Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Pink Hands for Focused on a Cure!

Our good friend and 2010 Focused on a Cure survivor Renda Welch, sent Karen a magazine article a few weeks ago. The image in the article showed  all of the employees of a dental office with pink hands. Renda wanted to have all of her staff do a similar portrait to promote her dental office and breast cancer awareness!

Renda and her staff came to the studio on June 1st to display their pink hands, breast cancer ribbons and of course have tons of fun with Karen.

Here are some of our favorite images from their session!


Of course Karen had to get in on the fun!!

Renda is working extremely hard on sponsorships for this year’s Piggin Out for Pink event. She has already raised over $1,000!!! We want to thank her and her staff for all of their hard work. Thank you ladies for supporting Focused on a Cure!!

Make sure to stop by Dr. Welch’s office where our 2010 FOC survivor exhibit is currently displayed.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Cabarrus County Relay 2011

Relay for Life in Cabarrus County was May 14-15 at J.M. Robinson High School. This year Focused on a Cure decided to partner with our friends at Logan’s Roadhouse to help raise money for relay. We had three tents and were surrounded by our survivor exhibit.




All of the Logan’s and FOC crew were excited to be apart of Relay. Logan’s sold cheeseburgers, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and drinks. FOC had our T-shirts, purses, jewelry and Piggin Out for Pink tickets for sale. We were also selling raffle tickets for a $250 IP gift card and FOC basket of goodies.







This year's theme was Celebrate Another Birthday. Everyone's tents were decorated with birthday streamers, cakes, cupcakes, and party decor. We were all thankful to be celebrating another year of life for our cancer survivors.




Despite the morning rain, everyone was wet but enjoying raising money for Relay.


We had the opportunity to see some of our survivors in our FOC exhibit from years past. We love them all and always enjoy seeing them. Jennifer Powell, who works at Logan’s, was the keynote speaker for Relay this year. It was nice to see Jenn and celebrate her survivorship.


Relay also gave us the chance to meet other survivors and even recruit a few to be a part of our 2010 and future exhibits!

This year’s relay was cut short due to the bad storms in the area. We had a great time at Relay and really appreciated the efforts of our friends at Logan’s for helping us with our tent. We cannot wait to announce the total amount raised at Relay. To see all of the candids from this year’s relay please visit http://www.facebook.com/#%21/focusedonacure.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Kannapolis Photographer photographs new Facebook images for a Good Cause

This past Sunday we held a Facebook Party here at the IP Studio. The weather was warm and beautiful, the perfect day for a party.

Seventeen ladies joined us to celebrate and enjoyed a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Each lady was treated with an IP gift card for a free one hour session and goodies from Gary at Plain or Fancy catering. His ham sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies are the best!

While everyone waited on hair and make-up provided by our friends Jesse and Courtney at CC & CO Salon and Spa. They were greeted by our vendors: The Bra Lady, Made to Match, Amy Bost 31 and Premiere Jewelry.

Everyone shopped, chatted, and had their nails painted hot pink by IP’s very own Sarah Hubbard!! Then it was time for Karen to work her magic!! Karen photographed new facebook profile images for everyone. We wanted to share some of our favorite images with you!!


Alyssa relaxes for her new facebook image! Look at those amazing blue eyes.

Whitney came out to support our Facebook Party. Whitney was our 13-17 recepient of a modeling contract from Carolina's Next Top Model. She is so beautiful

Tammy looked goregous in our blossming flower garden.

Susanne shared a fun afternoon with her granddaughter, Alyssa. What a cute image!
April looked stunning in Karen's red chair!

Of course Karen had to have a new facebook image of her own!



We will post our favorite image of each lady on our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/IPbyKG. All the images from Sunday will be posted on Friday, April 22nd. We want to thank everyone who participated in our Facebook Party. We raised $700 for Focused on a Cure!! That is one step closer to our goal of $30,000!! Make sure to like Focused on a Cure on facebook to keep up with our upcoming events!!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Focused on a Cure: 1st annual Survivior Christmas Portrait

On Saturday November 20th, Focused on Cure survivors gathered for our 1st annual Survivor Christmas Portrait.


Karen had the wonderful idea of gathering our survivors together for an annual Christmas portrait. This is a great way to reflect on the year gone by and celebrate another year as a breast cancer survivor.

The laughter at this session was contagious. It is amazing how all survivors can relate to one another and come together as friends due to a common cause.

13 survivors gathered in downtown Kannapolis behind the Gem theater for this fun location session. Linda Vaughn was gracious enough to bring her Pink Rambler and let us utilize the car for some very fun images.

Never a dull moment with Karen and her crew, we did have to drag out umbrellas and other objects to retrieve Misty’s phone that was dropped down a gutter, but with the fantastic efforts of Megan, it was retrieved.


All of our survivors wore Pink Santa hats and various shades of pink attire. They were photographed around the Pink Rambler as well as on the stairwell.
Below are some of our favorite images from the session:

 

Thelma and Louise!
 
 


We are so excited to make this an annual tradition. We look forward to our 2011 Christmas portrait with new survivors and old friends!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Focused on a Cure: Pumpkin Portraits Fundraiser

On Friday October 29th, we kicked off our 2011 fundraising with Pumpkin portraits. For a $20 donation, the participants received a 5x7 portrait.


