Start Your Engines!

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

Welcome to the Pink Crusader blog spot, otherwise known as "Launch Party Central." Please come in, take a tour, find a seat and make yourself at home. I'm sure we can dig up some extra hugs and bonus smiles without too much effort. And, you are welcome to stay as long as you like.

"Yesterday has deceived you and gone; Tomorrow is a doubtful visitor.Today is a fast friend...hold fast to it."

- Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Indian Spiritual Leader)

After two weeks of dodging helium balloons and other pink party paraphernalia, the Pink Crusader is pleased to announce that we are just one week away from the Launch Party and public debut of The Faces behind Breast Cancer. Proceeds to benefit M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Now, do not think for a single second that this has been a one-(wo)man show. In reality, there are tons of people to thank for their support and countless hours of hard work. If it takes a village to raise a child, then it takes a city to host a party! Let me introduce you to some of the volunteers who have been working their behind-the-scenes magic for the past three months:

Party Invitations - Laura Chandler & Houston Grand Opera

Mass Mailings - Cheryl Donlin, Laura Chandler, Rosemary Barr
Rosemary Herron, Donna Fong

Name Tags & Party Logistics - Donna Fong

Flowers - Donna Fong & Jackie Gilbreath

Table Decorations - Mary Rodriguez & Donna Smith

Table Toppers - Lisa Journagan & Connect the Dots

Party Programs - Janice & Rogers Duplessis

Party Posters - Laura Chandler & Total Printing Solutions

Tribute Video - Blane Smith

Registration - Rosemary Herron & Rosemary Barr

Fund Raising - Brenda K. Hoffman & Donna Fong

Media & Press Coverage - Robyn Stein, DeDe DeStefano,
Rosemary Herron, Lonna Saunders, Robin Hirsh, Blane Smith

Facilities & Event Planning - Melanie Campbell, Marriott Westchase

Audio/Visual Equipment - Rob Cope, Swank AV

On August 26th, as we join company for this auspicious occasion, we
hope you will take a moment to thank these individuals for a job well done.
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PERSONAL NOTE: Teddy Bear Sethi has left the Building

A heartfelt word of "thanks" to all of you who expressed sympathy on the
recent death of our beloved black Chow-Chow, Teddy Bear.
Our sweet little girl was put to sleep on Tuesday morning after suffering a stroke last Sunday. She was just shy of celebrating her 15th birthday and passed away peacefully in our arms. Teddy left us with a treasure chest of happy memories and amusing anecdotes. She will forever be remembered as the lovable, feisty, and pampered pet who stole our hearts and brought us tremendous joy. No doubt she is entertaining others in a better place.
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FYI
From Dorothy Slator Paterson:

Dear Survivor Bible Study friends,

I just received the email below from Komen Headquarters and thought you all might be interested in seeing it. In addition, if you did not see it, there is a great article about Elizabeth Edwards and her perspective on living with breast cancer in this week’s People magazine.

If you would like to join me and become a member of Komen’s Champion for the Cure public policy initiative, click on this link to sign up: http://komenpolicy.org/campaign/ee_signup/forward/we7i3ns218n7nx5 Dorothy

Dear Dorothy:

"Organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure that are raising funds for breast cancer research are making all the difference in the world." - Elizabeth Edwards

I have some exciting news to report. At the Iowa State Fair today, Susan G. Komen for the Cure was joined by Elizabeth Edwards!

Along with Iowa policymakers and hundreds of community members, breast cancer survivors and activists, Mrs. Edwards called on political leaders and presidential candidates to make breast cancer a national priority in the 2008 presidential campaign and increase funding for breast cancer screening programs for low-income and uninsured women.

Mrs. Edwards encouraged us to "keep the pressure on all the candidates" and said that "this is not an issue where politics should have any role." She also said, "There will be a day when we find the key to breast cancer. We need to increase research dollars. Organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure that are raising funds for breast cancer research are making all the difference in the world."

Today's event was part of the Komen Community Challenge, a cross-country road trip bringing our special brand of pink ribbon activism to 25 cities with a rallying cry to "Close the Gap!" - so that all women have access to the quality care that could save their lives.

As a Champion for the Cure, you know the facts: In the United States, a woman has about a 13 percent risk - or one in eight - of developing breast cancer in her lifetime. Low-income women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer and are three times more likely to die from the disease. Uninsured women are more likely to receive a late-stage breast cancer diagnosis and are 30 to 50 percent more likely to die from the disease than women with insurance.

Breast cancer survivors and advocates in this country are millions strong. It's time we band together and tell our leaders that our priorities should be their priorities.

And in the coming months we will be doing just that - stay tuned for more updates and make sure your friends and family don't miss out on all the exciting things to come! Send a message to your friends now, asking them to join us.

