Focused On a Cure

Pink Hands for Focused on a Cure!

2011-06-15T07:34:00.000-07:00

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.

Cabarrus County Relay 2011

2011-05-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Kannapolis Photographer photographs new Facebook images for a Good Cause

2011-04-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

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!!

Focused on a Cure: 1st annual Survivior Christmas Portrait

2010-12-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

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!

Focused on a Cure: Pumpkin Portraits Fundraiser

2010-11-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

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.

Focused on a Cure: Hope Lodge

2010-11-05T08:27:00.000-07:00

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

Focused on a Cure: Breast Cancer Myths and Truths

2010-10-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

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.

Focused on a Cure: Logan's PINK OUT

2010-10-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

Last night Karen and the girls from the studio had a girl’s night out at Logan’s Steakhouse in Kannapolis, celebrating Logan’s Steakhouse PINK OUT. Our friend and 2010 Focused on a Cure survivor Jen Powell hosted the event.

The Focused on a Cure exhibit was displayed on the Logan’s fireplace upon entrance to the restaurant. All of Logan’s wait staff was wearing pink t-shirts to support Breast Cancer awareness. 10% of all sales at Logan’s yesterday were donated to the American Cancer Society in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month.

Along with the 10% sales donation, Logan’s also had a car wash on Saturday October 23rd and a bake sale throughout the weekend. Volunteers gave out Breast Cancer information sheets and bracelets engraved with messages of strength and hope.

Eighteen Logan’s Steakhouses in North Carolina Participated in the PINK OUT program, as of last night Logan’s had raise $120,000 in support of Breast Cancer. Totals were still coming in from last night’s event as well as t-shirt and merchandise sales.

Congratulations to Jen Powell and the entire Logan’s Franchise for supporting such a wonderful cause.

Focused on a Cure: Northwest Cabarrus Middle School

2010-10-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

Friday, October 22nd, we attended the Northwest Cabarrus Middle School Walk for Breast Cancer. Jane Jacobs, an 8th grade teacher at Northwest Cabarrus Middle School organized the event. Jane is also one of our 2008 Focused on a Cure Survivors.

Students paid $5 to get out of class for the afternoon and walk the track in honor of Breast Cancer. There were activities on the track, such as face painting and crafts. A Pink Cadillac was on the track for students to have their portraits taken around. Students had in memory of signs pinned to their shirts in honor of family members lost to Breast Cancer. Student wore all forms and fashions of pink. Pink sparkly sunglasses, pink soccer socks, one student had a homemade t-shirt from mom!

Mrs. Jacob’s class made their own t-shirt in support of the event. Our Focused on a Cure display was on the track for students to read and admire. Several students stopped to read the metals. One student stopped to tell us that her mom, aunt and grandmother all suffered with breast cancer. She had a pink cast with a pink ribbon to honor the event.

The Walk for Breast Cancer has already raised $4,000 with some sales still coming in.

Congratulations to Mrs. Jacobs and the students of Northwest Cabarrus Middle School for all of their efforts to raise Breast Cancer Awareness. Way to Go Guys!

To view more images from this event please visit http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240378&id=113741630727&page=5

Focused on a Cure: Pink Pearls

2010-10-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Last Night we attended the Pink Pearls event held at Concord Vintage Motor Company. The 2010 Focused on a Cure Exhibit was displayed right when everyone walked in the door. People were enjoying the exhibit when entering the event.

Special guest Molly Grantham from WBTV News was the guest MC for the event. Molly has personally been touched by breast cancer in her family. Her mother is a breast cancer survivor, her grandmother was a breast cancer survivor and her great grandmother passed away with breast cancer. Molly did a wonderful job hosting this event.

Models strutted on the runway in fashions by Brooks Brothers, Cache, Coldwater Creek, Doncaster, Kids CO-OP, and Neta’s.

This year’s event was the 30th anniversary of the Healing Threads Fashion show. Neta’s has been supplying clothes for all 30 years of the fashion show. This year was extra special because Neta herself modeled in the show. It was also the first time in Neta’s life that she had ever worn pants. Neta is a typical southern bell wearing dresses all her life!

There were two special models in the show to Focused on a Cure. Sabrena Thomas and Lou Hamilton were both models this year. Both ladies are both breast cancer survivors and part of Cabarrus Health Alliances Sisters in Partnership.

Over the thirty years of the Pink Pearls Fashion show Northeast Foundation has raised over 5.75 million dollars contributed to Breast Cancer awareness and research. This year’s event through sponsorship, donations and ticket sales raised $65,500.

We would like to thank Northeast Foundation for their support of Focused on a Cure as well as say thank you to them for all they do for Breast Cancer awareness.

Way to Go Guys!!

http://www2.independenttribune.com/news/2010/sep/26/fashion-show-benefit-northeast-foundation-ar-420207/

To learn more about Northeast Foundation please visit their website at http://www.cmc-northeast.org/

Focused on a Cure: Fox News Rising

2010-10-15T10:52:00.002-07:00

We always love to announce news from our survivors. Jennifer Powell one of our 2010 Survivors was on the 8am morning show Fox News Rising today. Jennifer was showcased telling her story of survival as well as to announce her Breast Cancer Awareness Event at Logan’s Steakhouse in Kannapolis on Monday Oct. 25th. Her event is called PINK OUT day at Logan's. They are having a car wash, bake sale and 10% of all sales will go to the American Cancer Society.

Congratulations to Jenn for promoting Breast Cancer Awareness as well as for being a Survivor.

Way to Go Jenn!!

Focused on a Cure: Northeast Foundation

2010-10-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves to get a Thank You for what they are doing. Northeast Foundation has been very supportive of Focused on a Cure from the inception of our organization. They also have part of our Survivor story exhibit displayed in their waiting room.

Today we received a card from them:

Dear Karen and Renda,

The staff of Northeast Foundation and I want to take this opportunity to again say, "Thank You" for all you are doing to promote Breast Health Awareness and to support and assist those who have and are fighting this disease. The beautiful portraits along with the stories of hope that you are sharing, are such an inspiration! We appreciate all you contribute to our community!

Sincerely,

Traci Haltom

Donor Coordinator

Thank you Traci for such a sweet note. We also appreciate the continued support from Northeast Foundation for Focused on a Cure.

Please also view our story in the Independent Tribune at: http://www2.independenttribune.com/news/2010/oct/03/nonprofit-raises-awareness-breast-cancer-shares-su-ar-432658/

Focused on a Cure: Are you at risk for breast cancer?

2010-10-15T07:06:00.000-07:00

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Are you at risk for breast cancer?

Although we do not know how to prevent breast cancer, it is possible to reduce your risk of developing the disease to help you stay well. Some risk factors such as age, race, family history of the disease, and reproductive history cannot be changed. However, lifestyle factors such as reducing alcohol use, engaging in regular physical activity, eating well, and staying at a healthy weight are all associated with lower risk.

Being a woman is the greatest risk factor for breast cancer; but men can develop breast cancer, too.

The risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Two out of three women with invasive breast cancer are 55 or older when they are diagnosed.

Breast cancer risk is higher among women with a family history of the disease. Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) with breast cancer increases a woman’s risk. However, most women with breast cancer do not have a first-degree relative with the disease.

Additional risk factors include:
Taking postmenopausal hormone therapy (especially combined estrogen and progestin therapy)
Being overweight or obese, especially if weight is gained after menopause
Use of alcohol, especially two or more drinks daily
Physical inactivity
Long menstrual history
Never having children or having your first child after age 30
Previous chest radiation to treat a different cancer
Previous history of breast cancer

You can help create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays. To learn more about breast cancer and how to reduce your risk, call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/breastcancer. You can also join your local Relay For Life at www.RelayForLife.org/Cabarrus .

Source: American Cancer Society

Focused on a Cure: Sisters in Partnership Meeting

2010-10-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

Today Karen and I attended the Sisters in Partnership meeting at Cabarrus Health Alliance! For those of you who are unaware of what Cabarrus Health Alliance does, they are an organization that provides health care to those who cannot afford the type of health care necessary for their particular illness.

Sisters in Partnership is an African American organization that promotes Breast Cancer awareness as well as provides a group for ladies to attend, talk about their illness and give support to one another.

As a personal testimony, I can say from the bottom of my heart that these ladies touched me today. They made me want to work harder for Focused on a Cure to beat this illness that they have over come. Each survivor went around and gave personal testimonies and I wanted to share a few of those testimonies with you.

I am Bertha Williams. I am 96 years old, praise the Lord above. I am a multiple cancer survivor. I have had both breast and kidney cancer as well as I now live with a rare form of blood cancer. When I went in and was told that I had breast cancer, I told the doctors that I did not want to go any further, I was ready to go home to my Lord. However God was not done with me. Doctors gave me three months to live and here it is 8 years later!! I prayed for strength which he gave to me. Everyone else prayed for my healing so he answered their prayers as well.

I am Mrs. Pearl Asbury. My daughter went with me to my oncology appointment when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I told the doctor then that I had a great granddaughter due that week and that I was refusing to go along with his plan because I wanted to feel good when I was there with the great grand baby. The baby was born and it was a joyful occasion. I went back to the oncologist after getting back from my trip to start his treatment. They ran all of their traditional test and found that I no longer had cancer. That was 6 years ago, and I have been cancer free ever since. Praise the Lord!!

Another lady spreads awareness by purchasing Avon Breast Cancer bracelets and giving them to people that she meets. She meet a lady at the bank who had on wrap. She went over to talk with her and tell her how beautiful she was. The lady said " Thank you I forgot my wig in the car", girl you look beautiful without it and gave her a bracelet.

There were 10 survivors in attendance at this meeting and each story was more touching than the last. These two stories that I shared were the two that stuck out the most. The only common theme of all of their stories was that they were thankful to God for leading them through. They knew that this diagnoses was just a stepping stone in their life that God had handed them to lead them to another journey. All of these ladies were meant to do great things and they have.

Cabarrus Health Alliance received a large grant this year from Focused on a Cure 501(c)(3) and this is why. They provide services to people like Mrs. Pearl and Mrs. Bertha. These ladies are what provide us with stories of healing and inspiration.

I hope each of you receive as much of a blessing from these stories as Karen and I did today!!!

For more information on Cabarrus Health Alliance and Sisters in Partnership please visit their website at: http://www.cabarrushealth.org/

Focused on a Cure: Ride for Cancer 2010

2010-10-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

We received a sincere thank you card today from Tina Cull. She, as one of the Ladies of Harley, helped to organize the "Ride for Cancer" event at Pat Rogers Speedway Harley Davidson in Concord last weekend. The Ladies of Harley raised a total of $3,000 in one day! Way to go ladies.

