Team Heather is a fundraising group in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C., which has raised over $403,000, since June, 2001, for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment. Team Heather was formed in 2001 to support 25-year-old Heather Gardner (Starcher) (1976–2002), as she began her fight against breast cancer – a fight that ended on September 29, 2002."Heather (Gardner) Starcher Obituary." Akron Beacon Journal Online. (2002-9-30).
Heather Gardner (Starcher): 1976-2002 Heather Gardner (born December 4, 1976) was the youngest daughter of Robert and Rebecca Gardner of Akron, Ohio, and the sister of Shawn Gardner of Washington, D.C. and Renee Gardner Duddy of Jacksonville, Florida. Rebecca Gardner is a breast cancer survivor.
Heather was a graduate of Manchester High School (1994) and The University of Akron (1999). She was a volunteer for The Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of America, and Camp Wonderlung, a camp for children with disabilities."Team Heather Sets the Goal for 2006 and the National Race for the Cure." Team Heather Website. (2006-1-26).
In 2001, at age 25, Heather was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. Prior to beginning her course of treatment within University Hospitals of Cleveland’s, Ireland Cancer Center - which included a TRAM flap procedure, chemotherapy, radiation, whole brain radiation, med-port and Ommaya reservoir surgeries, oral chemotherapy, and more - Heather chose first to participate in the 2001 Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C."2001 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2001-6-2).
Throughout her 17 months of treatment, Heather spoke to women’s groups on the importance of early detection and treatment for breast cancer."Team Heather Sets the Goal for 2006 and the National Race for the Cure." Team Heather Website. (2006-1-26). In April, 2002, Heather married Jason Starcher of Akron, Ohio. She continued her work as an insurance agent at the Gardner Insurance Agency. In June, 2002, Heather returned, once again, to Washington, D.C. to participate in the 2002 Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Race for the Cure."2002 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2002-6-1). The following week, doctors discovered Heather’s breast cancer had metastasized in the form of four brain tumors. On September 29, 2002, Heather died. Thousands turned out in Ohio to pay their respects.
History of Team Heather: 2003-Current In 2003, Team Heather"2003 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2003-6-7). represented Heather Gardner (Starcher) in the 2003 National Race for the Cure in her absence. By race day on June 7, 2003, with no organized fundraising efforts, Team Heather raised $5,500 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
In 2004, Team Heather"2004 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2004-6-5). set a fundraising goal of $10,000 for the 2004 National Race for the Cure. By race day on June 5, 2004, Team Heather raised over $17,500 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
In 2005, Team Heather"2005 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2005-6-4). marked its 5th Anniversary in the National Race for the Cure. Team Heather set a fundraising goal of $20,000, and by race day on June 4, 2005, Team Heather raised over $27,500 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "Komen’s National Race for the Cure 2005 Grant Awardees." Team Heather Website. (2006-3-2).
In 2006, United States Congressman, Jim Kolbe (AZ), served as Honorary Team Chairman for Team Heather."Team Heather Adds United States Congressman Jim Kolbe to the Team as the 2006 Honorary Chairman." Team Heather Website. (2006-3-5)."2006 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2006-6-3). "Eddie from Ohio" lead singer, Julie Murphy Wells, served as Honorary Team Captain for Team Heather "Team Heather’s New 2006 Honorary Team Captain - Julie Murphy Wells." Team Heather Website. (2006-2-11)."Julie Murphy Wells’ Personal Page." 2006 National Race for the Cure Website. (2006-6). and was named 2006 Susan G. Komen for the Cure BMW "Ultimate Drive for the Cure Local Hero.""Recent Team Heather Events." Team Heather Website. (2007-4-7). Team Heather set a fundraising goal of $30,000, and by race day on June 3, 2006, Team Heather raised over $50,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure."Team Heather 2007 is Up and Running." Team Heather Website. (2007-3-18).
