Runway 09 Section

A PICTORIAL TRIBUTE TO WOMEN WHO ARE WINNING THE BATTLE AGAINST BREAST CANCER

runway for acause Jimmie Lou Fisher 4-MONTH SURVIVOR

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From the Chairwoman

Beyond

COTTON

11525 Cantrell Rd Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center

10700 North Rodney Parham Rd Little Rock

5913 Kavanaugh • Little Rock 501.661.4696 • proposalsboutique.com

We salute our friend and employee breast cancer survivor Betsy Kemp

I am proud to chair Runway for a Cause 2009, our eighth show. In the past seven years, Runway has raised more than $716,000 to fight breast cancer, showcased hundreds of survivor models, and received support from hundreds of volunteers, sponsors and dozens of retailers. I have worked diligently to continue Runway’s outstanding record. When I became involved with Runway in 2005, I must admit that I had never heard of it. I was new to the breast cancer movement having been recently diagnosed in 2003. I am grateful to Penny Burkhalter for asking me to join the committee; and I cannot express my good fortune in being associated with this important event. Runway has afforded me the opportunity to do SOMETHING about breast cancer. My diagnosis made me feel powerless, and I desperately needed to direct my energies toward fighting the disease. I desired control, and as my family and friends will tell you, I like to be in control! Runway has provided me with a much-needed sense of direction. I have enjoyed every minute of my time as chair. I admire our committee because it is an all-volunteer group that produces a fabulous local fashion show — arguably a full-time job from March to September — while working and taking care of their families. We ask a lot of ourselves because we are passionate about this event. That long-standing committee members choose to remain active year after year is a testament to our love for Runway. While this year’s economic climate presented fund-raising challenges, our sponsorship committee, under the gracious guidance of Shirley Davis, overcame these challenges to raise money for our charitable recipients who treat Arkansans fighting breast cancer. Additionally, Runway would not be possible without Vicki and her wonderful AY staff, who juggle our constant committee demands and publish a great monthly magazine.  I hope my marks on Runway this year are ones of organization and creativity so future shows may be even better. However, for me, 2009 will be hard to top because of the benefits I have reaped working with the finest group of ladies in Little Rock in this worthy pursuit.   Thank you, 2009 Runway committee, for your dedication and hard work. Thank you to my family, Scott, Ella and Mary Scott, for your love and support. Kristi Moody, Chair RUNWAY FOR A CAUSE 2009

Bring your race number the day of the race and receive 20% off your purchase 2 4 . O C TOBER 2009

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Contributors

11525 Cantrell Road | Little Rock | 501.225.7807 pleasantridgetowncenter.com

Big City Shopping … closer than you think!

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Be sure to visit the Susan G. Komen “Race Space” opened at Pleasant Ridge October 2nd thru the 16th

KYLE G. MCLAUGHLIN is the founder of studio kgm, a commercial photography studio. While working on his BFA, he began an internship, that became an assistantship, which led to him starting his own studio. Some of his more noteworthy shoots have graced the pages of American Photo, Cosmo Girl, and Seventeen magazines. In his down time, Kyle teaches classes at the Arkansas Arts Center and works on personal projects to keep his artistic passions thriving.

VICKI KOVALESKI A watercolorist, designer and instructor, Kovaleski earned her Fine Arts degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1990. Years later, a pivotal entry into a prestigious art competition earned her the highest honor from Juror Janet Fish, affirming and unleashing her passion. She is a former president and active member of the Mid-Southern Watercolor Society, a member of The National Portrait Society, and has studied with many internationally famed authors and artists. TRACY COURAGE is a public relations professional and freelance journalist. She worked as a reporter and editor for 15 years at daily newspapers, including eight years at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She left newspapers in 2006 to work in public relations at Pulaski Technical College. She lives in North Little Rock with her husband, Peter, and their 4-year-old daughter, Madison. THE ARKANSAS STUDIES INSTITUTE served as the backdrop of our Runway model photo shoot. We are grateful to their staff, especially Holly Mathisen, Kathryn Heller and Colin Thompson for letting us invade their space, drink their coffee and take over the "dressing rooms."

2 6 . O C TOBER 2009

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Mailbag

You have again proven your commitment to the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Thank you so much for all your hard work in making the 2008 Runway for a Cause such a success. Your willingness and enthusiasm to help pull this event together resulted in one incredible fundraiser! Your $10,000 contribution will be greatly appreciated throughout the state as grants are funded to educate, screen and treat this deadly disease. Please pass on our thanks to all who participated in the event. Elizabeth Clark Financial & Missions Director Komen for the Cure, Arkansas Affiliate Thank you for your 2008 financial support. The gifts that Runway for a Cause and other donors entrusted to the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI) Foundation helped us serve some 2,500 cancer patients last year … CARTI has helped bring the fight to cancer for 33 years. CARTI Foundation’s role in that fight is to raise money to support CARTI and our cancer patients. Your gifts provide an array of assistance in education and support programs for patients as well as money for

5600 Kavanaugh • In The Heights Little Rock • 501.664.7330 2 8 . O C TOBER 2009

{ Models from the 2008 Runway for a Cause

holding up signs noting their years of survival. equipment and other items that guarantee our patients receive the best treatment possible. Kathi Jones President, CARTI Foundation Little Rock, Arkansas It’s been many months since Runway for a Cause 2008, but I wanted you to know, your event is still making a difference in at least one life … mine! The Nurse Navigator Project at Baptist Health Medical Center is my lifeline to hope and to recovery. Laurie, the Baptist Nurse Navigator, has been much more than a caregiver; she’s a friend, someone I can call in the middle of the night if I have to. Thank goodness for programs like this and people like Laurie, and thank goodness for organizations like yours that can fund these programs. It’s been one year; I’m cancer free, and I really owe it all to the Nurse Navigator program at Baptists and to [Runway]. Cindy, a breast cancer survivor via Baptist Health Foundation

WHAT IS YOUR RUNWAY STORY? WRITE TO ANGELA AT [email protected], OR TO AY MAGAZINE, 910 W. SECOND ST., STE. 200, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72201

Congratulations on another fantastic Runway for a Cause. As a survivor, I have a great appreciation for what all of you are doing to support these great causes. It was an honor to be a model for several Runways, and I have attended every year. Keep up the great work. Thank you. Cathy Clowers Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Congratulations on a very successful Runway for a Cause! This was my first time to attend, and I was quite impressed. Gina Grace Moore Stephens Frost Little Rock, Arkansas Thank you again for allowing me the privilege of modeling in Runway for a Cause. The entire event made me feel so special, and I thank all the people who put so much time and effort into making it such a special event. As an eight-year survivor, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Robbie Davis Conway, Arkansas Thank you, AY Magazine, for your fight against breast cancer. Joann Vaughn Special Touch Catering Little Rock, Arkansas What a wonderful experience I had at Runway for a Cause 2008! Thank you so much for the honor of being a runway model and a model in the October issue of your wonderful magazine. It was such a privilege to meet so many strong, beautiful and fun women. Everyone involved made the event such a special time for the models. We felt like royalty. I am so proud to have been a part of such a wonderful event for such a wonderful cause. Thank you for all you do.

