By Diane Hasili
The 8th Annual “In the Pink” Fashion Show Benefit will be held on Friday, October 12th, at The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, with funds raised helping those fighting breast cancer locally. A cocktail reception will begin at 6:00 pm to be followed by a fabulous fashion show at 7:30 pm.
All of the event proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Resource Center at YWCA Princeton. “It is important for donors to realize their contributions will impact local individuals and families by providing much needed services at a critical time,” states Kara Stephenson, Breast Cancer Resource Center Director. “The other organizations tend to fund cancer research or screenings, which are extremely important, but a void remains in in providing specialized support services on the individual level to patients, survivors, and families – that’s why the Breast Cancer Resource Center is so vital in our community.”
Taking a comprehensive approach to breast cancer support and education, the Breast Cancer Resource Center at YWCA Princeton positively impacts the lives of more than 5,000 individuals each year, and helps hundreds of women learn to live with, through, and beyond breast cancer through free support groups, private counseling, a peer support network, teleconference and lecture series’, mind/body wellness activities, a wig & prosthesis boutique, a patient assistance fund, a resource library, and more. And, it brings breast health education directly to community organizations, schools, corporations, places of worship, and women’s groups throughout the year.
local statistics
New Jersey’s breast cancer incidence rate is 11th highest in the U.S., and New Jersey has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the U.S. among white females according recently released statistics by the American Cancer Society. Mercer County’s incidence rate is higher than both the NJ and US rates increasing the likelihood of knowing or being related to someone diagnosed with breast cancer.
fun, fashion, & fabulous women
This marks the 8th year for the “In the Pink” Fashion Show. Everyone is encouraged to attend, not just for the fabulous fashions and to benefit a great cause, but for its abundance of inspiration. Survivors, along with family members, supporters, doctors, and nurses, will model the latest fall styles from area retailers including Gap Princeton Marketfair, J.McLaughlin, Lord & Tayor Quakerbridge Mall, Palm Place “A Lily Pulitzer Signature Store”, Merricks Too, and evening wear for all occasions by Kiki D’s. The event celebrates the strength and beauty of those who have faced breast cancer. It also pays homage to the courage and compassion of their support network during their journey.
Pink party attire is encouraged. Tickets include hors d’oevres during the cocktail reception, a silent and live auction, an Oscar’s style “swag bag”, and the runway show. Guests will also enjoy the floral centerpiece competition featuring an dazzling array of designs donated by local florists.
The event will recognize five community champions for their work with breast cancer survivors. They are Dr. Harold Schell, a breast surgeon, Dr. Gary Tuma, a reconstructive surgeon, and Trish Tatrai, a Breast Navigator, all from Capital Health System in addition to Dr. Edward Soffen, a radiation oncologist at Princeton Radiation Oncology, and Mary Kiensicki, a Patient Navigator at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro Breast Health Center. All will be models in the show.
Event co-chairs Leslie Burger and Cynthia Ricker are committed to increasing awareness of the Breast Cancer Resource Center and its services. Both are breast cancer survivors who have benefitted from the center’s services and know firsthand how important it is. “Having a support network during the entire breast cancer journey– from diagnosis through treatment, recovery, and survivorship is so crucial,” says Burger.
A silent and live auction with scores of stunning items including jewelry, theatre tickets, dinner certificates, dance lessons, gourmet gift baskets, services for pampering and self-indulgence, and hotel stays will be part of the event. Highlighted items include golf and lunch for four at the members-only Trump National Golf Club Westchester, a Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort stay, “Comin’ Up Roses” Vera Bradley handbag set, a Kindle, tickets to “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire” television show, a Hamilton Jewelers gift card, and a Sunday Champagne Brunch at the Cranbury Inn.
Two-time survivor Karen Jezierny, of Princeton will emcee the fashion show again this year. “My whole world changed in that instant when I learned I had breast cancer,” she shares. “As a mother, it was especially hard to hear those words and be able to move forward but that’s what I did with the help of the center.” She continues to be a supporter and always ready to lend a hand. She wants people to know, “If you need breast cancer services, your mother, your neighbor, or your next door neighbor – call. You will be amazed at the network of people associated with Breast Cancer Resource Center who are willing to help. People start as strangers, but end up as friends.”
The YWCA Princeton is especially grateful for the support of this year’s sponsors: Perfectly Pink—UBS Financial Services; Positively Pink—Capital Health Center for Comprehensive Breast Care, and University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro Breast Health Center; and Proudly Pink—Hopewell Valley Community Bank, Horizon NJ Health, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC, Mercer County Woman, Princeton Medical Group (Dr. John S. Sirocki, Dr. Peter I. Yi, Dr. Richard T. Lee, Dr. Thomas Blom), and Purdue Pharma.
event tickets
Tickets are available at www.ywcaprinceton.org/inthepink or by calling (609) 497-2100 ext. 333. Businesses and individuals can show their support by purchasing an ad in the event program book at ext. 346/249. For information on services, email [email protected] or visit www.ywcaprinceton.org/bcrc.
how funds are used locally
The Breast Cancer Resource Center Princeton is part of the not-for-profit YWCA Princeton. It relies heavily on donations and the funds raised from the fashion show to meet the increasing needs of those affected by breast cancer across central New Jersey.
The facility is committed to ensuring donations directly support people in meaningful ways. “Rather than spend money on water bottles and bracelets, we spend the funds where they make a real difference to the individual with breast cancer such as providing a free wig, prosthetic, or mastectomy bra, counseling, or a wellness class with others facing breast cancer,” adds Stephenson.
How Contributions Help Local Breast Cancer Survivors
$1000 10 women 12 week yoga class to relieve treatment side effects
$ 750 10 women Breast prosthesis and a mastectomy bra
$ 500 2 women 3-day Nurturing Journey Survivorship Retreat
$ 400 12 women Wigs for their hair loss due to chemotherapy
$ 300 6 women Private counseling with a licensed clinical social worker
To meet Sena Hill, of Belle Mead, and Terry Guthrie, of Bordentown, you are struck by the exuberance of this energetic mother-daughter team. Mom Terry is a two-time survivor of breast cancer. First diagnosed first in 1997, she was again diagnosed in 2010 — the same week as daughter Sena learned she too had breast cancer. Sena had a clean mammogram one month, and found a lump herself the following month. Terry shares about her experience with the Breast Cancer Resource Center, “ During support groups, I learned I didn’t want my entire life to be focused on cancer. I realized that I had only lost a breast, not my life, and I believed that I would live to be an old lady!” About having to be a supporter and a patient at the same time, Sena says, “You don’t know how strong you are until you have to be strong.”
Long-time survivor, Winnie Wanda Webster Stansbury of Pennington, was just 33 years old when diagnosed in 1983. She is the first and only person in her family to be challenged by breast cancer. She discovered a lump during a self-exam and soon after connected with the Breast Cancer Resource Center.” Proof that breast cancer is survivable, she has been at the forefront of helping others with the establishment of New Jersey’s statewide screening program providing free mammograms for the under and uninsured.
current and future goals
“Most people are aware of the prevalence of breast cancer, but not that the Breast Cancer Resource Center is here, in their own backyard, ready to help them and their families meet the day-to-day challenges,” says Stephenson. “Since 1972, we have encouraged women to get mammograms and been at their side traveling their journeys with them providing wellness programs, education, financial assistance and emotional support.”
Future goals include acceptance of insurance payments for wigs and prosthetics at its boutique, increasing financial assistance to those facing economic hardships, helping the under and uninsured get mammograms, and reaching even deeper in the community through churches, schools, and corporations to educate about breast cancer and the help available to them.
