PRESIDENT'S CORNER
Pat
Halpin-Murphy
President and Founder
FDA Approves Drug for
Breast Cancer
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of Avastin to treat breast cancer.
Avastin, manufactured by Genentech, was approved for treating colorectal cancer in 2004 and lung cancer in 2006, and has been shown to be effective
for treating recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. An initial study submitted to the FDA showed that Avastin, used in combination with Taxol,
delayed the growth of tumors by about 11 months, five and a half months longer than with Taxol alone.
Traditionally, the FDA approved drugs
for late-stage cancer only if the drug prolonged or improved the quality of patients' lives. Their approval of Avastin, based on findings by
the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) that the drug slowed tumor growth, could represent a major shift in standards for assessing the
effectiveness of cancer medicines.
Pretty in Pink Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4
Isn't pink just perfect for spring? Join us at Doneckers Fashion Store in
Ephrata on Saturday, May 3, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm for a special free in-store pink cocktail party to benefit the PBCC, complete with
informal modeling, specialty drinks, and raffle prizes. Donations will be accepted.
Then on Sunday, May 4, at 1:00 pm, treat
yourself to a special luncheon and fashion show at Doneckers Restaurant. All proceeds benefit the PBCC. Watch as the winner of our
"Makeover for Mom" contest is announced, all while enjoying fashions and food from Doneckers and special raffle prizes. Tickets for this
fundraiser are $45 each or $70 for two and are available by calling 717-738-9649. Click for more details.
Events
Calendar
March 14 - May 10
Cruise 4 the Cure Promotion
Sail to the
Eastern Caribbean October 25th - November 1, 2008, onboard Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas and benefit the PBCC while you cruise! Prices
range from $659 for an Inside Promenade cabin to $899 for a Balcony cabin. Cruise departs from Miami. Ports of call are San Juan,
Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private island. Click here or call Cruises 4 Charity at 888-562-2122 for details.
March 24
Income Tax Check-Off
Event
Philadelphia
Join the PBCC and the University of Pennsylvania to celebrate over $2
million being collected by PA taxpayers for life-saving breast cancer research and congratulate the researchers selected to receive grants in
2008. A press conference will be held at 10:30 am in Flyers-76ers Surgery Theatre at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia. Please RSVP to Carol at carol@pabreastcancer.org. Visit our events page
for more details.
April 5
4th Annual "Live Like You Were Dying" Dance Show
State College
Join a host of talented performers for an
evening filled with dance! High school student John Daulby once again takes center stage in planning this dance benefit show.
Tickets are $10 with proceeds from the event to benefit the PBCC. Tickets are available on the State Theatre website or at the box
office the night of the show. Visit our events page for more
details.
April 16 - 26
67 Women - 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania Photo
Exhibit
Brodheadsville
The PBCC brings its traveling photo exhibit to Monroe
County. The exhibit will be held at the Western Pocono Community Library and opens with a reception on Wednesday, April 16 at
5:30pm. Visit our events page for more details.
Please visit our website for a
complete and detailed listing of upcoming events.
Do you want to make hope grow? Plant a
seed in your community and watch it grow statewide by planning a special event or fundraiser for the PBCC! Contact Sarah
Lightman with your community event idea at sarah@pabreastcancer.org or (800) 377-8828 x
107.
Wanted: Northwest PA
Exhibit
Locations
The PBCC is looking for sites in northwest PA to host our traveling photo exhibit "67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in
Pennsylvania"™. Additional information and space requirements can be found on our website. If you have a site in northwestern PA that might be
interested in hosting the display, please contact Jen Fetich at 800-377-8828 x 101 or jennifer@pabreastcancer.org for additional information.
Fundraiser of the Month
Country Line Dancing for a Cure
For the third year in a row, Sondra Ott (above, second from right) and Linda Garman (above, third
from left) organized the Country Line Dancing for a Cure fundraiser, which was held at the Winner's Circle Saloon in Grantville. Attendees
enjoyed a live band, line dancing, silent and live auctions, food and fun! $9359 was raised that night! Thank you, Sondra and Linda, for
all your hard work to make this such a successful yearly event!
