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reast ancer Volume 9 Number 4 Winter 2008 oalition of The 7th Annual ARTrageous Affair ochester The hum of excitement, the anticipation of fun and shopping, and the glamour of a beautifully decorated ballroom all coincided on October 18th at the Crowne Plaza Hotel . Guests quickly purchased pink balloons in the hopes that they would be the lucky winners of a beautiful set of diamond earrings donated by Betty Miller & Reverend Mother West and Company . There was a diverse array of items to bid on – and bid we did! The artwork, the restaurants, and the jewelry tempted In this Issue... everyone who attended . Of ARTrageous Affair . Cover. course, all were prodded Mission Statement . 2 along by special guest Executive Director . 2 Reverend Mother (Phyl Lives Touched . 3 Contestable) who offered Words From Our Chair . .4 words of dire consequences The Happy Survivor . 5 along with loads of laughter . Angels and Bolters . 6-7. Mel Bianchi, Maggie Brooks, The evening progressed with a welcome Programs Update . 8 Kathy Errigo, Carole DeMauro, from Emcee Ginny Ryan of 13WHAM-TV, an Young Survivors . 9 and Theresa Mazzullo Healthy Holiday Recipe . 10 informative new BCCR DVD/Video produced 2008 Legislation Review . 12 Thank you to all by Gold Ribbon Sponsor Mikaren Media, and Fundraising Friends . 14 who attended the presentation of the 2008 “Advocate’s Spirit ARTrageous Affair . 16 and to all the Award” to Maggie Brooks . Auctioneer Mike Deming’s lively Live Auction enticed many to The Gift of Life . 22 volunteers who Memorials . 26-27. bid on such items as a San Francisco Trip, a Our Programs . .24-25 . worked so hard Diamond Watch, and Rachel Ray Tickets . Our Donors . 28 to make this the The fabulous Buddhahood topped off the Upcoming Events . 30 best Affair ever! evening with song and dance . h Support BCCR . 31. ur Executive Director Volume 9 Number 4 Winter 2008 O VOICES of the Ribbon The Newsletter of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester Holly Anderson Our Mission is to provide support to those touched by a diagnosis of breast can- cer, to make access to information and care a priority through education and advocacy, Just when we thought we could not possibly survive another and to empower women and men to par- “October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” we did! And not only did ticipate fully in decisions relating to breast we endure the frenetic-paced, pink-ribboned hurricane of October, we cancer . landed gently and on our feet . Thank you to everyone who joined us in an effort to keep breast cancer at the forefront . Board of Directors: People often ask if October is hard for us, “us” being breast cancer survivors, and “us” being the ones in the trenches providing support, Chair Joyce Wichie programs and resources for those coping with a diagnosis of breast Past Chair Phyllis Connelly Vice Chair Melisande Bianchi cancer . The breast cancer survivor community is comprised of people Vice Chair Anne-Marie Phelps from all walks of life holding a variety of pink-ribbon opinions, so Secretary Anne DaSilva Tella though I can’t speak for them, I can speak for myself . Treasurer Rhonda St . Amant Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) often overwhelms me . Advocacy Jean Lazeroff These awareness campaigns have been critical to early detection and Chair Emeritus Sylvia Cappellino screening programs, and there is little doubt that these have saved lives . President, Holly Anderson During October, I am also reminded of how much work still needs to Ex Officio be done . To that end, those of us at BCCR get very busy . There are so many myths about breast cancer and, in part because we are the only Staff: full-scope breast cancer organization in the region, we are often called Executive Director, Holly Anderson upon to speak to groups and organizations about breast cancer . The end Office Administrator, Barb Pifer of the month usually finds us satisfied, but exhausted . Program Coordinator, Tracy Brown Outreach Coordinator, Niki MacIntyre “ . we. become stronger on the Communications, Susan Meynadasy Special Events, Kim Kircher path toward healing ”. Though this is a busy time for us, the month of October also Newsletter Editor: Susan Meynadasy becomes a time of reflection . Each October, BCCR holds a candlelight Newsletter Coordinator: Pat Battaglia Technical Support: Alex Cheek walk “Lives Touched, Lives Celebrated” (see story, pg 3) . This walk is not on the scale of fundraising walks . It’s an itty-bitty walk in comparison . Joined by friends and family members, we walk through our ARTwalk neighborhood at dusk with little fanfare, no media presence for this one, reflecting on the journey we have taken with breast cancer . While walking, we celebrate every step we are taking toward wholeness, healing, and wellness . We also feel the strong Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester presence of those who are no longer with us . 