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

Posts Tagged ‘women’

Breast Cancer Survivor, Family, Friend, Health Care Provider? Share Your Story

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:09 am | 6 comments.

Tammy Miller is collecting your stories for her book, Pink Ribbon Stories: A Celebration of Life. Not sure what to say?  Tammy or a team member will interview you and write your story. The publication is due out this Summer with proceeds going to the PBCC.

We are looking for your stories, thoughts, and poems to encourage, inspire, and make you smile, from anyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.  Since some people are not sure where to begin with their story, we are offering some questions you may consider:

  1. What did you learn through this process?
  2. What words of encouragement would you offer others?
  3. Is there anything you wish you knew before going through this?
  4. Is there anything you wish your doctor would have told you?
  5. Can you identify anything humorous that happened on this path to recovery?

These specific questions do not have to be in your story, but are being offered for consideration.

Submit your information to Tammy at: pinkribbonstories@tammyspeaks.com. You can send it as a Word document (1,200 word max) or in the body of an e-mail. If you need assistance with the typing/telling of your story, please let Tammy know and someone will assist you with your submission.

Deadline for all submissions is June 1, 2011. All stories are subject to editing for space. Any questions, please contact Tammy at: tammy@tammyspeaks.com or call (814) 360-4031.

Martin’s ‘Chips in for a Cure’ for Mother’s Day

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:06 am | 2 comments.

A favorite snack is coming back to do even more good for the PBCC! Martin’s Potato Chips is bringing its pink ribbon bags back to the shelves for a Mother’s Day promotion. Look for the special bags of the Kettle Cook’d Potato Chips in a store near you between May 2 and May 14. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these special bags will be donated to the PBCC.

Martin’s has donated over $84,000 to the PBCC through the sale of the pink ribbon bags of their most popular product, the Kettle Cook’d Potato Chips. The company was recognized as a 2010 Pink Ribbon Award recipient last year at the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference. We are thankful for all their continued efforts!

Need Help Getting Health Insurance or Services? Call PA Health Law Project

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:05 am | 0 comments.

The PA Health Law Project is a statewide center devoted to helping low income, elderly, and disabled Pennsylvanians access quality health care. If you are having trouble applying for Medical Assistance (MA), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or if there are no health care providers in your health plan who can meet your needs, contact the PA Health Law Project to learn how they can assist you.

PHLP’s team of 8 attorneys, 3 paralegals, a physician and a social worker help thousands of people each year. They answer questions, provide advice, negotiate agreements, and represent clients at administrative hearings and in court. PHLP services are free to qualified individuals.

The PA Health Law Project has participated in the PBCC’s seminars about the Commonwealth of PA’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment program (BCCPT) across the state and at our annual conferences. Their expertise about accessing quality health care is invaluable.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the PA Health Law Project helpline at 1-800-274-3258 or visit www.phlp.org.

Survivor Spotlight: Barbara Eyrich

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:02 am | 12 comments.

When Barbara Eyrich volunteered at the PBCC’s 2008 Home Run Derby in Reading, she couldn’t anticipate she would be diagnosed with breast cancer two years later in May 2010. Barb originally heard about the PBCC through a women’s group she belonged to and was excited to read about the Derby. The following year she learned that Harleysville Savings Bank, where she is a loan officer, had teams participating in the Home Run Derby in Allentown.

So she and her daughter switched their volunteer efforts to the 2009 Lehigh Valley Home Run Derby. Last summer, Barb returned to the Home Run Derby just one month after having breast cancer surgery. She loves being involved in the event, lining up batters for their photos and helping to keep the day running smoothly.

She is just about finished with radiation now and says that having a positive attitude throughout has allowed her to focus on the end result. Her husband and children have been her biggest supporters and she is very grateful to them. Join Barb at the Home Run Derby at Coca-Cola Park on July 6th!

President’s Corner: 3-D Breast Scans Aid in Early Detection, Lessening False Positives

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am | 0 comments.

Recently approved by the FDA, 3-D breast scan systems provide radiologists with a clearer, spatially accurate representation of breast tissue to accompany the image provided by a mammogram. The 3-D reconstruction will make it easier to detect and identify possible malignancies in the breast tissue that may not have been visible prior to the 3-D technology.

