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

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Spring Training Has Begun! Who is Ready to Step Up to the Plate?

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:55 am | 0 comments.

Spring training is in full swing – for the Phillies, Pirates, and the PBCC! We’re happy to bring the Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer Home Run Derby to ballparks throughout the state once again. Be a part of our lineup with a special ‘Buy One, Get One’ free promotion for those registering a team before March 31!

We are looking for those who want to step up to the plate – literally – and take a few swings as a batter. We are looking for sponsors to lend their support and their dollars to the ongoing fight against breast cancer in this unique event. We are looking for volunteers to give their time and talent to make sure each day runs smoothly. Of course, we also need fans to cheer on our batters! With so many ways to take part, and eleven stadiums across PA participating, we hope you’ll make time to support the Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer Home Run Derby at a location near you!

Survivor Spotlight: Dr. Marybeth Miller

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:54 am | 4 comments.

Dr. Marybeth Miller has a demanding job, teaching physical education to teachers-in-training at Slippery Rock University. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, she was determined to get back to work teaching physical education to future educators as soon as possible. An avid cycler, she knew that being in good physical shape would enhance her recovery. So she approached the preparation for her treatment regimen like an athlete in training for a competition, creating her own wellness campaign she calls Cycling for Surgery.

Dr. Miller shared her story at the recent PBCC exhibit opening at Slippery Rock University, saying “If my experience can play a part in modeling courage and perseverance, then let me lead.” She is grateful to the faculty who supported her, the students who shared their compassion, and the family who were there for her when she needed them.  Her advice: make your best decision, go with it, and then move forward with a positive attitude.

Click here to read survivor stories from previous issues of Pink Link and our quarterly print newsletter, FrontLine.

Refunds for Research: Dollars DO Make a Difference

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:53 am | 0 comments.

Advancements in breast cancer treatment and diagnosis – such as the lymph node removal study mentioned in the President’s Corner – happen because of the work of dedicated researchers. In PA, their work is made possible in part thanks to state taxpayers’ contributions to the Refunds for Breast Cancer Research program.

It is easy to make a difference, and every contribution helps. Whether your state return is $5 or $500, you can make an impact by checking line 35 on your PA-40 state income tax form. You can impact research happening here in Pennsylvania with the click of your mouse or the stroke of your pen.

President’s Corner: Clinical Trial Breakthrough May Mean Less Surgery

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:52 am | 6 comments.

Removal of lymph nodes may not decrease recurrences or increase overall survival rates for some women, according to a Journal of the American Medical Association study.  The study results are particularly promising for some women with early-stage breast cancer, although we caution that for others, more research is needed.

The study’s results show promise particularly for those women with tumors less than 5 centimeters and no more than two positive sentinel nodes who are undergoing lumpectomy followed by radiation. The study did not provide enough data to make a determination on treatment for those under age 50 or those with particularly aggressive cancers. As with all treatment decisions, be sure to talk with your doctor to determine the best plan for you.

2010 Annual Conference Highlights

Posted By on November 5th, 2010 at 11:18 am | 10 comments.

2010 Annual ConferenceThanks to everyone who spent Wednesday, October 13th with us at the Harrisburg Hilton!  It was a day full of learning, support, and friends!  Be sure to check out all of the photos from the day on our Flickr page!

Many attendees have asked about downloading a copy of certain presentations because they were full of such great content.  Or because you didn’t get a chance to check out all of the workshops available.

Below, we have PDF copies of handouts from the workshops.  *Please note: These presentations are the work of and owned by the presenters from the 2010 Annual Conference.  Users may only have copies of the presentations for personal use.*  To view/download the slides, you will need Adobe Acrobat.

Packed House in Scranton

Posted By on July 30th, 2010 at 4:53 pm | 0 comments.

2010 PA Home Run Derby at the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre YankeesTaking a page out of the playbook of the hitters at the Altoona Curve stadium from the previous week, the batters at PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, tallied 13 home runs of their own throughout the morning and afternoon of Monday, July 26th.  After much friendly competition, the scores panned out like this:

Team Scores:

Single Batter Scores:

Home Run Hitters:

  • Steve Sulcoski from Team Boback – 4
  • Matt Ruch from the Wilkes University Team – 3
  • “Newman” from Team SWB Front Office – 2
  • Carson Baker from Team Bobak – 1
  • Dale Gerfin from Team Boback – 1
  • Angus Neary from the Wilkes University Team – 1
  • Jay Helcoski from Peoples National Team 2 – 1
  • Steve Sunday from Peoples National Team 2 – 1

2010 PA Home Run Derby at the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Team Photo: Team Rep. Karen BobackAn incredible number of supporters came out to take a swing against breast cancer, including some of Pennsylvania’s VIPs: U.S. Representative Chris Carney; PA Senator Lisa Baker; PA Representative Karen Boback; PA Representative Sandra Major; PA Representative Jim Wansacz; Dr. Dan Kopen and Miss Keystone, Bryn Harvey.