10% OFF

ONE PRODUCT ONE TIME | ONE PER PERSON BRING THIS COUPON IN TO RECEIVE YOUR DISCOUNT

Brenda Ball Little Rock, Arkansas

Liz Clouse, R.N., C.P.S.N.

Edward J. Love, M.D. One Lile Court, Suite 100 • Little Rock, AR

501-907-7543

14810 Cantrell Rd. Little Rock, AR 501-868-8484 AY M A G . C O M . 2 9

2009 Runway Committee

2009 RUNWAY COMMITTEE: (Back row from left) Vicki Vowell, Laura Davis, Barbara Freeling, Sharon Heflin; (Second row from left) Carrie Hurley, Bev Eberle, Anne Marie Gibbs, Evelyn Menz, Emily Wilson, Gerri House, Wanda Valacahovic; (Third row from left) Kristi Moody, Carey Hill, Cherry Landfair, Toni Lazenby; (Front row from left) Rosanne Boyd, Cathy Gammill, Stacy-Lynn Hobby, Penny Burkhalter. Not pictured: Linda Newbern, Becky Bien, Gayle Maloch, Lynn Corley, Shannon McKinney and Pam Drilling.

A Word of Thanks Our committee members are a formidable group. Special thanks to: Kristi Moody our chair, the most organized woman I know; Carey Hill, co-chair, for her attention to detail; Penny Burkhalter and Pam Drilling for their job coordinating retailers; Stacy-Lynn Hobby, Gerri House and Cherry Landfair for recruiting our beautiful models; Evelyn Menz for her insight into music; Lynn Corley for arranging beautiful decorations; Laura Davis and Cathy Gammill for spreading the word; Bev Eberle and Becky Bien for securing magnificent items and escorts; Ann Marie Gibbs, Carrie Hurley and Emily Wilson for logistics; Sharon Heflin and Gayle Maloch for gathering plenty of volunteers; Barbara Freeling for producing a great show; Shannon McKinney for a delivering a delicious menu; Linda Newbern for mapping it all out; and Rhonda Penn, AY office administrator, for keeping us all on schedule. Much gratitude to the sponsorship committee: Rosanne Boyd for her extra effort; Toni Lazenby for her exceptional ability to raise money; Wanda Valachovic for her continued support; for all the women on our committees who helped raise money; and to Shirley Davis, my friend, who reminds me that friends, family and laughter will get you through. Once again, job well done — Vicki P.S. We would like to thank the Arkansas Studies Institute at 401 President Clinton Ave., in Little Rock for allowing us to use their beautiful facilities for our fashion photo shoot. (From top) Kristi Moody, Carey Hill and Shirley Davis

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Symbolizing courage, strength and above all hope, the pink ribbon is recognized worldwide as the emblem of the fight against breast cancer. Cecil’s has captured this spirit in a gold and diamond ribbon pendant hand crafted by C.Y. Sheng. We at Cecil’s have created a jeweled tribute to commemorate those who have lost the battle with breast cancer, and to celebrate with those who have beaten this terrible disease. This symbolic diamond studded ribbon will be awarded to a Breast Cancer Survivor at the Survivor Luncheon following the race.

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3 2 . O C TOBER 2009

Where the Money Goes

2008 Runway fashion show models

2008 RECIPIENTS

S

ince its inception, Runway for a Cause has raised more than $716,000. We

cannot thank our sponsors, volunteers, donors and models enough for their

continued support. Each year, we have

supported some of the state’s most worthy organizations as they champion the effort

to defeat breast cancer. With your generous support, Runway for a Cause 2008 made the following donations: $30,000 to the Baptist Health Foundation Nurse Navigator Program, which pairs breast cancer

patients and RNs one-on-one to help

patients manage their healthcare through follow-ups, instruction, monitoring and

care to help arrest breast cancer; $30,000 to CARTI (Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute) Foundation Health

& Wellness Strategies for breast cancer

patients, which includes their Cancer WellFit program; $30,000 to The 20th Century

Club, which provides housing for breast and other cancer patients who travel to Little

Rock for treatment and cannot afford to pay for lodging during treatment; and $10,000 to the Arkansas Affiliate Susan G. Komen  Penny Burkhalter, Bev Eberle, Kristi Moody, Pam Drilling, Paula Pistorius, breast cancer survivor and dosimetrist, Kathi Jones, president, CARTI Foundation, Shirley Davis and Emily Wilson. Kristi Moody (center), with Missy Lewis (left) and Elise Siegler, Baptist Health Foundation.  Penny Burkhalter and Sheila Vaught, Komen.  Bev Eberle, Vicki Vowell and Dana Kleine, campaign chair, The 20th Century Club.

for the Cure.

If your organization would like to be a recipient of the proceeds from 2010’s Runway for a Cause event, contact AY: Runway for a Cause, c/o AY Magazine, 910 W. Second St., Suite 200, Little Rock, AR 72201.

Tribute Paying

to Family Friends & Patients who have had breast cancer

with much love,

Liz Clouse

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A Unique Approach to cosmetic surgery " … never forget the fact that we are partners in this venture." “I do not envision my patient relationship as a single experience. I want to take time to fully understand their needs, so that I can provide the highest level of safety, discretion, and care. Cosmetic surgery involves a lifetime of personal attention. I largely focus on the prevention of aging and, when time, the restoration of beauty and form in a natural manner.

Your decision to have surgery is an important one and should be tailored to your individual goals and needs. From the initial consult to the last postoperative visit and beyond, I want you to feel comfortable and informed with the details of each process.

MICHAEL SPANN, M.D. | Arkansas Plastic Surgery | michaelspannmd.com | [email protected] | 501.219.8388 NOW AT TWO LOCATIONS: 9500 Kanis Rd, Little Rock, AR 72205 | 2200 Ada Ave, Conway, AR 72034 3 4 . O C TOBER 2009

women (Seated, from left) Terri Parker West, Patricia Brown and Jimmie Lou Fisher, (Standing from left) Karen Trevino, Stephanie Flaherty, Dale Ronnel, Jan Smithson, Nicole Francis, Evelyn McKenna, Karen White and Phyllis Watkins.

2009 RUNWAY ay magazine's

FOR A CAUSE A

diagnosis of breast cancer can be devastating

to an individual and her family; however, many discover

strength in the face of adversity and become empowered

… finding that cancer has no power unless it is given.

It’s with great pride, we present 11 women

of various ages and vocations and in various stages of recovery … each graceful, joyful and powerful. 3

Photography by Kyle McLaughlin • Shot on location at the Arkansas Studies Institute

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Patricia Brown, 51

4-year breast cancer survivor Executive Director, Fort Smith Classic — Nationwide Tour

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Jimmie Lou Fisher, 67 (but my spirit is 35) 4-month breast cancer survivor  Senior Education Instructor for Attorney General Dustin McDaniel

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Stephanie Flaherty, 37 8-month breast cancer survivor Dentist

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Nicole Francis, 36

two-time, 1-year breast cancer survivor Literacy Specialist

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Evelyn McKenna, 40 7-year breast cancer survivor HRIS Manager for Stephens Inc.

