Pink Ribbon Clubs Thrive

The PRC volunteers at Komen's MasCUREade celebration in March.

Never underestimate the energy and enthusiasm of teenagers. Pink Ribbon Clubs are flourishing at high schools, and now universities, with these goals: to increase teen awareness and education of breast cancer, to provide community service and to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer.

The first Pink Ribbon Club was founded at University High School in Irvine in 2002 by two sisters whose mother was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They did a great job laying the groundwork for future clubs by focusing on leadership structure, volunteer and fundraising activities and by working with local affiliates of national organizations – the Komen Orange County Affiliate being one of them. There are now almost 60 Pink Ribbon Clubs across the country. The clubs have sprouted at large and small, public and private schools. Members provide volunteer hours at many of Komen’s events, including Race for the Cure®, the upcoming Pink Tie Ball and the recent MasCUREade celebration.

Coming up is the annual Pink Ribbon Club Conference on Sunday, April 25 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Sage High School in Newport Coast. The day will include education, speakers, survivor forum, crafts, food, and the endless energy of Orange County teenagers on a mission. The day is for any Pink Ribbon Club member or students interested in starting a club at their school. Check out www.prc-foundation.org for more information and to see their amazing accomplishments.

Celebration Afterglow

Executive Director Lisa Wolter rocks her pink wig.

If you miss a great party, the second best thing is to see the photos afterward. The sense of fun lives on! If you missed MasCUREade on March 5, presented by the Komen Orange County Affiliate, you can check out the photos on www.komenoc.org.

Rebecca Hultquist was the event chair and for her “the highlight of the evening was giving the survivor toast.  I was overwhelmed with emotion as I stood there with my sister, my co-survivor, and toasted my fellow survivors and celebrated their years of wellness. I can’t thank everyone enough who attended and made this celebration so great. When I was diagnosed five year ago, I never imagined my life would be so full doing what I do today for the Komen Orange County Affiliate.”

Rebecca Hultquist and her sister Laura Melendez

For fun, the MasCUREade evening included healthy cooking ideas from Chef Lala, Sue Snyder and her Laughter Yoga, Brad “Martini” Chambers of Martini in the Morning internet radio, the SouthCoast Singers, entertainment from Visions Entertainment and Atomic Ballroom Dance Studio, door prizes, a Graffiti Wall and a “Passionately Pink” photo booth.  There was also an emotional survivor recognition and awards to honor special breast cancer survivors, a co-survivor and a breast health advocate.

Don’t miss the next Komen Orange County Affiliate event: Pink Tie Ball on Saturday, May 15.

Passionately Pink Fun

Lisa Wolter considers her options.

So many wigs . . . and just one night. How will she decide?  Thanks to the rousing support for the Passionately Pink for the Cure® festivities, Lisa Wolter has a tough decision to make by Friday night.

Lisa, the Executive Director of Komen Orange County, has to choose which pink wig to wear to the MasCUREade party. You’ll have to attend on March 5^th (or watch this space next week) to see how pink and how outlandish Lisa will go.

Here’s how we got to this fun point. The Komen Orange County Affiliate threw a Passionately Pink for the Cure party in February. One of the activities was an Opportunity Drawing for six very cool prizes. The challenge was made – if the drawing raised at least $625, then Lisa Wolter would wear a wig to the upcoming 2010 MasCUREade: A Celebration of Wellness for Breast Cancer Survivors & Co-Survivors. Thank you to everyone who purchased opportunity tickets and helped us surpass the fundraising goal. Together, we raised $820! Not only did we raise money for the mission of the Komen Orange County Affiliate, we had fun and the fun will continue at MasCUREade.

As for those Opportunity prizes, here are the lucky winners (and thank you to the generous donors):

KitchenAid Cook for the Cure® stand mixer in pink: Shirley Diaz

Code Pink Boot Camp:  Kris Gillan

Total Woman Gym & Spa 4- month membership:  Cheryl Duhme

Betsey Johnson perfume:  Pat MacKenzie

Pink rimmed designer sunglasses:  Kelly McKelvey

Pure Beauty basket and haircut:  Annie Stoeckmann

Buy Your Ticket Today

Stop procrastinating and buy your ticket today to MasCUREade. You save $5 per ticket – the price will go up next week.  MasCUREade, a Celebration of Wellness for Breast Cancer Survivors and Co-Survivors, happens in just two weeks, on Friday, March 5, from 6 to 11 p.m.

