Joe and Jennifer Bartolotta named 2012 Honorary Race Chairs

In 1993, Joe Bartolotta and his brother Paul opened the first of the Bartolotta restaurants in the Milwaukee area. Now, the Bartolottas have five award-winning, fine-dining restaurants, five casual restaurants and are the exclusive catering company for Pier Wisconsin, The Grain Exchange and Boerner Botanical Gardens. Not only are these restaurants known for exceptional cuisine and classic atmospheres, but also for the people behind-the scenes, specifically Joe and Jennifer Bartolotta.

"I do not know a person that has not been affected by breast cancer.” ~ Jennifer Bartolotta, 2012 Southeast Wisconsin Honorary Race Chair.

Joe and Jennifer not only promote the “Bartolotta Experience” in each of their restaurants, but also through their charitable arm, Care-A-Lottas. These two philanthropists strongly believe in serving others and actively support many local organizations, including Susan G. Komen Southeast Wisconsin, an organization that supports a cause near and dear to them - a family history of breast cancer.

As an effort to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer, The Bartalotta's created a Care-A-Lottas team for Race for the Cure. Joe and Jennifer’s team was the fourth largest team in 2011 with 204 members, and the third largest fundraising team raising more than $24,000 for the cause. Jennifer and Joe defer the credit for their teams’ efforts to their employees, family, and friends. Their restaurants each get very involved with competitions in fundraising and recruitment and it really is a huge team effort.

The Bartolotta’s are a prime example of how together; we can create a world without breast cancer.

Cortnee Vas fights to Make a Cure Happen

Each year, Komen’s national series partner, New Balance honors one survivor who shows extraordinary strength and determination to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. This year’s Southeast Wisconsin Honorary Team New Balance member is Cortnee Vas.

At only 27-years-old, with no family history of breast cancer, Cortnee found a lump in her breast. With a medical background as a Walgreen’s pharmacist, she knew the importance of an early diagnosis for a better prognosis. Because of her young age, many doctors would not take a deeper look at the lump, but with persistence she eventually found a general surgeon who confirmed her fears.

Cortnee had cancer. Being young made it difficult for doctors to differentiate between healthy and cancerous tissue. Because of this, they were unable to get clean margins with a lumpectomy, which led Cortnee to opt for a double mastectomy with reconstruction.

During her diagnose, treatment and recovery, Cortnee found hope in the Susan G. Komen organization with the belief that strength and courage comes from the love and support of family and friends. To help raise funds to end this disease and to thank her supporters, Cortnee formed a Walgreens team with co-workers for the Race for the Cure.

Cortnee and the Walgreens team continue to support prevention and early detection efforts as a national series sponsor of the Race for the Cure® and through their Way to Well Commitment.™

"I will do everything in my power to end breast cancer forever." ~ Cortnee Vas, 2012 Southeast Wisconsin HTNB