Rep. Boback’s teams 1 & 2 were comprised of stand-in batters, including Senator Baker’s son, Carson. Collectively, the teams hit 5 home runs! A combination of perfect weather, the emcee expertise of Tammy Miller, interviews with WBRE and WNEP, enthusiastic fans and lots of pink feather boas created the perfect conditions for batters to hit a few out of the park.

In other news, PBCC staffers, who are always in search of great food, voted PNC Field concessions to be the best, hands down! Check out the waffle fries!

Ten down and one to go! Stay of the look-out for the wrap-up of the Reading Phillies game, which takes place on July 30, and our 2010 Derby season!  For now, take a look at the pictures!

The weather cools down as the competition heats up in Williamsport

Posted By on July 20th, 2010 at 9:45 am | 0 comments.

The weather cools down as the competition heats up!

Compared to a boiling week in the eastern part of the state (which topped the charts at 102 degrees- yikes!), a day at Williamsport’s Historic Bowman Field seemed refreshing with temperatures in the mid-80s.

But while the temperature dropped (relatively-speaking), Derby competition only got hotter! Take a look at the team scores from the Williamsport Crosscutters stadium:

Team Scores:

No more home runs on Tuesday, July 13, but here’s a wrap-up of the day’s highlights that even Stuart Scott would be proud of:

Mike Mussina, former New York Yankees pitcher, joined us at the plate for the second year in a row, leading Team Alexander/Representative Garth Everett to victory and tabulating a personal score of 425 points.

But wait- not to be outdone, the City of Williamsport Team brought out their heavy hitters and Tom Cillo put 445 of his own up on the board (Somebody ate his Wheaties…)! Uh oh, “Moose,” sounds like a challenge to me…

2010 PA Home Run Derby at the Williamsport Crosscutters Team Photo: Best BuyWith rain in the forecast, the weather almost tampered with the Derby’s success. Nonetheless, the precipitation held off in time for Team Best Buy, who sent eight volunteers out to help shag balls in the outfield, to wrap up our day at Historic Bowman Field. Thanks, Best Buy!

Stayed tuned for news from this coming weekend, which I predict will be action-packed and exciting. The PBCC will be venturing to Sovereign Bank stadium, home of the York Revolution, on Friday, July 16, and then finishing up this eventful week with the Lancaster Barnstormers at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

For hot-off-the press derby updates, don’t forget to follow iKevin on Twitter and check out his real-time travel map on the official Derby website.

Because Brecknock Cares

Posted By on June 4th, 2010 at 9:30 am | 0 comments.

The students at Brecknock Elementary School in Eastern Lancaster County School District collected and donated over 560 items for the PBCC, including gardening tools, books, handmade cards, silk scarves, and even feather boas!

In honor of Lisa Horning, a third-grade teacher at Brecknock for 18 years who died after a long battle with breast cancer on September 20th, students at the school participated in their first “Day of Service,” which benefitted three causes, including the PBCC.

The idea to support the PBCC during the “Day of Service” actually came from Madison, the daughter of one of Brecknock’s teachers.  She saw our pink van (check out the video of its creation) driving around town and asked her mom about it.  The rest is history.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdGuszIQ1BM&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f]

We especially LOVED the homemade ornamental angel keychains and “Get Well” cards.  Each item carried the message, “Because Brecknock Cares,” which Lisa Horning came up with several years ago.

What a wonderful way to honor a loved one AND support a noble cause.  Thanks, Brecknock Elementary School!

We’re a Driving Force!

Posted By on February 23rd, 2010 at 3:58 pm | 0 comments.

The PBCC puts over 20,000 miles on our van each year just from driving to Grassroots Partners events, press conferences, health fairs, meetings and other activities all throughout Pennsylvania. That’s why when Penn State University Lady Lion Basketball sponsored the PBCC to have our van wrapped, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity!

I.D. Wraps did a great job turning our formerly silver Toyota Sienna mini-van into one big pink awareness piece to take across the state. If you see us out in your area feel free to honk, shout and wave as we go by!

Watch our van being wrapped in the high speed installation video below. Thanks again to Lady Lion Basketball and I.D. Wraps for making this dream come true!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdGuszIQ1BM]

Are you ready for summer?

Posted By on February 12th, 2010 at 8:20 pm | 0 comments.

We’ve been seeing a lot of snow recently here in PA. With two large storms behind us, it’s only natural to be looking forward to warmer weather again. Something keeping us in a summer state of mind at the PBCC is the 3rd Annual Home Run Derby. We’ve joined up with the PA Association of Community Bankers once again for a one-of-a-kind event to raise not only funds for the PBCC but also awareness.

We might be 138 days away from taking the field in Harrisburg for the first event, but we’re hard at work to make the Derby bigger and better than ever! Feel free to pass information on to your friends, family and coworkers. There are still opportunities to sponsor, put a team together, or volunteer in each of the 11 stadiums. We hope to see you all Taking a Swing Against Breast Cancer this July!