With a heartfelt mission to honor and support more than 90 of its employees affected by breast cancer, Pasadena ISD surpassed its $50,000 goal in raising funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation through the 2007 Komen Houston Race for the Cure, earning a spot as the race’s third largest fundraising team.

The Komen Race for the Cure is the annual primary fundraising event for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which funds research grants and supports education, screening and treatment projects worldwide in hopes to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease.

Breast cancer survivor and South Houston Elementary School’s principal Dr. Karen Holt served as the district’s team captain, heading up fundraising activities and participation in the race districtwide, and she said she was inspired to begin this effort last year because of her duties as a survivor.

“It is my responsibility as a two-time, eight-year breast cancer survivor to provide breast cancer education to the public by sharing my personal story and to inspire others to raise money to eradicate this disease forever,” Holt said. “I became involved with the race in 1999 when I was first diagnosed, and for the first time I didn’t feel alone. It’s an amazing experience.”

Last year, the district raised $33,000 for the cause, receiving recognition as the race’s fourth largest fundraising team and as the Largest New Group. Holt said the efforts of everyone involved were overwhelming.

“It is so inspiring to see the employees and students rally to support the Pasadena ISD women affected by this disease,” she said. “This achievement is an incredible testament to the unity of our district in their efforts to save lives and bring the hope of finding the cure for breast cancer closer to reality.”

This year, 33 schools and several departments participated in the fundraising efforts. T-shirt sales were a large contribution as employees purchased 1,300 in support, bringing in more than $6,000. The top T-shirt sellers included departments in the district’s Administration Building selling a total of $1,112 and Thompson Intermediate School with $1,068.

The T-shirts donned the names of those Pasadena ISD female employees affected by the disease in “In Celebration Of” (73 survivors) and “In Memory Of” (18 employees who lost their lives) sections on the back of the shirts.

Kathy Bailey, GED instructor at Tegeler Career Center, is a 13-year survivor. Along with the other 72 survivors, Bailey said she is a “living example” that there is hope after being diagnosed.

“This is such a heart-warming experience,” Bailey said. “Over the years, I have become more bold in my quest to alert others about the need for early detection, and my colleagues are helping me fulfill my mission.”

Of the remainder of the money raised, $3,500 was contributed from individuals participating in the race and more than $40,000 was raised throughout various districtwide fundraisers including Passionately Pink Thursdays, change wars among schools and grade levels, donations and selling pink bracelets.

Rick Schneider Middle School was the largest overall fundraising school in the district raising $2,680. South Houston Elementary came in second with $2,227, and Pasadena High School was the third largest fundraiser with $1,888.

“The students and staff gave from their hearts and pocketbooks and we are so excited to give our donation to this very worthy organization,” said Schneider’s principal Marsha Jones. “This has given our students a wonderful opportunity to see the value of giving back to our community and to see the needs of others beyond our school walls."

Kevin Johnson, teacher at The Summit, felt a personal tie to raising funds for the cause as he lost an aunt and mother-in-law to the disease. His mother is currently in remission and his uncle is also battling cancer. With the help of family and friends as well as a $5,000 donation from Agrifos Fertilizers, Johnson contributed more than $6,200 to the district’s efforts.

“This disease affects everyone in some way,” he said. “I am amazed at what our district accomplished this year, and it is very humbling to have done my part.”

While there is no guarantee for prevention, staying educated about breast cancer, its risk factors and screening is proven to increase one’s chances of survival in the event they are diagnosed.

Frazier Elementary School’s principal Rhonda Parmer was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2004, and she said she found her tumor only because she was educated about the disease and that she wouldn’t have survived without the support of her colleagues, family and friends.

“I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other survivors of all kinds of illnesses in this district,” she said. “Our efforts as a district in raising money to help eradicate this disease are unbelievable, and I am so blessed to have survived what was considered stage three cancer. I felt so much support during my treatments and to have it carry over into survivorship and continued efforts to raise awareness means the world to me.”

The unified experience was also an educational one for students as it is the district’s mission to not only produce educated students but caring and sympathetic citizens as well.

“I hope our students learn what a powerful force they can be when they come together,” Parmer said. “They have the power to influence and the power to change. Let them never give up hope.”

Holt said she hopes the efforts of the district and the stories of its breast cancer survivors serve as an inspiration to other individuals diagnosed with the disease as it is her mission, passion and purpose in life to make a difference.

“As survivors, we have to maintain a positive attitude, live each day to its fullest and make a difference,” she said. “I have learned the quality of our life is not determined by what we encounter in a lifetime, but how we encounter life. I hope our united efforts deliver a message of hope and survival, and inspire breast cancer survivors and others to persevere and never give up on finding a cure.”