The beneficiary of the first concert is the Team Spirit Breast & Ovarian Cancer 10k Walk, taking place on Saturday, September 24th. Michele Roeder, Director of Development at the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Foundation, has a personal connection to the walk. In 2004 she lost her father to cancer and began volunteering for various cancer organizations. Her involvement evolved, ultimately diverting her from a successful career in marketing to work for the Foundation. In 2009 her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Michele is working on a personal fundraising goal of $10,000.

I asked Michele about the Walk.

Michele: It’s in its 12th year and was founded in 2000 as a small grass roots organization on the belief that more can be done to help fight and raise awareness of breast and ovarian cancer in the community. The 2010 Team Spirit Walk raised $210,000, putting the total amount raised since 2000 to more than $1 million dollars.

Last year we had about 1,000 walkers and, by challenging each walker from past walks to bring a friend, we’re hoping to attract at least 1500 this year.

Sander: How are these funds used?

Michele: All of the funds go to cancer support programs at MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute. The programs fall under the Women Guiding Women: Cancer Support and Education. These consist of a peer-mentoring program, support groups and the addition of a nurse navigator to the program. The peer-mentoring program is for newly diagnosed gynecologic and breast cancer patients where patients are matched with a specially trained cancer survivor.

The gynecologic support group utilizes an open format, providing opportunities to share individual stories, learn ways to reduce stress and enhance coping skills while focusing on adaptive and empowering attitudes. The newly diagnosed breast cancer support group is an ongoing, supportive educational series for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

The nurse navigator position helps newly diagnosed women that have breast and gynecologic cancers with care coordination, symptom management, support and expertise to help get them through the journey. Nurse navigators are oncology nurses who provide support and expertise to patients throughout the continuum of care. This is a brand new position, which is partially funded by Team Spirit. Annually, nearly 1,000 women utilize these services that are available to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

Sander: How did this partnership between Team Spirit and Alamitos Bay Landing come to be?

Michele: Alamitos Bay is one of my favorite spots. You can’t beat the view! I was approached by John Morris when he had the concept of hosting a summer concert series. He knew I work for the Memorial Medical Center Foundation and he wanted to tie the concerts to our charity.

Because the walk is growing so much, I had the idea about how cool it would be to change the location and home base of the walk from the Long Beach Yacht Club, our host since its inception, to Alamitos Bay Landing. We need more room so that we can take the walk to the next level.

We have gone from raising $180K net to $210K net in the last two years and are hoping for at least $250K this year. In the future, we want this small grass rooots walk to really be on the map to raise much more awareness of both breast and ovarian cancers, and all cancer for that matter.

The American Cancer Society states that 40% of the population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. It is important to have excellent healthcare and support groups for those that battle the diseases as well as their family members. Our support groups help everyone in the process. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, ovarian cancer is known as “the silent killer.”

That’s why I got into this business. I lost my father to pancreatic cancer seven years ago, and my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, but is doing well, thankfully.

We encourage this year’s walkers, and even those not available to walk, to join us at Alamitos Bay Landing for a day of celebration after the walk is over. We are hoping the restaurants will get into the spirit.

Promotional yard signs and brochures to register are availble at F&M Bank at the 2nd Street and Bellflower locations. There are also prizes for top fundraisers, including Jet Blue tickets, a Pelican Hill package, and a $1500 gift certificate to McKenna’s on the Bay, and many more.

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The Summer Concert Series continues on August 14th with performances by the Gage Hulsey Quintet, Ocean Blvd, and The Wilsons. Funds from the sale of tickets will go to support Wilson High School Athletic Transportation.