Twenty three families came out to support our Pumpkin portrait fundraiser. We had a hula girl, Buzz Lightyear, a pirate, a lion and even a strawberry. We had a traditional pumpkin set with pumpkins and hay bells. Our second set was a darker set with a white door, a lamp and an old chair.


Everyone who gave a donation was entered in to win a $150 IP gift card. Amy Eury was our lucky winner. Amy supported Focused on a Cure with her two boxers Emma Grace and Bentley.

 

 
We raised a total of $800 for Focused on a Cure! We want to extend a huge Thank You to everyone who came out and supported our first fundraiser of 2011. We are very excited for 2011. Focused on a Cure is thrilled about our upcoming events and our fundraising efforts to find a cure in 2011. $800 is just the start. Stay tuned to http://www.irresistibleportraits.com/ and Facebook for our upcoming events.



For more information on Focused on a Cure please visit http://www.irresistibleportraits.com/, or become our fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/focusedonacure.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Focused on a Cure: Hope Lodge

It’s the time of year when we reflect on all the things we are thankful for. At the American Cancer Society, we’re thankful for Relay For Life participants like you who help us save lives and fight back against cancer!




Did you know your Relay efforts help cancer patients get well? Hope Lodge is one of many free American Cancer Society programs. Located near treatment centers, they provide a home away from home for patients and families going through cancer treatment.



Air Force veteran Bill Gregory was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and discovered he needed Hope Lodge. “Doctors told me I could stay at the Hope Lodge for free while I was being treated, which was just miraculous since I had no money to pay for a hotel room,” Bill said. “I was kind of waffling on my desire to live through it when I found out about Hope Lodge. It removed a big excuse I had for giving up.” Bill is cancer-free today, but he still makes regular visits to Hope Lodge to help and encourage guests.



Hope Lodges supported by your Relay For Life provided more than 34,000 free lodging nights to people like Bill last year.



Thank you for saving lives and keep fighting back!



SOURCE: American Cancer Society

Friday, October 29, 2010

Focused on a Cure: Breast Cancer Myths and Truths


National Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
Do you know the truth about breast cancer?

Myths and Truths about Breast Cancer and Mammograms


MYTH: No one in my family has ever had breast cancer, so I don’t really need to be concerned.

TRUTH: Your risk is greater if a close relative has had breast cancer – but as many as 80 percent of breast cancers are diagnosed in women who do not have a family history of the disease.


MYTH: If I’m going to get breast cancer, there’s nothing I can do about it.

TRUTH: Yes, there are things you can do. While we still don’t how to prevent breast cancer, we do know that early detection can improve a woman’s chances of beating this disease. A mammogram can find a tumor much earlier than you or your doctor can feel it. When breast cancer is found early, while it is small and before it has spread, the chance of successful treatment is highest. Early detection also means that a woman’s chances for saving her breast are better because doctors may be able to remove the tumor and only a small area of nearby tissue. You can also take steps to reduce your risk of the disease, including maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, getting plenty of exercise, and limiting alcohol intake.


MYTH: These tests cost a lot, and I can’t afford a mammogram.

TRUTH: Medicare, Medicaid, and almost all insurance companies cover mammograms. Some low-cost mammogram programs are also available. These are often promoted during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, every October. Some doctors, hospitals, or clinics may also lower their fees for women who cannot afford the usual charge. Also, the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides free or low-cost screening and follow-up treatment for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women, with a high priority on reaching racial and ethnic minority women. Contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 to learn more about special low-cost programs in your community.



MYTH: Since mammograms are x-rays, the radiation could be dangerous.

TRUTH: In the past 20 years, both the equipment and how mammograms are done have greatly improved. Today, the level of radiation is very low and does not significantly raise a woman's risk of breast cancer.



MYTH: I heard mammograms hurt and can be embarrassing.

TRUTH: When you get a mammogram, you stand beside the machine and a specially trained technologist helps place your breast on a metal plate. A second plate made of plastic is placed on top, and for a few seconds, the top plate is pushed down and flattens the breast to get a good, clear picture. The technologist usually takes two pictures of each breast. Many women may feel some discomfort, but it is for a very short time. To reduce discomfort, try to avoid scheduling your mammogram during the week before or during your period, when your breasts are most tender. Tell the technologist if you have any pain.


MYTH: If I get a mammogram, I’m going to find breast cancer.

TRUTH: Only two to four mammograms out of every 1,000 will lead to a cancer diagnosis. Only about 10 percent of women need more tests. If a suspicious area is found, your doctor will order more tests. Another mammogram may be done, focusing more pictures on the area of concern. The doctor may also use a thin needle to remove fluid or a small amount of tissue from the suspicious area. This test is called a biopsy and it is the only way to know for sure whether or not the changes are caused by cancer. A specialist called a pathologist looks at the sample under a microscope. But even if you are told you need a biopsy, remember that more than 80 percent of lumps or suspicious areas will not be cancer.


MYTH: I’ve lived this long without getting breast cancer. Why should I bother with a mammogram?

TRUTH: Your risk of developing breast cancer increases as you get older. More than two out of every three breast cancers diagnosed each year occur in women older than 55. Even if you've been through menopause, you still need a mammogram.


SOURCE: American Cancer Society     www.Cancer.org  

For more information on how you can help create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.You can also join your local Relay For Life at www.RelayForLife.org/Cabarrus .


Focused on a Cure will be participating in the 2011 Cabarrus County Relay for Life.