There are many ways you can help the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. From our Home Run Derby, to volunteering at any number of events, there is something you can do.
Those who were expecting a day of educational and motivational workshops, exciting speakers and inspirational stories, got that and more at the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference this year! The PBCC awarded an additional $100,000 grant to researcher Dr. Craig Meyers in order to further his breakthrough research that may ultimately hold the key to a cure.
Dr. Meyers, a researcher at Penn State College of Medicine, and his team were among those surprised by the grant award. His initial discovery of a virus that kills breast cancer cells in a laboratory setting was funded by a grant from the PBCC’s Refunds for Research program. PBCC President & Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy described the discovery as “what the world has been waiting for.” The PBCC’s $100,000 contribution will enable the research to continue while additional funding is sought to continue the study.
In addition to the surprise grant award presentation, the conference provided the hundreds of attendees with the opportunity to take part in educational workshops, listen to knowledgeable speakers, recognize outstanding awardees, enjoy a delicious luncheon, and browse vendor tables. Thank you to PBCC Conference Honorary Chair First Lady Susan Corbett, our 2011 award recipients, and all the sponsors, exhibitors and attendees for joining us in making history at this year’s conference!
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) gave an additional $100,000 research grant to Dr. Craig Meyers and his team at Penn State College of Medicine today. The announcement came at the 2011 PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference held at the Hilton Harrisburg attended by over 1,000 people. This grant marks the single-largest research contribution made by the PBCC in its 18-year history and it follows a 2007 PBCC Pennsylvania Income Tax Refund for Research grant of $35,000 to Dr. Meyers.
Through this PBCC funded research, Dr. Meyers discovered that adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) kills breast cancer cells in every stage in the laboratory in tissue culture dishes. AAV2 is a nondisease-causing virus that kills human breast cancer cells and often infects humans. Preliminary research using AAV2 to treat breast cancer cells in a mouse model has also yielded promising results but needs further study.
“I’ve been working with this significant nondisease-causing virus that kills human breast cancer cells in the laboratory because we know that breast cancer has a complex structure and differing types,” said Dr. Craig Meyers, professor of microbiology and immunology at Penn State College of Medicine.
Referring to these exciting new findings as, “what, for decades, the medical community has worked towards and the rest of the world has been waiting for,” Pat Halpin-Murphy, president and founder of the PBCC said that her pioneering organization is thrilled to be part of Dr. Meyers’discovery of a virus that kills all stages and all types of breast cancer cells in the laboratory.
“Breast cancer survivors, their families, and all girls and women and those that care for them look forward to the final phase of this research–clinical trials with humans. While that final step may still be years away, it gives us hope that we will discover a cure so our daughters and granddaughters won’t have to. Dr. Meyers’ break-through is a real-world example that research is our best weapon in battling breast cancer,” added Halpin-Murphy.
Halpin-Murphy went on to say that “each day, 32 women in Pennsylvania are diagnosed with breast cancer and over 2,000 die every year from the devastating disease.”
“We are extremely grateful to the Coalition for their generous support of Dr. Meyers’ research,” said Richard J. Courtney, Ph.D., chair, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Penn State College of Medicine. “The recent findings of his research group are very exciting; however, much additional research remains to be done. This grant will be instrumental in helping Dr. Meyers and his colleagues to further advance this highly promising breast cancer research ongoing within his laboratory.”
The PBCC established and oversees the Refunds for Breast Cancer Research program, which uses donations from Pennsylvanians to fund vital research grants across the state. State residents may contribute all or part of their state income tax refund to the Refunds for Research program to help find a cure. To date, Pennsylvanians have donated over $2.8 million with the average donation from taxpayers being $8. Thanks to the PBCC’s program, nearly 70 research grants have been awarded to outstanding Pennsylvania scientists.
The PBCC represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters and granddaughters won’t have to. For more information, visit www.PABreastCancer.org or call 800-377-8828.
Posted By Kevin on September 28th, 2011 at 3:17 pm | 0 comments.