What’s planned? The Komen Orange County Affiliate promises fun, food, music and a meaningful tribute to survivors –the community gathering is dedicated to celebrating breast cancer survivors and co-survivors. There will be educational demonstrations and presentations, a photo booth and an opportunity drawing. One highlight is sure to be the recognition of Komen’s Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor, Most Inspirational Co-Survivor and Outstanding Breast Health Advocate.

Casual cocktail attire is suggested. The location will be the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center.

You can register and get your ticket today at www.komenoc.org, where you can also read a special message from the event Chair. See you there!

Don’t Miss the Party Prizes

The bad news is that you missed the party. The good news is that you can still buy tickets to win great Opportunity Drawing prizes. More good news – you can throw your own Passionately Pink for the Cure® party anytime during the year and wear silly hats and eat pink sweets. Check out www.passionatelypink.org for ideas.

The Komen Orange County Affiliate hosted 40 guests this month as a sample Passionately Pink party. It was impossible to taste all of the desserts in the baking contest – but you could inhale the sugar and enjoy the creativity of the bakers. It was indeed “eye candy.” (Cassi Hartmann won the contest with eye-catching mini Swedish cakes, Susan Laird won second place and Chris Tannous placed third in a close overall vote.) Lyndi Begen, Stampin’ Up! hostess, kept everyone busy with various Valentine’s Day crafts. Email her a lyndib@cox.net to learn more.

More about those great prizes — we need to raise an additional $120.00 in ticket sales soon! If we do, Lisa Wolter will wear a pink wig at the upcoming 2010 MasCUREade: A Celebration of Wellness for Breast Cancer Survivors and Co-Survivors on March 5. Drawing tickets are a mere $5 each and one prize is a KitchenAid Cook for the Cure stand mixer in pink. (That would be the best $5 you ever spent.) Other prizes include pink designer sunglasses, beauty and fitness products. Stacy Davis at 714-957-9157 x34 or sdavis@komenoc.org can help you with tickets.

Be passionate. The need to end breast cancer is urgent.

Tell Us Who Helped You

February is days away, which means lots of talk and images about LOVE.  Here’s a suggestion on how to express love in a very meaningful way – nominate someone you know for one of Komen’s awards. The Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is seeking nominations for: Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor, Outstanding Breast Health Advocate, and new this year, Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Co-Survivor.

The titles are self explanatory. These awards recognize remarkable people who have battled breast cancer personally, who have volunteered to further Komen for the Cure’s promise or who have helped others endure and thrive through a tough time. Trust us, when you hear the stories of the winners, you will be inspired.

First you must take the time and effort to nominate the inspiring person you know. Visit www.komenoc.org to download the nomination form and start writing! Your deadline is February 5. The winners will be announced and honored at the 2010 MasCUREade: A Celebration of Breast Cancer Survivors and Co-Survivors on Friday, March 5.

Two Sisters Invite You

Sisters Rebecca and Laura invite you to MasCUREade on March 5.

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”  — Albert Schweitzer

That wonderful sentiment is a driving force for the sisters and co- chairs of MasCUREade, the upcoming event for breast cancer survivors and co-survivors. Rebecca Hultquist, one of the co chairs, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. She continues to be grateful for the support of her husband, three daughters and her sister Laura. “I chose Laura to help me chair the MasCUREade because she completely fulfills my definition of a co-survivor. Mask or no mask, we’re all just everyday women trying to get through a breast cancer diagnosis together,” says Rebecca.

With that motivation, they and their committee are planning a terrific event for the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  The evening will be a celebration of wellness for survivors and co-survivors, with education and inspiration in the mix.

Save the date: Friday, March 5 from 6 to 11 p.m. for MasCUREade. Go to www.komenoc.org to learn more, to register and to read Rebecca’s special message.