Easton Resident Raising Funds for Susan G. Komen Southern New England through Annual Race for the Cure

Ande Ogden, 42, of Easton is participating in the 4th annual Susan G. Komen® Southern New England Race for the Cure® Fairfield County raising funds with her team for local breast cancer programs and research. Ogden was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer just over a year ago.

“On my 40th birthday I had a mammogram and the doctors did not find anything,” said Ogden. “When I was about to turn 41, I noticed something and my doctor sent me for a mammogram, which resulted in a breast cancer diagnosis. In just eleven months it had grown from nothing to something.” While the tumor was quite large, it fortunately had not metastasized to other parts of her body.

Ogden says she has no family history of the disease and that at her age, a breast cancer diagnosis was not even on her radar. In fact, many women are unaware that only 5-10% of breast cancer diagnoses are attributed to an inherited gene mutation, like the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Ogden says the impact from her diagnosis was immediate. “My world was turned on its axis,” she explained. “I had my head in the sand about cancer and it really took me by surprise.”

Now a survivor, Ogden is hoping to spread awareness about breast cancer and get more involved with Susan G. Komen Southern New England. This is the second year that Ande will rally family and friends as part of the Race for the Cure and raise funds to support the local fight against breast cancer. She credits her team members, friends and family for the overwhelming amount of love she has received. “I could never have gotten through this without the incredible support I’ve received from work and from my dear friends,” Ogden notes. “I will never get over the generosity of some people.”

Going forward, Ogden encourages women to get screened and tested even if they have no family history. “I cannot stress the importance of paying attention to your body,” she said. Ogden commends Susan G. Komen Southern New England for their extensive resources and support systems that she was fortunate to come across during her fight with breast cancer.

Race for the Cure Fairfield County takes place on Saturday, May 7 at Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park. Race for the Cure is the signature fundraising event for Susan G. Komen. The race includes a certified 5K run and 5K walk—a 3.1 mile course—participants can choose whether they would like to be timed. Youth under 16 may take part in the timed or untimed 5K or participate in the Kids’ 1K. Survivors are encouraged to join Komen Southern New England at the Survivor Breakfast beginning at 7:30 AM, followed by the survivor procession.

Seventy-five percent of Komen Southern New England’s net proceeds support local breast cancer programs across Connecticut and the remaining twenty-five percent is invested in research to find the causes and cures for the disease. For more information about Komen Southern New England’s mission, to register for the Race for the Cure or make a donation, visit KomenSouthernNewEngland.org.

About Susan G. Komen® Southern New England

Susan G. Komen Southern New England is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Through events like the Race for the Cure®, Komen Southern New England has raised money that has funded $11 million in community breast health programs in Connecticut, $9 million in Massachusetts, and nearly $7 million to support breast cancer research. For more information, visit KomenSouthernNewEngland.org.