Pink Ribbon of the Month, March: CBS 3 & The CW Philly 57

As we celebrate the milestone 20th anniversary of the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure - looking back to where we've been, and ahead to where we aspire to be - there is a truth that echoes again and again: "We simply couldn't have done it without CBS 3."


Twenty years ago, when the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure was just a kernel of an idea, Pat Ciarrocchi (Eyewitness News), Joanne Calabria (Vice-President, Public Affairs for CBS Television Stations) and other dedicated members of the Channel 3 team, came to Komen with a dream ... and a conviction. The dream was a world without breast cancer. The conviction was to make that dream a REALITY.

 

As our official media sponsor, there is no denying CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 make a huge impact in the breast cancer movement by broadcasting our life-saving messages to millions. However, their activism extends far beyond "reporting the news." Empowering a world without breast cancer permeates their corporate culture, exists in the hearts and minds of every employee at every level... and transcends into their personal lives as well.

 

"You talk about a best friend... the person who stands by you through thick and thin, the parent who nurtures you to reach for the stars and believe you can capture your dreams, the sister who looks out for you, the mentor who guides you along all of life's paths, the partner who opens new doors to you behind which are fulfillment and empowerment. Pat Ciarrocchi, Joanne Calabria, and all who have been part of CBS 3 over the years are all this and more to me, personally, the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate and - most importantly - this entire community fighting every day to end breast cancer forever," said Elaine I. Grobman, Executive Director of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate.

 

"During these twenty years of Komen Philadelphia's Race for the Cure, I've witnessed a revolution of spirit... in the beginning, those women and their families who dared to step forward were making a bold statement that a cure is possible," said Pat Ciarrocchi. "Through these twenty years, we discovered that breast cancer was not a solitary disease, but one that reaches into families and communities. If it affects one, it affects all of us. So, why not join our energies, and dedicate ourselves to chiseling through all aspects of this disease, so we can reveal a world without breast cancer? The Race for the Cure is a symbol of our steadfast focus that we WILL live in that world."

 

Every year we are supported by incredible amounts of time, talent and resources of the entire team, generously provided by Jon Hitchcock, General Manager and President. The Affiliate is proud and grateful to have CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 be the face and voice of every Komen Philadelphia Affiliate event and undertaking... and then some! 

 

From day one, with Pat Ciarrocchi and Ukee Washington being two of the first in1991, the Eyewitness News team has brought the news, hope, dreams and live coverage of our Race to millions. For decades, the Race, as well as our Kick-Off Party, Celebrate Life!, Pink Tie Ball and more are hosted by the women of CBS 3 Eyewitness News, which includes Carol Erickson, who also proudly embraces fellow survivors in the Parade of Pink on Race day. 

 

Many of you have undoubtedly also seen the fabulous CBS 3 Call for the Cure, which, for two years has kicked Race fundraising into high gear and allowed thousands of people who cannot attend the Race experience the joy of helping to make a difference - right from their living rooms! Likewise, you've surely seen Stephanie Stahl, Medical Specialist, present important stories on breast health care and breakthroughs... or Susan Barnett donning her vibrant pink behind the anchor desk and giving special recognition to the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate family... or Kathy Orr lifting the hearts of our participants with a rosy Race-day forecast... or Natasha Brown embracing a survivor who just made her emotional journey down the Art Museum steps... or...

 

The list goes and on, and it is one that can never truly be exhausted or explained, for the CBS 3 heart is one that must be experienced. Fortunately, millions of us have experienced why CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 exemplify "Pink Ribbon," not just "of the month" but of "the entire existence" of the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure.

 

The Komen Philadelphia Affiliate congratulates and thanks CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 for their exceptional service to us, as well as so many other worthy efforts that enrich our community. In all they do - as skilled professionals as well as passionate activists - this distinguished team continually helps us all to see the vision of a world without breast cancer and BELIEVE in its reality.

 

Meet Your 2010 CBS 3/The CW Philly 57 "Women of the Race"

  • Susan Barnett

  • Pat Ciarrocchi

  • Liz Keptner

  • Natasha Brown

  • Kathy Orr 

  • Lesley Van Arsdall

  • Anne-Marie Green

  • Stephanie Stahl

  • Carol Erickson

 

And the "Pink Oscar" Goes to...

Pat Ciarrocchi, "Best Supporting Supporter," for her extraordinary creation of the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate "20 Year Video" retrospective. Pat spent unquantifiable amounts of time, resources, creativity and heart to conduct interviews, script and narrate, gather footage and research, and oversee creation of this incredible piece of work.  This award is shared with Producer, Cathy Molique, Editor, Dani Dolan and Jon Hitchcock for providing studio resources to make it happen.

 

Click here now to view this emotional, inspiring video.

 

Did You Know...

 

 

Pictured: Jon Hitchcock, President and General Manager, CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 speaks at the 2010 Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure Kick-Off Party, reinforcing the company's commitment to the Komen mission and renewing the promise to stop at nothing until all generations live in a world without breast cancer.