December 2008 · Vol. X, No. 2 GUEST
LETTER
Dear Hot Pink Flash readers: Three years ago, I was a first-time breast cancer survivor, dealing with the aftermath of diagnosis and treatment. Shelly Power, our outgoing board president and my friend of the heart, introduced me to Pink Ribbons Project, and my life changed again. Since then, it has been my privilege to work as a volunteer in a succession of changing roles which have provided many opportunities to work, create, grow and give back. Pink Ribbons Project never flinches when presented with a challenge because “can’t” isn’t in Susan Rafte’s vocabulary. Her focus is on moving forward, getting the message of breast cancer awareness out in every possible way. That’s why we’ve moved to a new, larger office space that expands the scope of activities we can support in-house; revamped the Web site to make it more functional; expanded the newsletter; moved into radio, using community airtime on KPFT to reach a new audience; supported the breast cancer musical Unbeatable and its educational components; and reached out to the next generations through special programming and student-inspired events. But it doesn’t stop there. Pink Ribbons Project has also provided equipment to clinics, helped put mobile mammography units on the street, and made Saturday mammograms possible because every woman should have access to this basic breast health tool. These things are the outward signs of the work going on behind the scenes: by the dedicated staff daily; by the board of directors through strategic planning, networking and fund-raising; by committees through sensitivity to opportunity and timely follow-through; and
by our growing contingent of volunteers, without whom we could not bring our plans to fruition. Underlying and supporting all these efforts are the contributions and donations from other supporters throughout the community who give generously of their time, talents and personal resources. Working together, we are — truly — an unbeatable team. As incoming president, I will continue to work with our strong and dedicated board whose expertise solidly grounds us as we work to strengthen Pink Ribbons Project and accomplish new goals, as well as encourage ever-increasing levels of community involvement. Today, as a two-time survivor, I want to say a word about need. The many hours I spent in chemo labs, oncologists’ offices and hospital waiting rooms gave me an up-close-and-personal window into the needs of breast cancer survivors and their families. When you meet this special community one woman at a time, hear their stories and learn about their individual challenges, the need for the work we do becomes very real. It is these women and their families and many others like them who drive my commitment to Pink Ribbons Project. It is for them that we are “Using the arts to save lives and improve the quality of life for those touched by breast cancer” — for people like me. Work. Create. Grow. Give.
Cheryl P. Donlin Vice President Board of Directors
In this issue: Pink Pronouncements
2
The Stars Shone Brightly
4
Pink Night Out in the City
2
We’re Unbeatable
6
The 7th Annual Tour of Pink Platter
3
Pink at the Brown Save-the-Date
6
Chevron Houston Marathon
3
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S
LETTER
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” — HELEN KELLER (1880–1968)
September 2008 proved to be quite an adventure for all of us here in the greater Houston area. For Pink Ribbons Project, the month began with our annual Tour de Pink bike ride and the very exciting world premiere of Unbeatable, a bold new musical at Stages Repertory Theatre that we helped bring to Houston. Both events were exciting and successful beyond expectation; the weather was beautiful for the bike ride and night after night the theater was filled with enthusiastic audiences. Then Hurricane Ike blew through town. (Read more about Unbeatable on page 6.) This got me thinking about the treatment phase of my cancer journey and how funny and interesting I always found it when a national holiday interrupted the regimen, and the nurses or technicians would say, “Ms. Rafte, remember, don’t come in on Monday — we’ll be closed.” I would smile a bit and comment, “Oh, good, I guess my cancer is going on a holiday, as well.” Ridiculous as that sounds, it is a baffling and profound thought. Cancer has a type ‘A’ personality — cancer doesn’t take holidays — it doesn’t know how to relax on weekends — it doesn’t take time off, period. This particular anecdote seems timely in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Holiday or hurricane, the need to take care of you remains center stage and is probably even more important as we take on added stress and turmoil in our daily lives. The need to screen and the need to treat remain constant whether it is a rainy day or a bright sunshiny day. continues on page 7