Sincerely,

Diane Balma
Vice President of Public Policy
Susan G. Komen for the Cure

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DAILY REMINDER:

"Fund Free Mammograms"
Go to The Breast Cancer Site at http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/tpc/EEB_0115_BCSm
and help fund free mammograms for the homeless, working-poor, and un-insured women. It costs nothing to you, except one daily click on the pink "Fund Free Mammograms" button. You can even request automatic reminders via e-mail. Please make your free click now, and thanks for your continuing support! The Breast Cancer Site, One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: 1-888-811-5271
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UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

ROSEBUDS MEETINGS
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
AUGUST 21 SEPTEMBER 4 & 18
www.RosebudsSupport.org
We look forward to seeing you!

2007 SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE HOUSTON SURVIVOR PARTY
August 22, 6-8pm at The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa
111 North Post Oak Lane
Special Guest: Dorothy Weston Gibbons, Chief Executive Officer, The Rose
Open to Breast Cancer Survivors only, RSVP by August 10th
For additional information visit www.komen-houston.org

ROSEBUDS II MEETINGS
(For those who have had or are at high risk for recurrence
and/or metastasis) The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
AUGUST 23 SEPTEMBER 13 & 27
www.RosebudsSupport.org

CANCERCARE TELEPHONE EDUCATION WORKSHOP
Caring for Your Heart During Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer
Friday, August 24, 2007, 1:30 to 2:30pm EST
Speakers: Ruth Oratz, M.D., The Women's Oncology & Wellness Program
Harold J. Burstein, M.D., PhD Medical Oncology/Solid Tumor Oncology
Douglas B. Sawyer, M.D., PhD Director, Cardiology Fellowship Program,
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Patricia Spicer, MSW, Breast Cancer Program Coordinator, CancerCare
For more information, call CancerCare at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673)
Or register online at www.cancercare.org

CREATING BALANCE in EVERYDAY LIFE WORKSHOP
Trotter Family YMCA Women's Series welcomes Elizabeth Irvine, BSN in her workshop...Yoga, Breathing and Relaxation. This gentle hatha style of yoga emphasizes focused attention on body awareness and breathing. Practicing in this way allows one to tap into their own body's innate response. Finishing with relaxation brings the opportunity to deeply rest, "undo" and renew. Pen and Paper- Tools for Expressing the Self. Tapping into creative self- expression through tools of mandalas and journaling. Learning these simple techniques give you tools for self-awareness that last long after the session is over.
Saturday August 25th, 9 am - 12 pm
Trotter Family YMCA, 1331 Augusta Drive, Houston, TX 77057
Cost: $20 YMCA members $30 for non members.
Child Watch is available for ages 6 weeks to 8 years
Register Now at the YMCA. ymcahouston.org

"THE FACES BEHIND BREAST CANCER" LAUNCH PARTY
and fund raiser for M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Sunday August 26, at 1:00 - 4:00 pm.
Keynote Speaker: Patricia Jennings, Breast Cancer Advocate
Come early at 12:30 for Silent Auction and Vendor Bizarre
Houston Marriott Westchase, By invitation only.
Read blog posts for weekly updates or visit the web site to pre-order books. www.pinkcrusader.org

LEARNING to LIVE with METASTATIC BREAST CANCER
You Are Invited to a Screening of:
The Beautiful 8 - Learning to Live with Metastatic Breast Cancer
A Video by the Young Survival Coalition
Sponsored by the Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Survivors' Program and the Young Survival Coalition Houston Affiliate
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
Location: Cancer Prevention Building
1155 Herman Pressler, 8th floor, rooms 7 & 8
Parking: (Validated) Park in Mays Clinic Building, 1220 Holcombe Blvd.
Entrance #5 on Bertner (between Holcombe and Pressler)
Space limited! RSVP by August 23, 2007
bsmp@mdanderson.org or call Anita Broxson, M.S.N., R.N.
BSMP Program Director, 713-792-8208
www.mdanderson.org/youngbreastsurvivor

LIVING FULLY WITH AND BEYOND CANCER
M.D. Anderson Network's 19th Annual Patient and Caregiver Conference
September 6-8 2007 Registration begins June 11
Marriott Westchase - Houston, Texas
For more info call 1-800-345-6324 or visit www.mdanderson.org/patientconference

TOUR DE PINK 2007, Pink Ribbons Project, www.tourdepink.org
Please join us on September 9th at Prairie View A&M University for our third annual Tour de Pink - the only Texas bike ride solely benefiting breast cancer.
We offer 12, 23, 47, 63, 80 and 100 mile routes for cyclists of all levels! A post-ride festival will feature artists and entertainment from the Houston and Prairie View communities for cyclists, volunteers and their families. Form a team, join a team or participate as an individual! Not able to ride or make it out to the event? Register as a VIRTUAL RIDER, fundraise for the cause and reap all the benefits of the participants!

