Goldman Sachs Gives, a donor-advised charitable fund, is committing funds to the three-year program.
Goldman Sachs and the ACWF will collaborate with Komen, leveraging their expertise to promote breast cancer awareness, breast health education and training, and explore ways to build effective localized programs that can be replicated throughout China.
J. Michael Evans, Vice Chairman of Goldman Sachs, Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asia Pacific and Global Head of Growth Markets, announced the initiative at a dinner on the occasion of the U.S.-China Women's Leadership Exchange and Dialogue (Women-LEAD).
Mr. Evans said the initiative with the ACWF and Komen will establish a collaborative platform to promote breast cancer education and awareness. Goldman Sachs, the ACWF and Komen share a common goal to work together and contribute to improving the health of breast cancer patients in China, he added.
Increased awareness and education will lead to early detection of breast cancer, resulting in better chances of recovery and survival," said Ms. Meng Xiaosi, Vice President of the ACWF. The ACWF launched a three-year pilot program in 2009 with the Ministry of Health for breast and cervical cancer screening. The ACWF is grateful for the partnership, which will enhance its efforts in promoting breast cancer education.
Breast cancer is a threat to women around the world, according to Ambassador Verveer, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues at the U.S. Department of State. She applauded the ACWF, Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) and Goldman Sachs in initiating this public-private partnership to provide international knowledge and resources to women in need.
In all, the group managed to raise about $19,000 for the foundation through donations and sponsorships.
The team, known as the Wyoming Cowgirls, took part in the Philadelphia walk Oct. 14-16.
“We all had a connection to the Susan G. Komen Foundation: Five of us were past chairs for the Wyoming Race for the Cure,” team member Pam Myrum said. “So we have been committed to this cause for a long time.”
To train, the group spent about 15 to 20 hours a week either walking or doing cross-training. All told, the seven women walked about 4,500 miles, including training and the walk itself.
Part of that training was to toughen their feet for the grueling miles of pavement over the three days of the events.
Of course, Wyoming weather isn’t always ideal for that kind of training.
“In the past, we sort of pushed it back and went to a later event, but you can’t really walk in rain and snow, much less the wind,” team member Annemarie Picard said. “It’s hard enough when you have to get up early in the morning to log those miles.”
Each member raises a minimum of $2,300 to take part in the event, with the idea that they will go into the community to raise awareness about breast cancer.
Some asked local businesses and family for aid; others hosted unique fundraisers. The whole group also sponsored a garage sale, which brought in about $900.
They also set up a Facebook account n Komen Three-Day Wyoming Cowgirls n to encourage others to join and spread the news.
Despite their efforts, they know there is still much work to be done, team member Beth Howard said.
“Great strides have been made with breast cancer, but people are still dying mainly because it isn’t diagnosed,” she added. “So we put all this energy into raising money and training.
“Those three days, it is sort of like a gigantic instant karma exchange because it all comes back in a tidal wave of love and gratitude.”
The group has traditionally done the walk every two years, but members are considering doing it again in 2012 if they can find time and support.
“When you participate in one of these events, you start to realize that it isn’t just for show,” Howard said. “I just wish everyone could have that kind of support all of the time.
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