Finding a cure now...so our daughters won't have to.

Author Archive

A Message from Heather

Posted By on July 23rd, 2012 at 2:21 pm | 0 comments.

Hello friends.  It is with very mixed emotions that I write this today.  After 18 memorable years with this remarkable organization, my time here is coming to an end.  I have learned so much first as an intern…then as a fledgling part-time employee…then as Program Director…and finally as Executive Director.  I am confident that nowhere else could I have gotten such a wide range of experience, or encountered so many amazing people.

People like the ABCs support group…the Play it Again for Charity hockey fans…the Garden Spot Motorcycle Club members…Refunds for Research grant recipients…and the folks at Bill Martel Racing to name a few.

People like the incomparable staff:  Dolores, Tricia, Jen, Kim, Carol, Kristen, Natalie, Kevin, Sarah, Jessie, and the many interns who have worked with us over the years.  You make it a joy to come to work every day.  And I’ve never laughed as hard as I have with all of you.

And people like Pat Halpin-Murphy.  A more effective leader one will never find. She is a trailblazer, an innovator, and is never at a loss for how to better this organization.  She taught me to never take “no” for an answer.  She taught me the power of being positive.  And she taught me that a hug can absolutely be transmitted through the phone lines.

It has been an honor working for all of you, and I know that one day the cure to this disease will be found.  And I know that the PBCC will be at the forefront.  It’s where we belong.

 

With fond memories,

Heather Hibshman

 

 

Lancaster Home Run Derby Postponed

Posted By on July 14th, 2012 at 7:56 am | 0 comments.

Attention Lancaster Barnstormers volunteers & participants: today’s derby has been cancelled due to weather. The event has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 28th. Batting timeslots will remain the same and volunteering shifts will also remain the same. Thank you!

Volunteers make the world work!

Posted By on March 8th, 2012 at 3:24 pm | 0 comments.

2011 PA Breast Cancer Coalition ConferenceI don’t need to tell you that the PA Breast Cancer Coalition is the only statewide nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer now. I don’t need to tell you that we hear from countless women daily about the effects of breast cancer. But I do need to tell you about our wonderful volunteers that make our work possible.

With such a large state to work in, we are tasked with what seems impossible with eight full-time employees. Volunteers make the mission of the PBCC achievable. In 2011, we had 302 individuals from all over PA give up their time for a greater good. Jobs included reviewing Refunds for Breast Cancer Research grant applications, presenting or moderating a workshop at our conference, staffing an information table at a health fair, speaking at a fundraiser, shagging baseballs at a Home Run Derby, assembling and customizing Friends Like Me Care Packages, and many more.

The only thing we can say (and we say it every day): thank you. Thank YOU for donating your valuable time to the mission of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. In total, we had 1738.5 hours logged by volunteers across the state. That is OUTSTANDING! Volunteers saved the PBCC $37,134.36 in 2011! I don’t need to tell you that this is incredible!

Thanks to people like you, we are able to keep our doors open and serve the women and families of this great state! Stay tuned for opportunities to get involved at various events across Pennsylvania. If you don’t already receive our monthly e-newsletter Pink Link, sign up! And if you’re interested in volunteering, complete our interest survey and we’ll be in touch!

Here’s to 2012!

Where is your pink this October?

Posted By on October 3rd, 2011 at 11:22 pm | 0 comments.

Cooler temperatures, autumn leaves and Friday football games can only mean one thing at the PBCC…it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month once again! I continue to be amazed at people’s creativity and commitment when it comes to fundraising or special event ideas. I firmly believe that anything you enjoy can become a benefit for the PBCC. Do you golf…ride horses…snow tube…play softball…walk…have a motorcycle…make jewelry? Are you getting the idea?

Don’t let your talents go to waste. I challenge you to come up with something that’s never been done before. Every day our phone rings and someone is on the other end with an incredible idea for raising awareness about this disease.

