Friday, September 30, 2011

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hi Everyone,

Pink is in the House!  Tomorrow marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  If you didn’t know, BCAM was founded in 1985 between the American Cancer Society and a pharmaceutical company that was making several anti-breast cancer drugs.  The pink ribbon was first used to symbolize breast cancer in 1991 at a Susan G. Komen race.  It formally became the symbol for breast cancer when Estee Lauder established The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993. 

If you are participating in the Houston Race for the Cure tomorrow, look out for the life size pink ribbons that are part of the Pink Ribbon Parade.  Waltz Warriors and Butterfly Kisses will be there.  I’ve attached photos below of both of them from the press release at City Hall held two weeks ago.  Mayor Annise Parker along with municipal and state politicians, members of the press and family and friends gathered to kick off the inaugural parade.  Checks were presented to the charities benefitted by the sales of the ribbons.  Waltz Warriors and Butterfly Kisses were honored to be a part and handed our funds over to Pink Ribbons Project with joy.

I haven’t spoken much about the Waltz Warriors ribbon because I have been so taken back by the process that Isabella and Hailey have gone through with Butterfly Kisses.  They have grown so much and this opportunity has molded them in ways I never imagined.  The WW ribbon has always been in the back of my mind and I always knew that my friend and artist, Kermit Eisenhut would paint it.  I had a vision for this ribbon of warriors marching through a breast cancer storm- armed in pink camo, ready to take on the stormy skies.  On the other side of the ribbon, I wanted the warriors to continue their march as cohesive heroes that had overcome strife.  Kermit took my vision and created a beautiful piece of art that reflects the battle with cancer.  If we had the time, I would have him draw faces of all of you as the warriors. 

This month as we all think about how we have been touched by breast cancer, I encourage you to participate in a local or national event to help spread the word about breast health.  It will touch your spirit in a great way!  More importantly, schedule your mammogram.  If you are young, talk with your physician about when to have your baseline scan.  My gynecologist recommends age 35, which I had and was glad I did.  Consider a mammogram party with your friends where you go in together for your scans.  Methodist Hospital has several clinics that will host you!








Be Well

Monday, September 12, 2011

We Made It!

Hi Everyone,

We made it!  We have raised over $10,000 for the 2011 inaugural Pink Ribbon Parade!  Our wine tasting event at Nos Caves Vin brought in much more than we had hoped.  As you can imagine, we are thrilled! 

I want to acknowledge individuals and businesses that contributed to our fabulous silent auction:
Central Market
Nicole Choi
Commercial Cleaning Solutions
Loubel Cruz-Galik
Emily Eager Interiors
Kermit Eisenhut
Kevin & Katy Holt
Lora Meier
Darrell & Kathleen Pennington
Rob & Tara Tomicic
Melanie Smith
We cannot thank you enough for your support to Waltz Warriors in our mission to support breast health organizations. 

I also want to give a HUGE thank you to the following individuals who helped with our wine tasting event:
Fielding Cocke who introduced us to Brent Sloan with Nos Caves Vin
Fredna Manney who provided us a delicious food menu
Golden friends Tara and Kathleen for helping with yet another fundraiser
Mark Garza with Delectatio Wines
The Pink Ladies of Pearland

And finally, to the Waltz, Longoria and Moore families.  For seeing the vision of Waltz Warriors with me through this past year.  You held your to tongue and always supported me with only positive answers!  The cooking, the lemonade stands, the mailings, the art events, the emails, the sewing, the raffle tickets, the marketing and on and on.

I love you Brett and I am so proud of how we have guided our children through the world of cancer.

Tomorrow, September 13 at 9:30, the Breast Health Collaborative of Texas will host a press conference at Houston City Hall to kick off the Pink Ribbon Parade.  The seven foot tall ribbons will be gathered around the reflection pool in Hermann Square. 

Waltz Warriors and Butterfly Kisses will be presenting checks to Pink Ribbons Project, the beneficiary of the funds we raised.  We will also be acknowledging our artists, Betsy Miller with Colors of the Heart studio in Friendswood and Kermit Eisenhut of Houston.  Stay tuned!   

For I know that plans I have for you says the Lord.  Plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

                               
                                     
                                     
 


Be Well,