Visit our Grassroots Partners webpage for more photos of this and other recent events.
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Dear ,
Correction: In the first issue of Pink Link you
received, we inadvertently referred to Auditor General Jack Wagner as Attorney General in the headline below. The PBCC
apologizes to the Auditor General and his staff.
We also realize that our online marketplace was
down this morning, due to unforeseen technical difficulties. It is now working. We sincerely apologize for any
inconvenience.
INCOME TAX
CHECK-OFF
AUDITOR GENERAL JACK WAGNER HELPS RAISE RESEARCH MONEY
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 With tax season in full swing, we want to remind all Pennsylvanians to donate their state income tax refund to
breast cancer research.
State Auditor General Jack Wagner is helping to spread the word about the Income Tax Check-Off for Breast and Cervical Cancer Research with
payroll stuffers for his employees. "This is an opportunity for our employees and all Pennsylvanians to help battle breast cancer that affects
so many women and families. I support this method of giving because every penny of donations goes to cancer researchers, hospitals and
universities in Pennsylvania. Anyone whose life has been touched by this disease knows how important it is to help find a cure," said
Wagner. We applaud Auditor General Wagner for his support, and encourage Pennsylvania employers to follow his lead by including information
about the Income Tax Check-Off for Breast Cancer Research in pay envelopes. Click to view a printable payroll
stuffer.
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 Approximately 19,000 individuals donated their state refund to breast cancer research, with an average donation
of $8.42. So far, the program has raised over $2 million, and 100% of the money is distributed as grants to outstanding researchers across the
state. Remember to check off line 35 on your PA 40 form!
Click here or the photo above to watch a 2 1/2 minute clip from a Comcast Newsmakers interview with Pat
Halpin-Murphy and learn more about the Income Tax Check-Off!
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INCOME TAX CHECK-OFF
PRESS CONFERENCE
MARCH 24
UNIVERSITY OF PA
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 Join the PBCC and the University of Pennsylvania to celebrate over $2
million being collected by PA taxpayers for life-saving breast cancer research and congratulate the researchers selected to receive grants in
2008. A press conference will be held March 24 at 10:30 am in Flyers-76ers Surgery Theatre, White Building, Ground Floor, 1 Ravdin
Pavilion, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, located at 3400 Spruce Street in Philadelphia. Parking information and
directions can be found on HUP's visitor information web
page. Please RSVP to Carol at carol@pabreastcancer.org.
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PATIENT ADVOCACY
Employers and the Breast Cancer Patient
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 The Family and Medical Leave Act (FLMA) guarantees up to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave for certain
employees when they need time to care for a seriously ill family member or when they need to take care of
themselves. To qualify, you must have worked for the company an average of 24 hours or more per week for at least a
year, and the company must have 50 or more employees. Download the PBCC's insurance guidebook "Breast Cancer: Covered or Not?" for more details and a sample letter requesting time off
through FMLA.
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 Susan Schultheis (pictured above) was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and commends her employer, Lowe's
in Palmyra, for their tremendous support. Susan is a part-time employee and considered quitting her job rather than asking for any special
considerations, but Lowe's allowed her to take the necessary time off while she was healing from her mastectomy. Since Susan is not a full-time
employee, Lowe's is not required under FMLA to hold her job for her and she is grateful that they were so flexible and compassionate. Susan is
happy to have completed her recovery and has returned to work at Lowe's.
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| TAKE A SWING AGAINST BREAST CANCER
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 Knock one out of the park for the PBCC! Team up with the PBCC and the Pennsylvania Association of Community
Bankers for one of these fun, unique events scheduled for July at minor league baseball parks across the state. All 4 batters on each home run
derby team will get 10 pitches, and there will be a souvenir team photo to remember the day. Sponsor opportunities starting at $3000 are
available now. Many thanks to Frank Pinto, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers,
who thought of this great event! Contact Heather Hibshman at 800-377-8828 x 102 or heather@pabreastcancer.org for more information or visit www.pahomerunderby.org to sign up, sponsor, attend or volunteer. Play ball!