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Dale Ronnel, 70

(and I’m still surprised when I have to say that!) 3-year breast cancer survivor Community Volunteer

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Jan Smithson, 46

5-year breast cancer survivor Pharmaceutical Sales Management

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Karen Trevino, 49 currently undergoing treatment  Executive Director, North Little Rock Visitors Bureau

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Phyllis Watkins, 63 7-year survivor Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Arkansas

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Terri Parker West, 54 two-time, 10-year breast cancer survivor Creative Director/Designer 

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Karen White, 56

12-year breast cancer survivor Sales Support Assistance for Publishing, AT&T Advertising Solutions

4 6 . O C TOBER 2009

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Generous Gems O 6.60 ct tw diamond, 14k white gold earrings, provided by Sissy’s Log Cabin.

ø 18kt white gold south O 4.44ct oval tanzanite and 1.21 ct

diamond pendant with three natural black pearls, 16-inch Omega choker provided by Newton’s Jewelers.

sea pearl and diamond ring provided by Wilkerson’s Jewelers.

o Rose gold, bronze and steel earrings with citrine by Rebecca; provided by Cecil’s Fine Jewelry.

O Carleon bangle bracelet in sterling silver and 14 kt yellow gold with black diamond pave setting, by Caerleon by Goldman Kolber, provided by Lauray’s The Diamond Center.

4 8 . O C TOBER 2009

Kiss My FFANY! No, it’s not a typo! FFANY, the Fashion Footwear Association of New York, each year, for 15 years, has hosted the FFANY Shoes on Sale on QVC, and this year promises to be FFANtastic as always. For three shoe-lovin’ hours Oct.13, QVC will offer more than 100,000 pairs of designer shoes at half price. For the entire month of October, the network will present a Shoe of the Day. The net proceeds, which have yielded more than $30 million cumulatively, will benefit breast cancer research and education at eight worthy institutions including the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). This is not the first year, UAMS has received money from FFANY; however, for several years, the center was not a recipient. “We invited representatives from QVC and FFANY to visit us and witness our passion and relentless pursuit in the cure of cancer,” said Rachelle Sanders, executive director for the institute’s foundation. That meeting included many of the researchers and heavy hitters in the breast cancer fight including Drs. Rhonda Henry-Tillman, Thomas Kieber Emmons and Suzanne Klimberg. Klimberg is just one of the doctors whose projects have used funds from FFANY. “She’s a true warrior,” Sanders said. “She always says ‘there’s got to be a better way.’” Klimberg’s outside-of-the-box thinking has lead her to pioneer several projects, such as Spit for the Cure; Tears for Life; and her ground-breaking ARM (Axillary Reverse Mapping) procedure, which prevents lymphedema (swelling of the arms due to faulty drainage of the lymph nodes); and eRFA, “a procedure that gives patients a cancer-free area around the site where their cancerous tumor was removed, so a second surgery in the area is unnecessary.” This year’s celebrity spokesperson for the FFANY Shoes on Sale event is Jessica Simpson. Her line of shoes is just one of those that will be featured. For more info tune into QVC on Oct. 13. 

STOP FIGHTING OVER THE LAST ISSUE OF AY!

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Resource Guide

O

Our models' fashions include some of this fall's hottest styles. Here's how you can get their look from head to toe ... bling included. Thank you, retailers, for helping our models feel like the glamorous superstars they are!

VESTA’S Melissa Tanner, Owner 11525 Cantrell Road Suite 610 Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 375-7820 vestasboutique.com Royal blue scrunch tee, $99, royal blue and grey stripe skirt, $160, menswear button blazer, $206, all by Dick & Jayne, provided by Vesta’s. 4.44ct oval tanzanite and 1.21 ct diamond pendant with three natural black pearls, 16-inch Omega choker; 2.75 ct diamond, 18kt white gold ring and “Marquis Line” 14.31 ct diamond, 18kt white gold bracelet, both by Roberto Coin; Lady Rolex stainless-steel watch with 18kt white gold bezel, mother-of-pear diamond dial, Jubilee bracelet; 2.50 ct diamond dangle earrings, by Simon G, provided by Newton’s Jewelers.

FLETCHER & BENSKY FURS 11401 Rodney Parham Road Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 225-9000 fletcherandbenskyfurs.com Ranch-sheared mink coat with a natural chinchilla collar, $10,000, provided by Fletcher-Bensky Furs. 18k white gold, 3.52 ct tw bezel set diamond earrings, 14k white gold ring with 1.95 tw center diamond accented with pave diamonds, provided by Sissy’s Log Cabin.

BARBARA JEAN Christine Bailey, owner 7811 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72227 (501) 227-0054 barbarajean.com Purple check jumper dress, $398, cashmere ruffle-sleeve turtleneck, $428, both by Burberry, over-the-knee zip-up boot, $598, by Stuart Weitzman; provided by Barbara Jean. Rose gold and bronze ring with pearshaped citrine, rose gold, bronze and steel earrings with citrine, rose gold and bronze cuff bracelet, rose gold, bronze and steel necklace, all by Rebecca; provided by Cecil’s Fine Jewelry.

BARBARA GRAVES INTIMATE FASHIONS Barbara Graves,owner 10301 Rodney Parham Road Little Rock, AR 72227 (501) 227-5537 barbaragraves.com Zip-front, animal-print lounge caftan, $165, by Diamond Tea, black gown, $99, by Carlton Hall, marabou slippers, $42, by Jacques Levine, provided by Barbara Graves Intimate Fashions. 2.30 ct black and white diamond bangle bracelet, 1.25 ct black and white diamond dangle fashion earrings, onyx, diamond and pink sapphire 18kt white gold fashion ring, provided by Wilkerson’s Jewelers.

BEYOND COTTON Nancy Schuster & Mandy Schuster, owners 10700 N. Rodney Parham Road Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 221-9195 Grey pants, $85, coordinating jacket, $99, magenta shirt, $69, all by Tribal Sportswear, provided by Beyond Cotton. 52-inch lampwork beads by Kathy Drake, 6.60 ct tw diamond, 14k white gold earrings, provided by Sissy’s Log Cabin. 5 0 . O C TOBER 2009

FEINSTEIN’S Jill Ricciardone, owner 5600 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72207 (501) 664-7330 Deco geometric print blazer with coordinating tank and pant by Basler, exclusively at Feinstein’s, onyx and rings necklace by Lordane; provided by Feinstein’s.

B. BARNETT Marisa Ensiminger, owner 8201 Cantrell Road Suite 280 Little Rock, AR 72227 (501) 223-2514 bbarnett.com Pintuck cotton jersey turtleneck, $105, by Gerard Darel, Lombard pant with side zip in black, $498, birdseye tweed jacket with detachable fox shawl collar, $1,698, both by Ralph Lauren Black Label, graphite shoe boot, $375, by Donald Pliner, provided by B. Barnett. 18k yellow gold onyx dragonball earrings with tassels, 18k yellow gold multi-dragonball necklace, 18k yellow gold dragonball necklace, 18K yellow gold jade ring accented with diamonds and sapphires, all by Lagos; provided by Sissy’s Log Cabin.

