Pink Crusader: Spreading Hope

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

A great big ol' Texas "howdy" from the Pink Crusader Blog Spot, one of the busiest sites in the blogosphere! We are so glad you stopped by. Sit and visit as long as you like. Now, will that be one or two hugs with your cup of tea?

"Cancer is a disease where the patient can contribute a great deal of help himself if he or she can retain their morale and their hopes."

- George Carman

New York City and Grand Central Station had nothing on us this week, as Houston played host to two major events and welcomed visitors from all over North America. In spite of suffering from "event exhaustion", the Pink Crusader will attempt to recapture some of the memorable highlights from the past five days and share them with you in this week's post.

Okay, my little babies, time to saddle up and move this horsie along! Giddyap!

Event #1 LIVING FULLY WITH AND BEYOND CANCER
M.D. Anderson Network's 19th Annual Patient and Caregiver Conference
took place on September 6-8 2007, at the Houston Marriott Westchase. Approximately 600 guests, representing the United States and Canada, joined together in celebrating this year's theme, "The Power of Hope."

Kudos to Conference Chairperson, Janice Duplessis, Co-Chair Mary Kay Dauria, and the entire Conference Planning Committee for a beautifully executed program. In addition, the behind-the-scenes logistics were managed by many Network volunteers who maneuvered things effortlessly.

Attendees were treated to just the right blend of Speakers, Panelists, Exhibits and Breakout Sessions. We especially enjoyed Friday's keynote speaker Vince Papale, former NFL Player for the Philadelphia Eagles, colon cancer survivor, author of "Hold Fast to Your Dreams," and subject of the recent biographical movie, "Invincible."

Mr. Papale stressed the importance of pursuing one's dreams in spite of adversity. He used his own life as an example...having overcome poverty, his mother's mental illness and being a social outcast. He encouraged the crowd to dream big and never give in to fears, doubt, or serious illness which may hinder the process of reaching one's goals.

On Friday evening, attendees were treated to the hysterically funny comedienne (and former Miss North Carolina) Jeanne Robertson. Jeanne brought down the house with her humorous spin on real-life stories and observations. She emphasized the need for daily laughter as an essential element for coping with life's ups and downs.

Special congratulations to fellow Rosebud Ann Nette Pearce, for being honored with the 17th annual Joseph T. Painter award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to patient networking activities and support. It should be noted that presently there are 1,300 members in the Anderson Network, and we are all thrilled that Ann Nette was recognized as the best of the best.

The program came to a conclusion on Saturday morning with a delightful luncheon featuring Dr. Julie Silver, author of Healing with Grace: Tips on Surviving and Thriving after a Cancer Diagnosis. Dr. Silver's presentation was made possible through the Beth Sanders Moore Lectureship Series..... And, did we mention that second helping of yummy chocolate cake at lunch?(B.Kaye "encouraged" me do it!)

On a personal note, the Pink Crusader was thrilled to greet so many new faces along with many familiar ones from the local cancer community. There was a continuous parade of people who passed by over a three day period and we hope some new friends were established in the process.

Event #2 TOUR DE PINK 2007
On this day, September 9, 2007, cyclists from varied locations met at Texas A&M, Prairie View Campus, for the Third Annual Tour de Pink. This event, hosted by the Pink Ribbons Project and sponsored by Compass Bank, is the only Texas bike ride solely benefiting breast cancer. The course offers 12, 23, 47, 63, 80 and 100 mile routes for cyclists of all levels. Congratulations to fellow Rosebud Barbara Nelson on successfully completing the 47K ride. What an amazing athlete, woman & survivor!

The event was heavily attended in spite of the early morning showers. (Good Friend Cheryl Donlin and daughter Kellie were the first to greet us upon arrival.) And thanks to an amazing group of determined cyclists, they had collectively raised $230,000 dollars as of 1:00pm on Sunday! Our guess is that the pot will grow considerably larger over the next week, and we congratulate Executive Director Susan Rafte and the Pink Ribbons Project for another hugely successful event.
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FYI

From Cheryl P. Donlin:

Pink Ribbons Project is hosting another Open Journal show on KPFT 90.1 FM on Wednesday, September 12. The show airs from 12:05 and 12:55 pm. The topic will be the Breast Health Summit at the United Way on October 18. Susan Rafte, executive director of Pink Ribbons Project, will host and I will be co-hosting. Our guests will be Michele Ostrander, executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Houston, Dorothy Gibbons, C.E.O of The Rose Diagnostic Clinics and , Dr. Noushin Izadifar Hart, a radiation oncologist with special interest in breast cancer, from Memorial Hermann - The Woodlands. (There's more information and a great short interview video with Dr. Noushin from a Great Day Houston show at: http://www.woodlandsonline.com/cdps/cditem.cfm?nid=5826)

Pink Ribbons Project encourages everyone to tune in to KPFT 90.1 FM, on Wednesday, September 12, at 12:05 pm to hear an enlightening discussion of the history, goals and purposes of the Breast Health Summit. If you can't listen to the show live, you can go to the KPFT Audio Archives page at http://archive.kpft.org/ and listen to the show online, or download it for later.

