Judie Vivian named to Komen board
The founder of a Newport Beach paddleboarding event that raises money for breast cancer detection has been named to the Susan G. Komen Orange County board of directors, according to a news release.
Judie Vivian will serve on the 2013-14 foundation board. Her Standup for the Cure event raised more than $60,000 at its inaugural fundraiser last year to help underinsured women obtain mammograms through Komen Orange County.
With some 700 participants, the event set a Guinness World Record for the largest stand-up paddleboard lesson.
“It gives you goose bumps, seeing all those people, men and women, supporting their grandmothers, aunts and sisters who have had breast cancer or are going through therapy,” said Vivian, a breast cancer survivor.
Doctors discovered she had breast cancer during a routine mammogram three years ago, but early detection allowed her to avoid chemotherapy and radiation.
“I realized how lucky I was that I had insurance and caught it early,” she said. “Women must take breast cancer seriously and get those routine checkups every year.”
Standup for the Cure expects more than 1,000 participants and hopes to raise $125,000 to fund 1,000 mammograms at its next event, May 4 at the Newport Dunes. The event will also provide free cancer screenings.
Vivian, a Seal Beach resident, joins board members Sol Reyes Roberts, a Laguna Beach resident and retired registered nurse involved with the Latina Nurses Assn.; Sue Parks, president of Irvine-based lifestyle and wellness program WalkStyles; Carrie Bollwinkle, a Newport Beach resident and executive director at Employees Community Fund of Boeing California; Lisa E. Guerra, a surgeon at Hoag Hospital who lives in Huntington Beach; and seven others.
“As we support Komen’s mission to advance breast health initiatives and save lives, it’s critical to have the right stewards in place, and I’m very excited for the new board we have installed,” said Lisa Wolter, the group’s executive director.
Susan G. Komen supports breast cancer research and community outreach programs while providing funding to help low-income and uninsured women get screened and treatment.
“I’ll be able to see where those funds go and how those funds are used,” Vivian said. “When people are generous to me, its important to me to see where that money goes.”
For more information on Susan G. Komen Orange County or Standup for the Cure visit https://www.komenoc.org or https://www.Standup-For-The-Cure.org.
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