PROPOSALS Dawne Vandiver, Shannon Aston, owners 5913 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72207 (501) 661-4696 proposalsboutique.com Wool ottoman suit with ruffled, beaded jacket and neckline in black, $820, by Teri Jon, black evening bag, $170, provided by Proposals. 1.67 tcw diamond pendant, on black diamond necklaces, 2.5 ctw diamond pave set dinner ring, platinum and diamond 1.25 cushion-cut diamond ring with diamond pave accents, by Henry Daussi; provided by Lauray’s The Diamond Center.

DILLARD’S 6000 University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 661-0053 dillards.com Stretch, ruched taffeta blouse with brooch, $99, and trumpet skirt, $99, both by KM Collections Woman, rhinestone evening sandal, “Midnight,” $79, by Gianni Bini; provided by Dillard’s. Jewelry: 6.50 cts diamond 18kt white gold bangle bracelet, by Odelia, 1.66 ct diamond and 1.85 ct sapphire 18kt white gold ring; provided by Wilkerson’s Jewelers.

NEW TRADITIONS Gayle Rule, owner 1920 N. Grant St. Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 663-2388 Pebble-print bracelet-sleeve swing jacket, $178, by Anthracite, sleeveless black turtleneck, $35, by Sisters, black gabardine pant, $138, by Elliott Lauren, black fabric boot shoe, $95, by Vaneli, provided by New Traditions. 18kt white gold south sea pearl and diamond ring, south sea 14mm pearls with diamond clasp, south sea pearl earrings with diamond accents in 18kt white gold; provided by Wilkerson’s Jewelers.

COMPANIONS Pamela Rees, owner 14810 Cantrell Road Little Rock, AR 72223 (501) 868-8484 companionsboutique.com Distressed skinny jeans, $178, by Joes, hot pink turtleneck, $118, polka dot jacket, $162, both by Sao Paulo, silver earrings, $66, by Marcia Moran, provided by Companions.

close to home NEWTON’S JEWELERS 701 Garrison Ave. Fort Smith, AR 72903 (479) 782-9123 newtons-jewelers.com

SISSY’S LOG CABIN 2319 Camden Road Pine Bluff, AR 71603 (870) 879-3040 sissyslogcabin.com

CECIL’S FINE JEWELRY 10720 N. Rodney Parham Road Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 225-5068 cecilsfinejewelry.com

WILKERSON’S JEWELERS 222 S. Main St. Stuttgart, AR 72160 (870) 673-4441 wilkersons.com

LAURAY’S THE DIAMOND CENTER 402 Central Ave. Hot Springs, AR 71901 (501) 321-2441 laurays.com

KORTO MOMOLU created this beautiful necklace, titled “Sharon Renee,” for Runway for a Cause. It is fashioned of pink turquoise stone and African wood. Momolu, who lives in Mabelvale, Ark., came to national attention after her appearances on “Project Runway.” She wore the signature piece at this year’s styleshow and dedicated it to her sister-inlaw Sharon Gaines, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. “I’ve participated in the Race for the Cure every year since I moved to Arkansas. However, my husband has several family members who’ve had breast cancer, so it’s definitely become a more personal cause,” Momolu said. She plans to duplicate “Sharon Renee” and sell the necklace on her Web site, kortomomolu.com, to assist Gaines in paying for medical expenses. “I am hopeful that a cure for breast cancer will soon be found. It affects so many women, especially African Americans.” Starting next February, you can obtain a bit of this fashionista’s runway style. Her line of handbags — including the popular “horn” handbag — and necklaces, aptly named Korto Momolu will debut and be carried exclusively by Dillard’s nationwide. You can purchase Momolu’s jewelry and find more information about her fashions and her busy schedule at kortomomolu.com.

ROSIE DAVIS watched with sadness and a feeling of helplessness as her daughter Tosha waged a brave battle against breast cancer. When Tosha Thompson lost that battle, Davis became angry and decided to use that energy in the battle against breast cancer … “I don’t want to talk about breast cancer … I want to roar!” Her latest endeavor — a cookbook titled Family Traditions with Rosie — capitalizes on Davis’ fame as a part of the Hot Springs’ restaurant Jason’s Burgers ‘N’ More. “This is a cookbook of family recipes and good southern food,” Davis said. “Many of the entrees that we serve at Jason’s Burgers ‘N’ More are included, like coleslaw, pinto beans, hush puppies and our famous grilled fish.” The book also includes some rather exotic items Davis enjoys, but cannot serve at the restaurant, such as deer venison poppers, Ben’s Duck Balls, which are stuffed with cream cheese, and fried squirrel. “I actually started compiling recipes before Tosha’s diagnosis and stopped when she became ill. One of her last requests was that I finish the cookbook. I was not motivated, but my friend Lisa Naylor pushed me. I wouldn’t have finished it without her,” Davis said. Family Traditions features the breast cancer awareness pink ribbon and a pictorial tribute to Tosha. Davis is contributing the proceeds from the books’ sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Runway for a Cause. To purchase your copy of Family Traditions, contact Jason’s Burgers ‘N’ More at 148 Amity Road, Hot Springs, AR, (501) 525-0919. 

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in the Pink Each year, thousands of manufacturers join in the fight against breast cancer by donating proceeds from product sales to organizations, such as the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (komen.org), which was founded in 1982 and has raised more than $1 billion; the National Breast Cancer Foundation (nationalbreastcancer.org), founded in 1991 and has raised $7.1 million; and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (bcrfcure.org), which was founded nearly 20 years ago by Evelyn Lauder and has raised more than $250 million thus far. Here are a few of this year's great products.

Chocolate-covered graham cracker cookies, $20, 25 percent of sales benefit NBCF; ladyfortunes.com.

l, com fo and, o rtable f c ourse, pink, t edition his limitedtan Moss, k, by Ella look on any s great wo benefi ts BCR man, Nords F; $50; trom.c om.

Ford Motor Company continues its support of Komen for the Cure the Warriors in Pink campaign, which includes fashion and accessories including the silk tie (bottom right) and this limited edition Zune 4GB MP3 player, $175 (100 percent of the purchase price benefits Komen), both feature the Warriors in Pink insignia; shopwarriorsinpink.com.

We love a great lipstick! Bobbie Brown’s Pink Ribbon Collection features pink crystal glitter lip balm and blush pink creamy lip color; benefits BCRF; $40; national retailers or esteelauder.com. 5 2 . O C TOBER 2009

Casua

Sometimes, you’ve got to take it with you! Clinique’s three mini lip glosses in Air Kiss, Kissyfit and Whisper, benefits BCRF; $19; national retailers or esteelauder.com.

Dove Chocolate offers a “bite” of encouragement in each of their Promises of Hope candies. The candies are available in milk and dark chocolate and each is wrapped with a message from a breast cancer survivor, benefits Komen for the Cure, $5, national retailers.

Get your guy to join the fight in this Warriors in Pink multicolored silk tie with insignia, benefits Komen for the Cure; $29; shopwarriorsinpink.com.

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This North Little Rock resident found a combination of traditional medicine and Mother Nature's remedies to be just what the doctor ordered.

