Celebrating National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week

Image to the left taken from the FacingOurRisk.org website.

In the United States, at least one million people carry genes, such as the BRCA or breast cancer gene, that put them at risk for cancer. In 2010, a Congressional resolution created National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Week.

From September 25–October 2, 2011, HBOC Week raises awareness of hereditary cancer and recognizes those affected, including those with a family history of cancer, ovarian and breast cancer survivors, and previvors, those with a high risk of cancer who have not yet developed it.

Previvor Day is Wednesday, September 28, 2011, and a free teleconference with inspirational speaker and previvor Merit Gest will be held at noon EST. This event will focus on empowering previvors to understand the complex choices they face and make decisions about their health. To register, visit http://meritgest.com/national-previvor-day-september-28-2011.html.

HBOC Week falls in the week transitioning from Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During HBOC Week, Passing the Torch Ceremonies across the country pass a ceremonial flame from an ovarian cancer survivor to a breast cancer survivor to commemorate the transition.

The group FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) is a community dedicated to fighting hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and it has chapters throughout the U.S. Events during HBOC Week are scheduled by local FORCE groups and can be found at http://www.facingourrisk.org/events/HBOCWeekEvents.php. This year, chapters will be sponsoring walk / runs, film screenings, conferences, discussions, and charity events.

FORCE’s website offers the latest information and research on HBOC, and features webinars, books, and movies, as well as support to hereditary cancer victims and their families. FORCE holds an annual conference and HBOC forum during the summer, and focuses on cancer advocacy, education, and peer support. Visitors to the site will find inspiring artwork and blogs, a tribute wall, and the latest news about HBOC.

For more information, or to find out how you can help, visit http://www.facingourrisk.org.

Kicking Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Columbia, SC

breast cancer awarenessIn or near the Columbia, SC area? If so, join The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction team and other physicians and clinicians from all over South Carolina and the Green Hair Salon as we host our very own breast cancer awareness party.

During this fun-filled evening, you’ll have the opportunity to socialize with various physicians from across the state and ask questions about breast cancer, prevention, and breast reconstruction. Throughout the night, our team members, as well as other physicians, will speak about breast cancer and what you need to know to make smart, informed decisions about breast cancer.

Whether you know of someone who has faced breast cancer, or are currently fighting the battle with breast cancer, this event is for all women who are eager to educate themselves about their breast health options.

green hair salon

center for natural breast reconstruction

See below for more details on this event:

When: Monday, October 3, 2011, at 6 p.m.

Where: 2000 Park Street, Suite 104, Columbia, SC 29201

Food & Drink: Wine and cheese will be offered

Admission: FREE

RSVP appreciated, but not required: (866) 374-2627

We hope to see you there! And don’t forget, bring your questions.

Spotlight on Upstate Women’s Show

Image above taken from the Upstate Women’s Show website.

The 4th annual Upstate Women’s Show takes place August 26–28 at the TD Convention Center (formerly the Carolina First Center) in Greenville, SC. For three days, women can shop, watch fashion shows, attend cooking and fitness demonstrations, and just have fun with other women. Whether you’re a teen, a single woman, a mom, or a retiree, you’ll find plenty of fun, treats, and excitement at the show.

Over 300 vendors will show and demonstrate their products for women, and the exhibitor list includes Aloette Cosmetics, Carolina Pet Chef, Massage Envy, Chocolate Dreams, and The Children’s Museum. Products and services available range from jewelry to closet organization systems and baby gifts to a variety of artwork.

One of the exhibitors, My Girlfriend’s Closet, is working with Safe Harbor, an organization that helps women and children in need. If you drop off gently used accessories at Safe Harbor’s booth, you’ll receive a coupon for My Girlfriend’s Closet, and proceeds go to Safe Harbor.

Special areas of the show include . . .

  • Corley Entertainment Stage, with fashion shows, music, and comedy.
  • BI-LO Cooking Stage, with live cooking demonstrations.
  • Lift Your Spirits, a sampling area for wine and cuisine.
  • Cureton Photography Booth, offering free photos.
  • Go Active! Kids Area, with crafts, games, and sports.
  • Haywood Hall Man Cave, a lounge for the men to hang out while you explore.

