Susan G. Komen Orange County Awards Inspirational Women at Luncheon for Breast Health Contributions

COSTA MESA, Calif. - Aug. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Susan G. Komen Orange County (http://www.komenoc.org) recognized three exceptional community members at its annual Survivor Celebration and Awards Luncheon at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona del Mar on Sunday. The outstanding individuals were honored for their invaluable contributions to the breast cancer community and their commitment to the Komen promise of saving lives and ending breast cancer forever. Sandra Hutchens, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner and breast cancer survivor, delivered the keynote.

“These amazing women possess the dedication, compassion and strength that help Komen Orange County provide vital breast health programs and raise funds for groundbreaking research,” said Lisa Wolter, Executive Director, Komen Orange County. “Komen is proud to honor extraordinary community individuals who lead the charge toward furthering breast health education and energizing science for the cure, and we are especially privileged to welcome Sheriff-Coroner Hutchens to headline this special day of recognition.”

 

Hutchens was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer last November, but caught the disease early. She is still undergoing radiation.

“I was fortunate enough to discover a lump through self-examination. The cancer was caught early,” said Hutchens. “Komen Orange County is in the community where we work and where we shop, spreading the message of early detection and providing those less fortunate with resources for low- or no-cost breast health care services.”

 

The 2013 honorees are as follows:

Georganna Hall Wadsack, Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor Award Recipient:

Huntington Beach resident Georganna Hall Wadsack was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2011 at the age of 38 and recently completed treatment.  A single mother at the time with no health insurance, Wadsack found out she had the disease through a Komen Orange County-funded mammogram after being turned away from two other doctors. Komen Orange County sought a grant to cover the cost of her diagnostic breast health services and also provided emotional support to Wadsack who credits Komen with saving her life. She shared her story at last year’s Race for the Cure Survivor Tribute and is an active participant and volunteer at Stand Up for the Cure, an annual fundraiser that raised $100,000 last year for Komen Orange County.

Angela Acevedo, Outstanding Breast Health Advocate Award Recipient:

Angela Acevedo, a nurse navigator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Orange, goes above and beyond her job to ensure that all women are informed, empowered and have access to breast health services. Acevedo is an active member of Komen’s Unidos Contra el Cancer de Seno Coalition and volunteers at many of Komen’s community outreach events, including its partnership with Northgate Gonzalez Markets. She also serves on Komen Orange County’s tissue bank steering committee, which will bring a tissue bank donation drive (http://www.komenoc.org/site/c.dkIXJcNNKlLaG/b.8645275/k.B...) to Orange County on November 2 – the first tissue collection drive held on the West Coast. As part of the effort, Acevedo donated her own breast tissue at a drive in Indiana earlier this year and now shares her firsthand experience with others in the community to encourage involvement in the upcoming drive.  

Melissa McGee, Most Inspirational Co-Survivor Award Recipient:

Melissa McGee of Aliso Viejo has been affected by breast cancer four separate times. Her mother was diagnosed in 1991 and McGee was her caretaker through recovery. She also saw a close friend battle breast cancer twice before succumbing to the disease. Today, McGee cares for her best friend who is undergoing chemotherapy before breast surgery and radiation. McGee is the creator of “Susan’s Garden,” the iconic posters of survivors and co-survivors that decorate the finish line at each Komen Orange County Race for the Cure (http://www.komenoc.org/race) and provide inspiration and hope to all participants. McGee creates each poster and hangs every sign before participants arrive on Race day.          

About Susan G. Komen®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Suzy, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Today, Susan G. Komen® works to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world by investing more than $790 million in breast cancer research and $1.5 billion in community outreach programs over the past 30 years; providing funding to help low-income and uninsured women get screened and get treatment; advocating for cancer research and outreach programs; and working globally in more than 30 countries. Visit komen.org. Connect with us on Facebook (http://www.komen.org/facebook) and Twitter (http://www.komen.org/twitter).

For more information on Susan G. Komen Orange County, please visit www.komenoc.org or call 714-957-9157.