A

APRIL MILLER, 38, HAS GONE HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH CANCER MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE HER FIRST DIAGNOSIS IN 2002. It has been a tumultuous experience with many ups and downs. She has put her trust in God, learned to stay informed, be involved with the selection of her doctors and, most importantly, to stay on her toes. Her first run-in with cancer began by chance. She found a lump in her left breast while showering one evening and visited her doctor within a week to have it checked. The results came back that the lump was, in fact, malignant and in a very-advanced stage. Her physicians recommended a bilateral mastectomy along with the removal of lymph nodes to be examined for more extensive testing. After her surgery, Miller began chemotherapy treatment only to find that her lymph nodes had somehow been lost; then, to add to her frustration, her lung was punctured in the process of installing her port, which increased her hospital stay. An LPN for more than a decade, Miller reached out to some of her colleagues to find a new team of doctors that she could trust. Though Miller finally felt she had found the best doctors available, her battle with cancer was about to become exponentially more trying. She had a very adverse reaction to chemotherapy that left her feeling worse than ever. 5 4 . O C TOBER 2009

No Match for Miller BY AMY BOWERS • PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE FENDER

“I was so very sick from the chemotherapy,” Miller said. “I could barely get out of bed. I don’t know why some people get sick from it, and some don’t. They treated my cancer very aggressively. I prayed to God one night and told him I didn’t know how much longer I could hold on. I didn’t know how much more of it I could handle.” Miller felt that her prayers were answered the very next day. Her physician called her family in to announce that he wasn’t sure whether the chemo or the cancer was going to kill her faster. She was given three to six months to live and released from her chemo treatments. “I walked out of the hospital that day feeling like a weight had been lifted,” she said. Miller went on with her life and returned to work, only to be diagnosed again with cancer 18 months later, this time it was a mass on her uterus and another one in her chest wall. Miller underwent more chemo for the new masses. One day, while receiving a chemo

treatment she found another mass on her chest. She had researched natural healing methods and decided to raise the money she needed to attend the Oasis of Hope Hospital in Mexico, a hospital that focused on natural healing methods, such as: detox and cleansing; learning new eating habits and exercises; sunbathing; and the use of apricot kernels, which, according to Miller, is a natural chemotherapy. Miller was in Mexico for 31 days and came back feeling fantastic. She waited three months and went in for a body scan to see how the cancer was doing. “When I left for Mexico, the cancer was attached to my ribs and chest wall, when I came back it was gone,” she said. This experience inspired her to become a certified natural health practitioner. She speaks to groups about her experience and the benefits of natural healing and conducts workshops from her home. Miller continues to stay on her toes with her battle against cancer and overcome great odds.

All of the proceeds from the book go back to support Runway for a Cause and Susan G. Komen for the Cure 148 Amity • Hot Springs, AR 71913 501-525-0919 AY M A G . C O M . 5 5

Breast Cancer Support Groups Sometimes, we need somebody to lean on. Family and friends are often more than willing to be your rock through rough times, but there is nothing like being a part of a group of individuals who has traveled the same path you are on to offer insight and wisdom. Here is a list of support groups, organizations and agencies that are fullyequipped and more than willing to offer their guidance.

STATEWIDE Look Good … Feel Better Locations throughout Arkansas (800) 395-LOOK lookgoodfeelbetter.org Reach to Recovery Call (800) ACS-2345 for a Reach Visitor in your area and for additional program information. BENTON Ladies’ Cancer Support Group First Baptist Church 211 S. Market St. Benton, AR 72015 (501) 315-2270 BENTONVILLE Together Let’s Cope Mercy Health Center 3101 SE 14th St. Bentonville, AR 72712 (479) 986-6040 FAYETTEVILLE Been There Inc. 2949 Point Circle Fayetteville, AR 72704 (479) 571-4673 Coping and Conversation Cancer Support Home 1101 N. Woolsey Ave. Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 521-8024 Hispanic Women With Cancer Cancer Support Home 1101 N. Woolsey Ave. Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 521-8024 Tickets: $50 per person • Dress: business casual • Open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvers Seating is limited. Please RSVP by calling 501-244-9700 or at aymag.com/go/cookoff. Proceeds from the evening will go to the Pulaski Technical College Foundation for the Arkansas Culinary School in honor of the late columnist Richard Allin.

AY MAGAZINE'S 2009

CELEBRITY

CHEF COOK-0FF Thursday, October 8 Pulaski Technical College aymag.com/go/cookoff

5 6 . O C TOBER 2009

Enjoy a lovely evening as these celebrity chefs prepare recipes submitted in our 2009 Reader Recipe Contest: David Bennett of Vieux Carre, Rob Best of Best Impressions, Donnie Ferneau of Ferneau Restaurant, Timothy Morton of 1620, André Poirot executive chef of Peabody Little Rock and Lee Richardson of Capital Hotel. Event judges will be Mark Abernathy of Loca Luna, Faith Anaya of KidsCook Arkansas, Peter Brave of Brave New Restaurant, Todd Gold of Purple Cow and Mary Twedt of KUAR’s “Arkansas Cooks.”

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Ozark Affiliate P.O. Box 9462 Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 750-PINK (7465) komenozark.org Young Breast Cancer Survivors Group Cancer Support Home 1101 N. Woolsey Ave. Fayetteville, AR 72703 (479) 521-8024 FORT SMITH Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House Offers multiple group sessions and classes

3324 S. M St. Fort Smith, AR 72903 (479) 782-6302 HARRISON Dialogue Support Group First Christian Church 915 Maple St. Harrison, AR 72601 (870) 741-9560 HOT SPRINGS Cancer Support Group St. Joseph’s Mercy Cancer Center 1455 Higdon Ferry Road Daffodil Room Hot Springs, AR 71913 (501) 622-4730 Genesis Cancer Center 133 Harmony Park Circle Hot Springs, AR 71913 (501) 624-7700 genesiscancercenter.com

Fresh! Casual! Delicious! The Keet family invites you to help us support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Bring this ad to Taziki’s during the month of October and we will donate $1 for every entree purchased.

Pink Ribbon Sisters McAuley Senior Center 5010 N. Hwy. 7 Hot Springs, AR 71909 (501) 622-4113

Catering, Happy Hour, Covered Deck, Open Sundays

JONESBORO Cancer Support Group Northeast Arkansas Medical Center’s Hope Circle 311 E. Matthews Ave. Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 934-5214

8200 Cantrell Road (501) 227-8291

Northeast Arkansas Breast Cancer Support Group Holiday Inn 3006 S. Caraway Road Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 935-3196 Sisters in Survival Mount Carmel Methodist Church 4000 Southwest Drive Jonesboro, AR 72404 (870) 919-2851

11600 Mara Lynn • Little Rock

501.224.3075

LITTLE ROCK American Cancer Society Little Rock Office 901 N. University Ave. Little Rock, AR 72207 (501) 664-3480 cancer.org Bosom Buddies Baptist Health 9500 Kanis Road Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 202-7386 BreastCare 4815 W. Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205 (877) 670-CARE arbreastcare.com Cancer Friends & Family Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church 4823 Woodlawn Ave. Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 223-3575 Faithful Friends Christ the King Catholic Church 4000 N. Rodney Parham Road

no drama, just great hair! AY M A G . C O M . 5 7

Remembering Suzanne

BY TRACY COURAGE • PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF STEVE BARKER

E

EVERY YEAR, ON THE EVE OF THE SUSAN G. KOMEN ARKANSAS RACE FOR THE CURE, two dozen women from cities across the country gather at Little Rock architect Steve Barker’s home for what has become an annual tradition. Between the three bedrooms, four sofas and numerous airbeds, the women make themselves at home and settle in for what Barker describes as a weekend of “eating, gossiping and catching up.” They rise early the next morning to join the thousands of other women on race day while Barker prepares a post-race champagne brunch for them back at his house. What really brings them to central Arkansas each fall, though, is their love for Suzanne, Barker’s wife of 34 years, who lost her battle with breast cancer in April 2005. The women have become Barker’s extended family, and their annual visit is now a festive time to honor Suzanne’s memory and her love for life.

