A proud farewell

Komen Arkansas a grand adventure

For almost 30 years, the Arkansas Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has been supporting and advancing the cause of research, treatment and education for the women of Arkansas. This fall will bring an end to our courageous and consequential Arkansas efforts, as the national organization has been forced to cancel events and close affiliate chapters.

We, “the Pats,” Pat McClelland and Pat Torvestad, were part of the initial small team that formed the Arkansas chapter in

1992. We were part of the beginning of a hugely significant movement, and we want to speak as well as we can for the overwhelming number of people who shared their passion and spearheaded Arkansas Komen.

In October of 1994 we co-chaired the first Arkansas Race for the Cure which, at 1,500 participants, was the largest first-time race in Arkansas. And it was all women! We knew the day would be magical and we cried as the starting gun sounded, because we saw joy and determination transforming the faces of the women.

They ran or walked for many reasons, but they clearly knew the focus was on survivors. They celebrated them with gusto, and the pink hats made history. For the first time, these women knew it was OK to talk about breast cancer.

Every year the race doubled, reaching and sustaining a 10-year average of 45,000 participants. The “women-only ”race welcomed men as it became obvious it was time—that breast cancer touches us all.

Since the first race, the volunteers who began this adventure achieved many milestones as both the race and all the missions of Arkansas Komen grew beyond any expectations and became the voice for breast cancer in Arkansas. Some volunteers worked to pass the Breast Cancer Act of 1997, which appropriated $4 million in state general revenue with backup funding from a tobacco tax to provide breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment and research.

Others worked to ensure that women of color became involved in substantial ways, culminating in the Witness Project and its unique outreach. Some concentrated on the needs of those most unable to seek or receive medical and social assistance. It was volunteers who made sure our local media were equal partners, and succeeded in achieving a rare and remarkable unity with all participating for the good of the whole.

Businesses contributed generously, year after year. Our corporate sponsors never wavered, and as we asked for more and more, they came through. Health-care providers cooperated even as competition loomed large over the industry.

The Arkansas chapter was honored nationally, and was recognized and admired for its fiscal integrity, its innovative grants and the careful management of those funds. A total of more than $ 31.5 million was raised, all while keeping administrative costs below 25 percent. We strove to work seamlessly as a team with equality and equanimity and have been known for keeping faith with our cause and for recognizing the importance of unity above all.

Throughout the past 28 years, leadership has passed through capable hands, and we cannot begin to single out individuals because the whole has always been greater than the sum of its parts.

Some may say this is a sad time for the hundreds of thousands of Arkansans who have been touched by Arkansas Komen. But so much has been accomplished: This disease has been almost tamed, more and more lives are being saved. Programs are in place today that offer assistance to underserved women throughout the state.

We are proud of everyone who gave so much in countless and unselfish ways for so many, many years.

Well done. Thank you, Arkansas. And thank you, Arkansas Komen.

Pat McClelland and Pat Torvestad are founding board members and founding chairs of Arkansas Race for the Cure; both served as inaugural race chairs and presidents of the Arkansas Chapter, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. McClelland is immediate past chairman of Arkansas Children’s Hospital Board of Directors. Torvestad retired as vice-chancellor for communications and marketing at UAMS.