Family Fights Back Against Breast Cancer

John Ertz, a Shaker Heights resident, is committed to finding a cure.

John Ertz and his wife,  Kim, were elated to hear the news they were pregnant with twins, a few hours later a mix of emotions were shared between the couple when Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer. Together, they would beat breast cancer. Through the loss of one of the twins, surgeries both pre and post pregnancy and the birth of their daughter the couple learned to focus on the positive things. They would fight back. They would take control of the uncontrollable and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure gave them the opportunity to do this.

John has been involved with the Race for the Cure for 16 years.  He has walked along side his wife, whom he describes as "simply amazing and the fiercest fighter he knows." It has become a family affair, with their two kids Natalie and Charlie participating and walking in honor of their mom.  John’s favorite race memory is watching his wife during the survivor ceremony and the energy of the event. It is inspiring to see the group of survivors and the hope it represents. 

John is actively involved in Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio as a Pink Tie Guy and a Board member for the affiliate. Northwestern Mutual, where John is managing partner, is sponsor of Men for the Cure. Men for the Cure is a way to actively engage men in the fight against breast cancer.  His passion for pink stems from a promise he made to his family. A promise to do everything in his power to eliminate breast cancer, a promise he honors to this day.

The Northeast Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® will hold its 19^th annual Cleveland Race for the Cure on Saturday, September 15, 2012, in partnership with University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and locally presented by Giant Eagle. The event will be held in Downtown Cleveland at the Wolstein Center.

Audra Avarello, the 2012 Cleveland Race Chair, has been involved with Komen for the past 15 years and is a two-time Race Chair. “The 2012 Race reinforces the story of celebration that Komen brings to the cause,” explains Avarello. “We are here to celebrate the lives of survivors, the progress we are making toward finding a cure and the hope that our victory comes sooner rather than later.”

The Cleveland Race will be the second Race in the Northeast Ohio area this year. In July, the inaugural Akron Race for the Cure was held celebrating the promise to end breast cancer. Up to 75% of the funds raised at Race for the Cure events stay in Northeast Ohio to help those most in need of breast health services in the community. In 2012, Komen Northeast Ohio granted $1.1 million to 17 organizations in Northeast Ohio. Thousands of women and men across Komen Northeast Ohio’s 22-county service area will receive life-saving screenings, breast cancer education, outreach, and survivor support services.

Every step we take is a step closer to a cure. Join Komen Northeast Ohio in the fight against breast cancer by visiting www.komenneohio.org to register.

You can help now by making a $10 donation to Komen Northeast Ohio by texting KOMEN to 50555. Your $10 donation will help fund live saving services right here in our community.