Jessica,

Just a quick note to thank you and IP for your support and generosity! You helped our event be successful and fight this horrible disease. Thanks for all you do!

Tina Cull

Thanks for the sweet card, Tina! I enjoyed being a part of your event. I hope that next year I can be on a BIKE too! -Jessica

Tina's card was written on a stationary by Awareness Experts, Inc. 10% of the net proceeds are donated to breast cancer research! Every little thought counts!

Focused on a Cure: Carolina Breast Friends' October Events

2010-10-06T06:40:00.000-07:00

As you know, Carolina Breast Friends received one of our grants last month. We're 100% behind their efforts and we hope to keep you posted on all their events and ideas!

CBF October Events and Announcements

Thanks to the generosity of many local businesses Carolina Breast Friends is pleased to announce the following breast cancer awareness month events. Mark your calendar now with these upcoming events:

All Month:

Brighton at South Park Mall will be selling beautiful silver ID bracelets with a pink ribbon charm. For every bracelet sold Brighton will donate $10 to CBF. CBF volunteers will be in the South Park store Saturday afternoons during October.

The Portable Pink House is still on the move. October locations will include Ballantyne Village, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Big Daddy's, and UNCC.

October 4-16:
Cottage Chic on East Boulevard will doante 5% of all sales to CBF and the Pink House for the first two weeks of October. The store is open Monday-Saturday from 9:30 to 5:30 and on Thursday's until 7:00. Call 704-375-1888 for more information.

October 5-10th:
Andrew Blair's restaurant is hosting CBF benefit week. Let your server or host know that you are there to support CBF and fill out a benefit week card and Andrew Blair's will donate a portion of your meal and beverage costs to CBF. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 704-525-8282. Gather up some friends for a fun night out for a good cause. More information at http://www.andrewblairs.com/.

October 14-16th:
CBF will be selling t-shirts, hats, koozies, magnets and more at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the NASCAR races. We need lots of volunteers for this event. If you are interested please email cbf@carolinabreastfriends.org.

October 23rd:
Apricot Lane Boutique in Birkdale will be hosing a Pink Party to benefit Carolina Breast Friends on October 23rd, 6:00 - 9:00 pm. For more details please visit http://www.apricotlanebirkdale.com/.

Pink House Update:

Pink House renovations officially began on September 28th. We will be posting pictures and updates on our web site soon.

October is filled with opportunities to be involved with CBF. Whether you choose to donate your time or join as at one of the events above we hope to see you in October!

Questions? Email cbf@carolinabreastfriends.org.

Join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=164370953573272#!/group.php?gid=49080376026.

Focused on a Cure: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Join the Fight to Save Lives and Create More Birthdays

A simple fact: When breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. Isn’t this something that all women need to know?

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a perfect time for you to join the movement to help fight breast cancer, save lives, and create a world with more birthdays.

Every day, the American Cancer Society saves lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. Two-time breast cancer survivor Mary Martinez of Houston, Texas, is one of thousands of women who are champions of the Society’s efforts to help people stay well by taking steps to reduce their risk of breast cancer and getting appropriate screening tests to find it early, when it is most treatable.

“Early detection and prevention have been the lifesaving grace for me,” Mary says. “I recommend them to every single woman who crosses my path. There is no one who escapes my question: ‘When was your last mammogram?’”

Stay Well: This year, an estimated 192,370 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. The best way we have today to find it early is for women to get a mammogram every year starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as you are in good health. In addition, there are steps you can take to help you stay well and reduce your risk of breast cancer, such as maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and limiting the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink per day (no more than two drinks per day for men).

Get Well: If you or a loved one is facing breast cancer, the American Cancer Society is in your corner to help guide you through every step of the cancer experience, so you can focus on getting well. The Society offers access to free services to overcome daily challenges like transportation and lodging when treatment is far from home, and can provide one-on-one support from breast cancer survivors who have been there.

Find Cures: Breast cancer is one of the major research focus areas for the American Cancer Society. In fact, the Society spends more on breast cancer research than on any other type of cancer, and has been a part of nearly every major breast cancer research breakthrough in recent history.

Fight Back: It’s easy to fight back against breast cancer. Consider participating in one of the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® events nationwide, speaking out to increase funding for programs that allow all women to have access to mammograms and treatment, or simply reminding the women in your life to get regular mammograms.

October is a month to celebrate the strides we’ve made in the fight against breast cancer and to continue to work toward a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays. Countless Americans who have never had breast cancer and more than 2 million who are surviving the disease will celebrate a birthday this year, thanks to the American Cancer Society and its many supporters.

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

Source: American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345

Focused on a Cure: Exhibit Calendar

2010-09-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 3rd - Ride for Cancer (Pat Rogers Speedway Harley Davidson, 10049 Weddington Rd. Ext., Concord, NC 28027). The 2009 survivor exhibit will be displayed at this event.

Monday, October 4th through December - Cabarrus Family Medicine Concord office (270 Copperfield Blvd #102, Concord, NC 28025). The 2010 survivor exhibit will be hung in their office as they focus on breast cancer awareness!

Monday, October 18th and Tuesday, October 19th - Healing Threads Fashion Benefit (Vintage Motor Club, 325 McGill Ave NW, Concord, NC 28027) The 2010 survivor exhibit will be displayed at this event.

Monday, October 25th through Friday, October 29th - State Farm Insurance, Matt Woodford Agency. (3220-102 Prosperity Church Rd., Charlotte, NC 28269-8250) The 2009 survivor exhibit will be displayed at their office.

There will be more... Stay tuned.

Focused on a Cure: Thank You

2010-09-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

We received this letter from the Cabarrus Health Alliance recently.

Dear Karen and Renda,

On behalf of the Cabarrrus Health Alliance, I would like to thank both of you and the Focused on a Cure Foundation, for awarding this grant to our cancer screening and outreach programs, from the Piggin' Out for Pink and other fundraiser held in 2010.

Sisters in Partnership has proven to be a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer, because the basis of this program is networking for information, advice and support. This program received $X, which will be utilized for breast models, printed educational and promotional materials for outreach projects, and to promote outreach events and BCCCP clinics, all for the purpose of community education and support about breast cancer.

Mammograms received $X, which will be utilitzed for diagnostic procedures including screenings and mammograms for low-income, uninsured and underserved women, ages 40-64, which will result in early breast cancer detection and a more positive prognosis.

Under the direction of Program Coordinator, Virginia Hunter, both of these cancer outreach programs have seen great successes and tremendous growth in recent years. With the generous support of Focused on a Cure, Cabarrus Health Alliance will be able to reach out to the community and serve an even greater number of women in the coming year, with the hopes that this early detection, education, and follow-up care will save precious lives.

Cabarrus Health Alliance and the Cabarrus Health Alliance Board sincerely appreciate the wonderful work your foundation is doing to spread awarenss and to provide hope for so many. Your generosity is a tremendous encouragement to us.

Best regards,
Charles C. Phillips, Chairman
Cabarrus Health Alliance Board

Focused on a Cure: Thank You

2010-09-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

We received a letter from the CEO and President of Women of Hope today.

Dear Friends,

Words are just not quite adequate to express our sincere appreciaation of the grant that you shared with Women of Hope. We humbly accept this gift and promise that it will be used for the purpose for which it was approved.

Again, we thank you and look forward to sharing this time next year all wonderful opportunities that these funds made possible. If we can apply again next year, please let us know and if we can assist with the Piggin' Out for Pink event, we will be glad to do so.

Respectfully,
Elizabeth and Kenny Barnes
Women of Hope
CEO and President

Focused on a Cure: Thank You

2010-09-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Renda,

I would like to thank you and all those involved for the very generous donation to Stanly Regional Medical Center. The money will definitely make a differenence for our patients. It is so scary to receive news of an abnormal mammogram and even worse when you do not have the money or insurance to go through the next step. I enjoyed meeting each of you and loved the pictures of all the survivors. Focused on a Cure is making a difference!

Thank you!
Chris Vaughn
Stanly Regional Medical Center

Focused on a Cure: 2010 Grants

2010-09-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Finally, we can tell you!! It's no longer a secret! Do you know how hard it has been to keep this a secret?!

We set our goal for 2010 at $15,000. That was a jump from 2009's $10,000 donation to CMC-NE's Breast Health Program. Needless to say, we were terrified we were shooting for an unreachable goal. But as the year progresses, we held fundraisers and the money began to pile up. By April, we had over $10,000 from the Pink at the Rink (hosted by Skateland USA) and IP's Cutest Kid Contest (which was a HUGE success by Irresistible Portraits and all the participants).

Then in July, we started to sell tickets for our 2nd annual Piggin' Out for Pink on August 6th. In the last few days before the event, the tickets sold like crazy! With over 200 people in attendance, we had a wonderful evening of awareness! Through a silent auction, live auction, basket raffles, ticket sales, t-shirt sales, and vendor donations, we accumulated enough money to surpass our goal to donate to the chosen organizations!!

We decided early in the year that we wanted to spread the money to numerous deserving organizations instead of giving a large sum to one, as we did in 2009. With the help of Kathy Waters and Sherry Carawan, both experienced with non-profits through Phillip-Morris, we established a grant committee. Requests for grant applications were sent to five different organizations and we received four in return requesting up to $20,000. The grant committee included Renda Welch, a survivor and sponsor; Terry Edwards, husband of one of our survivors, Diane Edwards; Karen Goforth, photographer/owner of Irresistible Portraits; Rhonda Lester, professional photographer from Archdale, NC; and Robbin Barringer, Clinical Coordinator at Cabarrus Family Medicine - Kannapolis. This was a variety of people that gave an unbiased decision to who deserved the money that we worked very hard to raise.

Each grant application was reveiwed by three different grant committee members anonymously. At a later date, the committee met to review each person's score for a particular application. The scores were very similar, which is a great sign! After looking at the numbers, then a general discussion took place between the committee members to decide whether they would give full funding requested or partial funding.

Everyone was confident in their opinion and the scores they had given. The committee agreed to donate a total of approximately $20,000 to the following well-deserved organizations:

Cabarrus Health Alliance: Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Program and Sisters in Partnership.
Stanly Regional Medical Center Foundation
Carolina Breast Friends: Project Pink House
Women of Hope
Avon Foundation for Women
Susan G. Komen Foundation

Thank you to everyone who participated in any of our fundraisers, sponsored our Piggin' Out for Pink, donated raffle items for different events, bought t-shirts, etc. Every little bit counts and you're the reason we were able to surpass our goal of $15,000 and donate $20,000 for 2010! We appreciate your support and we hope to keep up the good work for next year!

