Susan G. Komen South Florida Names 2019 Warriors in Pink
West Palm Beach, Fla. – They are young moms and doting grandmothers. Their careers span from a minister, to an FPL geologist to an elementary school principal. And they range in age from 35 to 66 years-old. They are the 2019 Susan G. Komen South Florida Warriors in Pink, breast cancer survivors who show that while breast cancer does not discriminate, they will never let it defeat them.
The ten Warriors in Pink were announced on October 25, 2018 at the Downtowns Go Pink Harbourside Place event in Jupiter, FL. Warriors in Pink is a program supported nationally by Ford Motor Company recognizing women who live by the credo of taking charge, living out loud, harnessing power and standing together. Komen South Florida Warriors take action, raise funds and get involved to support the Race for the Cure on January 26, 2019.
The 2019 Susan G. Komen South Florida Warriors in Pink are:
Dawn Failla, age 48 from Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Dawn is a 12-year survivor. She is a Traffic Manager for WRMF at Alpha Media where she inspires her co-workers with her unstoppable courage and strength.
Tara Gustman, age 35 from Boca Raton, FL. Tara was diagnosed within the last year at just 34-years-old. She is using her story as an inspiration to others through her Facebook group and blog, LetMeGetTheseOffMyChest.com. In sharing her experience, she knows that if she could help just one person, then she has made a difference.
Connie Karol, age 64 Stuart, FL. Connie hopes to empower others through being a Warrior. She already has experience from volunteering at Pink Tie Friends in Jensen Beach where she helps raise funds for breast cancer patients in need.
Pat Maher, age 58 Jupiter, FL. Pat is a 4-year survivor. While she has an important job as a professional geologist working in FPL’s Environmental Services group, she still finds time to be an inspiration locally, and around the world. Pat is part of a Dragon Boat tribe that went to Florence, Italy to compete and inspire other survivors around the world.
Kelly Seitz, age 41 from Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Diagnosed at just 30 years old, Kelly wants to bring more visibility to many of the issues specific to young survivors that are often overlooked.
Angel Shollenberger, age 66 from Parkland, FL. Angel is an inspiration to others to show that you can beat the odds. She was diagnosed 21 years ago with stage three breast cancer and a 52% chance of survival.
Kirsten Stanley, age 42 from Gulfstream, FL. Kirsten wants to show others that breast cancer should never define or confine anyone. She has stage 4 breast cancer, goes for treatment every three weeks, and still works full-time, volunteers, and is physically active playing tennis and riding horses.
Rona Tata age 54 from Delray Beach, FL. Rona is a one-year survivor who is using her recent experience to walk her coworkers and friends through their fear of getting mammograms and teaching others about the importance of early detection. As an elementary school principal at S.D. Spady Montessori Magnet school she knows about the importance of education.
Nancy Thurston, age 58 from Royal Palm Beach, FL. Nancy is a 17-year survivor who never lets any breast cancer patient walk alone. She’s a licensed clinical social worker who runs a free support group and uses her own experience to share how important it is to take it one step at a time.
Angel Turbeville, age 41 from Lakeland, FL. was diagnosed just this past April. She is a Minister at Family Church Village and is using her cancer battle to show others that even in the midst of their fight, there is hope and they are not alone.
“This year we selected ten Warriors instead of the usual eight because there were so many heroic women who came forward wanting to share their stories,” said Kate Watt, executive director of Susan G. Komen South Florida. “They are the faces of breast cancer, demonstrating that all women, no matter their family history, ethnicity or age must be aware of the warning signs and insist on early detection to save lives.”
The 2019 Warriors in Pink will share their experiences with the community throughout the year and have a special role at the Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure on January 26, 2019 in Downtown West Palm Beach. They will lead hundreds of survivors to the Meyer Amphitheatre stage during the Survivor Recognition Ceremony where all will be recognized for their fight against breast cancer. To learn more about the Warriors in Pink, visit komensouthflorida.org/2019-warriors-in-pink/. For more information about the Race for the Cure, visit komensouthflorida.org/race.
About Susan G. Komen and Komen South Florida
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Komen South Florida is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community. Through events like the Komen South Florida Race for the Cure®, Komen South Florida has invested over $14 million in community breast health programs inPalm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie counties and has helped contribute to the more than $920 million invested globally in research. For more information, call 561-514-3020 or visit www.komensouthflorida.org.