We also encourage those of you who do listen to fill out the short Program Evaluation form on the KPFT website: www.kpft.org. You'll find the link to it in the right-hand column of the home page. Feedback from listeners is very important in helping us secure another Open Journal spot to address other issues important to the breast cancer community. So, thank you in advance!

Work. Create. Grow. Give.
Cheryl P. Donlin
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DAILY REMINDER #1:
"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
Note: GROW AWARENESS & HELP SAVE LIVES!
If we receive 4.5 million clicks in September, our premier
sponsor will fund an additional 100 FREE MAMMOGRAMS.
Please click daily!

DAILY REMINDER #2
Help eliminate Breast Cancer with a daily click at
http://breastcancer.care2.com/ebc-about.html
You'll be one of the first people to participate in the largest virtual mountain climb in the world! With every click, (or "step") you generate a donation to
eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer--for free. Sponsors pay for your click and fund The Breast Cancer Fund's programs focusing on environmental links to breast cancer. It only takes a second! The Breast Cancer Fund is the leading national organization focused on identifying – and advocating for the elimination of – the environmental and preventable causes of the disease. For more details on the organization’s work, visit www.breastcancerfund.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

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.

SOS SUPPORT GROUP (Survivors Offering Support)
2nd Tuesday of each month, Holy Cross Church in New Territory
The SOS Suport Group will reconvene for the first meeting of the new
season on September 11, from 7-9 pm. Newcomers from the Fort Bend
area are welcome to attend.
Directions to the Church: From the corner intersection of Hwy 6 and Hwy 59: Continue South on Hwy 59. Exit at Grand Parkway-Texas 99. You will go by an H.E.B. grocery store on the right as you turn right at a traffic light to get on the Grand Parkway. Proceed to the next traffic light (River Park Drive). Turn left. You will be facing the church. Go through the next intersection (traffic light at Texas 99) and park in the church parking lot. The address is 5653 West River Park Drive. If coming from New Territory: Go to the intersection of New Territory Blvd. and Texas 99. Turn South on to Texas 99. River Park Drive is one intersection (traffic light) past New Territory Blvd. Turn right at that intersection. If coming from 90A: Turn at intersection of 90A and Texas 99 (Grand Parkway). Go South on Grand Parkway, passing Sand Hill Blvd. and New Territory Blvd. Next intersection is River Park Drive. Turn right. Church is right there.

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.
SEPTEMBER 13 & 27
www.RosebudsSupport.org

INTRODUCING be.lie.ve Boutique(formerly known as OPAm)
Join in an open-house celebration of the new name
with Champagne & Cupcakes on Thursday, September 13, 2007
4:00 - 7:00 pm, 7301 Fannin Street, Houston, Tx
Introducing Abi Ferrin, Barbara Biel, Bartlett Street Paperie,
Rebecca Lankford, and Smiley. Kindly reply at 713-843-7714
or email Kimberly Powell at kappyannette@yahoo.com

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.
SEPTEMBER 18
www.RosebudsSupport.org
We look forward to seeing you!

THE WISDOM OF WIT
An artistic portrayal of Life, Relationships & the Human Spirit
Tuesday, September 18
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Cancer Prevention Building, 8th Floor Conference Center
5:30 pm Check-In
6:00 pm Program & Discussion
Register by e-mail or Call: 713-745-0549
Visit: www.mdanderson.org/publiceducation

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

CELLCOSMET & CELLMEN of SWITZERLAND & SAKS FIFTH AVE
Sponsors of The Faces behind Breast Cancer book tour,
Invite you to celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the launch
of Cellcosmet and Cellmen at the Galleria location, Houston
September 21, 2007 from 1 - 3pm. Bring a friend and enjoy
champagne, cake and more, including a deluxe gift from Cellcosmet.
Store Number: 713-843-5834

THE FACES BEHIND BREAST CANCER BOOK-SIGNING EVENT
Don't miss the opportunity to purchase your copy of the book
and have it signed by the author, photographer and participants in the book.
September 27, 2007 from 2 - 4:00 pm and 6 - 8:00 pm
at be.lie.ve Breast care Boutique, 7301 Fannin Street, Houston.
See you then!

OLIO FUND RAISING EVENT
Olio, a design menagerie invites you to "tip your hat" in support of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Houston Affiliate. The DARE is on! Don your fanciest fedora and let the good times roll for a very good cause.
A portion of the days sales will be donated back to Komen Houston.
Thursday, September 27, Doors open at 10am - 8 pm Refreshments & Door Prizes!
2414 Sunset Blvd.
Houston, TX 77005
713-522-8816

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

THE FACES BEHIND BREAST CANCER BOOK-SIGNING EVENT
Don't miss the opportunity to purchase your copy and have it
signed by the author, photographer and many of the book's participants.
Friday, October 12, at Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria location, Houston.
Sponsored by Cellcosmet of Cellap Switzerland, in conjuntion with SAKS.
12:00 - 2:00 pm

2007 GREATER HOUSTON AREA BREAST HEALTH SUMMIT
Sponsors: Houston Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure and The Rose
When: Thursday, October 18, 2007; 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX

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, events and photographs!Posts are updated every Sunday. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com.