To see more candids from our Grant Celebration on September 9th, visit our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/focusedonacure.

Focused on a Cure: Events in Our Community

2010-09-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

There are 6 days left to purchase your tickets to the Pink Boots Ball.

Here's a sneak peek:

Gift Bags - Each guest will receive a gift bag stuffed with goodies including a coupon for $200 off of a botox package from Charlotte Plastic Surgery. CBF will receive a $200 donation for each coupon used.

Silent Auction Donors - Andrew Blair's, Bedside Manor, Cajun Canvas, Charles Grayson Day Spa, J Jones Jewelers, Johnson & Wales, Lions Jewelers, Massage Envy, Neiman Marcus, Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, The Gifted Box, Tiffany, and many, many more.

Music - The Super Grit Cowboy Band featuring western swing, rock & roll, country and bluegrass. The band has released 5 albums and has seen 5 singles charted in Billboard Magazine's Top 100.

For more information & to purchase tickets online visit http://www.carolinabreastfriends.org/pinkbootsball/.

Focused on a Cure: Upcoming Events in Our Community

2010-09-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple fundraising events we know you'll be interested in attending...

Pat Rogers Speedway Harley Davidson and Ladies of Harley present...
Ride for Cancer
When: Sunday, October 3rd
Registration begins at 10:30. Ride leaves at 12:00.
*The ride starts and ends at the dealership.*
Cost: $20/rider $10/passenger
Entertainment: DJ Todd & County Line
Proceeds to benefit: Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County (A subsidiary of Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast) and Relay for Life (American Cancer Society).
Celebrate! Remember! FIGHT BACK!!
For more info, call 704-699-1835 or tcull2@uncc.edu.
The Ladies of Harley are raffling a queen size Harley quilt. A raffle ticket is a $5 donation. We will have a few tickets for sale at IP (1418 South Main Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081) or you can contact Tina at tcull2@uncc.edu to purchase a raffle ticket.

Landis Fire Department hosting...
2nd Survivors Run/Walk Race
(Rain or Shine!)
Help your local firefighters fight breast cancer and focus on the cure!
When: Saturday, October 9th
Location: Landis Pool
Registration begins: 7:30am
Runners & Walkers Race: 9am
Cost per runner/walker: $20 for adults/children under 12: $10
The day of the event: $30 for adults/children under 12: $20
The first 200 participants will receive a free visor. All participants will receive a t-shirt. Trophies will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place over all. (Male and female) Cancer survivor participants will receive a special t-shirt. All participants under 12 will receive a medal.
There will also be a 50/50 drawing the day of the race. ($1 - 1 ticket; $3 - 5 tickets; $5 - 10 tickets)
For more information you can contact the Town of Landis at 704-857-2411 or email Jen at gracielinn580@yahoo.com or Katie at ktmiller@ctc.net.

Focused on a Cure: Goodsearch

2010-09-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

GOODSEARCH ANNOUNCES ISSUANCE

OF US PATENT FOR CHARITABLE SEARCH ENGINE

92,000 Nonprofits and Schools On-Board

Los Angeles, August, 2010 - What if even a fraction of the billions of dollars generated by search engine advertisers was directed towards good causes? That is the concept behind GoodSearch.com, a Yahoo-powered Internet search engine that donates 50% of its revenue, approximately a penny per search, to the charities designated by its users.

GoodSearch, LLC, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued the company US Patent 7,769,738. The patent protects proprietary technology pioneered by GoodSearch that enables users of an Internet search engine to designate a third party, such as a charity or school, to share in the revenue generated by search-related advertising.

You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine and the pennies add up quickly - just 500 people searching four times a day will earn around $7,300 in a year. It doesn't cost the users a thing!

More than 92,000 nonprofits and schools are now registered with GoodSearch and the site has quickly spread via word-of-mouth and the blogger community. Examples of organizations listed on the site include: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation which has earned more than $14,000; the ASPCA which has raised more than $34,000; and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which has earned more than $12,000.

"We know there are a lot of people who want to do good but may not have the time or the money to help out." said Ken Ramberg, Co-Founder of GoodSearch and former President of JOBTRAK, the largest online career site for college students (now a division of Monster.com). "GoodSearch's patented technology makes it as easy as possible. We've taken something people do every day -- search the Internet -- and have turned it into doing good."

"With so many companies entering the Internet technology space, those with robust intellectual property portfolios will likely be the ones most trusted by their partners and customers. The issuance of patent 7,769,738 will provide our 92,000 non-profit and school partners, and millions of users, a high level of confidence when utilizing GoodSearch's proprietary search engine to help support their favorite cause."

Focused on a Cure is a charity of Goodsearch! Click on the Goodsearch box to the right of the the blog post to get the Focused on a Cure toolbar. This way Goodsearch will notify you as you go to website of what percentage will be donated!

Your toolbar should look like this....

Focused on a Cure has raised $85.19 so far with Goodsearch!!! Imagine if we had more people searching with FOC's Goodsearch toolbar. The possibilities are endless!

Focused on a Cure: Relay for Life Wrap Up Celebration

2010-09-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday, Renda attended Cabarrus County's Relay for Life Wrap Up Celebration. Any teams that received an award at the closing ceremony were given their certificates and we're proud to share our two with you!

We won Best Decorated Campsite.... thanks to the creative talent of Renda! Remember she doesn't do anything without doing it 110% and it was fabulous!

And... we won Best Decorated Luminaria... thanks to Lauren Parsons! Remember Jackson, IP's Cutest Kid; this is his mommy. The luminaria was in honor of Jack's grandmother - Brenda Parsons! Thanks for being a part of our team, Lauren and Jack!

We're looking forward to next year's Relay already!

Focused on a Cure: Piggin' Out for Pink [08.06.10]

2010-08-18T11:55:00.000-07:00

WOW! We plan and stress for so long and then Piggin' Out for Pink flies by before we know it! This year's event was yet another success. The event was held at the Old Cannon Towel Store in Cannon Village (Kannapolis, NC). The building is property of the North Carolina Research Campus and was donated to our local non-profit. (THANK YOU TO NCRC for your generosity!!)

Chelish Moore worked her magic on this building! It went from being an empty retail space with blank walls to a beautiful venue dazzled with pinks. The tables were adorned with black accents, white flowers, pink candles, etc. Two bright white billowing drapes hung in the center of the venue dividing the tables, gathered with pink bows. Job well done, Chelish! We received so many compliments as people entered the doors.

We had a gorgeous old PINK car out front of the venue! Great photo op for our survivors! (Thank you to Linda for letting us show off your fabulous pink car!)

After our delicious dinner by Punchy's Diner, we asked two of our survivors to share their stories with everyone. The first to share was Donna Rowland. She attended last year's Piggin' Our for Pink just days after her mastectomy. She was inspired and this year, she is a part of our exhibit as a proud survivor.

The key to Donna's story is getting mammograms! She mentioned that she almost skipped last year's mammogram, which ended up being the one that they discovered the cancer through. And you're never too old for a mammogram! Since her diagnosis, her mother and aunt (both in their seventies) were diagnosed with breast cancer!

Emily Riera was the other survivor we asked to speak. To hear her story, you realize her mother is a HUGE part of her battle against breast cancer. Therefore, her mother (Mary Anne Freeman) joined her in sharing with us. Mary Anne is a survivor herself and is very active with the American Cancer Society, so to her that her daughter had breast cancer was devastating.

Mary Anne, Emily, and her twin sister used genetic testing to find that they all carry the BRCA-1 gene. They're doing all they can to fight for a cure so that their daughters and granddaughters don't have to go through this.

Read this essay by Mary Anne.

KA Studios volunteered their time and talent again this year to present a documentary film. We featured two different survivors and shared the film with all who attended.

It's one thing to read a survivor's story, but to hear it in their emotional voice, it is another.

(THANKS KEITH!)

This year, in addition to the silent auction, we had a live auction led by Alan Fisher (a relative of one of our survivors, Renda Welch). We had some great items to auction including:

"Reel Architecture," a painting donated by John Williams Jr, valued at $500
Opalescence Take Home Whitening System, donated by Renda Welch, DDS, valued at $400
Wines for Humanity In-Home Wine Tasting for 14 ppl, donated by Renee Habrack, valued at $400
Half Day Fishing Trip on Lake Norman, donated by Holbrooks, Valued at $250
$500 gift card to Irresistible Portraits, donated by Karen and Buddy Goforth, valued at $500
White and Pink Gold "Ribbon" pendant necklace, donated by Falls Jewelers, valued at $300
One Round of Golf for Four at Irish Creek, Donated by the Club at Irish Creek, valued at $300
Electric Guitar signed by all members of Rolling Stones, donated by Sports & More Auctions, valued at $1500
"Old Savannah" oil portrait by Melvin Clark, donated by Melvin Clark, valued at $350
3 Day Carnival Cruise to Nassau, donated by Sports & More Auctions, valued at $350
2 Night Trip to your choice of Vegas, LA, or FL, donated by Sports & More Auctions, valued at $250

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED THESE ITEMS & ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO BID ON THEM!

We also raised money through raffle baskets that were donated! Check out all the fabulous baskets we had!