Suzanne, who worked 30 years as director of computer services for the Medical College Physicians Group at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), was always hopeful she would survive cancer. “She was never one to let things get her down,” Barker said. “She always wanted to be the one leading the parade.” Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 after a routine mammogram when she was 50 years old. The following year, she had a double mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.  The Barkers thought the cancer was gone. Suzanne survived nearly five years when a general malaise prompted her to see her doctor. “She just wasn’t feeling 100 percent,” Barker, 60, recalled. “At one point, she had a cough that wouldn’t go away. She went to her doctor and had X-rays, and they found that she had pneumonia.” The doctor discovered that Suzanne’s cancer had returned and spread to her

on your mark! Each year, women and men flock by the thousands to participate in the Race for the Cure by running or walking to do their part to bring us closer to finding a cure for breast cancer and to honor loved ones who have fought the battle. It is easy to get involved. Contact your local Susan G. Komen affiliate and sign up. We'll see you at the finish line. 0 Susan G. Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure; Oct. 17, 2009, Little Rock, Arkansas. komenarkansas.org. 0 Susan G. Komen Texarkana Race for the Cure; Oct. 17, 2009, Texarkana, Arkansas. www.komentexarkana.org. 0 Susan G. Komen Ozark Race for the Cure; April 24, 2010, Rogers, Arkansas. komenozark.org.

5 8 . O C TOBER 2009

lungs.  Radiation and more chemotherapy followed. With mounting respiratory complications, Suzanne was admitted to UAMS where she died on April 12, 2005, at 2:20 a.m., with Barker by her side. The aftermath of Suzanne’s death is still a blur to him. On the day of his wife’s funeral, Barker was hospitalized for meningitis. He spent nine days in the hospital, and the ordeal destroyed some of his short-term memory. What he knows for certain is this: “Life is fragile, and it can change in a heartbeat,” he said. “One second, everything is wonderful, and the next day, it’s caving in around you.” Within two months of Suzanne’s death, Barker found a way to honor his wife’s memory while helping others with breast cancer. In June 2005, Barker donated the seed money to establish the Suzanne F. Barker Breast Oncology Fellowship Fund at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. The fund’s purpose is to help improve the quality of care given to breast cancer patients by providing continued training to doctors in breast oncology. Income from the fund provides financial support for selected fellows to attend medical conferences and to spend time on research, education and clinical activities. Dr. Anjali Sibley, who works in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at UAMS, is the current fellow. Through an annual campaign, the fellowship fund has grown to more than $300,000. “It keeps growing and growing,” Barker said. He hopes the fund will someday provide for an endowed chair. The fellowship is directed by Dr. Laura Hutchins, director of the UAMS Division of Hematology/Oncology, and Dr. Suzanne Klimberg, director of the Breast Cancer Program at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Both doctors helped treat Suzanne. The fund also provides support for a guest lecturer at the Breast Cancer Challenge, an annual medical conference held at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Mo., which draws health professionals from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.  “We know that cancer is evil, and doctors are the good guys,” Barker said. “Maybe someday the spark will be there and will lead to something. Something will happen someday, and it will be a better day for everybody.”   

Support Groups continued Little Rock, AR 72212 (501) 664-4510 Just Between Friends 5001 W. 34th St. Little Rock, AR 72204 (501) 568-0971

SWIMWEAR 2010

New Outlook: The Women’s Cancer Recovery Support Group, St. Vincent Health System 2 St. Vincent Circle Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 552-3900 Susan G. Komen for the Cure Arkansas Affiliate 904 Autumn Road, Ste. 500 Little Rock, AR 72211 (501) 202-4399 komenarkansas.org Witness Project Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute 4301 W. Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 686-6000 MOUNTAIN HOME Peitz Cancer Support House Offers multiple group sessions and classes 315 Powers St. Mountain Home, AR 72653 (870) 508-2273 NORTH LITTLE ROCK Bosom Buddies Baptist Health Medical Center 3333 Springhill Drive North Little Rock, AR 72116 (501) 202-6888

Breckenridge Village • Little Rock 501-227-5537 • barbaragraves.com

PINE BLUFF Caring Bosom Friends 303 N. Maple St. Pine Bluff, AR 71601 (870) 534-5852 Friends Cook’s Kitchen 3700 Olive St. Pine Bluff, AR 71603 (870) 879-2813 SHERWOOD New Outlook: The Women’s Cancer Recovery Support Group St. Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital 2201 Wildwood Ave. Sherwood, AR 72120 (501) 552-3900 SPRINGDALE Cancer Support Group First Baptist Church of Springdale 1709 Johnson Road Springdale, AR 72762 (479) 751-4523 TEXARKANA Susan G. Komen for the Cure Texarkana Affiliate P.O. Box 6085 Texarkana, TX 75505 (903) 791-9585 komentexarkana.org AY M A G . C O M . 5 9

PHOTO: UAMS

Vaccine is Almost a Reality PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF UAMS

breasts, spit & tears The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is cooking up new and innovative ways to test for the breast cancer gene. Research projects “Spit for the Cure” and “Tears for Life” involve the collection of saliva and tear samples from thousands of participants across the state to create a DNA database for future breast cancer studies. So far more than 10,000 women have submitted saliva samples to the “Spit for the Cure” project, which was developed by UAMS scientist, Susan Kadlubar, Ph.D., (above right) and Director of Breast Surgical Oncology Dr. V. Suzanne Klimberg (above left), who also works on the “Tears for Life” program. The two women came up with the brilliant “Spit for the Cure” during a car ride back from Memphis, and it has since taken off. “We have collected spit samples from every county in Arkansas,” Klimberg said. “That kind of participation is unheard of. When you look at who is spitting — everyone is spitting — it’s not one particular group. We have a good number of minorities, lots of African Americans and Hispanic women. Most research groups have to try very hard to get minorities to participate.” Participants are asked to answer a short questionnaire and indicate if they would be willing to participate in follow-up studies. All information is, of course, kept confidential. “We take the spit and tear samples and study the proteins, [looking for those] that are common to breast cancer. Through these tests, we ultimately hope to create an at-home breast cancer test that is much like an at-home pregnancy test. Too many women don’t find breast cancer tumors until it is large, and that’s too late. The average size of a lump is 2 centimeters; we want to reduce that,” Klimberg said. The home test would be more cost efficient as well as more available. Many women say they do not get breast exams, because they do not have time to get a mammogram or transportation to a doctor’s office. Klimberg hopes to have the technology developed within two to five years. Recruiters for “Spit for the Cure” will be available at the Race for the Cure on Oct. 17, 2009. Look for the “Spit for the Cure” tent on Race Day to participate in this exciting study. For more info, log onto uamshealth.com. 