In 2007, Team Heather"2007 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2007-6-2). Captain Shawn Gardner spoke, alongside United States Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), at a United States Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (109th United States Congress) press conference on the importance of funding breast cancer research. He was also named the 2007 Susan G. Komen for the Cure National "Co-Survivor of the Year." The 1st Annual South County Secondary School NHS/NJHS Talent Show/Silent Auction was held and The Fairfax Times covered the event.Cullum, James. "South County Rallies to Fight Cancer." The Fairfax Times. (2007-6-7). Since 2007, the annual event has raised over $55,000 for breast cancer research."The Craiglist Posting Soliciting Items for South County Secondary School’s 4th Annual Silent Auction." Team Heather Website. (2010-1-23). The Washington Times covered Team Heather in an article on June 1, 2007"Racers for a Cure Pumped Up on Promises." The Washington Times. (2007-6-1). and the participation of team members from Bath Iron Works in Bath, ME was noted in the BIW Newsletter."Dedicated to a Cure." Page 7. BIW News. (2007-8). By race day on June 2, 2007, Team Heather raised over $51,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
In 2008, Susan G. Komen for the Cure asked Team Heather"2008 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2008-6-7). Captain Shawn Gardner to author an article for Family Magazine, examining the experiences of a breast cancer co-survivor."Article I Was Asked to Write for Family Magazine on the Challenges of Being a Co-Survivor." Team Heather Website. (2009-2-7). The 1st Annual South County Secondary School "Pink to School Day" was held in celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Facebook Group, "Team Heather: Fighting for a Breast Cancer Cure" was created to expand its online fundraising efforts. At its height, the group had nearly 1,500 members. By race day on June 7, 2008, Team Heather raised over $38,500 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
In 2009, United States Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) served as Honorary Team Chairman for Team Heather."2009 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2009-6-6). Team Captain Shawn Gardner attended the first of three Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Race for the Cure Kickoff Dinners at the official residence of Vice President Joe Biden and his family."Names & Faces: Biden's Standing Order." The Washington Post (2009-6-6). The Twitter account, @TeamHeather, was created to update followers on breast cancer related information."@TeamHeather." Twitter. (2009). The website, www.ourteamheather.wordpress.com was created to warehouse team-related information.Team Heather Website. (2009). A variety of blogs began covering Team Heather's efforts, including "My Fabulous Boobies"McLean, Nicole. "Pink Ribbon Warrior? Me?" My Fabulous Boobies. (2009-8-25). and "Life With Lisa".Wade-Pitts, Lisa. "Race for the Cure." Life With Lisa. (2009-6-2). Team Captain Shawn Gardner was interviewed by WJLA-TV News Channel 8 on the history of the team and its successful fundraisingColeman, P.J. "Shawn Gardner Speaks About Team Heather and the Race for the Cure." YouTube. (2009-6-6). and WTOP reported on the efforts of Team Heather."Sea of Pink Floods the National Mall for the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure." WTOP. (2009-6-6). By race day on June 6, 2009, Team Heather raised over $55,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure."Team Heather Goes Global and So Much More." Team Heather Website. (2009-6-16).
In 2010, Team Heather"2010 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2010-6-5). marked its 10th anniversary in the Global Race for the Cure."Team Heather Celebrates Our 10th Anniversary in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure." Team Heather Website. (2010-1-24). For the 4th Annual South County Secondary School NHS/NJHS Talent Show, faculty and staff performed and their act was highlighted on WUSA (TV) 9 News Now.Goff, Angie. "VA Teachers Break It Down for Breast Cancer." WUSA9 News Now. (2010-4-22). Team Captain Shawn Gardner was interviewed on the issue of young women and breast cancer.Brooks, Adam. "Young Women Also at Risk for Breast Cancer." KETV ABC7. (2010-9-21). Team Heather held a Capitol Hill Fundraiser at the offices of Van Scoyoc Associates,"Evening Reception in Support of Team Heather and the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure Invitation." Van Scoyoc Associates. (2010-5-26). where Honorary Chairs were Senator Tom Coburn M.D. (OK), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Senator Mary Landrieu (LA), Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD), Senator Mark Pryor (AR), Senator Olympia Snowe (ME), Senator Debbie Stabenow (MI), Representative Charles Boustany, Jr., M.D. (07- LA), Representative Dave Camp (04-MI), Representative Marcy Kaptur (09-OH), and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (18-FL). The Hill covered the event.Brantley, James R. "Van Scoyoc Associates Reception in Support of Team Heather." The Hill. (2010-5-26). By race day on June 5, 2010, Team Heather raised over $55,300 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
In 2011, Team Heather"2011 Team Heather." Team Heather Website. (2011-6-4). marked its 11th year of fundraising by being recognized with a chapter in Ambassador Nancy Brinker’s New York Times Best-Selling memoir, Promise Me - How a Sister's Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer.Rodgers, Joni. "Running Man: Shawn Gardner and the Unstoppable Team Heather." Promise Me Blog. (2010-9).Rodgers, Joni. "Promise Me: “Love and Other Cannonballs.” Pages 184-187. Google Books. (2010-9). Global Race for the Cure staff used Team Heather’s story and success in fundraising as a focus for their 2011 Fundraising ToolkitSusan G. Komen for the Cure. "2011 Global Race for the Cure Fundraising Toolkit." Global Race for the Cure. (2011). and Team Captain Shawn Gardner was asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Bowie Baysox Home Opener.Schimmenti, Jennifer. "Shawn Gardner Throws Out First Pitch @Baysox." YouTube. (2011-4-14). Gardner also spoke at the Top Global Race for the Cure Fundraisers' Reception celebrating the 2010 Race Season.Schimmenti, Jennifer. "Top Komen Fundraisers' Reception - Shawn Gardner." YouTube. (2011-3-28). A unique fundraising competition between two South County Secondary School faculty members was highlighted in a Lorton Patch piece.Harrison, Caitlin. "Middle School Teachers Support Their Teams and Support a Cure." Lorton Patch. (2011-3-1). By race day on June 4, 2011, Team Heather raised over $39,700 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. During October - National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Team Captain Shawn Gardner was asked to film a video spot for Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s "What I Would Have Missed" Initiative"Shawn Gardner - Team Heather ($350,000 and counting...)." CitizenGlobal. (2011-10-3). and the South County Secondary School's 4th Annual "Pink to School Day" was covered by the Fairfax Station Connection.