Anti-Stress Basket including $100 gift certificate, Biofreeze, Hydrate Body Lotion, Soft Scrub, and Anti-Stress Candle; donated by Kendall Kyanko, valued at $150
Vera Basket including a Vera Bradley diaper bag, three Vera print silk scarves, Vera Bradley t-shirt; donated by Robbin Barringer, valued at $100
Dinner Basket inclucing gift certificate to Townhouse II for 2 dinners, $25 gift card to Branchview Tavern, and two $10 gift certificates to DePompa's; donated by these restaurants, valued at $65
Solace Spa gift certificate for $75; donated by Solace Spa, valued at $75
Beauty Basket including 5 Tanning sessions and one haircut; donated by Mystic Sun, valued at $38
Party Basket including a gift certificate for a Sugar &Spice cake, party decorations; donated by Sugar & Spice, valued at $50
Bridal Basket including a $100 gift certificate to Hope's Bridal Boutique, a bridal garter, "Grandmother" embroidered handkerchief, jewelry set; donated by Hope's Bridal, valued at $150
Frame Set including 3 5x5 custom hand painted frames; donated by Irresistible Portraits, valued at $150
Bow Wow Basket including a $60 gift certificate to South Ridge Veterinary Hospital, MilkBone Dog Toy, Dog Treats, Dog Napkins, and Dog Dish; donated by South Ridge Veterinary Hospital, valued at $70
Focused on a Cure Basket including t-shirt and beaded bracelets; donated by Focused on a Cure, valued at $25
Hair Care Basket including Kenra Gift Bag, Kenra Volume Spray, Kenra Root Lifting Spray, Gift Certificate for Shampoo, Cut, and Style by select stylists; donated by C.C. & Company Salon and Spa, valued at $65
Baby Boy Blue Basket including a bear security basket, wipey case, Fold n Go Diaper Kit, 4x6 Blue Frame, Travel Health Care Kit, 3 Bears Children's Book; donated by Ashley Pethel, valued at $50
Brighton items including a Brighton necklace, bracelet, and earrings; donated by Anne's Dress Shop, valued at $120
Mary Kay Forever Orchid Gift Set including perfume, lotion, sugar scrub; donated by Treva Motley, valued at $65
Pampering with Pink including Lancome Sample gift set, lip gloss, Renergie Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Microlift Intense Lifter Cream, Anti-Wrinkle Eye Cream, Juicy Tubes Smoothie lip gloss, Mascara, Live Laugh Love 4x6 photo frame, vanilla cream candle; donated by Karen Goforth and
Renda Ayscue, valued at $50
Bath & Body Twilight Woods set including body cream and body spray, chapped hand cream, nail file, pink ribbon scarf, black tote; donated by Renda Ayscue, valued at $75
Baby Basket including Lamb baby security blanket, Proverbs 31:28 silver mother's bracelet; donated by Payton's Closet, valued at $100
Pink Fru Fru Basket including a pink ribbon water bottle, pink ribbon latte wrap, pin, watch, chapstick, andle, bottle koozie, coasters, wine glass, silly bandz, tissues, "Our Mom has Cancer" book, key chains; donated by Audrey's Fru Fru and Sassy Boutique, valued at $325
Beach Basket including Avon Breast Cancer Tote, Spa Wrap, flip flops, pink ribbon purse hanger; donated by Jessica Barringer, valued at $45
Miche Bag with Shell; donated by Kathy Waters and Sherry Carawan, valued at $50
Survivor Basket including pink fleece blanket, set of towels, foot massager, scrapbook photo album, chicken soup for the soul book, Cucumber lotions, bath oil, and body wash, set of candles, cancer bandana, 3 wooden plaques - Love, Hope, and Believe, stationary, eye mask, Quote rub on for wall, flip flop coasters, mirror; donated by Cathy Ervin (survivor), valued at $175
Coffee/Tea Baskets including coffees, teas, breast cancer insulated cup, coffee mug, creamers, sweeteners, candy, gum, pen, pads, candle and much more; donated by Allison Creswell (survivor), valued at $75

The remainder of the night we danced and sang along with the Band of Oz! They know how to put on a show and we enjoyed every second of it. Most of the candids have Tara, Renda, or Melonie on a nearby mic singing their hearts out!

We also unveiled the 2010 Focused on a Cure survivor exhibit. We had 15 survivor stories to showcase. The metals are designed to feature one of the survivor's portraits by Irresistible Portraits as well as excerpts from their stories. We wish we had room to share every word of their stories!

The exhibit will travel to different locations, businesses, offices, and hospitals in the area. Stay tuned to the blog to see the upcoming dates and locations.

The exhibit is printed on metal, a product provided by H&H Color Lab. Irresistible Portraits has been a client of theirs for many years. The owners, Shirley and Wayne Haub, are passionate people who believing help causes such as ours. Although the Haubs were unable to attend, they flew Dan and his wife, Toni, all the way from Kansas City to join us! We appreciate your support year after year!

We did it! We pulled it off again! We raised $15,000, our goal for 2010! Does that mean we have to raise $20,000 next year? Guess so!

Now for the fun part - to see all the money raised put to work... to fight the disease! We have received grant applications from some organizations across NC that benefit breast cancer - detection, research, rehabilitation, etc. The grants will be judged by a panel of judges next Monday evening. After then final decisions are made, we'll be happy to announce the outcome! Stay tuned.....

Thank you to all our sponsors....

Band of Oz
Bella Bella Creations
Brother’s Tires
C.C. & Company Salon & Spa
Cabarrus Dance Academy
Chelish Moore Flowers
Clearly Carolina
Clifford Compton III, D.D.S.
Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Concord Printing
Dream Dinners - Kannapolis
Falls Jewelers
H&H Color Lab
Hurt & Associates
Irresistible Portraits
KA Studios
Lake Norman Plastic Surgery
NC Research Campus
Progressive Builders
Proofcast
Punchy’s Diner
Renda Welch, D.D.S.
State Farm Insurance -Matt Woodford, Agent
Sugar & Spice
The Breast Center at Stanly Regional Medical Center

Focused on a Cure: This Friday - Piggin' Out for Pink

2010-08-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

This Friday is our 2nd annual Piggin' Out for Pink! As you recall, our first annual event in August 2009 was a huge success and we raised a total of $10,000. This year we've raised our goal to $15,000. We have various recipients in mind for the donations, such as the Cabarrus Health Alliance, The Pink House, Carolina Breast Friends, and others that promote mammograms and cancer awareness. These organizations are currently applying for our grants and will be judged by a panel to determine who will receive what grants.

This year’s Piggin’ Out for Pink will be in Cannon Village on Friday, August 6th at 6pm. Emily Riera and her mother, both breast cancer survivors, will share with us their experience of genetic testing. Donna Rowland will share with us that it's never too late for a mammogram. Her mother and aunt are living proof! Along with spoken memoirs by survivors, BBQ dinner by Punchy's Diner, and a documentary film by KA Studios, you’ll be entertained by “The Band of Oz.” You'll be the first to see our 2010 Focused on a Cure survivor exhibit. We have 15 new survivor stories to share with you that will travel through community in the next year. This private event offers you a chance to meet many cancer survivors, share their stories, and mingle with others who are as passionate about this cause as you are.

We will have raffle tickets for sale. We'll be raffling off some incredible baskets of gifts and specialty items that have been donated by local businesses. In addition to the raffles, we will have a silent auction for you to bid for sports memorabilia, jewelry, etc. And last, but not least, we're having a live auction this year. You could win a trip, a $500 gift card to Irresistible Portraits, a gorgeous painting by John Williams, and a few other valuable items.

Individual tickets to the Piggin’ Out for Pink event are $50 once again. We also have sponsorships available through businesses, which include multiple tickets to the event at certain sponsorship levels. For more info on these sponsorships, contact Renda at 704.933.5600 or renda@irresistibleportraits.com.

Take the time to look through some images from last year's event on our facebook fan page by clicking here or view the video on our youTube page.

To purchase tickets to the event, stop by Irresistible Portraits at 1418 South Main Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081. We can accept cash, checks to Focused on a Cure, and credit cards through PayPal. For more info, please call us at 704.933.5600.

We hope to see each and every one of you there! Thank you for your continued support!

Focused on a Cure: American Cancer Society Caregiver Workshops

2010-08-02T11:11:00.000-07:00

We learned of different resources that the American Cancer Society has to offer during one of the 2010 Relay for Life meetings. Caregiver workshops was one that stood out in my mind. We received this email recently and wanted to share it with those of you that may not receive ACS info.

Caregiver Telephone Workshops

The South Atlantic Division will continue its series of Caregiver Telephone Workshops in 2010-2011. The sessions are facilitated by Sean Powell, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Patient Advocate Program Manager and will feature several of our Patient Advocates as lead presenters for the various topics.

The workshops are designed to be informative and interactive, covering many topics to help caregivers cope with tasks and issues that come up at various points in the caregiving experience. No phone charges apply; and the workshops are offered at no charge to anyone caring for a loved one with cancer.

Dates & Registrations

A Caregiver Telephone Workshop will be offered each month. Upcoming workshop dates coming soon. There is no charge to participate in the call, but registration is required. People can register for the telephone workshops by calling 1-800-966-3586 or by visiting cancer.org/sacaregiverworkshops.

Schedule of Calls for 2010-2011

August 25, 2010 , 2:00 -3:30 PM: When Treatment Goals Turn From Cure Into Supportive Care - Facilitator: Julia Bucher, RN, PhD

September 2010: Maintaining Intimacy & Sexual Relations While Caregiving for a Spouse with Cancer - Facilitator: Melanie Moore, BSW

October 2010 : What You Need to Know About Social Security Benefits - Facilitator: Melissa Holmes, LMSW

November 2010: Childhood Lost: Supporting the Tween Caregiver to a Parent with Cancer - Facilitator: Jocelyn Curtis, PhD, LCSW, OSW-C

For more information on later sessions, feel free to call 1-800-ACS-2345.

Focused on a Cure: Documentary Film 2010

2010-06-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Irresistible Portraits and KA Studios joined forces to create Focused on a Cure's 2010 Survivor Documentary film. This is the second year that we've created a film to show at the Piggin' Out for Pink event in August. [This year's will be August 6th.]

The survivors and their families tell their stories, share their tears and passion for finding a cure! It's truly inspirational to hear their voices and see the emotion on their faces.

Last year, the documentary film was a hit. We received so much amazing feedback. I think it touched the hearts of the husbands and families just as much as it did the women that attended.

We heard from multiple women that their husbands were questioning when their last mammogram was or even offering to call and schedule their next one for them! We consider that a success.

To see more of the candids and portraits from the documentary film day, go to our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/focusedonacure.

Focused on a Cure: Relay for Life Cabarrus County 2010

2010-05-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

Relay for Life in Cabarrus County was May 15th -16th. Cabarrus County was rawled up and raising money! Focused on a Cure had a huge tent that was donated by Tripp Reed of Thermafuse. It was decorated to a tee (of course!) by the one and only Renda Ayscue! We were surrounded in stories and portraits of breast cancer survivors by the renowned Karen Goforth of Irresistible Portraits! It was perfect!

We won "Best Decorated Campsite" as well as "Best Decorated Luminary!"

We had the opportunity to spend quality time with some of the survivors featured in Focused on a Cure's exhibit. They are dear to our heart and we're so glad they could be a part of Relay this year!

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!

Our on-site fundraiser was $5 facebook profile pics by Irresistible Portraits! Here's a few of our favorites...

