San Diego, CA, August 24, 2011 — Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists committed to ending breast cancer forever, has named Ingrid Qua the 2011 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor. In her many roles as businesswoman, advocate, adoptive and birth mother, Ingrid’s battle cry is, “Make A Difference” as tattooed on her wrist. As the Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor, Ingrid will be a spokesperson for the 15th Annual Race for the Cure scheduled for Sunday, November 6 in Balboa Park.
San Diego, CA, August 24, 2011 — Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists committed to ending breast cancer forever, has named Ingrid Qua the 2011 Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor. In her many roles as businesswoman, advocate, adoptive and birth mother, Ingrid’s battle cry is, “Make A Difference” as tattooed on her wrist. As the Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor, Ingrid will be a spokesperson for the 15th Annual Race for the Cure scheduled for Sunday, November 6 in Balboa Park. Up to 75 cents on every dollar raised stays here in San Diego County to fund everything from free mammograms and surgeries to meal delivery and mortgage payments. The remaining 25% funds international research. Next to the U.S. government, Komen is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the world. Registration for the Race for the Cure is now open.
“We selected Ingrid because she is such a tremendous example of strength and the will that it takes to survive this disease,” said Laura Farmer Sherman, Breast Cancer Survivor and Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Diego. “Even in a time when she is receiving treatment, she is powering through gracefully. This woman is doing bootcamps while many would never even consider getting out of bed.”
When Ingrid found an abnormal lump in her breast she immediately spoke to her doctor and, like many women, became her own health advocate to push for a biopsy. The diagnosis: Stage 3 breast cancer.
Ingrid had her mastectomy two weeks later. The evening prior to surgery Ingrid held a fundraiser with a live and silent auction where proceeds benefited Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The extraordinary part of the evening came when an auctioneer, auctioned off the opportunity to immediately cut Ingrid’s beautiful long, black locks with a sharp pair of scissors before the chemo treatments could lay claim to them.
After beginning chemotherapy treatments, Ingrid returned to work at her well-known San Diego bar The High Dive and suddenly people were coming out of the woodwork to share their connection to and compassion for the ordeal of breast cancer. Ingrid started to see her experience as a privilege – to teach others how to convert adversities into opportunities. She never asked, “why me?” but rather “why NOT me?” And began to teach others that 1 in 8 woman are diagnosed with breast cancer. “Everybody knows somebody who has breast cancer,” she said. Now there was a new community at The High Dive.
Between treatments Ingrid runs up Mt. Soledad or heads to bootcamp to keep up her heart health. Living the “Make a Difference” way, she can also be found in meetings for her non-profit organization “Chicks for Beer”. Chicks for beer is aimed at raising funds to support Komen as well as families and children affected by breast cancer by giving them aid in keeping the routines and patterns of their everyday lives.
Already well loved and revered in craft brewing circles, breweries stepped forward to support Chicks for Beer. Ballast Point and Coronado Brewing Company began collaborating on a brew “Ingrid’s 1 in 8” soon after she told them she was diagnosed, to build awareness that 1 in 8 women are have breast cancer and Green Flash Brewery created Treasure Chest in support.
Just two years prior to her Breast Cancer diagnosis, Ingrid tragically lost her mother; Barbara Warren who was competing in a triathalon. Barbara was known for being a compassionate Doctor, endurance athlete, and inspiring mother. Barbara once said, “the world we belong to teaches us to reach deep within, to respond to challenges – we are blessed to teach others how to convert adversities into opportunities." There is no mistaking that Ingrid is Barbara’s daughter.
As a mother herself, Ingrid never considered anything but survival, because of Gwyn (9 years old), William (7 years old), and Riley (4 years old). With her indomitable spirit, relentless strength and positive nature driving her recovery, she continues to make a difference.
November 6: Race for the Cure
More than 15,000 participants are expected to take part in the Komen San Diego 15th Annual Race for the Cure. Breast Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women and will affect nearly 50,000 men and women in San Diego this year. It's the leading cause of death among women ages 40-59. Breast cancer strikes women during their most productive years – both personally and professionally. Everyone is affected by breast cancer – it's a family disease. We don't know what causes it, and we don't have a cure.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, San Diego
Since its inception in 1995, $10 million has been given to local organizations that provide breast cancer education, screening, diagnostics, treatment and patient support for the uninsured or underinsured in San Diego County. Seventy-five percent of every dollar raised through Affiliate-sponsored events stays right here in San Diego County to fund free diagnostic mammograms, treatment and services for uninsured and underinsured women and their families. The remaining 25 percent funds international breast cancer research. In fact, next to the U.S. government, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the world. For more information, please visit www.komensandiego.org.
Did you know?
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
The most significant risk factors are being a female and getting older.
Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate.
Breast cancer typically strikes women during their most productive years, both professionally and personally.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women ages 40-59.
Men can get breast cancer, too. One percent of breast cancer diagnosis will be in male patients.
Contact:
Jennifer von Stauffenberg
Olive PR Solutions, Inc.
350 West Ash St. #103
San Diego, CA 92101
619-955-5285
jennifer@oliveprsolutions.com
http://www.komensandiego.org