840 University Avenue This year, upon returning from our walk, we entered our building Rochester, NY 14607 under a cascading bridge of dangling fabric that served to connect two Office: 585-473-8177 fabric-wrapped trees (see photo, back cover) . As I passed under this Fax: 585-473-7689 bridge, I could not help but think about the symbolism of those pieces Online at www bccr. org. continued on page 11 2 Lives Touched, LivesCelebrated written by Pat Battaglia It was a sight to see outside the Breast Cancer Coalition’s office on a chilly night in late October . One by one, people carrying candles stepped out of the door and waited as the gathering slowly grew . The cool darkness became a matter of little concern, gradually being displaced by candlelight and warm hearts . When all the participants with their small beacons had assembled, the group slowly made its way along University Many people joined in our 8th annual Lives Touched, Lives Celebrated event which included a candlelit walk down University Avenue . Avenue in a beautiful, luminous show of support for that beat within . The soulful music of singer/songwriter all who have been affected by breast cancer . Survivors Lisa Winter, accompanied by Laurie Leenhouts on the and their families, friends, and caregivers walked side violin, set a tone that was both thoughtful and uplifting . by side, dispelling the damp, dismal darkness . In the Words spoken by local clergy, Rev . Susan Shafer of same manner they tread the uncertain road of a breast Asbury First United Methodist Church and Kaaren cancer diagnosis, shedding light on a difficult path while Anderson of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester finding strength in each other . continued in the same vein . The Reverends spoke of So began the evening of the 8th annual Lives hope, of healing, and of celebration . Their vision of these Touched, Lives Celebrated . What a fitting way to end things that are within and around us From Lives Touched . Breast Cancer Awareness Month, by honoring and all, but which can become obscured honoring celebrating all the lives that have been forever altered by by the fog of fear that follows a Kathi Johnson . this disease . An evening is set aside by BCCR each year breast cancer diagnosis, added to to honor the courageous spirit of women and men who the peaceful, reflective spirit of the “You are have faced breast cancer, bringing all of their being into evening . a beautiful the battle . Those who have been handed this diagnosis, Interspersed between the and rare along with those who support and care for them, are music and inspirational talks was included in this amazing group of warriors that no one the reading of cards . These cards flower that wants to join . had been filled out by participants grows in the The walkers looped around and made their way back as they arrived, and were in garden of to the BCCR office, where hot mulled cider and other commemoration, honor, celebration, our hearts.” treats helped make chilly bodies as warm as the hearts or appreciation of someone who continued on page 23 3 From the Chair of Our Board of Our new Book Club Directors... is receiving wonderful reviews! Meeting the fourth WOW, what a year 2008 Thursday of every month was for BCCR! Three very (except November and successful annual fundraisers: December) at BCCR from Pink Ribbon Run and Walk, 6:00-8:00pm, our members T’eed Off at Breast Cancer have read and discussed Golf Tournament, and the When You Are Engulfed in ARTrageous Affair . We have Flames by David Sedaris, been very fortunate with the and Unless by Carol generosity of the community Shields . Our professional Joyce Wichie in these trying economic times . facilitators provide an The success of these fundraisers environment for thoughtful review while participants is a direct result of the contributions from the tireless bring their own unique perspectives and share in volunteers, dedicated staff, and everyone else who supports a safe and welcoming atmosphere . Our next book by attendance and donations . In addition, there are many selection is The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick . The Shawl successful events and fundraisers that people organize on begins the story of Rosa, a mother who enters a our behalf . Many heartfelt thanks to one and all! concentration camp with her daughter and her niece . Our mission remains to provide support to those This book was featured in fall’s “Big Read” hosted by touched by a diagnosis of breast cancer, to make access Rochester’s Writers & Books . to information and care a priority through education and Our book club leader for our January 22, advocacy, and to empower women and men to participate 2009 evening will be Karen vanMeenen . She is fully in decisions relating to breast cancer .

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