We had a blast and couldn't have asked for a better turnout! We sold tons of t-shirts, magnetic pink ribbon jewelry (by Melissa Mattox), purses, and facebook profile pics! To see all the candids AND facebook profile pics from our 2010 Relay for Life, go to our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/focusedonacure!

We're looking forward to the wrap up celebration where they will announce how much Cabarrus County's final amount raised was! We'll keep you posted...

Focused on a Cure: $5,000 GoodSearch Giveaway

2010-05-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

$5,000 GoodSearch Giveaway - Three Days Only!

GoodSearch will donate $1 (up to $5,000 total) for every toolbar that is downloaded between May 19th at 12 noon and May 21st at 12 noon Eastern! To help our cause benefit from this contest, please download our toolbar now by following this link - http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/focused-on-a-cure.

Our new toolbar is free to download and allows you to raise money for our cause virtually every time you search or shop online! Once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,400 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to our cause - at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar also provides you thousands of discount coupons and free shipping offers!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to our cause.

Please hurry and do this now so that we can earn the $1 bonus per toolbar!

And, please pass this along to all of your friends. The two minutes it takes to add this toolbar to your browser can make a lifetime of difference for our cause!

Get the toolbar NOW! http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/focused-on-a-cure

Focused on a Cure: Relay for Life Update

2010-05-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

Relay is only 10 days away!! We are so ready for it! We've got our ideas for decorating our campsite. We've designed new t-shirts to sell. We're planning our on-site fundraising for the 24 hour event. We're ready!

We attended the last Relay meeting last Thursday at the Concord Library. Here's an update on the progress...

The goal for 2010 is $150,000. So far Relay has raised $58,000+.
The goal for the number of teams was 80 this year and there's 72 registered teams now!
So far there's about 800 registered participants.
The goal for the number of survivors walking in the survivor lap is 1500. So far there are 150 survivors registered. (THIS NEED SOME HELP! There are survivors everywhere in Cabarrus County. Why are only 150 registered?? You can attend just to walk the survivor lap if you'd like. No excuses, survivors!)

I wasn't able to catch all the sponsors' names but here's a few...
Cabarrus Arena and Events Center
CMC-NorthEast
Wal-Mart (Concord and Kannapolis)
Wayside Family Restaurant
Young Ford
Paragon
Bubbles by Brooke
Piedmont Shag Society
Southern Charm
WalGreens
Logans
Audio Ethics
Pender Realty
Sundrop
Cabarrus Hospice
Clearly Carolina
... and many more! Thanks to all those companies for making Relay such an awesome event every year!

Focused on a Cure's campsite will be located to the left when you enter the track. We're in "Turn 4" as Renda calls it! :) We'll be selling t-shirts, water, and other items. AND we'll be photographing facebook profile pics! Be sure to stop by our campsite... then again... YOU WON'T MISS US! You'll see what I mean...

Anyways... here's an overview of all the activities during the 24 hour relay. If you can't make it for the whole event, then you can choose when the best time to come will be. In our opinion, the whole thing is worth staying for!!

Schedule of Events

10:00 – 11:00 am Survivor Registration
Basket Raffle & Silent Auction Open

11:00 am Opening Ceremony
Welcome ~ Heather & Kim
Opening Prayer ~ John Kee
“National Anthem” ~ Trenton & Chloe Durham **They're on our TEAM!**

11:15 am Survivor Speaker / Caregiver ~ Gloria Howard

11:30 am SURVIVOR CEREMONY & LAP ***You'll never forget this after you see it!***
Led by Concord Pipe & Drum
Balloon Launch

11:40 – 12:20 pm Bethpage Choir

12 – 1 pm Survivor Lunch

1 – 4 pm Bubble Man ~ Kiddie Area

1:30 – 2 pm Concord K-9 Demonstration ~ Stage

2 – 4 pm Piedmont Shag Association ~ Padded area

2 – 3 pm Jr. & Mr. Relay Contest **SO MUCH FUN!!**

(2:00-Contestants to the Stage, 2:15-3:15-Flirting for Funds, 3:15 Judging, 4:00 Jr. & Mr. Relay Crowned)

4 – 6 pm Soundbarrier

5:30 – 6 pm Locks Of Love ~ Stage

6 – 8 pm Wii Tournament ~ Best Buy Campsite

6:15 – 7:15 pm Mother Mable & Mighty Mystics

6:30 – 7:30 pm Survivor Birthday Celebration

7:45 pm SURVIVOR LAP
Balloon Launch

9 – 9:30 pm LUMINARIA CEREMONY
Lighting of Luminarias

9:40 – 10 pm Maurice Brines

10:15 – 11:15 pm Mother Mable & Mighty Mystics

12am Basket Raffle & Silent Auction Bids Close

12 am Buffalo Wild Wing’s Wing Eating Contest ~ Stage

12 – 1:30am Karaoke **UT OH! RENDA will be on stage!!**

1 – 2 am Wii Tournament Finals ~ Best Buy Campsite

1:30 – 3 am Movie

3 – 6 am Quiet Time **YEAH RIGHT!**

6 am Breakfast ~ Gold Hall

6:30 am Tooty-Ta – Anne Scott

8 am Basket Raffle & Silent Auction Results **CROSS YOUR FINGERS!!**

9:30 - 10 Non-Denominational Church Service

11:00 FIGHT BACK CEREMONY

Please Please Please join our team if you haven't registered for one yet!! We'd love to have you!!!!

Everyone knows at least one survivor. Invite them to Relay with you! There's GREAT basket raffles, plenty of stuff to see, and it's such an inspiring event to be a part of. You won't regret it!

Focused on a Cure: IP's Cutest Kid Contest

2010-05-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

Irresistible Portraits hosted their first IP's Cutest Kid Contest in April! They had two days of drop in FREE sessions in mid April, then invited the parents back in to pick their favorite which would be uploaded to the online voting contest. IP had 30+ families show up during those two days.

From April 21st to April 28th, the children and families were supposed to promote voting as much as they could and see how many votes they could earn. One vote equalled one dollar. IP set their goal at $10,000 in votes!

During the week, the parents shared their creative fundraising ideas with us - from lemonade stands and yard sales to auctioning off their relatives for dates!! Needless to say, IP met their goal and a little more! The grand total on the evening of April 28th was $10,175 for Focused on a Cure!!

The following are winners...

Jackson Parsons - IP's Cutest Baby

Katie Westmoreland - IP's Cutest Tot

Caroline Jeter - IP's Cutest Tween

Bryana Hott - IP's Cutest Pre-Teen

Jackson Parsons raised the most money totaling to $1303, therefore he is IP's Cutest Kid for 2010! Check out this image with his collection bucket that him and his sister carried while walking the neighborhood collecting from door to door!

We asked Lauren (Jackson's mom) to share her fundraising story with us...

The Focused on a Cure foundation hits home for our family being that Jackson's Nana is a 15 year breast cancer survivor. So when IP's Cutest Kid Contest came across my facebook events with all proceeds going to FOC, we were determined to raise as much money as we could. Who knew dressing a little boy in pink and sending him door to door could raise so much money. We set our goal at $1,000 and started raising money.

With the help of his big sister McKinlee, Jackson raised over $100 in our neighborhood asking people to donate money for "breath cancer." People were melting in their hands as they stood there with their bucket and sign. We also set up buckets at his pre-school, consigned clothes, sold our couch, took a class field trip to the fire station, raffled a Mary Kay basket, and asked just about everyone that walked past us.

Friends and family all over the US sent donations through the mail and online. It was amazing to see how supportive everyone we spoke with was. We are very grateful to have such wonderful family and friends. I am so proud of Jackson for being such a good sport, wearing so much pink, and being so excited everytime someone else gave him money. I am also thankful that this contest allowed me to teach my children about donating and giving back.

Thanks you to the IP family for starting this foundation and thank you to our wonderful family, friends, and everyone that helped us exceed our goal and raise $1,303 for Focused on a Cure.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

God Bless,

Lauren Dorsey Parsons

Check out some images from Jackson's Cutest Kid session on IP's facebook fan page - www.facebook.com/IPbyKG.

Focused on a Cure: Pink at the Rink [Skateland USA]

2010-04-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

We had our first skating fundraiser - "Pink at the Rink" - at Skateland USA in Kannapolis, NC this Wednesday. We had a great turnout and raised over $300 in just a few hours.... and had an absolute blast while doing it!

Thank you to the Frye's Amusements for their generosity!!! We hope to do this again soon!

To see all the candids from the night, check out the Pink at the Rink album on our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/focusedonacure.

Let the Voting for IP's Cutest Kid Contest Begin....

2010-04-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all our participants in IP's Cutest Kid Contest. We had a great response and we can’t wait to see how much money we can raise for Focused on a Cure through the voting process!

Voting begins TODAY (Wednesday, April 21st) and will end Wednesday, April 28th. Again, one vote is $1. You can vote as many times as you’d like. (For example, 20 votes equals $20). Keep in mind all votes are tax-deductible donations.

The voting will take place online through this link: http://irresistibleportraits.com/index.php?page=FocusHome|Contest.

1. Click through the thumbnails until you find who you’re voting for.

2. Click on the button underneath the image – “click to vote for this image.” This links to Focused on a Cure’s PayPal account.

3. You can change the quantity of votes in your shopping cart to the amount of votes/dollars you wish to donate at that time.

4. Click “proceed to checkout.”

5. You can either enter your Paypal account login (if you have an existing paypal account) OR you can enter your credit card info into this screen.

6. Verify the info you provided and click “Pay Now.”

7. When you see the “thank you” greeting at the top, you’ll know your transaction was completed!

8. You can click “View Printable Receipt” to have a copy for your tax records.

If you have someone who absolutely refuses to use their credit/debit card online through paypal, you can turn in cash or checks (made to: Focused on a Cure). However, we need it between the dates of 4/21 and 4/28 for it to count as votes.

We will keep everyone updated with votes on our facebook fan page – www.facebook.com/IPbyKG.

Tell everyone you know – friends, family, co-workers, church members, neighbors, everyone! Voting can take place anytime from anywhere! Remind them that every vote is a tax-deductible donation to Focused on a Cure!

Don’t forget there will be a winner from each age division as well as a GRAND PRIZE WINNER that will be named “IP’s Cutest Kid.”

To review the grand prizes, go to http://irresistibleportraits.blogspot.com/2010/04/ips-cutest-kid-prize-updates.html.

Spread the word! Good luck! Happy voting!