The 3-D scan will provide radiologists with the ability to better analyze tumors found in the breast and help reduce the likelihood of false positives. A recent Philadelphia Inquirer article on the topic provided insights by radiologists familiar with the 3-D breast scan technology, formally called “tomosynthesis”. They showed that the 3-D breast scan will allow them to see any tumors more clearly than mammography alone. However, it is important to note that at this stage, the 3-D scan would not be a replacement for the traditional 2-D mammogram; rather, it would be used in conjunction with a traditional mammogram to provide a clearer picture of the inside of the breast. It is also important to remember that the 3-D scan provides a higher dose of radiation than do currently used mammograms, and the long-term effects of it on the breast are unknown.  Any woman considering this procedure should review it with her physician.

Information on cutting-edge breast cancer news and research will be available at the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 in Harrisburg. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Register today to join us for this inspirational and educational gathering of breast cancer advocates and survivors.

FrontLine, PBCC’s Print Newsletter: Spring 2011 Edition Online

Posted By on March 30th, 2011 at 3:54 pm | 2 comments.

The Spring 2011 edition of the PBCC’s print newsletter, FrontLine, is now available online! Thanks to Issuu, this newsletter is available to everyone though various websites including Facebook and PABreastCancer.org. Over the next few editions, we will be working to increase online content for FrontLine including videos, photos, and more!

Currently, FrontLine is mailed out to over 57,000 households and businesses across the state quarterly. If you receive FrontLine in the mail and wish to instead receive correspondence from the PBCC electronically, email us! We’ll be happy to make the change.

Enjoy the Spring 2011 edition!

PA Breast Cancer Coalition Awards Two Research Grants Through the Income Tax Refund Campaign

Posted By on March 22nd, 2011 at 11:31 am | 6 comments.

2011 Refunds for Research Check Presentation at the Hillman Cancer CenterPITTSBURGH, Pa. – The PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) has launched its annual Refunds for Research campaign to fund Pennsylvania cancer researchers. By simply checking YES on line 35 of the PA-40 tax form, any taxpayer can donate all or part of their state income tax refund to breast and cervical cancer research. Every penny contributed goes directly to PA breast and cervical cancer researchers as they work for a cure. By donating, the taxpayer will join the thousands of Pennsylvania tax filers who have contributed over $2.7 million for PA-based cancer research.

Through this program, the PA Breast Cancer Coalition is pleased to announce two recipients of research grants for 2011. Melanie Flint, Ph.D. and Steffi Oesterreich, Ph.D., both of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) and members of the Magee-Womens Research Institute, have been awarded $50,000 grants to assist in their research process.

“Thousands of donations of every size made by Pennsylvania residents make the Refunds for Research grants possible. The generosity of the people of this state for the program has been overwhelming,” said Pat Halpin-Murphy, President and Founder of the PBCC. “This simple and effective program, and the support of so many, reinforces our commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer now…so our daughters won’t have to.”

The PBCC worked with the state legislature to enact the Income Tax Check-Off for Breast & Cervical Cancer Research which is currently the most popular refund donation option in Pennsylvania. The funds raised through this initiative support the outstanding breast and cervical cancer researchers in our own backyard.

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 nonprofit 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.

Has Your Daughter Been Diagnosed with Breast Cancer?

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:57 am | 0 comments.

A breast cancer diagnosis is stressful not only for the patient but for everyone who cares about her. Mothers of daughters with breast cancer face the challenge of wanting to protect their child while having no control over what is happening. This is also a time when the daughter needs emotional support from her mother.

In 1995,  Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer (MSDBC) emerged from one mother’s experience. Charmayne Dierker and her daughter Lillie Shockney founded MSDBC, which provides free services for mothers who have daughters battling breast cancer.

Click here to order a free booklet or to be matched with a mother volunteer whose daughter is close in age to your daughter and has had the same type of breast cancer and same treatment. Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, M.A.S. has presented her widely popular Humor and Healing workshop at five PBCC annual conferences. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992 at the age of 38.

Lady Lions Roar Against Breast Cancer: Featured Grassroots Partner

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:56 am | 0 comments.

The Penn State Lady Lions roared past Northwestern in front of a crowd of nearly 12,000 at the 2011 WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State game! Check out the video below to see a recap from this exciting day. This incredible event honored the 352 breast cancer survivors in attendance with an inspirational halftime celebration on the court and a reception following the game.

Proceeds from the game and the online auction are still being tallied, but will be shared among a number of breast cancer organizations including the PBCC. Our thanks to the Lady Lions and Penn State for such a tremendously powerful event!

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!