This is reminder that each participant is required to raise a $75 pledge in addition to their registration fee. You can donate to your favorite cyclist online now! Text PINK to 78247 to receive Tour de Pink updates on your cell phone! For more information on Pink Ribbons Project, visit www.pinkribbons.org

KNOCKOUT ROSES
A support group for women diagnosed under 40
2nd Monday of each month, @ 5:45
September 10, October 8, November 12,
December 10
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Contact Amy Rigsby, Technical Director of The Rose
713-660-6675.

THE ALICE THOMSEN LYMPHEDEMA AWARENESS GROUP of HOUSTON Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at the American cancer Society Building,6301 Richmond (between Hillcroft and Fountainview) at 7:00pm. The 2007 dates are September 18 and November 20th. For further information call 281-546-6438.

CANCERCARE MEDICAL UPDATE on METASTATIC BREAST CANCER
Telephone Education Workshop
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 3-4pm EST
Speakers: Joyce O'Shaughnessy, M.D., Co-Director Breast Cancer Research Program Baylor-Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, Texas Oncology
Patricia Spicer, MSW, Breast Cancer Program Coordinator, Cancer Care
For more information, call CancerCare at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673)
Or register online at www.cancercare.org

2007 SUSAN G. KOMEN HOUSTON RACE FOR THE CURE
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Houston Affiliate
Saturday, October 6, 2007 Sam Houston Park- Downtown
Race Day Schedule
7:45 a.m. Opening Ceremonies & Memorial Birds
8:00 a.m. Family Walk and Kids K by ConocoPhillips
8:15 a.m. 5K Coed Timed Competitive Run
8:25 a.m. 5K Coed Non-Competitive Run
8:35 a.m. 5K Coed Walk
9:15 a.m. Runners' Awards Ceremony
10:00 a.m. Awards Ceremony and Survivor Celebration
For more Information: Phone: (713) 783-9188 Fax: (713) 783-9187 http://www.komen-houston.org email: info@komen-houston.org

2007 BREAST HEALTH SUMMIT
The 2007 Breast Health Summit will be held on October 18, 2007 at the United Way in Houston. Please pass this information on to others who may be interested. Additional information will be sent out later by both e-mail and postal mail. If your mailing address has changed, please be sure to forward the updated information to Pat Dames at pdames@the-rose.org
The Rose
12700 North Featherwood
Houston, TX 77034
281-464-5150
Fax 281-484-7083
www.the-rose.org

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk
Saturday, October 20, 2007 Registration 8:00 am
Sam Houston Park, Downtown Houston Walk begins at 9:00 am
For more information visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline
Email: strides_houston@cancer.org Phone: 1-877-606-WALK

CAP HOLIDAY CARD SALES at MAYS CLINIC
Volunteer Services and The Children's Art Project (CAP) collaborate to better the lives of patients at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. For more than twenty-five years volunteers have assisted with Card Sales. Proceeds benefit M. D. Anderson's Pediatric and Adult Patient Programs. Volunteer Services is asking for volunteer assistance with the upcoming 2007 CAP - Holiday Card Sale at the Mays Clinic. Please contact Cindy Shursen, Program Coordinator - Volunteer Services, if you are available to assist during the below sale days / times.
Dates: November 5th -16th
Times frame: 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Contact: Cindy Shursen
Phone: 713-745-0266
Email: cshursen@mdanderson.org

METASTATIC BREAST CANCER NETWORK
Finally, a national independent advocacy group of and for people with
metastatic breast cancer, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (MBCN). To
join and for information about this network visit www.MBCNetwork.org
Your membership in MBCN makes you a part of an important first step toward
bringing a new voice, a proactive voice, to the breast cancer community.
It is absolutely committed to you and makes the following pledge:
• We will honor your life by working together to fight for the development
of treatments that extend life as the search for the cure continues.
• We will protect your privacy and will never share your name or e-mail
address with any person or group.
• We will keep you informed of what we are doing to promote the concerns
of people living with advanced breast cancer.
Let our voices be heard!

November 17 - 18, 2007 Metastatic Breast Cancer Network 2nd Annual
National Conference, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Sponsored by Dr. Gabriel Hortobagyi, Chairman of the Department of Breast
Medical Oncology. Registration will open in September on the MBCN web
site www.MBCNetwork.org MBCN’s 1st annual conference in 2006 was at
Sloan-Kettering in New York and was a great success with about 300
attendees.

"SHARING is CARING"
As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, and events. Posts are updated every Sunday. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com.

"We dare not trust our wit for making our house pleasant to our friend,so we buy ice cream."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Until next week stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing, prancing and romancing!

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com