HARRISBURG, Pa. – A bright pink fountain will flow throughout October at the Pennsylvania State Capitol to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month. The East Wing Fountain at the State Capitol in Harrisburg turned PINK on Wednesday, September 28th thanks to the First Lady Susan Corbett and PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC).
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition was proud to join First Lady Susan Corbett, Sheri Phillips, Secretary of the PA Department of General Services, and Debbie Freer, PBCC Board Member and breast cancer survivor, in celebrating the start of this important month. The pink fountain serves as a breathtaking visual that underlines and signifies the critical importance of education, early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
“Almost all of us know someone whose life has been touched in some way by this disease,” said First Lady Susan Corbett. “My mother fought and won two rounds with breast cancer. She’s 92 now and still ready to fight. I’m proud to be her daughter. With new treatments, research and a simple will to survive; we can all take on the challenge of reducing breast cancer deaths and someday put an end to this disease.”
“As a staple at the State Capitol, this fountain is a reminder to all who pass by about the magnitude of breast cancer education. It serves as a tribute to the brave women throughout Pennsylvania who have fought or are fighting this dreadful disease,” said Pat Halpin-Murphy, PBCC President and Founder. “As October approaches, we are reminded that there are more than 140,000breast cancer survivors alive today across Pennsylvania, and we must continue to promote our mission of finding a cure for breast cancer now…so our daughters won’t have to.”
Breast cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States, regardless of race or ethnicity. Nearly all breast cancers can be treated successfully if found early. When breast cancer is found in its earliest stage, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent.
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters won’t have to. For more information, please call 800-377-8828 or visit www.PABreastCancer.org.
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Media Contact: Kevin Smith
717-721-2580 x109
Kevin@PABreastCancer.org
The final stop on our 11 stadium tour took the PBCC staff to PNC Field, the home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. We had a full schedule with 12 teams stepping up to the plate. Many of the batters had heard about the Derby through local press, and that helped to get the word out! Thank you to the Scranton Times-Tribune, WNEP-TV, and WBRE-TV for your help!
There was fierce competition amongst the teams. But check out the final standings:
Out of our 12 teams, we had a few home run hitters! Joe Ferretti from PeoplesNational Bank Team 2, Jim Davis from Team Sen. Bob Mellow, Randy Dengler from Wikes University Team 1, and Chris Wychock from Wilkes University Team 2 all hit a homer!
A HUGE thank you goes out to the countless number of volunteers from various organizations including Blue Cross of NEPA. Also, another thank you to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees for their hospitality! Check out all of the photos from Friday!
In a couple weeks I will get up a summary about the entire season! The final stats are still being tabulated!
Summer has finally arrived in Pennsylvania. What would a beautiful summer day be without a Home Run Derby? The PBCC crew and volunteers took First Energy Stadium by storm today and pumped everyone up for the Derby! PBCC Lehigh Valley Vice President Sandy Cray was on hand to be the voice for the day to lead our teams and volunteers toward the homers.
A total of eight teams came out today to take a swing against breast cancer. Quite a few batters hit home runs! I’ll get to that list later. But take a look at the team scores!
On the Fleetwood Bank team, all four batters hit home runs! Dewey Oriente hit 6, Cody Kulp and Mike Bisenius hit 5, and Tyler Mertzer hit 2! Check out the team with their pink and white home run baseballs! Carmelo Ocasio and Matt Sola from Reading Express Indoor Football Team 1 both hit one homer. And Ian Cooper from Reading Express Indoor Football Team 2 hit one out of the park too!
Screwball from the Phillies hung out with the crowd for a bit. He even went out and fed baseballs into the pitching machine! Thank you to everyone who came out today in Reading! It was a blast! Check out all of the photos on Facebook!
