Real Men Wear Pink ENGAGED! RIVER VALLEY Issue 11

FIGHTING BREAST CANCER

Real Men Wear Pink

For this issue's non-profit pairing, we worked with the American Cancer Society in conjunction with their Real Men Wear Pink campaign. With special thanks to our Real Men Wear Pink participants Mike Larson (Evansville Fire Department), Nick Iaccorino (WFIE) and David Hudspeth (Shoe Carnival) for modeling styles from Ella Park Bridal for the shoot photographed by Goad Photography.

Real Men Wear Pink gives men a leadership role in the fight against breast cancer. Community leaders around the nation use the power of pink to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society's breast cancer initiatives, including innovative research, patient services, and education around screenings and risk reduction. It's one important way they're attacking cancer from every angle.

As a Real Men Wear Pink candidate, leaders commit to: - Wearing pink throughout October - Raising awareness for the cause through their social media networks - Raising a minimum of $2,500 to help the American Cancer Society fight breast cancer

Apart from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer type in women. In 2019: About 268,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed.

About 63,960 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed in women (CIS is noninvasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).

If you or someone you love is concerned about developing breast cancer, has been recently diagnosed, is going through treatment, or is trying to stay well after treatment, the American Cancer Society can help you find the answers you need.

To learn more about our area Real Men Wear Pink campaign, visit: REALMENWEARPINKACS.ORG/EVANSVILLEIN

Photos by Goad Photography

Cancer awareness plays a large role in the lives of the Ella Park Bridal team. On November 27th of 2017, Lisa Daniel (coowner of EPB) was diagnosed with colon cancer. Mike and Lisa consulted several doctors and decided that emergency surgery was needed to remove the tumor from her colon. Two months after colon surgery, Lisa was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer. In late January 2018, Lisa had her right lobe removed along with her gall bladder. Lisa, in true Lisa fashion, recovered quite quickly and remained resilient throughout her 18 months of treatments. She stayed present in the store and reminded us all why we love working at Ella Park Bridal – we love making dreams come to fruition. Lisa has been clear of treatments since December of 2018 and is as peppy and spunky as ever! During this already difficult period, our alterations manager, Summer, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2018. Summer stayed as present as possible throughout her treatments, coming in to assist our other alterations specialists when able as needed. Thankfully, she had her last round of chemotherapy on November 1st of 2018 and is now a cancer survivor. Summer is back at work regularly and shining her light on each bridal gown she touches! In light of the events that Ella Park Bridal had endured since both Lisa and Summer’s diagnosis, Mike Daniel (coowner of EPB) has assembled a company team at the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure. This September will mark the second annual race for team “Say Yes to The Cure.” Ella Park Bridal has also joined forces with Gilda’s Club of Evansville. A percentage of each gown purchased at Ella Park Bridal goes towards an annual donation to help all individuals that have been impacted by cancer in the tri-state area. “These women are an inspiration to me for their hard work and dedication to bring you the best wedding experience possible… We help you, you help us, we help others. It’s the circle of life!” –Mike Daniel