Pardee Homes reports enthusiastic participation in the Revlon Run/Walk for Women, with active and retired employees, friends, associates and family members joining forces for the tenth consecutive year of Run/Walk involvement. The Pardee Homes Team has raised more than $100,000 to aid in cancer research and treatment over the past decade, and this year alone, the team raised more than $15,000 for the Run/Walk.

The Pardee Homes Team kicked off the May 12 5K Run/Walk from Pardee Lane, adjacent to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and continued around the USC Campus. Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Chiklis, and dynamic musician/songwriter Sheryl Crow hosted this major fundraiser.

“To help fund research that will ultimately lead to a cure just called out to me as something so important, and every year our team gets bigger and we raise more money,” said Susan Howland, closing services manager for Pardee Homes’ Los Angeles/Ventura counties division and the company’s team’s organizer. Howland said this year’s team was 40 members strong, and again was joined by members of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) to strengthen the show of support from the homebuilding industry.

“Pardee Homes has a great team, and Susan Howland is an incredible team leader,” said Sally Bowman, team coordinator at The Davis Group, which produces the Revlon Run/Walk. “They believe in the event, and help us reach out to the entire community, providing essential services to under-served individuals and families who are battling cancer.”

Because the Entertainment Industry Foundation Fund underwrites the event, 100% of funds raised directly benefit women’s cancer treatment and research. With more than 50,000 men, women, and children participating, the Revlon Run/Walk is one of the nation’s largest 5K fundraisers, collecting approximately $40 million to date for cancer research and support services, with all participants donating their time.

“As a long-time participant—accompanied by my husband Dan and our sons John, 19; and Troy, 15—I truly feel we are making a difference, and we all really enjoy the event,” said Pardee employee and team member Deberta Holden.

Run/Walk closing ceremonies featured a medal for all who completed the course, refreshments and a rose presented to each cancer survivor as a tribute to their strength. “It’s a highly charged, emotional day for everyone,” said Bowman. The crowd of participants also enjoyed a post-event concert by acclaimed musician Pat Benatar.

The UCLA Oncology Department has identified such new cancer fighting drugs as Tamoxiphen and Herceptin, developed specifically as a result of the Run/Walk funds, according to Bowman. Among the Southern California beneficiaries of the vital Run/Walk funding are: The Revlon/UCLA Women’s Cancer Research Program, National Women’s Cancer Research Alliance, The Wellness Community, The UCLA Digital Mammography Program, To Help Everyone Clinic, The Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance, AltaMed Health Services Corporation, Women of Color Breast Cancer Survivors’ Support Project, the John Wayne Cancer Institute, and Gilda Radner Ovarian and Breast Cancer Detection Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

“A very special person from our Valencia offices lost her battle to cancer in 2004,” said Howland. “Since that time, our company’s participation has been in memory of Esther Tressler and in support of the many cancer survivors at Pardee Homes.”

Pardee Homes’ team received a “Making WAVES” Foundation grant from the Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation, for the sixth consecutive year, a grant based on voluntary community involvement by company employees. “The company is so supportive. It’s a very proud and inspirational day for everyone,” said Howland.

Established in 1921, Pardee Homes is one of the oldest building companies in California and is noted for superior master-planning concepts, quality homes, responsive customer service and dedication to the educational and civic goals of the communities in which it builds.

Pardee Homes maintains regional operations in Corona, Sacramento, San Diego, Valencia and Las Vegas. New home choices address a spectrum of households. Pardee Homes places particular emphasis on the concept of creating homes “for the way you want to live,” in master-planned settings that also include schools, parks and preserved open space.