To round out the week of four Derby events in a row, the staff made it up to the State College Spikes. The forecast looked gloomy. Showers were predicted intermittently throughout the day. But Katie at the Spikes was optimistic and the crew continued to set up. The sky did not look promising. But the field was ready, the volunteers were ready, and our guest announcer Tammy Miller was pumped. The first team, Pam’s Pinch Hitters, stepped up to the plate and it started to drizzle. The small amount of rain did not dampen the spirits. After a few minutes, it passed. We continued on with the Derby while the clouds parted and the sun decided to wake up.
Check out the team scores from the State College Spikes (They are some of the closest we’ve ever had!):
A few batters were able to send the baseball out toward Mount Nittany with home runs. From the Lemont Ducks, Brendan Pifer had one home run and Steve Weavor had two. And from Graystone Bank Team 1, Eric Keptner hit a homer! Way to go fellas!
A HUGE thanks to Tammy Miller for being our guest announcer!! She was absolutely amazing! The crowd loved her enthusiasm along with her jokes. She knows how to hit everyone’s funny bone! Another thanks goes out to WTAJ. They came out to the Spikes and interviewed several batters, Tammy, and our Director of Communications Sarah Lightman. Check out the story! Also log on to Facebook and check out all of the photos from last Thursday!
Only one Derby this week, and it’s at the Reading Phillies!
On Tuesday, July 21st, the Derby rolled into Washington, PA with a vengeance. Seven teams took to the field at CONSOL Energy Park ready to hit one out of the park for breast cancer! WPXI Channel 11′s Rich Walsh, Alby Oxenreiter, Bill Phillips and Scott Harbaugh came out to the field and took some swings. In all, the team racked up a score of 1,090 points. Check out the story that aired on WPXI!
Check out all of the scores from the Washington Wild Things’ Derby:
All of the home runs of the day belonged to First Federal Savings Bank Team 1. Scott Cree, Troy Cree, Mitch Monas, & Scott Throckmorton each hit two home runs! Way to go fellas! It was a short but fun day out at CONSOL Energy Park. The beautiful weather and the enthusiasm of the batters and volunteers made it an enjoyable event! Check out all the photos on Facebook!
The Home Run Derby made its first of four stops this week in Erie. Jerry Uht Park was ready for the Derby and the supporters that followed. Nine teams came out to the Seawolves and stepped up to the plate.
We had a special announcer take Frank’s place. Marilee Warner from the Erie Times News stepped up and offered her time to the Derby. She jazzed up the crowd and brought out her colleagues from the Erie Times News and GoErie.com. Thank you Marilee for your help!
Take a look at the team scores from Jerry Uht Park:
A special thanks to all the teams who came out! TESCO Tools showed their strength by claiming first and second place. Lee Rohan & John Fette from TESCO Tools Team 2 both had two home runs! Chuck Rambaldo from Connoisseur Media also hit two baseballs out of the park! And Doug Robison from Erie Times News hit one home run! Good job fellas! In an honorable mention, I’d like to thank Hibshman’s Heroes who drove up to Erie from Lancaster & Lebanon Counties to support the Derby! Thank you very much!
C. Wolf also made it out to the baseball diamond. He took a few swings and posed for a few pictures. He even loaded up the pitching machine for a few batters! In all, Erie was a success! After the Derby, the staff paid a visit to the waterfront to catch a view of Lake Erie! What a wonderful conclusion to an awesome day!
The Home Run Derby rocked it’s way into Metro Bank Park on Tuesday with 19 teams and quite a handful of volunteers! The pink t-shirts and batter’s jerseys were seen all over the stadium as the teams stepped up to the plate to take a swing against breast cancer.
