Judy Snyder, RN:
Our Local Hero
 Judy Snyder, RN, C, MS, and Director of Education at SVMHS, knows what it’s like to be in the driver’s seat. Six years ago she completed a lengthy treatment program for breast cancer and on June 18, she was honored as the “Local Hero” at BMW’s The Ultimate Drive® event in Seaside.
Snyder enjoyed the celebratory tone of the day and especially seeing her photo, about the size of a 50-cent piece, placed on the BMW signature car. The cars travel in a fleet throughout the country to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
“I was there for breast cancer survivors and to focus on raising money for research and education for the Komen Foundation,” says Snyder. “I was very pleased to represent the hospital as well as women who have faced or are facing a breast cancer diagnosis. It was a lot of fun, but the message is clear that cancer can be beaten.”
Snyder, a SVMHS employee since 1988, says, “We emphasize the value of having regular mammograms and conducting self-exams. We’re in this together and supporting one another is more important than I can say. I believe we are all local heroes.”
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Revving up the engines of sleek silver BMWs was the order of the day, June 18, when Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS) joined MY BMW in Seaside to raise funds for breast cancer research and awareness. This was the ninth year of BMW’s The Ultimate Drive®, an event which has raised $8 million throughout the United States for the national Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
 MY BMW, was local sponsor of the national event. BMW of North America donated $1 per mile to the Komen Foundation for each mile driven. Rhonda Good, Assistant Business Event Coordinator for MY BMW, says onehundred one drivers clocked 4,114 miles during the day-long event resulting in a donation of $4,114 to the Komen Foundation. MY BMW owner Tom Maher sums it up like this: “Anytime business and the community come together, good things happen.”
Sam Downing, SVMHS President/ CEO, his wife Paula and other hospital employees met the eighteen automobiles, which were driven to Seaside in a cross-country caravan by participating BMW dealerships. MY BMW employees invited consumers to test drive the cars on a 14-mile course through Ft. Ord alongside the Pacific Ocean.
“The event highlights the ‘fun’ in fundraising and reminds women in the community to be attentive to healthy breast care,” says Sam Downing. “We proudly recognized Judy Snyder, the hospital’s Director of Education, as the ‘Local Hero’ in the event’s ‘Heroes in the Fight Against Breast Cancer.’” Especially memorable was the signature car, on which was affixed small superimposed photos of the local heroes gathered along the nationwide course. Test drivers also signed this car to show their support of the breast cancer campaign. “Seeing our own Judy Snyder’s photo was great as well as seeing the faces of so many other local heroes from throughout the country,” says Wendy Goossen, SVMHS’s Certified Cancer Registrar and Cancer Program Coordinator. “The signature car is a beautiful growing collage of actual faces and real people who are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.”
When the test drives were finished, Sam Downing and other hospital employees drove the BMWs to Santa Clara where they were presented to another BMW dealership to host a similar fundraising event. At the conclusion of the The Ultimate Drive® each fall, the signature cars are placed in the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Gail Pieper, RN, MSN, Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at SVMHS, describes BMW’s dedication to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as “the ultimate community statement that people can be empowered with the knowledge and tools they need to prevent breast cancer. What better way to bring this message home than to participate in a community event that raises money and awareness to find a cure for breast cancer.”
The Pink Ribbon
 In addition to Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System’s (SVMHS) own cancer prevention programs, the hospital supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation in its mission to eradicate breast cancer. The Foundation, established in 1982, has evolved into an international organization with more than 75,000 volunteers working through local events to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation wants women and men to know:
• Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women
• In 2005, nearly 212,000 women will have been diagnosed with
breast cancer
• In 2005, approximately 40,000 will have died from this disease
• When breast cancer is found early, chances for survival are the greatest
SVMHS hosts the annual “ Denim Day” to raise money for the Komen Foundation. Employees purchase a pink ribbon pin for $5 and the Hospital matches these funds. “The Foundation’s pink ribbon emblem is so well known by now that it captures everyone’s attention and makes us all mindful of healthy breast care. The Foundation’s national spotlight that shines on this topic helps us do that,” says Jeri Gilbert, Assistant Director of Human Resources.
Breast Health*
Do Breast Self Exams each month starting at age 20. Get to know your breasts and report any changes to your doctor or nurse.
Have a clinical breast exam by your doctor or nurse every three years starting at the age of 20, and every year after the age of 40.
Have a mammogram (breast cancer X-ray) every year starting at age 40. If you are under 40 and have breast cancer in your family or are worried about your breasts, talk to your doctor.
For more information on classes and community lectures on breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, as well as support groups and activities for women with breast cancer, visit www.svmh.com or call SVMHS’s Comprehensive Cancer Center at (831) 755-0791. The website also features links to related sites.
* Source: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation |
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