"IP's Cutest Kid" PRIZE UPDATE

2010-04-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

Announcing PRIZES for "IP's Cutest Kid".....

$500 gift card to Irresistible Portraits

42" LG flatscreen TV AND a 5 Hour Fishing Trip on Lake Norman from Holbrook's Radio & Television

$100 gift card to Audrey's Once Upon a Time Boutique

$25 gift card to Payton's Closet

Gift card to Pout Couture (Value undetermined).

Shampoo/Cut/Style, Make up Application, AND 30 minute massage from C.C. & Company Salon and Spa.

$25 Gift card to Punchy's Diner.

[Know anyone who would like to donate? Contact Renda at 704.933.5600.]

Each age division winner will receive up to $250 in prizes, including $150 gift card to Irresistible Portraits and a $50 Savings Bond from F&M Bank.

Focused on a Cure's Traveling Exhibit: March & April

2010-03-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

Our exhibit (by Irresistible Portraits) will begin traveling to different locations throughout the community today! Take a look to see where it will be....

Today through Friday, March 26th
Fifth Third Bank (Wilmar branch)
871 Church Street N
Concord, NC 28025

Monday, March 29th through Friday, April 2nd
Cabarrus Family Medicine - Kannapolis
4443 Kannapolis Parkway
Kannapolis, NC 28083

Monday, April 5th through Saturday, April 10th
Concord Library
27 Union Street N
Concord, NC 28025

Monday, April 12th through Friday, April 16th
Breast Health Center
at CMC-NE Outpatient Center - Copperfield
1085 Northeast Gateway Court NE
Concord, NC 28025

Monday, April 19th through Friday, April 30th
CaroMont Cancer Center
at Gaston Memorial Hospital
Gastonia, NC

We need more exhibit venues from May into the summer months. If you have a business or know of someone who might be interested in hosting the exhibit, please contact Renda at 704.933.5600 or renda@irresistibleportraits.com. We will be happy to reserve the dates that are best for you and then we'll set up the display and take it down. No hassle to you.... just spreading awareness! We look forward to hearing from you!

While you've got your calendar open... Save the evening of Friday, August 6th for Piggin' Out for Pink 2010! More details to come.

Fundraiser Update

2010-03-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

We've had a few different fundraisers in the last couple of weeks. "A Taste of Dream Dinners" was Monday, March 8th at the Cloverleaf Parkway Dream Dinners in Kannapolis, NC. Our turnout wasn't as grand as we had hoped, so Kristi (owner of Dream Dinners - Kannapolis) decided to extend the $25 offer (6-serving dinner for $25) until the end of March!!!! She decided to donate a percentage of the total sales to Focused on a Cure. We can't wait to hear the total donation from Dream Dinners!

Then, last Saturday, the Brow Lounge held their Grand Opening at their Cornelius, NC location. They offered to give 50% of their sales from Saturday to Focused on a Cure! WOW! We're still waiting to hear the grand total from Saturday, but it seems like it will be large considering the items in the boutique were sellling like wildfire! Even if you didn't make it to the grand opening event, stop by their location when you have time. Their boutique has some very unique accessories and clothing AND you'll be impressed with their fabulous location!

And last but not least.... Irresistible Portraits hosted a Bunny Portrait Fundraiser last Sunday... just in time for Easter! We raised a total of $1,100 for Focused on a Cure! The portraits were ADORABLE!

Take a peek at candids and portraits from these recent events on our fan page at www.facebook.com/focusedonacure.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Wednesday, April 28th from 5pm to 9pm. Skateland (in Kannapolis) has offered their facility for ROLLIN' FOR A CURE! We're going skating and you're invited. Tickets will be $5 each and a portion of the proceeds will go to Focused on a Cure!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Relay for Life Cabarrus on May 15th and 16th at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center. If you haven't joined a team yet, you're welcome to join ours! We have some LARGE ideas for fundraising at the event and we'd love for you to be a part of it.

Stay up to date with our events and fundraisers at www.facebook.com/focusedonacure.

Belk Charity Sale

2010-03-11T12:35:00.000-08:00

Belk will hold its semi-annual Charity Sale event benefiting local charities and non-profits on Saturday, May 1st from 6-10am at Belk stores companywide.

The Belk Charity Sale is a private, four-hour sale dedicated to supporting local non-profit organizations. Participating charities will have the opportunity to raise money for their organization while ticket holders receive 20% - 70% off Belk purchases storewide, including special savings on rarely-discounded brands.

Focused on a Cure is selling tickets at $5 each and is able to keep 100% of the proceeds from every ticket sold.

If you're interested in purchasing a ticket, stop by IP at 1418 South Main Street, Kannapolis, NC or call us at 704.933.5600.

Relay for Life Meeting [03.04.10]

2010-03-11T12:20:00.000-08:00

Renda and I attended the Relay for Life meeting last Thursday evening at CMC-Northeast. March is the month of colon cancer awareness. The ribbon color for colon cancer is blue, so everyone who attended the meeting who BLUE!

Here's a recap of fundraising to date:
Cabarrus County Relay for Life goal: $150,000
To date: $14,710.61
Team goal: 80 teams
To date: 51 teams
Survivor goals: 1,500 survivors
To date: 56 survivors

Slowly but surely, Cabarrus County is making progress!

There will be a station by the stage at Relay Cabarrus this year for Locks of Love donations. Anyone who wants to donate 6+ inches of hair can go there between 5:30 and 6pm. There will be stylists there to cut and style your hair!

There will be Car Cruise in downtown Kannapolis (Cannon Village) on Saturday, March 13th at 4:30pm. Bring your old car or stop by to see all the cars. Southern Charm is a sponsor this year for Relay and they are allowing Relay teams to set up tables near their store to sell items and raise donations!!!

There are many other fundraisers approaching for Relay. You can keep an eye on them by visiting the Cabarrus Relay for Life website.

Spreading PINK awareness

2010-02-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

Corriher Lipe played China Grove on Monday night. They wore PINK to show spread awareness. One team wore pink jerseys. The other wore white with pink numbers. The cheerleaders wore pink ribbons, and the boys wore pink socks or shoestrings.

Even the gym walls were covered in pink ribbons! It is inspiring to see younger generations take action in fighting to find a cure. That's why we wanted to share! To see more images from the Corriher Lipe vs. China Grove game, click here. Enjoy and spread the PINK!

Girls Night Out at C.C. & Company Salon [02.05.10]

2010-02-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

C.C. & Company hosted our first Girls Night Out fundraiser for 2010 at their salon and spa last Friday. Mother nature wasn't on our side. It was extremely cold and rainy but we still had a good turnout.

We raised a little over $100 on raffles alone.

Plain & Fancy Catering was kind enough to donate some appetizers for the ladies. DELICIOUS!

All the ladies took part in the pampering: hair styling, make-up touch up, mini manicure, and massages. After they were finished, it was time to be photographed! Here's a sneak peek at the profile images...

We will post our favorite image of each lady on our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/IPbyKG. All the images from Friday evening will be posted on Friday, Feb 19th at http://www.irresistibleportraits.com/. You can click on client images and enter girlsnightout (all lowercase) as your password. We're offering a 50% discount on our studio pricelist for any orders placed from the Girls Night Out images!

Our first fundraiser for 2010 was successful. We raised just over $500 and we're looking forward to the next few weeks. We've got two events - "A Taste of Dream Dinners" on Monday, March 8th at the Kannapolis Dream Dinners location in Cloverleaf AND The Brow Lounge Grand Opening on Saturday, March 13th in Cornelius, NC. Keep an eye on our facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/focusedonacure) and calendar for info about these events.

An EASY Way for You to Help!

2010-02-12T06:51:00.000-08:00

What if Focused on a Cure(Kannapolis NC) earned a donation every time you searched the Internet? Or how about if a percentage of every purchase you made online went to support our cause? Well, now it can!

GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 30 percent of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause.

And if you download the GoodSearch – Focused on a Cure(Kannapolis NC) toolbar, our cause will earn money every time you shop and search online - even if you forget to go to GoodShop or GoodSearch first! Add the Focused on a Cure(Kannapolis NC) toolbar at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/focused-on-a-cure .

Spread the word!! We appreciate your help!

Pep Rally: Relay for Life Cabarrus 2010

2010-01-27T08:34:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, Renda and I attended the Spring Pep Rally for the Cabarrus Relay for Life 2010. The Big Game - Relay for Life vs. Cancer - will be held Saturday, May 15th, 11am to Sunday, May 16th, 11am at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center. This year's theme is Relay University - "Go! Fight! Win! in 2010!"

In 2009, Cabarrus County raised $133,000 for the American Cancer Society. The goal for 2010 is $150,000! Another goal for 2010's Relay is to have 1,500 cancer survivors walk the Survivor lap (the first lap of the relay). Can you imagine 1,500 survivors in purple survivor shirts walking that special lap together? (goosebumps)

At the Pep rally, Kim Beecham, the co-chair for the 2010 Cabarrus Relay for Life, told her story of being a 3 year cancer survivor and having her mom as her caregiver. Renda and I were touched by her story and we wanted to share it with you. On August 31, 2006, Kim was diagnosed with lymphoma at the age of 25. She said her faith, family, and friends are what got her through the battle.

She mentioned her aunt that called her everyday from the day of diagnosis until the day she was "cancer-free." Even if her aunt only spoke to a nurse, she'd take note of the tests, diagnoses, and how Kim felt each day. She kept a diary of her day-to-day struggles and progresses. Kim has this diary of her battle with cancer, which is something that she can refer back to and see how strong she was. Kim said during her story, "Every day was a victory."

Kim pepped up the room full of team captains and members by her words. "Walk so that we can celebrate more birthdays." Her mother also spoke of participating in three years of UNCC Relays for Life. She said, "I thank God everytime I see her walk that survivor lap." (goosebumps and tears)

We want to thank Kim and her mother for sharing details of their battle with cancer. It's awesome to meet people who are as passionate as we are about fundraising to help research.

Rita from the Charlotte office of the American Cancer Society also joined us at the Pep Rally. She asked who in the room had referred cancer patients and their families to the American Cancer Society before. Only a few people in the room agreed that they had referred anyone to ACS in the past.

Rita proceeded to inform us of the numerous services and support that ACS can offer cancer patients, such as caregivers, survivor network, patient health insurance assistance, road to recovery, and many more! (I personally had no idea about all this! I just thought ACS was based around cancer research. Little did I know?!)

