Community Outreach
The Race Against Breast Cancer, Inc (RABC) was established to pay for a full range of screening/diagnostic mammography services to women who live and work in Shawnee County and the six surrounding counties (Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Osage Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee), and those who are in need of financial assistance. If you are interested in obtaining a no cost mammogram through the RABC, please call the RABC office at (785) 271-1500. Our qualification guidelines are available on the No Cost Mammograms page.
In the past few years, RABC has increased its marketing efforts to include a translation of existing brochures into Spanish, TV and radio interviews, newspaper articles, billboards, direct mails and bus signs. Plans for future programs are being discussed.
20 Years and Running Strong
The Race Against Breast Cancer, Inc. (RABC) began in 1991 as a community coalition whose mission is to confront the challenge of breast cancer in Shawnee County. The coalition is a registered 501C (3) not-for-profit corporation and to date has funded over 5,000 mammograms to those in need of financial assistance. A volunteer board of directors consisting of community representatives, medical providers and hospital representatives runs the corporation. 2012 Board of Directors is:
C. Tucker Allen
Lisa Chapman
Cathy Conlin
Brian Connor
Jana Counseller - Secretary
Rita Davenport
Brie Engelken - 2012 5K Chair
Sherrill Hilbert - Treasurer
Marcie Holtz
Emily Leiker
Anita Leonard
Amy Martens - President
Karen Olson
Sarah Overbaugh - President Elect
Val Smith
Mary Stewart
Jennifer Taylor
Dawn Robertson - Administrator
The RABC thanks the community coalition (the American Cancer Society, the Junior League of Topeka, Inc., Stormont-Vail HealthCare and St. Francis Health Center) which gave us our beginning. We are thankful to the vision and financial support of those organizations for creating the Race Against Breast Cancer and we look forward to serving our community for years to come. The Race Against Breast Cancer is a race we cannot lose!
The RABC also thanks the hundreds of committee volunteers that have made this organization what it is today. They have truly made a difference! Thank you.
1992 5K Chair - Pam Alexander & Billie Hall
1993 5K Chair - Ann Hoover
1994 5K Chair - Debbie Geist
1995 5K Chair - Paula Baum
1996 5K Chair - Joni Merillat
1997 5K Chair - Sophie George Honorary Chair-KS First Lady Linda Graves
1998 5K Chair - Joni Merillat Honorary Chair - Mayor Joan Wagnon
1999 5K Chair - Joni Merillat Honorary Chair - Kathleen Sebelius, KS Insurance Comissioner
2000 5K Chair - Kathy Stacken Honorary Chair - Rose Diehl, KMAJ
2001 5K Chair - Pam Alexander Honorary Chair - Dr. Jerry Farley, President Washburn University
2002 5K Chair - Cindy Samuelson Honorary Chair - Linda P Jeffrey
2003 5K Chair - Pam Brandsted Honorary Chair - Dr. Bernita Berntsen
2004 5K Chair - Cindy Samuelson Honorary Chair - Ron Thornburg, KS Secretary of State
2005 5K Chair - Tami Zeilinger Honorary Chair - Melissa Brunner
2006 5K Chair - Pam Alexander Honorary Chair - Billie Gibson Hall
2007 5K Chair - Jerri Blassingame Honorary Chair - Kris Robbins, CEO of Security Benefit
2008 5K Chair - Dawn Robertson Honorary Chair - Chris Gallagher, KMAJ
2009 5K Chair - Shirley Hollis Honorary Chair - Sherriff Richard Barta
2010 5K Chair - Rachel McLin Honorary Chair - Sandy Praeger, KS Insurance Commissioner
2011 5K Chair - Cindy Samuelson Honorary Chairs - Robert Erickson, St Francis Health Center CEO & Maynard Oliverius, Stormont-Vail
HealthCare CEO
2012 5K Chair - Brie Engelken
