just
about everything in your cancer journey and they're there for
you and they're bilingual. And this is just huge because
they can help you with financial assistance, they can help
you get a doctor's appointment. They can help you find
a support group, they can explain about your diagnosis, they
can help you in a myriad of ways. And there
(24:44):
are hours I should have it in front of me,
but they're open most of the time. And again one
eight seven seven, go coman if you've just been diagnosed,
you're overwhelmed, you have any extra questions. It's just such
a wonderful resource, and Pennsylvania really used our resources significantly.
We actually granted out cash directly to women over three
(25:08):
hundred and eighty thousand dollars last year.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
You I mentionine it it's an over once the DIAGNOSI
has been delivered, it can be overwhelming and you feel
like you're alone. And if you have these kind of programs.
Speaker 4 (25:19):
Yeah, it's wonderful. And you know, I just found out
that most of the funding that we did grant out
to women incidentally, if they qualify stage one through three
would receive directly five hundred dollars, which we brought up
from three to fifty. Stage four used to be five hundred,
now it's seven fifty. Sometimes there's pauses and funding because
we literally go through all of the money, but most
(25:39):
of the time, if you qualify that's just straight cash.
That isn't a voucher. We're not telling a woman you
have to use just it for this. And we found
out that most of the money used was for utilities, gas,
babysitters and bills not so that helped them get to
their treatment and they probably we wouldn't have otherwise.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
Yeah, you know this, this hour, this half hour has
gone so quickly. We'll only have a couple of minutes left.
So let's kind of recap sure if somebody wants to
help out with the legislation HB four three three, which
is briefly, kind of explain what that is.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
Right, that's a Diagnostic and Supplemental Imaging Bill. Essentially, it's
the follow up to once they find something, you're going
to need another test. We need to have that covered
under insurance in this state. So it is House Bill
four three three. And to go to coman dot org
and sign up to be a Coman advocate.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
But the reason why you're here is for the more
than pink walk. Tell us everything we need to know
about the event coming up the week after Mother's Day.
Speaker 4 (26:40):
The week after Mother's Day, which is Sunday, May eighteenth,
the most wonderful Walk of the Year, The More Than
Pink Walk will be at Schenley Park. We are looking
for everyone to register. You can even register day of
but to register you want to go to the event
website which is coman ko m e n dot org
org backslash Pittsburgh Walk. There you can find the schedule
(27:05):
of events, where to park, the site map, what fun
things are going to be doing, all of the things
and once you register a team, I will be notified.
So I'll be reaching out and.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
Make sure you check out the sponsors because if it
wasn't for them, it.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
Would couldn't do it.
Speaker 1 (27:20):
Merely as successful as it is in Pittsburgh. We are
punching away above our art.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
We are. We have added quite a few new sponsors
this year.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
Johnny Okay, can you tell us about those?
Speaker 5 (27:30):
Sure?
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Absolutely well. Our Hope Village, which is the beautiful tent
for all of our survivors and thrivers, is brought to
us by upmc megee Women's Hospital and upmc Hellman Ready Brands,
GNC Kelfo Plumbing and Heating, which is a new sponsor,
Merk ThermoFisher Scientific which is a new sponsor, Tri State
Capitol Bank, which is a new sponsor Our Friends, the
(27:50):
Pirates' Charities, Giant Eagle, Saint Clair Health and a sponsor
for over thirty years, Win and Stein imaging.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
The twenty twenty five comen Pittsburgh More Than Walk, More
Than Pink Walk Sunday, May eighteenth, Shanley Park. You can
sign up and get more info at coman dot org,
backslash Pittsburgh Walk the Vibrant Molly.
Speaker 2 (28:11):
Thank you so much, Bring the sunshine Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
There you go as always. If you have any comments, concerns,
or an idea for a future program, please email us
from this radio station's website. I'm Johnny Hartwell, thank you
so much for listening.
Speaker 5 (28:37):
As veterans, we're no strangers to helping others.
Speaker 6 (28:41):
It's what we were taught, trained and told to do.
It could be for anything, helping a friend move.
Speaker 5 (28:47):
Listening to a fellow veteran for hours at any hour
of the.
Speaker 6 (28:50):
Day, well just simply making time for people. A neighbor,
a loved one, or even a stranger where often the
first to help. All this, there's no question about it.
Speaker 5 (29:00):
But we do have one question for the veterans listening.
Speaker 6 (29:05):
When was the last time you reached out for help.
Perhaps it's time to do for yourself what you would
do for others.
Speaker 5 (29:13):
If you or someone you know needs resources, whether it's
for stress, finances, employment, or mental health, don't wait reach out.
Speaker 6 (29:24):
Find more information at VA dot gov slash reach. That's
VA dot gov slash Reach.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
Brought to you by the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs and the AD Council.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
Hitsburg.
Speaker 3 (29:36):
Divas are gathering to make sweet music in the beautiful
hills near Swickly to fight cancer. I'm Bonnie Diver inviting
you to join me for the Songs for Live concert
to benefit hair Piece Charities. Five of the most soulful, jazzy,
rock and sol divas will entertain in a beautiful outdoor
setting her Sweekly on Saturday, May thirty. First, bring your
(29:57):
launch hairs and picnic basket or order one of our
catered box stinners. Get tickets at Hairpeace dot org. That's
hair p E a c E
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