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GRAZIANO AND LT. GOVERNOR WYMAN NAMED HONORARY CHAIRS FARMINGTON – April 7, 2011 – Richard J.Graziano, president, publisher and CEO of the Hartford Courant and Lieutenant Governor of Nancy Wyman have been named Honorary Chairs of the 18th Annual Susan G. Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure®. Graziano and Wyman join the leadership of Christa Allen, Marketing and Sponsorship Director for Westfarms Mall, who will serve as the event’s Chair for the second consecutive year. “Both Graziano and Lieutenant Governor Wyman have shown their tremendous support for Komen Connecticut, and we are thrilled to have them both on board,” said Allen. Approximately 15,000 Connecticut residents will flock to Bushnell Park on June 4th, including more than 500 survivors who come together at the Race for the Cure each year to raise significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrate breast cancer survivorship and honor those who have lost their battle with the disease. The significance of this event and what it represents for Connecticut residents is not lost on Graziano: “The state of Connecticut has the second highest incidence of breast cancer in the nation, making Komen Connecticut’s Race for the Cure a vitally important annual event,” Graziano said. “I’m honored to be named as a Honorary Race Chair and inspired by the stories of the women who fight against this dreadful disease.” In 2010, the Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure raised more than $830,000, which was invested in Connecticut-based breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs and national research initiatives. Allen encourages Connecticut residents to contribute to these lifesaving programs and support the local fight against breast cancer by registering for the 18th Annual Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure to be held on June 4th in Bushnell Park in Hartford: “Every dollar raised helps to fund research and local education, screening and treatment programs right here in Connecticut. We have the power to save lives and end breast cancer forever.” And Wyman shares Allen’s enthusiasm for the cause: “I have been involved with the Race for the Cure for many, many years and I am humbled to be named as one of the Honorary Race Chairs,” Lt. Gov. Wyman said. “Every spring I and countless others are inspired by the incredible spirit and stories of survivors of breast cancer – and I believe it is that same spirit that will finally lead to a cure for this terrible disease.” Registration is now open for the Race. Interested participants can sign up online, fundraise, and get more information at www.KomenCT.org. ABOUT HONORARY CHAIR RICHARD J. GRAZIANO Richard J. Graziano is president, publisher and CEO of the Hartford Courant and general manager of FOX CT and WCCT-TV. An employee of Tribune since 1999, he came to Hartford in 2005 as vice president and general manager of the two Hartford market TV stations. Graziano recently was named to Hartford Magazine’s “50 Most Influential” list and has received awards from Muscular Dystrophy Association, Camp Courant and Interval House for his dedication to helping children and families in Connecticut. Born and raised in Boston, Graziano is a “Double Eagle” attending Boston College, Carroll School of Management and Boston College High School. He resides in Avon, CT with his wife Jessica, and their children Nick and Emma. ABOUT HONORARY CHAIR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR NANCY WYMAN Nancy Wyman is Connecticut’s 108th Lieutenant Governor. Prior to her election in 1994 as Connecticut’s first woman State Comptroller, Nancy served eight years as State Representative from the 53rd District. She first entered politics in 1979, when she was successfully ran for a seat on the school board in Tolland because she wanted a say in her daughters’ education. Nancy is known as a tireless advocate for improving health care access and affordability, and has for years been active in the effort to raise funds for breast cancer research. She also has been closely involved in countless events with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the American Heart Association and the National Kidney Foundation. ABOUT RACE CHAIR CHRISTA ALLEN Christa Allen became involved with Komen Connecticut in 2007, serving on both the Marketing Committee and Sponsorship Committees before signing on as Chair for the 2010 Komen Connecticut Race for the Cure. Christa brings extensive marketing experience to the Komen ConnecticutRace for the Cure from her position as Marketing & Sponsorship Director for Westfarms Mall in Farmington. In addition to her involvement with Komen Connecticut, Christa serves on the Board of Directors of the American Marketing Association – CT and was recently honored as one of the Hartford Business Journal's 2010 "40 Under Forty”. Christa is currently pursuing her Masters in English from Trinity College in Hartford, where she also received her Bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in creative writing. She resides with her husband in Manchester. About the Connecticut Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Komen for the Cure’s presence in Connecticut began in 1994 with a Race for the Cure. The local organization was incorporated as an Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1999. Komen Connecticut serves local communities by providing funding for research and local life-saving programs which address education, screening and treatment for Connecticut residents. In 2010, Komen Connecticut invested $1.02 Million locally, providing funding to 21 Connecticut breast health programs. Since 1994, Komen for the Cure has awarded more than $20 Million to programs in our local communities. For more information, visit KomenCT.org or call 860-321-7806. # # #
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