Road to Recovery is a transportation system where volunteers can help patients get to and from treatments and doctors' appointments. Many patients don't have family and friends locally for support, therefore, no transportation. ACS needs more Road to Recovery drivers. If you know of any church groups, retirees, etc. that might be interested, contact Rita at 1-800-ACS-2345. They also offer caregiver workshops for anyone who is interested as well.

I have to say after the pep rally, we're pumped. We've got some great ideas for fundraisers. We have high hopes for our campsite at Relay this year. We can't wait!

If you're interested in joining our Relay team, go to http://main.acsevents.org/goto/focusedonacure and click Join our Team! The more the merrier!

-Jessica

Brow Lounge - LKN

2010-01-22T10:44:00.000-08:00

You may remember Jennifer Cox from our Cancun wedding in 2008. She has recently opened a new division of Brow Lounge in Cornelius, NC. Brow Lounge is a studio that offers professional esthetic services such as waxing, tinting, eyelash extensions.

Brow Lounge uses only the finest waxes, tints, and moisturizers. They strive to find natural, organic products so you can feel good on the inside and look fabulous on the outside.

In addition to the services they offer, Brow Lounge has put a lot and time and research into perfecting brow kits for cancer patients who have lost their eyebrows after chemotherapy. These kits can also be used for people that have brow hair, but it just doesn't show up enough. The kit includes a stencil to match the arch of your natural brow and a color powder that best matches your hair tone. It leaves you with a very natural and defined look, in comparison to brow pencils.

The kit is very easy to use and is patented to the Brow Lounge, so you can only purchase them from their locations at this time. We have a kit at our studio. If you're in the area and want to stop by, we'd be happy to show you how it works.

But if you have time, it's worth the trip to see the new location. They also have a boutique that has some FABULOUS items. There's jewelry, clothes, purses, scarfs, hats, everything. You won't leave empty handed... or we didn't anyways.

Brow Lounge will be hosting their Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, March 13th from 10am to 6pm. They will be offering services that day and also scheduling future services. Jennifer has volunteered to donate 50% of any purchases and services from that day and future services booked to Focused on a Cure!! Please stop by and help us raise $$ for a great cause! We hope to see you there!

Miche Bags

2010-01-21T07:50:00.000-08:00

Sherry Carawan and Kathy Waters are volunteering their time to help plan and fundraise for Focused on a Cure in 2010. At our first planning meeting on Monday evening, Kathy mentioned the two of them selling Miche Bags and what a great company Miche is. They're very involved in giving back to charities, so this sparked our interest.

Take a look at this recent article about the new "Hope" Miche shell for their bags.

SOUTH JORDAN -- The Miche Bag company of South Jordan has unveiled its newest handbag design. That, in and of itself, isn't unusual in a company that sells 40 different designs. But the new design, called "Hope," has a specific purpose: to generate large amounts of money for cancer research.

It's a growing trend by businesses worldwide, connecting their brand with an important cause. Miche Bag unveiled its new handbag at its annual distributor conference in Salt Lake City Friday.

Jennie Platt, who designed the new product, said, "Our goal -- and hopefully it's something that we far exceed -- but our goal right now is to donate at least a million dollars to cancer research."

The money raised by distributors in the United States and in about 14 other countries will go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Since 2007, Miche has designed and sold the popular "interchangeable" handbag. Outer shells fit over the main purse compartment, attached by magnets, allowing the user to change the designs at will. This new one has a specific purpose.

"Six months ago, we started coming up with the idea that it was time for Miche Bag to give back," Platt said. "We've been so successful and blessed, and we really wanted to do something in our community that really gave back."

Since just about everyone is affected by cancer in some way -- either personally, or knows of someone who had had it -- Miche distributors and customers urged the company to focus on generating money for cancer research.

Platt said met with many cancer patients and survivors and asked for some quotes as to their thoughts about dealing with the disease. In bold, black and white letters the new bag design features words and phrases such as "Love," "Fight like a Giant," "No Regrets," and "It's not about living or dying, it's about how I live until I die."

Miche CEO Corbin Church said it's a design that will certainly draw attention.

"When you're standing in the grocery line with that bag, and the person behind you starts reading that, you don't think that they're going to become curious as to what all those quotes are about? Yeah, it's a conversation starter," Church said.

The company hopes that those conversations will ultimately produce millions of dollars worldwide to fight cancer.

Several cancer survivors and doctors from the Huntsman Cancer Institute attended the distributors meeting and shared personal stories. They also expressed their appreciation for what the company is about to take on.
Roxanne, a mother of four and grandmother of 10, has been cancer-free for five years.

"I will be eternally grateful for everything that you do, for the money that you raise and to the causes that it goes to," Roxanne said.
Miche sold its first back in 2007 and now has about 250 distributors around the world.

To take a look at the new "Hope" shell, go to the Miche website. We will actually have a "Hope" Miche bag being raffled off at our future Girls Night Outs. Kathy and Sherry will be there to show you how they work, and show off all the fabulous shell options. Keep an eye on our events for 2010!

Kathy & Sherry can also hold a home show at your house or your work, not only to benefit yourself, but for cancer research. 10% can be donated to your charity or your charity of choice.

I "Hope" that you will find a place in your lives to come together with a group of your friends, neighbors or co-workers and have a Miche Bag Show and help out the search for a cure for cancer. -Kathy Waters

Avon Foundation's Response

2009-11-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

We receive emails from the Avon Foundation frequently because of being involved in the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Charlotte. This is one we'd like to share with everyone because it's a heated discussion in the news and on our minds...

Avon Foundation for Women Response to New U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Mammography Recommendations

The Avon Foundation for Women strongly supports current mammography screening guidelines that have contributed to a 30% decrease in breast cancer mortality since 1990 when mammography screening became routine.

On November 16, 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended changing current mammography screening guidelines to begin biennial screening in women aged 50, discontinue screening for women over 75 years of age, and no longer promote self breast exam.

The Avon Foundation for Women advocates for empowering women of all ages by ensuring they have access to medical experts with whom to discuss breast health and the knowledge to make informed decisions with their doctors on breast health care, early detection screening for breast cancer, breast cancer risk and risk reduction strategies.

The Avon Foundation continues to support the guidelines recommended by expert groups American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and others including that women get to know their own bodies through breast self awareness and immediately report any changes to their doctor, begin annual screening mammography at age 40, and continue annual screening mammography for as long as the woman is in good health.
Doctors must take time to conduct individualized risk assessments and provide appropriate guidance to women of all ages. It is more important than ever for women and doctors to have a comprehensive dialogue about the benefits, limitations, and potential harms of mammography, the risks of delaying mammography, and the value of being familiar with ones own body.
Educational support, insurance coverage and government programs for early detection must not be jeopardized, as reductions would dramatically influence a woman’s breast health care decisions. The November 18 statement by Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius reiterating that the government’s policies remain unchanged and continue to support current mammography screening guidelines was welcome news to those like the Avon Foundation for Women who were concerned about possible ramifications of the USPSTF recommendations.
The lack of access to care for medically vulnerable populations continues to be a priority for the Avon Foundation. One third of all women who qualify for screening are already not being screened due to lack of access and barriers to screening and treatment. Resources to link women to providers include the Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund (www.avonbreastcare.org) and Avon Foundation Safety Net hospitals (www.avonfoundation.org/resourceguide).
The new USPSTF recommendations address concerns with current mammography technology and the level of scientific understanding about breast cancer disease progression, aggressiveness, and likelihood of metastasis. The Avon Foundation for Women continues its commitment to fund cutting-edge research to develop new tests for more accurate risk assessment, to better determine which women benefit from mammography, ultrasound or MRI screening, and accelerate advances in tumor analysis technology, to better determine the appropriate level of aggressiveness for treatment. Information about Avon Foundation funded grants in these categories can be accessed via this link, or visit the funding webpage for a full grant listing.

Winston-Salem Journal

2009-11-23T10:27:00.000-08:00

The Focused on a Cure story published by the Salisbury Post was picked up by the Winston-Salem Journal!! Check it out! Click here.

Halloween House

2009-11-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, IP hosted it's first Halloween House. Chelish Moore Flower transformed the studio into a spooky fun house with spider webs, pumpkins and CANDY! We had over 40 families attend the Halloween House and raised about $2,000 for Focused on a Cure!

Check out IP's staff "in character"...

David as a child in love with his sock monkeys (even the PJs had sock monkey feet!). Karen as '50s Rock 'n' Roll girl. Tara as Suzy Homemaker. Jess as Little Red Riding Hood. Renda as a pirate. Ashley as Jane.

We constructed three custom Halloween sets...

Check on the roaring lion on the first Halloween set.

Then Eva as a cat on the spooky set.

Then, our the all-star football player on the fall set.

The Halloween House was a blast. Everyone had a great time decorating pumpkins, painting faces, eating candy, and helping a good cause at the same time!

Take a look at portraits, candids, and decorating in progress from Friday's Halloween House on IP's facebook fan page.

Move for the Cure

2009-10-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

If you're not getting enough exercise, here's a twofer that may provide the motivation you need: Not only do regular workouts cut your risk of breast cancer, but if you do develop the disease, having been active also substantially lowers the chances of the cancer's recurring.

The numbers are impressive: Physical activity reduces your odds of getting breast cancer by up to 30 percent, a review of 62 studies recently reported. As for a better prognosis, in a study of 1,225 women diagnosed with breast cancer (mean age: 56), those who had previously logged an average of at least 3.9 hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week were 39 percent less likely to have their cancer return or spread than the women who had been the least active (clocking less than 1.4 hours a week of physical activity).

"Other studies show that it's important to keep moving after a diagnosis, too," says lead author Christin Friedenreich, Ph.D., of Alberta Health Services in Canada. "Exercise can help you avoid gaining weight, which improves your chances of survival."

This article was published in the Good Health section of October's Good Housekeeping.

Pretty in Pink with C.C. & Company Salon & Day Spa

2009-10-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, C.C. & Company Salon and Day Spa hosted Pretty in Pink. This was an evening of pampering similar to our recent Girls Night Outs, with a catch - Everyone had to wear pink!

It was a blast! All the ladies had their hair styled, their nails painted, their necks massaged, their makeup applied, their bras fitted, and then they were photographed! Karen photographed some beautiful images of the ladies.

Check out some candids from the evening...

Here's a sneak peek at some of the portraits from Pretty in Pink!

Thank you to C.C. & Company for all of your support and donations! You have been a huge part of us acheiving our fundraising goals for Focused on a Cure. And we appreciate all the girls (and Hutch) for all your hard work at fundraising events!