The day wouldn’t be complete without some fun contests. To win a free bedroom makeover with Vern Yip of HGTV, visit www.WMYI.com from August 8–19 and upload a picture of your bedroom. Listeners will vote on the top three bedrooms that need a makeover, and Vern will choose the winner, who will receive a 15-minute consultation, a $1,000 gift certificate, and a queen mattress set.

Win an iPad on the SCBT Treasure Hunt. You’ll find a playing card in the bag you receive at the show. Visit the booths of the 8 sponsors on the card, and return it to the SCBT booth to enter the drawing.

The Upstate Women’s Show runs Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, August 28 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is $5, and tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 6–12. To save $2 on admission, bring 5 canned goods for Harvest Hope Food Bank.

For more information, visit http://shegreenville.com/.

Educate Yourself on Breast and Ovarian Cancer at the Annual Joining FORCEs Conference

Image to the left taken from FacingOurRisk.org.

For anyone concerned about hereditary breast or ovarian cancer, FORCE is hosting their annual Joining FORCEs Conference with Moffitt Cancer Center to educate individuals on everything from mastectomy options to genetic basics, and reconstruction options to menopause. This three-day international conference will provide attendees with valuable information and tips for cancer prevention and detection.

Attendees will also learn vital skills such as how to cope with cancer, how to make risk-management decisions, how to discuss cancer with family members, and so much more.

The event takes place from June 23 – 25 at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida. And we are delighted to inform you that we’ll be attending the event and featured as one of the exhibitors. In addition to exhibiting, Dr. James Craigie will be on one of the reconstruction Q & A panels, and Dr. Richard Kline will be hosting a table at the Networking Breakfast. We hope to see you there!

See below for an amazing video from FORCE:

Click here to register for this amazing event!

Fashion Feminar: What to Wear to a Wedding

 

what to wear to a weddingJoin Lee Heyward, style coach and owner of Charleston Style Concierge, and Kathryn Poe, owner of Mary Mojo Boutique, as they discuss tips for planning your wardrobe for a wedding. The live event, What to Wear to a Wedding, happening on Wednesday, May 25th at 6:30 p.m. at Mary Mojo Boutique in Mount Pleasant, SC, will benefit the Warriors Wear Pink organization.

Warriors Wear Pink lends assistance both financially and mentally to families fighting breast cancer. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales and shopping at Mary Mojo Boutique during the evening of the event will be donated to Warriors Wear Pink. (Click here to register!)

In an effort to eradicate wedding attire confusion, Lee and Mary will host this exciting and highly informative Feminar, dedicated to helping women eliminate frustration and quickly and easily dress for a wedding.

During this event at Mary Mojo Boutique (1405 Ben Sawyer Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC), you’ll learn . . .

  • How to make one dress work for both a casual and dressy wedding.
  • What to wear according to the time of a wedding.
  • How to know the dress code when it isn’t specified.
  • What colors you should NEVER wear.
  • Which accessories are must-haves for the next wedding you attend.

Once Lee and Mary have finished their Feminar, you’ll be invited to delight in refreshments and shopping. Tickets to the event cost $20, but remember, part of the proceeds go to a great cause!

Since space is limited, you must register for this live event. Click here for more information or to register for this exclusive Feminar.

 

 

 

Share this event with your friends and bring your girlfriends along for a fun night of refreshments and shopping!

Spread the Word about the 2011 Women’s Empowerment Conference

womens healthWe are delighted to spotlight the upcoming 2011 Women’s Empowerment Conference hosted by the Women’s Empowerment Group on May 21, 2011 at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, Beaufort Campus, Beaufort, SC, happening at 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Dedicated to educating and assisting women to live “Healthier Lives Through Education,” the Women’s Empowerment Group has created their very first Women’s Empowerment Conference for all women of the Lowcountry to attend. In an effort to educate women and young females about common health issues, the conference will work to educate females about heart disease, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and chronic diseases. Attendees may also receive HIV tests, as well as breast exams.

Throughout the day at the conference, there will be a variety of breakout session topics, including . . .

Dream Big, Live True: This is an entrepreneurial workshop hosted by Elizabeth Millen, editor and publisher of Pink Magazine.

