Shasta Johnson is the motivating force behind the Breast Cancer Awareness Day at Anaheim 2. (Photo: CoxMX.com)Motocross.com: Hey, Shasta, introduce yourself.
Shasta Johnson: I'm Shasta Johnson and I'm a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 2007, about two years after my younger sister passed away from breast cancer at age 29. So breast-cancer awareness and being an advocate for a cure is pretty near and dear to my heart.
How did you get this event started?
This is the second year at Supercross. It started out with a little auction at the Steel City National in 2007 and progressed from there. Here we are now, 2011, and the second-annual pink-themed Supercross race.
What goes into putting this event together? I know the people at Feld and everything helped promote it, but a lot of the footwork is yours, isn't it?
Well, I get it started, at least. I try to ignite the movement and then it gets the momentum, but a lot of work definitely goes into it. I feel like someone who might plan 20 celebrity weddings at once, trying to coordinate what every team is going to incorporate into their program on the pink theme. I am fortunate to have Feld behind me and supporting this, which makes it easier, but you still have to get out there, make contact with everyone and remind them of the importance of it and get them on board. Then, it's up to us to come up with creative ideas for them that are achievable and still meet their contractual requirements. So there is a lot of work involved. We also have survivors that we host for the race, so we have about 139 survivors and their families come out and have a free day at the races. We have 75 volunteers that come in Saturday morning and deck out the place in pink, also, so there is a lot that goes into it.
Last year, you guys made a good chunk of money...
Yes, we did. We raised over $57,000 when all was said and done. Donations from Feld and Angels Baseball as well as the eBay auction and the Kawasaki 24-hour Ride For a Cure really raised a lot of money, and I look at it like it saved a lot of lives.
It's significant in the respect that it's more than a dollar per person who showed up at the races that day...
That's true. That's a good point. And I think when I started out I said as long as I got a dollar from every person that showed up I would feel like we made it. Maybe this year we should shoot for two dollars from everyone who shows up... [Smiles]
Look for a lot of decorated motocross items in and around the pits tomorrow at Angel Stadium. (Photo: CoxMX.com)So that was my next question: where to from here? Is there a goal you're trying to reach this year?
There is a goal. I would like to top what we've done before. In this economy, it will be tough, but I always try to shoot for it. I also want to increase the number of people that I motivate to get out there and get mammograms. So we've stepped up our educational component of the event and the awareness. Now, it's just getting people to be aware so that when something is going on with their body they take notice and they are their own advocates.
Where can they find this stuff online for more information?
Well, at Komen.org, you can find out more information about breast cancer - the facts and where you can get help. At supercrossonline.com, you can find out about the eBay auction we're going to have beginning February 6th. You can also come to the race - buy a ticket and show up at one of our booths and find out where you can get a mammogram and how you can save your life. But everyone should come out and participate in a great event and obtain some one of a kind autographed memorabilia or something like that. There's a lot to be had, and it goes to helping a great cause.
0 Comments
0 of 0
Add a Comment