6 0 . O C TOBER 2009

A breast cancer vaccine to prevent a second occurrence of the potentially-deadly disease could be literally placed in the hands of doctors within days. Dr. Thomas Kieber-Emmons (pictured above), a professor of pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is awaiting approval from the FDA. “This vaccine can be thought of a prophylactic. It will be used by high-risk women who have had breast cancer and who have been surgically cured to prevent a recurrence,” Kieber-Emmons said. The vaccine may also be used therapeutically to target metastatic disease, which is when a tumor disseminates through the body, which can be lethal. “The vaccine, in our view, will help ‘mop up’ cancer cells that remain after a patient undergoes radiation and follow-up treatments.” The hospital has already received requests from women who want to participate in the initial study. Kieber–Emmons, an admitted perfectionist, is excited and, at the same time, cautious. “Who is that woman, the first one who will receive the vaccine? I dream about her. I worry about her safety and wellbeing. I’m 99.9 percent confident that it will work, but I worry,” he pondered aloud. His passion and concern cause him to become emotional. “Who is this pioneer going to be?” For more info log onto uamshealth.com. 

AY M A G . C O M . 6 1

1920 NORTH GRANT LITTLE ROCK

501.663.2388 6 2 . O C TOBER 2009

PATRICIA BROWN, executive director of the Fort Smith Classic and the brains behind their new event Pink on the Links, traveled a long and weary road to get to where she is today. Her battle with breast cancer began in 2005, while she was out of town working with John Daly at a celebrity golf event. She felt a tingling sensation in her right breast and pain in her armpit. She thought perhaps she had pulled a muscle, but scheduled an appointment with her physician anyway. After an examination, her doctor told her it was nothing to worry about and she left his office feeling great relief. Within three months Brown’s nipple started hurting as well. She returned to the doctor, who, with one look, knew it was cancer. “The look of the breast had drastically changed. He just looked at my breast and knew without any exam. He preformed a series of tests, and by the end of the day the news that it was cancer was certain,” Brown, pictued above center, said. She underwent surgery, followed by eight rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. All the while her friends did their best to keep her spirits up. “I have terrific and creative friends,” she said. “One day, after my hair began to fall out, they all showed up at my house in crazy multi-colored wigs, and when I opened the door they said ‘and you think you are having a bad hair day!’ We would dress up like we were going to a fancy cocktail party and go to my chemotherapy treatments.” Having cancer was an eye-opening experience for Brown. She learned many things, not only about herself, but also about those around her. “Cancer does two things: It cleans out your closet of creepy people, because creepy people don’t like to help, and it also allows warm and creative people to come into your life … even some you never realized cared so much.” Brown describes her battle with cancer as the most physically-challenging, painful and depressing years of her life, but also thinks of them as the best years of her life. “I had many prayers answered during this time and grew so much spiritually.” In January 2006, she was cleared of cancer. Once Brown was back on her feet she started thinking of ways she could help spread the word about breast cancer. “I wanted to take the experience I had and make it fun and give back beyond just myself. People just don’t know about breast cancer unless they have been through it. It is scary, but can be less so … if you decide that’s how it’s going to be.” Through her association with the Fort Smith Classic, Brown came up with the idea for Pink on the Links. The inaugural event was held June 19 and was a major success. It is a fun way to integrate golf and the battle against breast cancer and was the biggest day of attendance during the Classic. The pros dressed in pink from shorts to socks, shoes and hair coloring, and events included: a fashion show; the Pink Zone, featuring health and beauty tips, women’s sports apparel and games; a luncheon; and Par-Tee Pink at the 19th hole. Ticket proceeds benefited the Ozark Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Log onto fortsmithclassic.com to learn more about this great event that started with one woman’s battle with breast cancer. 

AY M A G . C O M . 6 3

Intimate Conversations

Five couples share their breast cancer experience in effort to help others weather the storm. BY TRACY COURAGE • PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY LIGHT PRODUCTIONS

(From left) Alan and Boots Barnett Warrick; Karen and John Carroll; Sandra and Charles McFadden; Dr. Karen Kozlowski; Dwayne and Shana Wilson; and Dr. Al and Cathy Alexander.

W

supportive role in their partner’s treatment,” WHEN BOOTS BARNETT WARRICK said Elise Siegler, director of annual and major WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST gifts at the Baptist Health Foundation. “The CANCER, she worried not only about her couples discuss their fears, what they would health, but also about the effect it would have have done or said differently … what inspired on her new marriage to husband Alan.                                                  them the most. The discussions are intimate, “My biggest fear was that he would and [the couples are] very real about their own withdraw from me,” she said, “but he gave me personal situations.”  complete support.”  The video was produced last year through Not all women get the support they need, the Boots Barnett Warrick Breast Cancer and not all marriages survive as the Warrick’s Support Program, which Alan established in has. The stress of dealing with breast cancer — his wife’s honor. Baptist Health will distribute or any kind of cancer — can be overwhelming, about 250 copies of the DVD this year. The and even the strongest marriages can become Arkansas Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the strained. Ideally, couples learn to communicate Cure will distribute 1,000 copies of the videos their fears and needs so that their relationship through the breast cancer survivor kits given not only endures, but also grows stronger as to new patients at breast centers, doctors’ a result.  offices, hospitals and clinics around the state, The Warricks joined several central according to Sherrye McBryde, executive Arkansas couples and individuals to discuss director of the Arkansas Affiliate Susan G. their experiences with breast cancer on a video Komen for the Cure.  that Baptist Health gives newly-diagnosed On the video, Alan says he learned to breast cancer patients. The video is simply accept his wife’s diagnosis as one of life’s titled, “An Intimate Conversation with challenges. “I said to myself this is part of my Survivors of Breast Cancer and their Loved commitment; this is part of my vows, but most Ones.”  importantly, it was my deep, abiding love for “Alan [Warrick] saw a real need for her, to stand next to her and help her navigate husbands and partners to take a more active and 6 4 . O C TOBER 2009

a difficult challenge,” he said. “I knew we could do it together.”  Shana and Dwayne Wilson also speak candidly about how breast cancer challenged their relationship. “I knew it would be a turbulent time,” Dwayne said. “I needed to hear from her what was going on in her mind, what was going on in her heart.”    Shana describes how she needed her husband to listen. “I needed to feel secure intimately with him. I needed to know that though my body was changing, he was not going to feel differently about me.”   Karen and John Carroll also prepared for the ups and downs.    “We reassured ourselves and again maintained the focus that we are going to communicate through this whole process,” John said. “There’s going to be good days, we know, and there’s going to be bad days, we know.”  Dr. Karen Kozlowski, a gynecologist and a two-time breast cancer survivor, dealt with her disease by working. After being treated in 1997, she returned to work within two weeks. “That was part of what I needed to do to heal

myself,” she recalled.  The second time, though, she faced a more aggressive cancer, and her doctor forced her to take time off. Kozlowski also speaks of her decision to delay breast reconstruction surgery until she was certain her body was cancer-free.  For Dr. Al and Cathy Alexander, surviving cancer required teamwork.    “You have to lean on each other and depend on each other, but you also have to lean on your family, your friends and most importantly, your faith,” said Al Alexander, a radiologist, who discovered his wife’s cancer while looking at an X-ray. 