Last week I attended a high school ice hockey game. It was Warwick vs. Hempfield…two powerhouse schools in Lancaster County. Marc Wizckowski, a senior for Warwick, turned the game into a fundraiser for the PBCC. He got special jerseys made, got raffle prizes donated, reserved the ice, and contacted local media. He did it all. And in the end, he raised $1,410 for the PBCC in one night. But more importantly, he got an arena full of fans to notice how powerful pink can be. The striking pink ribbons on the black jerseys, the pink grip tape on the hockey sticks, the girl working the door whose hair was pink for that night…it all led to an incredible sense of community and coming together for a cause.

That’s what Breast Cancer Awareness month is all about. I look forward to hearing the phone ring again today. Maybe the next amazing idea will be yours.

Internship Opportunity for Statewide Non-profit

Posted By on August 9th, 2011 at 8:33 am | 0 comments.

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is offering a wide range of experience in all aspects of non-profit operations, public relations and event management through assisting the Executive Director and other staff as needed.

Some duties may include, but not be limited to:

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is located at 344 North Reading Road in Ephrata, Lancaster County. It was founded in 1993 and is the only statewide grassroots organization in Pennsylvania that speaks to and for breast cancer survivors.

Applicants should possess:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience using Microsoft Office (Adobe Photoshop and InDesign experience preferred, but not required)
  • Ability to work independently and in a team setting
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills

Take a look around our website to learn more about our organization.

Interested applicants should contact Sarah Lightman, Community Outreach Director, at Sarah@PABreastCancer.org or 717-721-2580 x107

This position is unpaid, and can be full or part time from September to December, 2011 with the potential to be extended into the Spring semester.

Swing For Support Raises $3,200!

Posted By on July 20th, 2011 at 10:34 am | 0 comments.

Blue Ridge Country Club and Executive Woman’s Gold Associate hosted a successful golf event, organized by Glenda Dechowitz, on Tuesday, June 28 raising $3,200 for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition!  Swing for Support took place at the Blue Ridge Country Club where golfers of all expertise came out to play 9 holes of golf followed by a dinner and prizes.

All of the funds raised by the event were donated directly to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, which means the money remains in PA to help the 103,000 women living with breast cancer in the state.

We want to say a special thanks to the supporters who helped make Swing for Support possible:

Goodie Bags – Makin’ It Safe, LLC

Raffle Prizes
Ann Ketchum – Golf Seat Cover
Bricco’s
Dr. & Mrs. Peter Alagona- Wine Basket
Dr. & Mrs. Stephen Kreiner – Professional Teeth Whitening Kit

Event Committee – Marilyn Book, Anne Ketchum, Lynne King

Professional Services – Peter Mickelwright & Conrad Lickel

Thank you to everyone who participated and raised not only funds, but awareness, for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition!

 

Home Run Derby is less than two months away

Posted By on May 9th, 2011 at 9:30 am | 0 comments.

We’re less than two months away from the start of the 4th Annual Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer home run derby events! We have over 60 teams already registered, but there is still plenty of room for you and your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to sign up!

This month we are running a special for the teams that sign up and pay by May 31st. Sign up and submit your $500 team registration by the end of the month and receive two FREE Single Batter Registrations! You can use these single batter slots however you wish! They make great a great way to honor breast cancer survivors, colleagues, business partners, customers, friends or anyone else on your list.

Check out the full schedule to find out when we’ll be in your area. This is your chance to show your support for survivors and help to find a cure for breast cancer now…so our daughters won’t have to!

Two Cars Sport Pink Throughout Travels

Posted By on April 26th, 2011 at 10:12 am | 0 comments.

I thought I’d continue our posts with another car-themed Grassroots Partner. Rick Stauffer, PBCC’s on-call computer tech, will begin a marathon of driving on April 28th. Rick and his friend Jim Roberts are participating in the One Lap of America series of races. Rick and Jim will be racing at several tracks across the U.S. and plan to support the PBCC through their travels.

In an effort to raise awareness and donations, Rick & Jim are selling stickers that adhere to their cars. They are accepting donations in any amount, but for a minimum donation of $10 Rick & Jim will put a sticker on their cars with the name of someone you would like to honor or recognize in memory. You can also put your own name on the sticker to show your support. They plan to place as many stickers on their cars as possible including on the roof, on the roof hoop and the high part of the back window. They plan to leave the stickers on the vehicles through the competition and show season that lasts well into the fall.

