Thursday, September 29, 2011

Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure


Imagine hundreds of women and men lined up at a line, all waiting for one thing- the gun to go off. It’s a race, a race to the end, but not to the end of 3.2 miles, but a race to end breast cancer.  During the race there are people walking in white and pink shirts- some are just there to run, some there because they feel passionately about breast cancer, some because they lost someone from breast cancer and still others that are breast cancer survivors. The energy from everyone is contagious, buzzing and you can’t help but feel yourself smile. After about 3 miles of ground covered, the energy has changed- but to more energy. There are hugs, kisses and tears from some. Thanks and good-jobs from others as the racers make their way to the post-race rally.
The Susan G. Komen foundation is dedicated to the prevention, treatment and research of breast cancer in both men and women. They are strong advocates for prevention and early detection of breast cancer and work to educate people on ways to self-test and how to get professional screenings.
Since the first race in Dallas, Texas 28 years ago with 800 participants, the Susan G. Komen races have grown to include 146 races taking place worldwide this year at an anticipated 1.6 million race participants. The race in Omaha this Sunday will be part of the first “Link the pink weekend” where two cities in the same state will be hosting a race in the same weekend- Kearney, Nebraska will host their Race for a Cure race on Saturday.
            Now, if you are like me, you are intimidated by the prospect of running a 5k, not to worry. The Race for the Cure is a walk/run which means you can run the whole way, you can walk the whole way, or you can do a combination.
            According to the Susan G. Komen website, the 18th annual Omaha race is aiming to have 20,000 participants and they are aiming for 2,000 participants in the Kearney race. This would raise over $1,000,000 for the foundation.
            There is race day registration on the morning before the race as well as Friday and Saturday if you are still interested in registering for the race!
            As I line up on Sunday at the starting line, I won’t just be waiting for the gun to go off, Ill be waiting to walk for all those that can’t and in hopes that someday, there will be a lesser need for the walk because there will be better treatment options, better detection and better education about breast cancer.  I walk to do my part for the at least one person I will know statistically who will be diagnosed for breast cancer in his or her lifetime. I walk to help show support for all of those affected by breast cancer.
           
Fun Fact: Omaha participants will also share their race day with participants in Athens, Greece













Kindly, 
Lauren Calderón
Sigma Lambda Gamma Creighton Colony President
Opus Hall Senator
MACURH Registration/Dining chair
NRHH Secretary/Treasurer           

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Building Foundations

The semester is in full swing and many students are now feeling the novelty of being back on campus is wearing off. Classes are getting intense, groups of friends are becoming tighter and smaller, activities are fun but not as thrilling in the beginning and some are wondering…is this IT for the year? I would say NO! It’s actually just beginning, this is the time where I always felt was the time to build or expand my foundation for the year.  I often reflect on a few questions…What is it that I want to do this semester? What experiences do I want? How am I going to challenge myself? 

Once place that will provide opportunities to build or expand your foundation is the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) in the Harper Center. For first year students, Coffee and Conversations with Becky Nickerson is a great way to expand your foundation. You will meet new students, be able to talk about your first year experiences, and get a great cup of coffee (or tea or hot chocolate). Make sure you keep your eye out for your invitation from Becky!

Another great activity hosted by OMA and the Counseling Center is Women’s Journey facilitated by Becky Nickerson and Hope Russell. Women’s Journey is a monthly group meeting for multicultural women on campus to come together for a dinner of soup and conversation. Conversational topics range and are often chosen by the women who attend. Invitations are sent over email to multicultural women, we have student who attend regularly and some only a few times. Once in a while there are opportunities to meet multicultural women from the faculty and staff. This year Women’s Journey is going to be hosted more regularly so if you are interested, feel free to stop by the OMA and talk to Becky!

What about if you aren’t a first year student or a multicultural woman, how could you use OMA to build a foundation? Our regular programs of speakers, documentaries, and other activities are great opportunities to experience the large range of diversity we have on campus. There is also a dialogue series called Courageous Conversations, each conversation will deal with some of society's most contentious issues, including but not limited to: race, religion, sexual orientation, and conflicts throughout the world. So I encourage you to use your voice in helping us talk about these issues on campus!

