Proud sponsors of the Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure

"We all lead rather hectic lives and taking time out of our busy weekend is sometimes a sacrifice. However, when Vita-Mix asked for a team to represent the company at the Susan G. Komen -Race for The Cure, I cannot help but make myself available. It was awesome to see how many thousands of people believe in partnering to find a cure to end breast cancer. I personally have lost 3 family members to breast cancer. I hope the efforts of millions of people will help to spare millions more of the loss of a family member, friend or co-worker."
-Sandy V

"I was very overwhelmed when I saw the 'sea' of supporters on Saturday, especially when it was 52 degrees and windy with some rain. It was great to see so many supporters for such a great cause-and many of them men! "
-Eric B.

"My name is Kate. I am a 14-year survivor of breast cancer. This year I registered for the 'Sleep in for the Cure', got a special 'I slept In' tee shirt, and stayed with my 2 grandchildren and let my daughter (also an employee) run the race. We watched the Race on TV and kept trying to find Mommy in the crowd. I have been to several Survivors' Ceremonies before, but being with my grandchildren made me realize how much I would have missed if I had not followed up on that one mammogram!"
-Kate H.

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In 1982, Nancy Brinker promised her sister Susan G. Komen that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer, the disease that would soon take Susan's life. That promise became the foundation of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure (formerly the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation) and launched the global breast cancer movement. The first Komen Race for the Cure stunned the city of Dallas when 800 determined women in running shoes took to the streets to raise money for breast cancer research. To date, nearly $1 billion Komen dollars raised have been invested in medical research, legislative initiative and community outreach programs aimed at finding a cure for breast cancer.

Nancy Brinker had hoped to find that cure within 10 years. Although that has not happened, Nancy's grassroots movement has forever changed the way people talk about and treat breast cancer, and has changed the term breast cancer patients to breast cancer survivors. 2007 marks the 25th year of her dedication to the promise she made to her sister Susan.

Pink Ribbon Smoothie
The main ingredients of the new smoothie, called the "Pink Ribbon Smoothie", are garden-fresh strawberries and red grapes which contain disease-fighting phytochemicals which occur naturally in whole fruits, vegetables and grains. Strawberries have been shown to contain high levels of ellagic acid, a proven anti-carcinogen, anti-mutagen and anti-cancer initiator. Grapes contain resveratrol, which has been proven to inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. According to Dr. Andrew Dannenburg at Cornell University Medical College, recent research on resveratrol indicates that it inhibits the development of an enzyme commonly linked to breast cancer. The beauty of using your Vita-Mix machine to make this recipe is that you'll be releasing the powerful phytochemicals found in strawberries and grapes and making them more bioavailable. Vita-Mix processing literally breaks through the cell walls of whole foods to release nutrients that go undigested when food is simply chewed. 1 cup red grapes 1 cup strawberries, fresh 1 slice ginger, fresh 1/2 cup low fat vanilla yogurt 1 cup ice cubes Directions Place all ingredients in the Vita-Mix container in the order listed. Secure 2-part lid. Select VARIABLE, speed #1. Turn on machine and quickly increase speed to #10; then to HIGH. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Yields 2-1/2 cups. Visit the Vita-Mix recipe center for more great recipes
Vita-Mix 5000	The Vita-Mix machine unlocks the hidden nutrition in "whole" foods to defy disease and give you a longer, healthier life. Make juice like never before Cook soup without a stove Make ice cream in 30 seconds Blending like never before Chopping - a chore no more Perfect purees like never before Grinding grains, beans, rice and soybeans Kneading dough

A recent AICR (American Institute of Cancer Research) report entitled "Food, Nutrition and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective" examined over 4,500 studies on the link between diet and breast cancer. The report found that a diet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables and beans significantly reduces cancer risk.

A variety of plant-based whole foods working together is thought to be more beneficial than the effect of isolated supplements and vitamin pills. According to Ritva Butrum, Ph. D., "The concept of synergy is key. Future cancer-fighting efforts are more likely to revolve around dietary adjustments than one miracle pill."

The Cancer Project, an organization dedicated to advancing cancer prevention and survival through nutrition education and research, finds fiber to be essential to the body's ability to eliminate excess estrogens, which may contribute to the risk of breast cancer. As the liver filters estrogens from the blood, it sends them through the bile duct into the intestinal tract, where fiber effectively soaks them up and carries them out of the body.

A recent Swedish study found that women with higher fiber intake at the time of breast cancer diagnosis were more likely to have smaller tumors than women who consumed very little fiber. In the study, the "higher fiber" women averaged only about 19 grams of fiber per day; most authorities recommend at least 30 grams daily, and an optimal intake of over 40 grams per day.

The American Cancer Society estimates that by year-end 2007, over 2,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in the United States. Though breast cancer is 100 times less common among men than women, men may not realize they can be at risk and thus may ignore breast lumps assuming they are just cysts of some kind. For this reason, men may not get medical treatment soon enough, and, because they have less breast tissue, malignant tumors do not have far to go to reach the underlying muscle tissue. For men, the extent of spread beyond the breast is most critical to the prognosis.

Because breast cancer in men is uncommon, so is screening mammography. Men with more than one female relative with breast cancer may be advised by their doctor to have a mammogram, but all men are advised to be aware of any changes in their breasts, especially after age 65.