Check out the team scores:
Dauphin County Commissioners – 1,750 points
Penn State Cancer Institute – 1,535 points
Team Representative Ron Marsico – 1,490 points
Beard Miller Team 2 – 1,480 points
Highmark – 1,450 points
Play It Again For Charity – 1,285 points
The Griswolds – 1,245 points
Capital Watch – 1,220 points
Angino & Rovner – 1,175 points
PA Association of Community Bankers – 1,065 points
Beard Miller Team 1 – 1,050 points
WQLV – 1,025 points
Tucker Arensburg – 975 points
PA AFL-CIO “Union Sluggers” – 905 points
AstraZeneca Team 1 – 875 points
Atlantic Central Bankers Bank – 825 points
“Not Witty Enough” Clear Channel Radio – 795 points
AstraZeneca Team 2 – 675 points
PA Breast Caner Coalition ‘NPink – 570 points
All of the teams gave it their all! The “Not Witty Enough” Clear Channel Radio consisted of team members Bob Hauer, Mike Parker, Nick Meckley, & OC. Check out the video that they put together while they were warming up and batting:
We did have a few home runs come from these 19 teams. Ben Moyer from the Senators on Team Tucker Arensberg had two home runs and all of the following batters had one home run: Nick Meckley from Clear Channel, Mike Westerberg from the Penn State Cancer Institute, Allen Ponato from Team Rep. Marsico, and Jamie Bochniak from Highmark. Awesome!!
Special thanks to WQLV 98.9 FM for coming out and covering the Home Run Derby on BroadcastPA.com. Check out the interviews and commentary from the entire Derby!!
The pink squad rolled into Williamsport prepared for a day of fun at Historic Bowman Field! The day started off with a few interviews for Executive Director Heather Hibshman. The folks over at Variety 97.7 FM asked a few quick questions and played the interview for all of Williamsport to hear. A few volunteers showed up because they heard we needed some outfield shaggers! Awesome! Then WOLNews.com came to the field and got some insight into the Home Run Derby. Check out Heather’s interview!!
A total of eight teams came out to Historic Bowman Field! Each team brought spectators who filled the stands and watched as batters took their swings against breast cancer. Here is the complete list of teams scores:
Team Senator Eugene Yaw – 1,880 points
City of Williamsport Team – 1,510 points
Team Representative Richard Mirabito – 1,240 points
Team Variety 97.7 FM – 1,220 points
Representative Garth Everett/Blaise Alexander Dealerships Team – 1,050 points
Woodlands Bank – 850 points
Williamsport Sun-Gazette – 775 points
Mad Cow Girls – 605 points
A few heavy hitters were a part of these elite eight teams. On the City of Williamsport Team, the Mayor, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and the Streets & Parks Manager came out to show their support! Rep. Mirabito brought out four little leaguers to take some swings. They did a great job coming in third! Rep. Everett/Blaise Alexander Dealerships brought retired New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina to the plate. Mr. Mussina posed with the PBCC staff!
There were a few batters that hit a few out of the park for breast cancer! From Team Senator Eugene Yaw, Frank D’Agostino hit 5 home runs and Jeff Miller hit 2! From the City of Williamsport Team, Fire Chief Tom Cillo knocked one out! This resulted in a $100 donation from Deputy Fire Chief Irv Gleason. Gleason challenged the Chief to hit a homer, and in return Gleason would donate $100 for each one! Awesome challenge Irv!
WNEP came out to Bowman Field to check out the Derby. Reporter Jim Hamill spoke with Heather and also Dee Hoffman from the Mad Cow Girls. Dee is a seven year survivor and in her conversation with Jim she said “It’s a privilege to be alive today. And everything I do is in hopes some other woman doesn’t have to go through what I had to go through.” Check out the entire story on WNEP’s website. I’m trying to get the video because it’s awesome!
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Those who were expecting a day of educational and motivational workshops, exciting speakers and inspirational stories, got that and more at the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference this year! The PBCC awarded an additional $100,000 grant to researcher Dr. Craig Meyers in order to further his breakthrough research that may ultimately hold the key to a cure.
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The pink squad rolled into Williamsport prepared for a day of fun at Historic Bowman Field! The day started off with a few interviews for Executive Director Heather Hibshman. The folks over at Variety 97.7 FM asked a few quick questions and played the interview for all of Williamsport to hear. A few volunteers showed up because they heard we needed some outfield shaggers! Awesome! Then 