Building and expanding my foundation was critical to my success in undergrad and graduate school. I continue to do this today whenever I am at a new transition point in my life, for example moving from Massachusetts to Omaha to work in Multicultural Affairs! I am still expanding my foundation so I invite you to expand and strengthen it with me. I hope that this short post has encouraged you to think about how your college experience will be and how an office like Multicultural Affairs can help you build or strengthen your foundation here at Creighton.  















Luz Minerva Colon-Rodrìguez
Assistant Director, Outreach and Programming
 

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Truly Blessed

As I sit here contemplating on what to blog about all that comes to mind are all the wonderful women I work with day in and day out as well as my friends and family.  I feel so fortunate to have such an amazing group of women in my life.  I have 5 sisters who are my everything, they are so amazing and so different from each other.  Yet even though we are different we make an effort to get together a couple times a year, just us.  With the loss of our parents in the same year their love and support has been my safety net.  Then there are my friends, wow what an awesome group of women.  Again all different but we all get along.  My friends range from college friends to friends I have met in the past year.  Wow, from breaking up with my first love to dealing with life changes they have been there for me through it all.  Then of course I have the women in my life that I work with.  Many of you may read this blog.  As I sit here and think of the women I know across the University I am amazed.  There are so many different areas that I know women from, especially as I sit on the Staff Advisory Council and then the women I know in my division.  It is a pleasure coming to work every day knowing I am going to run into so many strong women. 

All the women that surround me are an inspiration in some way.  I am truly blessed thanks to all of you.













Tami Thibodeau
Skutt and Harper Centers
Business Manager

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Believing in Opportunities

This past summer, with the support of the Committee on the Status of Women Scholarship, I had the privilege of attending National Jesuit Leadership Conference (NJSLC) at Loyola Chicago. Attending this conference made me analyze my role as a student, woman, and leader at Creighton.

In general, I gained a much greater appreciation for the opportunities that are available at Creighton.  From pre-professional education to extra-curricular involvement, Creighton has more to offer than many students and faculty realize.   While we have all been taught to know that an experience is only what you make of it, I can certainly attest to this fact.  At NJSLC there were multiple opportunities, through sessions and activities, to examine your role on your campus.  I became a lot less nervous about beginning pharmacy school this fall and realized that a career in pharmacy is very much a commitment to act in service to others.  However, I think the commitment we make to a profession can be applicable to our involvements in where we want to spend our time outside a career or school.
            
One activity at NJSLC was the This I Believe panel.  It is an international organization that began with an NPR segment.  There are books, a website, podcasts, and much more.  It is designed to have people share short essays of the principles that guide their daily life which often include a personal story.  I would like to end with writing a short essay about some things I believe but not all.
            
I believe living a life of fear is hardly living. Living in fear is making choices that involve choosing two options that and determining which choice has the least risk.  It may not be the right choice, but at least there is not much to be lost.  Sometimes you may be forced to make a decision, for fear that not making the choice could be more consequential than deciding.  If you never take a risk, there is never a reward.  I believe a healthy amount of risk can be a good thing.

When I was 13, our family vacation was to go on RAGBRAI—a 490 mile bike ride across Iowa in the last week of July.  It was hard to have any expectations, but I knew it would not be easy.  I successfully biked over 375 miles and was physically exhausted most of the time.  Even at a young age, I knew that I little bit of determination went a long way—whether it was getting to the top of a hill or riding another 50 miles.

By the time I was 16, I forgot all about the horrible aspects of the ride and went in for another RAGBRAI. I didn’t know if I would finish.  I didn’t have much expectations, but I certainly wasn’t about to live out my teenage years in fear of what could have been.  I biked all 455 miles, dipped my bike tires in the Missouri and Mississippi River, and knew it wouldn’t be the last time.  I have done this ride 4 times before the age of 20 and know it wouldn’t be possible if I lived in fear of the wrong decision.

I believe life is too short to be fearful of things that may end up being a blessing on your life.


All the Best,
Megan Nicklaus
Pharm.D. Candidate, Class of 2015 Treasurer
VP for Mission & Service, Panhellenic Council