Breast Health 101: This workshop will focus on what females can do to take care of their breasts and work to prevent breast cancer. The workshop will be hosted by Lucy Spears, a mission / coordinator survivor.

Sexy Senior: This workshop will focus on sex throughout life and will be hosted by Gwen Bampfield, JD.

Fats: The Good, Bad and the Ugly: Hosted by Sarah Smith, RD, LD, CDE, this workshop will focus on how to prevent chronic diseases.

Your Body is Your Temple: This discussion will focus on how to nourish the body and soul, and will be hosted by Gina Jordan, MD.

Sexual Health: With a focus on women’s sexual health issues, this workshop will be hosted by Ardra Davis-Tolbert, MD.

Teen Conference: This discussion will focus on a broad range of health topics for teenagers ages 13 – 18.

The event will also feature health screenings, door prizes, fitness demonstrations, heart health discussions, snacks and beverages, and giveaways.

**Since seating at the event is limited, please pre-register prior to Saturday, May 14. Registration is completely free. Click here to fill out your pre-registration form.

Spread the word and bring your daughters, mothers, grandmothers, and girlfriends for a day of fun and health education you’ll always remember.

For more information, click here to visit the Women’s Empowerment Group website.

An Unforgettable Ladies’ Night: East Cooper Medical Center’s Garden Party

garden partyDon’t miss the East Cooper Medical Center’s exciting Garden Party Event happening Thursday, May 12 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. This wonderful event will take place in the front lobby and outdoor garden area of the East Cooper Medical Center, and will feature free wine tastings, cheese, appetizers, and chocolates, as well as great giveaways! In addition to yummy snacks and beverages, guests will also enjoy live music in the garden, a unique “Peace, Love, & Hip Hop” exercise performance, maternity floor tours, and will have the chance to enter to win great giveaways.

Event attendees will also have the opportunity to listen to 12 informational talks given by local doctors and health professionals and ask questions pertaining to healthcare. In fact, one of the information talks will be given by The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction’s Dr. James Craigie and Dr. Richard Kline on Flappers Do the Charleston: The Free Flap Breast Reconstruction Method.

Some of the other talk topics of the night include:

  • How to Talk to Your Teenagers
  • Breast Screening and Diagnosis: It Could Save Your Life
  • Shining Light Where the Sun Don’t Shine: From Hemorrhoids to Colon Cancer
  • Face Lifts: Rejuvenate Your Look
  • And more!

The address of the event is East Cooper Medical Center Lobby & Garden, 2000 Hospital Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC.

Women are encouraged to register for this event so that the East Cooper Medical Center can purchase enough food and wine for all attendees to enjoy! To register for this free event, please call 843-884-7031.

All women are invited to this event, so share this post with your mothers, sisters, aunts, best friends, and grandmothers. We hope to see you there!

Celebrating Those Who’ve Won the Battle Against Breast Cancer

It was an afternoon of motivation, education, and celebration at the Annual Komen Lowcountry Survivor Celebration held at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Charleston, SC, on March 27. Survivors, along with their friends and families, gathered together for some afternoon tea to celebrate those who have won the battle against breast cancer—both here, in the Lowcountry, and around the world.

Guests enjoyed entertainment by singers from the Charleston County School of the Arts and Jazz Saxophonist Devon Gary. Survivor, Alex Costanzo, provided some laughs and good cheer with her “Top 10 Perks of Being a Breast Cancer Survivor.” Dr. Gretchen Meyer from Lowcountry Hematology & Oncologist provided the medical update portion of the program while Mona Palmore-Haynes stirred the crowd’s hearts and minds with her motivational speech about her own breast cancer experience.

The program closed with a moving candle lighting ceremony honoring the survivors in attendance. Congratulations to Gene Glave, who was the well deserved recipient of this years’ Charlene Daughtrey Award for her work with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure—Lowcountry Affiliate.

Thanks to Susan G. Komen for the Cure—Lowcountry Affiliate for such a truly beautiful and memorable day and The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction for their sponsorship.

See more images from the event below:

breast cancer events

 

breast reconstruction surgeon

Dr. Richard Kline and Chris Murkami RN

Dr. Richard Kline

Dr. Richard Kline and his nurse, Chris Murkami RN

Visit our Facebook page to view videos from the event!