Volunteer Spotlight

Michael Lichterman

Michael Lichterman has been a fixture at many Komen events for over 15 years. He’s usually easy to point out – he’s the one holding a camera!

Michael began his involvement early on, attending the first two Race for the Cure events in University Circle with his wife, Susan. Michael knew early on that he wanted to become more involved with Komen, his mother was a breast cancer survivor and both he and his wife had careers in the healthcare industry.

In 1994, Michael left his career in healthcare administration and began pursuing one of his many talents, photography. Clifford Norton Studios, a fixture in the Cleveland area since 1906, was purchased by Michael and Susan in 1994. Almost immediately, Michael began to create a name for himself as one of the top portrait photographers in the area.

Then in 1995, Michael was approached by the planning committee for the Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure about taking team portraits at the Race. Michael saw this as an opportunity to give back to the community and graciously agreed to donate his services. Over the years the relationship has continued to grow and Michael continues to take team portraits to this day. In addition to team portraits, he has captured many inspiring moments at the Races over the years. He recalls one experience when the survivor ceremony took place at Cleveland Brown’s stadium. “There was snow and sleet and it was a cold, rather miserable day but the survivor’s were there with smiles on their faces and you could feel the positive energy – it was an inspiring moment!”

Over the years Michael has partnered with Komen in many ways and has even created an event of his own. For the past four years, Michael and his staff have held a survivor party at their studio. Survivors are invited to come and enjoy a night of relaxation, friends and food as well as have their portrait taken! Each year all the portraits are combined into a large banner that is displayed at the Race. This is an event that survivor’s look forward to every year and many use this as an opportunity to see how far they’ve come since their original diagnosis. To Michael, “the banner symbolizes the beauty, strength and determination that each and every survivor has when facing this terrible disease.”

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Hallie Lundon

Hallie Lundon has been volunteering with the Komen Northeast Ohio Affiliate for over a year. Hallie has donated much time and energy to the Komen mission through various projects and programs and is an active member of the Fund Development Committee.

Hallie and her family know firsthand how cancer can touch a family and change their lives forever. Losing her Grandmother to breast cancer and watching her Aunt successfully and heroically live with the disease for more than 15 years has inspired Hallie to give back. That’s why when Hallie returned to her hometown of Cleveland last year she knew it was time to begin volunteering with Komen. “I want to give back for those that are no longer able to,” said Hallie, “and show those who face this terrible disease that we are not going to stop until we find a cure.”

While serving on the Fund Development Committee Hallie has chaired the Passionately Pink for the Cure Program as well as the Yoplait Initiative, both national fundraising programs for Komen. Passionately Pink is a simple and fun way to support a great cause and Hallie has been instrumental in expanding this program to businesses, groups and social organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Her attention to detail and her strong commitment to the Komen promise has been a driving force for the success of this program!

It’s not just Hallie who has taken up the fight though. She has made it a family affair, recruiting her husband, family and friends to all participate in their own unique way. Her husband Michael is a sitting member of the Corporate Advisory Council and they recently completed the 2010 Race for the Cure as a family, even bringing their 2 ½ year-old daughter.

Hallie shared one memory of her own experiences at the 2010 Race for the Cure. While walking the Race course with her family she noticed a father carrying his young baby on his shoulders. Pinned to the baby’s back was a sign that read ‘I am Walking In Memory of My Mommy.’ “Just another reminder,” said Hallie, “of why we must continue to raise the critical funds needed to help find a cure.”

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Karen Ishler

Karen Ishler received the “Power of One” Award at Komen Northeast Ohio’s Power of a Promise event in recognition of her significant contributions and dedication to supporting the Komen promise to end breast cancer. Karen served as a member of the Grant Review Committee in 2006and was the Grant Review Chair from 2007-2010. She is also an active supporter of the Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure. She is described by friends and colleagues as “bright,” “talented,” “highly accomplished,” and someone who “gives 250% to everything she does.” She steps in and enthusiastically works to achieve Komen’s vision and mission. Karen truly possesses stewardship, inclusion, passion, openness, and honesty.

Karen’s leadership has made Komen’s Grant Review Committee a model of diversity and inclusion – a core Komen value. She spearheaded a selective recruitment process to make certain the committee is representative of the communities and populations that Komen serves. The committee is comprised of survivors and co-survivors, African-American, Latina, and Caucasian women and men of varying ages and educational backgrounds. Karen knows each dollar raised is important and delivers the message to review committee members that how the money is spent is as crucial as raising it.

Her detailed attention to grant review assignments and her commitment to providing reviewers with extensive training and support help to provide a professional structure in which the committee is free to tackle their critical task. As a data analyst, Karen has used her skills to enhance the entire review process, providing tools to be used by Review Chairs for years to come. She is the driving force behind Komen’s well-built and effective grant review and awarding process.

Karen currently lives in Cleveland and is a Ph.D. candidate at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, where she has also worked as a data analyst on research projects. Over the last several years, Karen’s passion for education and continued success has made her an influential leader and volunteer. She has had a tremendous, lasting impact on the quality of Komen’s grant programs, enhancing Komen’s reputation as a supportive, effective funder. Komen Northeast Ohio thanks Karen for her continued dedication to helping achieve Komen’s mission to find the cures and end breast cancer forever.

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Diana Clance 

Diana first got involved with Komen in 2006 when her daughter Selena asked if she wanted to walk with her in the annual Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure®. They walked again in 2007. In 2008, with the encouragement of Selena, Diana joined the Race for the Cure Survivor Ceremony Committee to help plan the special survivor recognition portion of the Komen Northeast Ohio Race. After Diana retired from The University of Akron in June of 2008, she generously gave her time to the organization as a volunteer at the Komen office once a week.

Diana has stepped in to help in many areas of the organization. She is one of the most reliable volunteers and is always willing to take on whatever task is asked of her, whether it’s stuffing acknowledgment letters or assisting in the planning of the Race for the Cure. At the urging of the staff, Diana graciously stepped in as our interim Office Administrator until the Komen staff found a candidate to fill the position full time.

Diana’s passion for the Komen mission and love for volunteering is evident in everything she does. Over the years she has volunteered for Akron’s Battered Women’s Shelter, Vietnam Veterans of America, Summa Barberton Hospital, and Visiting Nurse Services. She currently volunteers for In-House Hospice and is on the Board of Trustees for her church. Diana frequently tells us that coming into the Komen office is a bright spot in her week.

Diana and her husband Jim live in Akron. She is thrilled that Selena, her son-in-law Michael and granddaughter Ava Grace live in nearby Cuyahoga Falls. While she is not a survivor, breast
cancer has touched her family several times. Meeting survivors and hearing their inspiring stories while volunteering at Komen functions has solidified Diana’s dedication.