The maker of Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® partnered for the eighth year to celebrate race participants and volunteers and Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® Champions as part of the Savannah race held April 16.

As an official sponsor of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, Georgia-Pacific, the maker of Quilted Northern®, honored Max Kiermeier as the Savannah River Mill’s Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® Champion at Saturday’s race in Savannah.   Georgia-Pacific’s Savannah River Mill supported the local race efforts with more than 30 employees volunteering to participate as a race team and raising funds with their annual “Cupcakes for the Cure.”

Kiermeier is a breast cancer survivor who was honored for sharing her inspirational story and for her support of the Savannah River Mill Komen Race for the Cure® team.

“It was late in May 2010 when I noticed the lump,” said Kiermeier. “Throughout my journey, I have been so very blessed, with the support of friends, family and even strangers. My work family at GP was there for me every step of the way, too.

“While I was undergoing chemo, it was obvious by my lack of hair or pink scarves that I was coping with cancer,” she added.  “It amazed me how many utter strangers would approach me, ask how I was doing, offer hope and prayers, and share their own stories of their personal or their family members’ and friends’ experiences with cancer. The outpouring of love and caring was humbling and uplifting.”

Kiermeier said that love and care has inspired her to want to give back.  She added that as she journeys toward her first-year anniversary after her cancer diagnosis, she looks forward to finding many other opportunities to give back at least some small part of the kindness and caring that she experienced.

“Honoring Max as the Quilted Northern Soft & Strong Champion for our mill means a lot to our team,” said Carrie Thompson, public affairs manager at Savannah River Mill. “We’re proud that Georgia-Pacific serves as a sponsor for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® series, and we’re eager to celebrate volunteers and survivors such as Max and others for their continued support.”

In 2010 and 2011, Georgia-Pacific has committed to donating $225,000 to Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, with 1.5 million participants each year. The Komen Race for the Cure® series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease.