Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia is pleased to announce its new Chair and Honorary Chair of its largest fundraiser, Race for the Cure. Elisabeth (Lis) Lipp is a breast cancer survivor and will be the Chair of the Affiliate’s ninth Race in Savannah.  Honorary Chair Dr. John Duttenhaver joins after a long career fighting breast cancer at Memorial Health. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, 2017.

‘I’m honored to join Susan G. Komen in the fight against breast cancer,’ said Ms. Lipp. ‘I care deeply about this cause, as it’s impacted me and my family. I love this community, too, and want to be able to give back.’
‘Helping assist in the care of cancer patients has been my life’s passion,’ said Dr. Duttenhaver. ‘Curing breast cancer is a major focus of my long career.’

‘We are blessed to have such incredible leaders join our 2017 Race,’ shared Aileen Gabbey, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia. ‘Each understands how critical it is to reach local women in need.’

Race for the Cure is the Affiliate’s largest fundraiser each year. Seventy-five percent of donations go directly to local programs such as mammograms, diagnostics, and education. The remaining 25% will fund research efforts for a cure.

‘I was surprised to learn what is raised here, stays here,’ shared Ms. Lipp. ‘I wasn’t aware that donations from the Race directly help women right here in Coastal Georgia. I’ve lived in Savannah for three years now and was delighted to learn this Affiliate is so involved at the local level.’

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Ms. Lipp and her family lived in Columbus, Ohio for several years before moving to Georgia. In addition to her work as a technical sales specialist for VITA, a dental CAD-CAM materials manufacturer, Ms. Lipp is involved with Girls on the Run, Savannah Children’s Choir, and Skidaway Island First Responders.

Diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer shortly after relocating to Savannah, Ms. Lipp credits her family and community with providing her much-needed support.  ‘I can’t imagine being alone with no resources when dealing with something so devastating,’ said Ms. Lipp. ‘Knowing that Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia is making it possible for local women in need to get care and screening helps motivate me to make the 2017 Race a major success.’

Honorary Chair Dr. Duttenhaver has a long career in the field of oncology including residency in radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School, assistant professorship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and chairing the Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial Health for nearly thirty years. Dr. Duttenhaver is also involved in the Savannah community, having served on the Boards of American Cancer Society and Hospice Savannah. ‘Komen has been a major investor in the fight against breast cancer, and it is an honor and a privilege to be named Honorary Chair,’ added Dr. Duttenhaver.

Returning as local presenting sponsor for the ninth year is Memorial Health. The Race will be held on Saturday, April 22 at Ellis Square in downtown Savannah. Approximately 4,000 people are expected to participate in the event.
Registration is now open at www.komencoastalgeorgia.org. For questions and information about the event, please contact 912-232-2535 or [email protected].