Group joins Passionately Pink for the Cure
By: John Tredrea
Several thousand dollars for breast cancer research, education, screenings and treatment are expected to be raised this month through a program at the Pennington-Ewing Athletic Club (PEAC) on Lower Ferry Road in Ewing.
PEAC is participating in the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Passionately Pink for the Cure program in October.
"It’s a great program for our kind of business," said PEAC events coordinator Karen Santini. "The foundation encourages participating companies to have their employees wear pink one day a week to work, or wear it every day. We decided to do it every day."
On sale on a prominently displayed table at PEAC this month have been pink hats, shirts, ribbons and other items. Five dollars from each purchase goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
"We set a goal ourselves a goal of raising $500," Ms. Santini said. "But we’ll pass that easily. It’ll be several thousand dollars."
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s Web site, www.komen.org, says the organization was founded through a promise made between two sisters Susan Goodman Komen and Nancy Goodman Brinker. Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978 and, before she died at the age of 36, she asked her sister to do everything possible to bring an end to breast cancer. Nancy kept her promise by establishing the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in her sister’s memory 24 years ago. The Web site says that, in 2004, the foundation invested $98.6 million in grants and programs related to breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment
A healthy lifestyle and regular checkups are important in preventing breast cancer, Nancy Goodman Brinker said.
"There are women everywhere who do not understand the importance of early detection and do not have access to annual screening mammography," she said. "We must remain committed to ensuring that every woman follows a positive breast health regimen by receiving regular mammography screening and clinical breast examinations and performing monthly breast self-examinations."
A raffle and benefit hip-hop dance clinic also were held at PEAC this month to raise money for the foundation.
"As participants in this program, we also were encouraged to honor someone special," Ms. Santini said. "Hands down, our choice was a PEAC member we know and love, Maria Spillman."
Ms. Spillman , of Trenton, as developed breast cancer twice. The first time was nine years ago. She was treated and the disease was pronounced in remission. It showed up again this year , however.
"I had breast cancer surgery this May and began chemotherapy in June," Ms. Spillman said. "My last treatment will be the end of this month."
Ms. Spillman was honored by PEAC on Oct. 12.
"Many local businesses joined us in giving Maria some special gifts," Ms. Santini said. "She received gift baskets, gift certificates, a free massage and training session here at the club and a lot of other things. She was also given a large message board to keep, with words of encouragement from staff and club members."
A devotee of organic foods and regular exercise, Ms. Spillman said belonging to PEAC was a big help in getting through hard times.
"Continuing my routine at PEAC throughout the summer gave me a sense of being ‘normal and healthy’ despite the pain I felt from the two surgeries and all of the side effects from chemotherapy."she said.
"Maria truly has been an inspiration to us here," Ms. Santini said. "She is a lovely person, always more concerned about others than herself. We are happy and proud to have her among us and to have been able to do something for her during this special month."

