By Kathi Edelson Wolder
The North Jersey Affiliate of Susan G. Komen announced that Bank of America will be honored with the 2014 Support for the Cure award at their upcoming Pink Tie Party. The event, which is one of the Affiliate’s principal fundraisers, will be held at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston on Saturday, September 27th. Joan Sheridan (of Hillsborough, NJ), this year’s Journey of Courage, will also be recognized with the formal unveiling of her Journey portrait; Ms. Sheridan’s likeness will join the Affiliate’s extraordinary gallery depicting 47 courageous women and men who have battled breast cancer.
Since 2009, as Presenting Sponsor of the Susan G. Komen 3Day™ and Co-Sponsor of the Survivor Recognition Program for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® National Series, Bank of America has contributed more than $5.6 million to the Susan G. Komen organization. The company not only provides significant financial support, but encourages its employees to walk, run and volunteer at Race for the Cure events all across America. “I’d be willing to bet that breast cancer has touched the lives of all of our employees in some way, shape or form,” said Bob Doherty, Bank of America New Jersey market president. “That’s what makes our support of Susan G. Komen so special—and personal—for so many of us.”
Bank of America’s extraordinary commitment as a National Sponsor is the epitome of how incredibly powerful it can be to “think globally, act locally.” Through their partnership with Komen North Jersey and other Affiliates nationwide, they help fund local community grants that provide life-saving breast cancer screening, breast health/breast cancer education, treatment support, and survivorship programs to underserved women and men—in the very communities in which Bank of America employees live and work.
2014 Journey of Courage Joan Sheridan knew about breast cancer. Her mother was diagnosed with the disease in 1987, and then in 2002, suffered a recurrence. Just five months later, Joan, at the age of 45, found out that she, too, had breast cancer. Joan and her husband Joe were determined not to let breast cancer define their lives. They turned to Komen North Jersey for help with taking the first step in Joan’s journey, and together forged on with their battle—a battle, they both say, they were “fighting to win.” Joe began a parallel journey as a co-survivor: As President & COO of Wakefern (a long-time major supporter of Komen North Jersey), he reached out to the men in his company whose wives were also facing a breast cancer diagnosis, and created a group, a forum, for those who would need to ask the difficult questions, the ones every co-survivor has, but is afraid to ask. In 2003, Joan’s mother lost her battle with breast cancer. Joan and Joe became more deeply committed to the cause than ever before. “Joe and I shared our stories and our journey with hopes that others might gain strength and hope from our experiences,” says Joan. “It is important not to let fear overtake you, and to make the decisions that are right for you. And when the darkest part of the journey is upon you, it’s important to remember—to know—that there is life after breast cancer.”
About the Pink Tie Party
The Pink Tie Party is one of New Jersey’s premier fundraising events for the fight against breast cancer. The evening runs from 7:00pm-midnight and will feature cocktails, dinner, dancing, and silent and live auctions. Dress is “festive cocktail attire.” Tickets to the event start at $500 and may be purchased at www.komennorthjersey.org, or by calling 908-277-2904.
About Susan G. Komen North Jersey
Through the Pink Tie Party, the annual Race for the Cure®, and other initiatives throughout the year, Susan G. Komen North Jersey raises funds that support life-saving breast cancer screening, breast health/breast cancer education, treatment support, and survivorship programs to underserved women and men in the Affiliate’s 9-county service region (Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren counties). Since its founding in 1997, Komen North Jersey has awarded over $16 million in local community grants, and has directed more than $7 million to the national research programs aimed at finding new and better treatment options and, ultimately, the causes and cures to eradicate breast cancer forever.