11525 Cantrell Rd. Ste. 610 • Next to FRESH MARKET • Little Rock, AR 72212 • 501.375.7820

  “Of course your self-esteem is going to be challenged," Cathy said. “If you handle it correctly, it can strengthen your marriage.”  Sandra McFadden of Little Rock, an eight-year cancer survivor, credits her late husband, Charles, with helping her regain her health. She recalls feeling “sad and angry” when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  “I felt like I had done everything right. I exercised. I tried to eat right,” she said. “I just asked ‘Why? Why me?’ The answer I got was, ‘Because you can handle it. You’ll be OK.’”  For six months,  she forced herself to slow down to focus on her health. She read, exercised, meditated, and drew strength from her spirituality and from Charles, her husband of 48 years.  “I wanted her to know that I loved her no matter what, that [breast cancer] was not just hers — but ours — to overcome,” Charles McFadden said, on the video.  Sandra did overcome her cancer. Her husband, who received a heart transplant 13 years ago, died of kidney complications in January, just a few months after the videotaping.   “I’m so grateful for the time we had together,” Sandra said, recently.  “We were there for each other. I helped him, and he helped me.”    AY M A G . C O M . 6 5

worth a thousand words

Local artist and breast cancer survivor VICKI KOVALESKI has donated two beautiful watercolor paintings to help our cause to find a cure for breast cancer. One will be auctioned off at Runway for a Cause, and the other will be available for bidding on eBay afterwards. Though the subject of the paintings — a group of local survivors of breast cancer — are the same, Kovaleski created two versions, one she thought of in a more literal way, the other in a more spiritual. Her first painting depicts the women at the finish of their journey across a major local landmark — The Big Dam Bridge. “The symbolism here is that these women have been through it all and made it to the finish line. They are empowered now, they have gone through the battle and are back and ready for anything,” Kovaleski said. Once she completed the first piece she didn’t feel that her work was quite finished. “I wanted to do another one that had a more

spiritual feeling as a tribute to Vicki Vowell, who started this whole thing.” The second painting shows the same women in more of an abstract sense. Their faces are harder to recognize, and there is no background. “These women could be any women who have battled breast cancer. Someone could look at it and say ‘oh that looks like my mother, or sister, or wife. It speaks to any survivor,” Kovaleski said. Her good friend and Runway committee member, Evelyn Menz, approached her to donate a painting. These two women were brought together nine years ago. “Evelyn was the best cheerleader. Her big cause is Runway and donating these paintings is a way for me to let her know I appreciate her.” To learn more about Kovaleski log onto kovaleskistudio.com. To bid on her painting, log onto aymag.com/go/runway and follow the link to the eBay auction. 6 6 . O C TOBER 2009

JANET CARSON is surrounded almost daily by nature’s splendor. Carson works for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service as an extension horticulture specialist; she hosts “The Garden Show with Janet Carson” on KARN and twice a week appears on KARK’s “From the Garden” segment. She’s living her life’s dream. “I love plants. I like being outside, and I always wanted a job that wouldn’t require me to sit behind a desk everyday,” Carson said. Just as the flowers and plants Carson loves have a genetic history, so do we. Carson’s genetic history contains several cancers — her mother Nancy Biermann had three types of cancer and her father Elmer Biermann has battled the disease twice; and three of her four grandparents died of cancer. So when Carson found a lump in her breast in December 2006, she “just knew” it was cancer. She received her diagnosis the next month. “I decided to wait a bit. My mother had just died [though she’d battled breast cancer, it did not cause her death]; my father was sick at the time,” Carson said. “So I thought I’d wait.” Because of her family history, Carson visited a geneticist who found she has the CHEK2 gene. Individuals who have this gene are more prone to breast, colon, kidney and thyroid cancer, Carson said. Further, though her mother had breast cancer, it’s Carson’s father who has the CHEK2 gene; he battled breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Coincidentally, each of their right breasts was affected. “I found the lump, researched it online — I research everything ad nauseam — I even diagnosed myself and … I was right,” Carson said, matter-of-factly. One would expect her to be anxious, after all, a few weeks passed between her discovery of the lump and her diagnostic visit. “I don’t worry; but I did get stressed when the doctors began to plan treatment. They planned to ‘throw the book at me’ with chemotherapy. So, I kept a journal.” And she kept her schedule. In a fashion true to Carson’s ‘no fuss, no muss’ approach, she and her husband went for her biopsy and soon afterward told her family. “My biggest concern was my father. He said, ‘oh, no,’; he was very positive, but it was a tough year,” Carson said. She and husband Clay also used humor to make it through tough times. “I remember, the night of my biopsy, I asked my husband for a glass of water. He looked at me, questioningly. I said, ‘do I really have to get up? I may have breast cancer.’” “You have to laugh everyday. I did not want to become the disease … just someone who had it. In fact, when I sent the e-mail telling everyone about my diagnosis, I referred to it as a bump in the road,” Carson said. She found her “work family” to be very supportive. “Everyone just sort of rallied around me.” Carson underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery; she did not have to undergo chemotherapy as her breast cancer was found early and had not affected any nodes. This was a relief for Carson, who witnessed the ravaging effect early forms of chemotherapy had on her mother, and feels that worry and negativity should not rule one’s life. “You simply cannot let cancer rule your life. It’s important live fully and to have fun everyday.” 

A Dedication To The Fight Against Breast Cancer From Active Years Magazine

Faces of

Magic Eight Ball

hope Sophisticated Survivors:

REAL FASHION FOR REAL WOMEN

We don’t have to rely on luck — breast cancer will be defeated! Since 2002, AY staff, a dedicated team of volunteers and an assembly of

Charming Accessories Keep You

PRETTY IN PINK

brave breast cancer survivors have joined forces to bring Arkansas’

largest, most successful fundraising luncheon/fashion show. This year, we’re pulling out all the stops to raise $140,000 to aid four worthy

organizations to “shake up” cancer, so the answer to “Will we find a S u r v i v o r S

SUR VIVORS

Survivors and the City 2003 1

SURVIVORS

S U R V I V O R S

AND

THE

A N D

CITY

T H E

2004

C I T Y

a n d

AND

t h e

THE

C ity

CITY

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cure for cancer in this lifetime?” is: It is decidedly so!

2002 Runway to the Cure Chair: Shirley Davis Amount raised: $37,531

2003 Runway to the Cure Co-chairs: Evelyn Menz and Becky Bien Amount raised: $64,863

2004 Runway for a Cause Chair: Mimi San Pedro Amount raised: $104,461

2005 Runway for a Cause Chair: Cindy Pugh Amount raised: $108,875

2006 Runway for a Cause Chair: Linda Newbern Amount raised: $130,489

2007 Runway for a Cause Chair: Penny Burkhalter Amount raised: $136,035

2008 Runway for a Cause Chair: Pam Drilling Amount raised: $134,625

2009 Runway for a Cause Chair: Kristi Moody Goal: $140,000+

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AY M A G . C O M . 6 7