broadway on the runway
Story by Susan O'Connor; Photo by Dero Sanford

For Teresa Adams and her staff at St. Bernards Imaging Center, raising funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation is a passion. Their daily role of screening and identifying breast cancer keeps this philanthropy top of mind.

But the diagnosis of breast cancer in a co-worker several years ago and her untimely death brought home the ramifications of the disease to this dedicated group.

“Our co-worker was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 36,” said Adams, who is director of Women’s Imaging Services. “We did her biopsy and were shocked to realize that breast cancer had touched one of our own. We were there for her as she went through the process of diagnosis and treatment. We did our best to support her and her family, and were inspired by how her family pulled together for her.

“She was at every event for her children and at work almost every day. Seeing her live through this makes us realize that our patients have a life even through breast cancer. It gave us a new awareness that your life changes completely once you are told you have cancer. From that day on life becomes a fight. She fought bravely to the end, but more importantly, she lived every day to the fullest.”

This month, Adams will again lead the organizers of Runway to the Cure in Jonesboro, one of several Komen fundraisers throughout the year for which she volunteers her time and energy. Set for July 16 at St. Bernards Auditorium, the models for this fourth annual fashion show are breast cancer survivors.

“One way to honor our patients who have been through this journey is to ask them to model and be a part of the celebration,” Adams said. “When they come out on the other side of breast cancer, it is rewarding to see them on the stage. We also ask family members, or co-survivors, to model. It is a celebration for them, too.”

Locally, Occasions Publishing Group is also a sponsor.

“We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer in some way,” said Audrey Lott Watkins, president and CEO of Occasions Publishing Group. “My sister lost her battle to breast cancer in 2006 after being diagnosed 18 years earlier at the age of 31. As I prepare to go to my niece’s wedding this summer, it’s difficult because her mom won’t be there. I pray that we see a cure in my lifetime because it’s a disease that affects so many families.”

Dillards, a national sponsor for Komen, provides the clothing for the show. Between $3,000 and $5,000 is raised annually by the event. Adams sees firsthand the benefits to the local community from Komen funds, and her goal is for Runway to the Cure to grow so large that it needs to be moved to the ASU Convocation Center.

Some of the benefits to Northeast Arkansas from the state Komen affiliate are educational grants, grants to fund mobile mammography units to rural areas and funding to make mammograms available to women who do not have insurance.

“When our nurses have to talk to someone — look them in the eye and tell them, ‘We think you may have cancer and we need to do a biopsy,’ and they cry and say they don’t have any money, it is great to know there is Komen money to help these women.”

Adams also stressed the importance of breast cancer education and regular screenings, as well as women simply taking care of themselves.

“As women, we put ourselves last. We are lacking in the care of ourselves. And we are at the center of our homes. It is our love and support that keeps that home going.”