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COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS AND THEIR CHILDREN
Many organizations offer college scholarships for cancer survivors, or for children whose parent had cancer, including the Patient
Advocate Foundation's "Scholarships for Survivors", offering $5000 per year to initiate or complete a course of study that has been interrupted or
delayed by a diagnosis of cancer. You'll find details about applying for this scholarship and many others here. |
| NEW PEARL JEWELRY TO BENEFIT THE PBCC
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 This elegant princess length necklace and earring set the "Pink Pearl" - has been designed exclusively
for the PBCC and makes a great Mother's Day gift! A portion of each purchase benefits the PBCC.
The necklace
features white freshwater pearls accented by sterling silver Bali bead spacers. The pink pearl symbolizes the breast cancer movement while
the silver bead caps surrounding the pearl signify the embrace of loved ones. Amethyst Swarovski crystals represent the "Purple Heart"
courage of women facing breast cancer. Subtly positioned at the collar bone is a silver bead with the breast cancer ribbon. A
sterling silver lobster clasp attaches to a silver chain extender with a dangling crystal allowing a perfect fit for everyone.
The earrings
capture the pink pearl of the necklace and a Swarovski crystal and small gold pearl on French-style sterling silver ear wires.
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The 3-piece set costs $39.95 plus tax and shipping and can be ordered on our online marketplace. The necklace and earrings can also be
purchased separately. The necklace alone costs $29.95 plus tax and shipping. The earrings alone cost
$12.95 plus tax and shipping. Each set comes in a gift box with a description of the symbolism
behind the necklace.
Because this is a first time offer and each piece is being custom made, please allow up to
three weeks for delivery. However, the jeweler guarantees that you will have your purchase by Mother's Day 2008! Don't wait!
Order today!
If for any reason you are not satisfied, please contact Kim to return the
jewelry at our expense and to obtain a full refund.
ADVERTISEMENT |
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Department of Communication Arts and Sciences
Have you ever been diagnosed with breast
cancer?
If so, we need your help...
Undergoing a breast cancer diagnosis is difficult and is often filled with
uncertainty. Our research seeks to understand your thoughts and experiences about the stressors that you faced during your breast cancer
diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship, so that others touched by breast cancer can learn from your experiences.
If you are at least 18 years
of age and in an ongoing romantic relationship, you are invited to participate in an online research survey hosted by the Pennsylvania State
University. The survey should take roughly 30-45 minutes to complete.
To take the survey please contact Kirsten Weber at breastcancerstressorsurvey@gmail.com.
This study has been
reviewed and approved by the Social Science Institutional Review Board at the Pennsylvania State University.
ADVERTISEMENT
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YOUR AD COULD GO HERE!
How would you like to see your ad, logo or message and a link to your website
here? Pink Link™ goes to over 6900 medical professionals, survivors and breast cancer advocates all across PA and beyond!
Email
Kim at kim@pabreastcancer.org today to place your ad. Ad size and placement may vary from issue to
issue. |
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Subscription Information
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you by a friend, you can subscribe here.
If you would like to unsubscribe from Pink
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Privacy Policy
The PBCC
will NEVER sell or give your personal information to a third party. Click to read our privacy policy in its entirety.
Credits
Editor and Producer: Kim Eubanks
Head Writer: Dolores
Magro
Copyright © 2008, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer
Coalition
All rights reserved.
Please feel free to pass Pink LinkTM along
to your friends. However, we ask that you keep the Pink Link attribution, subscription, and copyright information
intact.
Advertisements contained throughout this publication do not imply endorsement by the PBCC
of featured products or services. |
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