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

Archive for the ‘News’ Category

PBCC Turns Capitol Fountain PINK

Posted By on September 28th, 2011 at 3:17 pm | 0 comments.

2011 Pink Fountain Kick-OffHARRISBURG, 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 140,000 breast 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

CancerCare

Posted By on September 19th, 2011 at 2:04 pm | 0 comments.

CancerCare is a national nonprofit organization that provides free professional support services to cancer patients, caregivers, and family members. They offer counseling, support groups, educational workshops, community programs, and publications that may be of use to anyone affected by cancer. They also provide financial assistance as it relates to certain treatment-related costs for eligible individuals.

CancerCare has a comprehensive user-friendly website that may help answer many questions you may be facing as a patient, caregiver, or family member coping with cancer. Among the website’s resources are a list of inspirational stories and a Q&A section that focuses on a particular cancer related topic each month.

Retrospective Study Results Reinforce Tamoxifen’s Reputation

Posted By on August 15th, 2011 at 8:54 am | 0 comments.

In a study that looks back at 20 randomized, controlled trials of the breast cancer drug tamoxifen, researchers in the Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group report that 15 years after a diagnosis of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and 10 years after stopping the drug, women who took tamoxifen had a 1/3 lower risk of dying than those who did not take it. A lead investigator in the study stated that tamoxifen “has probably saved more lives than any other oncological drug ever.”

In addition, as has been noted in earlier studies, women who took the drug were about 40% less likely to have recurrent breast cancer. This study will be published in an upcoming issue of the journal The Lancet. More information will also be available in the Fall 2011 issue of the PBCC’s quarterly newsletter, FrontLine.

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.

Continued Support in State College

Posted By on August 8th, 2011 at 10:45 am | 0 comments.

Energy CAP/Second Mile

It was a bittersweet day in State College on Saturday, July 30th. Our eleventh-and final-home run derby event of 2011 took place at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on the picturesque morning. We had a few teams that were ready for some home runs, but no one lucked out! Check out how everyone stacked up.

Kyle Courtney from Barton Associates

We had one Single Batter at the Medlar Field, Tyler Smith had 375 points! Special thanks to all of our teams, volunteers and the staff from the Spikes. Our appearance in State College was a great way to round out the fourth year of the Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer events. Stay tuned for the final wrap-up of stats, big winners and thanks! In the mean time, check out photos from our day in Centre County!

Home Runs Lead the Pack in Altoona

Posted By on July 30th, 2011 at 11:04 am | 0 comments.

Batters wore their best!

The 4th Annual Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer home run derby is coming to a quick close. Where did July go?! The PBCC crew was excited for the derby to be at the Altoona Curve. And the day did not disappoint! Check out our high scores and the home runs that just kept on coming!
Single Batters at bat at Blair County Ballpark:
We handed out quite a few pink and white home run baseballs at Blair County Ballpark. We love seeing home runs, so we certainly enjoyed the day! Congratulations to all of the batters!

Team Hershey with their hot pink bats

Special thank you to the Altoona Curve, the staff, interns, field crew, and everyone who made the Home Run Derby a great day at Blair County Ballpark! WJAC, WTAJ and the Altoona Mirror all stopped by to check out the event. Thank you for helping to raise awareness in the Altoona area! Check out some of the great photos from the 10th stop of the 2011 Home Run Derby!

Williamsport Teams Hold Steady

Posted By on July 29th, 2011 at 9:38 am | 0 comments.

Jason Caccia from PSP Milton Taking Swings

On Tuesday, July 26th, the Home Run Derby made a stop at the Historic Bowman Field. The Williamsport Crosscutters welcomed the home derby batters and volunteers as we head into the home stretch for 2011.

Bald is Beautiful WilliamsportOur only Home Run Hitter in Williamsport was Josh Kendrik from the PA State Police. He hit two out of the park!Special thanks to Rep. Garth Everett, Mike Mussina, and all of our batters who swung for the fences. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the derby. We raised over $9,500 through the efforts in Williamsport! Check out the photos from our day at the ballpark.

Record temps bring high points in Lancaster

Posted By on July 28th, 2011 at 1:57 pm | 2 comments.

Andrew Hackart at BatThe record high temperatures didn’t stop 21 teams, 3 single batters and dozens of volunteers from coming out and participating in the Home Run Derby on July 23rd. The event at Clipper Magazine Stadium raised an astonishing $11,500 for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition! None of this would have been possible without these teams and home run hitters!

Single Batters:

Home Run Hitters:

Guns of Roses (Lancaster City Police) Teams 1 & 2The Lancaster Sunday News hung out for the day and grabbed some shots of Andrew Hackart and the Guns of Roses. Check out the story online.

It was great to see fans cheering on the batters and volunteers working together in the outfield.  The teams put up some high scores and it was a close battle all the way to the end!  Rep. Eugene DePasquale’s Team 1 ultimately scored the 4 hot pink bats, but everyone is a winner for coming out and supporting the fight against breast cancer! Take a look at the photos from our day in Lancaster!

York Welcomes High Scores and the Sun

Posted By on July 26th, 2011 at 8:20 am | 0 comments.
The Heatwave: Summer 2011 continued on Friday, July 22nd at Sovereign Bank Stadium in York. The sun and heat didn’t keep the batters from striving for the outfield wall. If you’ve ever been to Sovereign Bank Stadium, you’re familiar with their Arch Nemisis in left field. Some of the home run hitters knocked it over the 37.7 foot wall! Check out the team scores and home run hitters!

Home Run Hitters in York:

Special thanks to FOX43 for their participation and covering the derby! Our volunteers stuck with the day through the hottest point and chugged the water! Thanks to everyone who made the event on Friday possible! Be sure to check out the photos from our day.

Humid Day Draws Crowd in Reading

Posted By on July 20th, 2011 at 12:56 pm | 0 comments.

Team Rep. Tina Davis

It was Tuesday, July 19th. The setting was the newly-redesigned FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Reading Phillies. The temperature was approaching triple digits. And the humidity was out in force. These, however, were the perfect conditions for our teams to step up to the plate and show their support. Check out how the teams fared through the beginning of Heatwave: Summer 2011.

Single Batters:

Home Run Hitters:

Screwball Came to VisitFriends, family members and colleagues were out in force to show their support for the batters. Thanks to those who came out, including the volunteers! Everyone made the day a success. Special thanks to WFMZ for stopping by to cover our day at the ballpark. Check out some of the great photos from our muggy day at the Reading Phillies.