If you would like to support Rick & Jim’s quest to fill their cars with PBCC stickers, you can send your donations to:
PA Breast Cancer Coalition
Attn: One Lap 2011
344 N. Reading Rd.
Ephrata, PA 17522

Be sure to check out Rick & Jim’s blog throughout the race. We’ll keep you posted on how much they raise! Go Rick & Jim!

Peruzzi Scion Created a Special Car

Posted By on April 25th, 2011 at 10:51 am | 0 comments.

As with many things that happen here at the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, Peruzzi Scion approached us with an idea. Peruzzi designed a special Scion xD with pink ribbon effects across the exterior of the car plus a few other extras. Once a lucky person/family purchases the xD, Peruzzi will make a $500 donation to the PBCC in honor of the new owners. Take a look at the finished product pictured below!

If you’re interested in the Scion xD: Breast Cancer Edition, contact Peruzzi at 877-545-2111.

Penn State Lady Lion Online Auction to benefit 2011 PinkZone

Posted By on February 15th, 2011 at 3:30 pm | 2 comments.

The Penn State Lady Lions announced today the launch of their annual WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State online auctions, and for the first time will sponsor two internet fundraisers to boost donations for breast cancer causes. The auctions will feature autographed memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including a Saturday Night Live package and a deluxe football weekend for the Penn State-Alabama game.

This year, the Lady Lions are teaming with CharityBuzz.com to raise additional funds for Pink Zone. The Charity Buzz auction will run through Wednesday, March 2 and features several Joe Paterno autographed items, including a used briefcase and football shoes. Other highlights include a behind-the-scenes tour of MLB Headquarters with Sports Illustrated Writer Tom Verducci, Penn State Fantasy Football Registration, Miraval Spa trip, Inaugural Big Ten Football Championship game package and a trip for two to the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament with the Lady Lions. For more information on the Charity Buzz Pink Zone Online Auction, visit the Charity Buzz auction website at www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/pennstate.

A second online auction, on GoPSUsports, will take place through Wednesday, March 2. Online auction proceeds will benefit Mount Nittany Medical Center, the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital. For more information on the GoPSUsports.com Online Auction, visit the Pink Zone website at www.GoPSUsports.com/pinkzone.

Charity Buzz Pink Zone Online Auction items are:

  • Trip for two to the 2011 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis
  • Penn State-Alabama Football Package (Two-night stay at the Penn Stater, Athletic Director’s Friday Night Reception, President’s Tailgate, two tickets for Athletic Director’s box for the game)
  • Joe Paterno Briefcase (used and signed)
  • Autographed Joe Paterno Football Shoes
  • Autographed Joe Paterno Football
  • Football Pin from the Penn State-Alabama game in the 1959 Liberty Bowl
  • Fly Fishing Afternoon Lesson with Joe Humphries and lodging at the Carnegie House
  • Miraval Spa Trip (Four days, three nights for two people)
  • Spend a Day with Baseball Analyst and Sports Illustrated Writer, Tom Verducci, at the MLB Network Headquarters in Secaucus, N.J.
  • Behind the Scenes Tour of the New York Times with the Page One Conference Meeting.
  • Hotel Hershey Package (Two-night stay, two breakfasts, $100 credit for spa or golf)
  • Wayne Gretzky Autographed Jersey Package (Four jerseys – Edmonton, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis)
  • ESPN Duffel Bag
  • Press Row Experience for the Penn State-Alabama Football Game
  • Two Registrations for the Penn State Ladies X’s and O’s Camp
  • Dinner with Valerie Plame Wilson at her Home in Santa Fe, N.M.
  • Personalized Cover & Meet-n-Greet with Chip Kidd in New York City
  • Visit to the  Set of Goats
  • Modern Family Autographed Script
  • Penn State Men’s Football Fantasy Camp Registration
  • Inaugural Big Ten Football Championship Package in Indianapolis (Two tickets to Big Ten Football Championship game on Dec. 3, 2011, two-night stay at the Omni Hotel)
  • Meet-n-Greet with Tony Bennett in Houston, Texas
  • Pittsburgh Penguins Package (Four tickets to the Pittsburgh Penguins game vs. the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, one-night stay at the Marriott City Center)
  • Penn State Football Weekend vs. Indiana State (includes two-night stay at the Nittany Lion Inn, President’s tailgate and two game tickets)
  • Penn State Football Experience vs. Nebraska (includes one quarter in the radio booth, President’s tailgate and postgame press conference)
  • Toftrees Resort Package (One-night stay and round of golf for two)
  • Intern at Accuweather for the Day
  • Jonas Brothers Autographed Guitar
  • The Lodge at Woodloch Package (One-night stay for two, three gourmet meals, spa credit and regularly programmed activities)
  • Saturday Night Live Experience (Two tickets to Saturday Night Live, backstage tour with director as a guest of Penn State President Graham Spanier)
  • New York City Experience (One-night weekday stay at Phillips Club Lincoln Center, two tickets to a taping of The View, and a $250 gift certificate to Le Bernardin)
  • NCIS Set Visit and Gift Basket (Visit for two to the NCIS set and a gift basket with NCIS memorabilia)
  • Duke Basketball Package (Two tickets and a parking pass for a 2011-2012 Duke basketball game)
  • Autographed Franco Harris Football
  • Philadelphia Phillies Package (Two tickets to a game in 2011, pre-game visit to the broadcast booth with announcer & Penn State graduate Chris Wheeler, autographed baseball and autographed book by Wheeler)
  • Autographed Print from Joe Paterno’s 400th win
  • Limited Edition Star Trek Memorabilia
  • Host a Catered Event at Penn State’s new H.O. Smith Botanical Gardens, catering by Zola’s New World Bistro
  • 7 Points Marina Houseboat Rental on Raystown Lake
  • New Cara Mor Spa Retreat in Spruce Creek (package for eight women including 2 nights lodging, gourmet meals, and full professional staff for unlimited services)

GoPSUsports.com Pink Zone Online Auction items are:

  • San Antonio Spurs Tickets (Two tickets to the Spurs game on Sunday, Feb. 27 in San Antonio vs. Memphis)
  • 2011-12 Lady Lion Basketball Honorary Coach for a Game
  • Autographed Penn State Football by Joe Paterno, Sean Lee, Darryl Clark, Jared Odrick, Josh Hull and Kevin Cousins
  • Lady Lion Basketball Box Seats for a 2011-12 Game
  • Yanni Concert Package (Two tickets to Yanni concert at the Bryce Jordan Center and dinner for two at the Nittany Lion Inn or Penn Stater)
  • Celtic Woman Concert Package (Two tickets to Celtic Woman concert at the Bryce Jordan Center and dinner for two at the Nittany Lion Inn or Penn Stater)
  • Game-Used Nike/Kay Yow Cancer Fund Ball from the 2011 WBCA Pink Zone Game
  • #24 Game-Used Penn State Lady Lion Jersey
  • Penn State Women’s Volleyball Autographed NCAA Commemorative Poster and Volleyball

In addition to the online auctions, the Lady Lions will sponsor two other fundraisers — a silent auction and a chance drawing for their Pink Zone jerseys. The silent auction will be offered on the concourse as part of the Pink Zone game day festivities on Sunday, Feb. 27. It includes Penn State memorabilia, autographed professional sports memorabilia and Lady Lion experiences. For a list of silent auction items, visit www.GoPSUsports.com/pinkzone.

The Chances for the11 Lady Lions game-used jerseys from the Pink Zone at Penn State are available at the Pink Zone table on men’s and women’s basketball game days at Portal 20 in the Bryce Jordan Center. They cost $2 for one and $5 for three. The drawing will take place Monday, Feb. 28.

The 2011 WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State will take place on Sunday, Feb. 27 at noon with the Lady Lions challenging Northwestern in the Bryce Jordan Center. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Last year, the Lady Lions donated more than $80,000 for breast cancer causes. This year’s fundraising efforts will benefit the Mount Nittany Medical Center, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, PA Breast Cancer Coalition, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital. For more information on the Pink Zone at Penn State, visit the official Pink Zone website at www.gopsusports.com/pinkzone. The WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pinkzoneatpennstate.