Thank you to Sara Pless (The Bra Lady) for all your hard work and helping ladies find their best fitting undergarments! Thank you to Kristi Deese from Dream Dinners for all the food Friday evening! It's always delicious!!!

Thank you to all the ladies who attended! We raised over $700 Friday night and we're almost to our goal for the Avon Walk!

The portraits will be posted soon on our IP fan page at www.facebook.com/IPbyKG. There will also be directions on how to view ALL the images from that night through our website. Karen is offering a 50% discount off of our studio prices for any portrait orders from Pretty in Pink.

Thanks again! We enjoyed Pretty in Pink and look forward to the next event! And if you haven't been to C.C. & Company Salon & Day Spa, you haven't experienced pampering! Check them out!

You Can Help Find a Cure

2009-10-14T09:02:00.000-07:00

Scientific studies are a huge part of helping experts understand what causes breast cancer and how to prevent it. And that means researchers are looking for women to participate.

That's why the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation for Women created Love/Avon Army of Women: to gather those who might be interested.

Don't worry - it's not as involved as you might think, and anyone can do it (whether you're completely healthy, are at high risk for breast cancer or are a breast cancer survivor yourself). All you have to do to join is provide some basic info (name, age, city, and state you live in) at armyofwomen.org. You'll then receive e-mail updates announcing new studies that need volunteers.

If you fit the criteria for a specific study and would like to participate, just reply to the e-mail. The opportunities are varied: They range from basic surveys to more invasive procedures. This gives you the chance to decide how much you're comfortable with.

-Abigail L. Cuffey

This is taken from an article in Woman's Day Magazine. (October issue) Check out more breast cancer awareness info at www.womansday.com.

Join the Fight against Breast Cancer at Cold Stone Creamery

2009-10-08T06:57:00.000-07:00

Cold Stone Creamery is partnering with NFL icon, Larry Fitzgerald, to fight breast cancer by offering (4) Limited Edition Collectable Larry Fitzgerald gift cards in stores. Larry Fitzgerald was named the 2009 Pro Bowl MVP and is cementing himself as a household name. Fitzgerald set the single postseason record in receiving yards and his performance in the NFC Championship game helped send the Arizona Cardinals to their first Super Bowl.

Fitzgerald, whose mother passed away in 2003 while undergoing treatment for breast cancer, is a passionate advocate for breast cancer research and awareness. His signature long braided hair is an ongoing tribute to her memory.

Cold Stone Creamery will feature Fitzgerald's own Creation, "Heaven Eleven," for a limited time during the promotion. "Heaven Eleven" includes strawberry ice cream, graham cracker pie crust, white chocolate chips, strawberries and bananas. Fitzgerald's pink creation serves as an additional reminder of the fight against breast cancer.

Heaven Eleven's profits will support the National Breast Cancer Foundation (www.nbcf.org).

Take a look at the gift cards.

**Stay tuned to Focused on a Cure's fan page (www.facebook.com/focusedonacure) for more breast cancer info. Our goal is to post some interesting info each day in October!**

$10,000 Donation to NorthEast Foundation

2009-09-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Monday was the big day! We met at the entrance to the Breast Imaging Center at CMC-Copperfield to give the $10,000 check to the directors of the program. We had alot of support from some of our survivors and sponsors who attended and wore their FOC shirts!

Adam Cook, the director of the NE Foundation, started with a thank you and a brief update of the NE Foundation's success with their breast health program. He told us some very interesting facts and statistics about healthcare in our community - which has improved since the founding of the NE Foundation!

Here we are with our oversized check! $10,000 to the order of NorthEast Foundation!

Then we moved inside for a tour of the Breast Imaging Center. Paula Galvin showed us around and shared with us about the smallest details of the program. She mentioned that a lot of thought was put into the decor and feel of the lobby. They wanted women to feel like they were waiting in a spa atmosphere to reduce the stress and nerves while waiting. She shared about the "Be a Champion" campaign, where they train and inform mostly men about breast cancer and coping with it. Men can be such a huge part of their wife's battle against breast cancer.

Paula showed us around the facility and explained the process of being examined and consulting with your doctor, etc. She showed off their dressing rooms, where women wait to be taken in for their mammograms. Each dressing room has one of our survivors' prints in it with a successful story of breast cancer. There are journals in each room for women to write their thoughts and feelings, which is inspiring for the next woman to look through.

One thing that really stood out in our minds was a wall of information in the lobby. In the center is an image that the NE Foundation has used as their representation on all their breast cancer pieces. Notice the image is three young women of different races. Paula expressed how that image was strategically chosen because of the word they're trying to spread. You don't have to be older. You don't have to be unhealthy. Breast cancer affects everyone!

We appreciate Paula for taking the time to show us around. We really enjoyed the tour! Thank you to Meredith, Adam, and Paula for attending our event and supporting us along the way! We appreciate all of our sponsors and everyone who attended the event. This year was a success and we hope next year will be even bigger! What do you think we should set our goal at for next year - $15,000? $20,000? Thoughts?

Focused on a Cure isn't idle until then. We've got the Avon Walk fastly approaching in October. Relay for Life in May of 2010. And I'm sure find a few more in between!

Thanks for all your support!

Thank You

2009-09-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Karen and IP Staff,

Thank you for your overwhelming support of women who have been touched by breast cancer! The Piggin' Out for Pink event was a wonderful tribute to breast cancer survivors. You made us each feel so special.

I am honored and humbled to be recognized this year as one of the survivors for your Focused on a Cure project. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for the compassion the staff demonstrated during the photo session. Participating in the project has been a truly heartwarming experience.

I wish IP much success as you continue to bring hope to the women of Cabarrus County through Focused on a Cure.

Fondly,
Jackie Linker

Carolina Plumbing Repair

2009-09-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of Karen and Buddy's, Daryl Thomas, owns Carolina Plumbing Repair. His wife, Brooke, has been battling breast cancer recently. She has been through treatment and multiple reconstructive surgeries.

We had an anonymous $100 donation for Piggin Out for Pink and we decided to use it towards tickets for Daryl and Brooke. They attended the event and said they were very impressed with what we've accomplished.

Daryl approached Buddy last week to say that he feels very passionate about our cause because of Brooke's experience and he wants to help. Daryl has offered to donate 5% of Carolina Plumbing Repair's totals. They do residential plumbing repair. So next time you need a plumber, call Daryl at 704.933.6861. He has a huge heart and wants to help!

A Nice Surprise

2009-09-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Leigh stopped by yesterday to pick up portraits from her last family session and, while she was here, she gave us a nice surprise. She had written the sweetest message in a card, accompanied by some homemade cupcakes.

The handwritten message in the card read:

Karen, Renda, and the Irresistible Portraits Gang,

Focused on a Cure's Piggin' Out for Pink was such an awesome event. You have touched so many lives and really made a difference in our community. You have not only raised money for the Breast Health Program and increased community awareness, but you've offered the tremendous hope and encouragement by allowing breast cancer survivors to share their stories.

My family and I were so touched by how much thought and energy went into making the evening so special for everyone. My mom, sister, and I were so happy to be a part of the effort by sharing our stories in words and pictures. We were blown away by our special gift bags which included a copy of the image used in the show - so beautifully framed too. We will wear our t-shirts proudly, as well as our jewelry pins.

Thank you for our wonderful gifts and such royal treatment. Thank you for creating such a memorable evening. I will remember it fondly for a long time to come, as will my family and friends.

May God bless you richly,
Leigh Williams

Thank you for such kind words and the delicious treats! We appreciate you being a part of Focused on a Cure and sharing your story with others.

More Feedback...

2009-09-16T13:52:00.000-07:00

We received a beautiful, colorful card with "Brilliant!" across the front. We opened it to a message of "Congratulations on a stellar achievement." Along with this message was a heartfelt note that read:

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -Ephesians 2:10

Buddy & Karen,

What an awesome event for breast health! It shows you that one person can truly make a difference. Kudos to all of your staff and volunteers. Their passion was palatable. I appreciated everyone's words and testimonies and loved what you said, Karen, about God telling you to share your blessings and truly that happened. How cool to give birth to such a benevolent event that could easily become an annual event that would be bigger and better each year! Thank for all the hard work. You have much to be proud of!

Love,
Renea

Hey Buddy & Karen,

Just wanted to let you know I though you did a great job Friday night. I was impressed and it's hard to impress me. I'd be glad to help next time!

Mark

Piggin' Out for Pink Feedback

2009-09-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

We've gotten lots of great personal thank yous and notes from people who attended our first annual event. We wanted to share the feedback with you!

To all the "Pink Gang" at Focused on a Cure,

What an amazing evening you put together! It was professional and yet the heart you carry for the pain and loss these girls experience is amazing. Can't wait til next year!

Blessings,
Vicki Farina

Dear Karen and IP Staff,

We are still talking about the wonderful evening we had with you last Friday night! And, Renda is quite the gifted party-thrower. It was so thoughtful and generous of you to name the CMC-NorthEast Breast Health Program Campaign as the beneficiary to your dinner and fundraiser. Dinner was absolutely delicious and we so enjoyed the Survivor's stories and video presentation. We're very excited about this partnership!

Thank you again for your hospitality.

Warm Regards,
Adam Cook & Meredith Valentine
NorthEast Foundation
Carolinas Medical Center - NorthEast

"A Proud Mother"

2009-09-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

Everytime I look through the images from our Piggin' Out for Pink event, I see something new that touches my heart. I see great people that came to support the cause. I see incredibly brave breast cancer survivors (women and one man) that were there to give back. It seems like, if you're a breast cancer survivor, you automatically bond with other survivors - knowing what each has gone through.

When we started this as a team, we decided if we were going to do this at all, we had to do it right! I think we did it right! Not too shabby for the first try!

I was blown away by the staff of IP. I knew they were good, but they went above and beyond for this cause. They are so caring and passionate about what they want to achieve. They cared as much as anyone could possibly ask for. I am so proud of them! Do I sound like a proud mother?

Piggin' Out for Pink

2009-09-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, we held our first annual Focused on a Cure event - Piggin' Out for Pink. The event was held at the Propst Farm in Concord, NC. We have been in intense planning mode for a little over two months to make sure everything flowed as perfect as could be and I'm confident we can say it was a success.

Our goal for the event was to raise $10,000 and we named NorthEast Foundation as the beneficiary. Focused on a Cure is dedicated to local breast cancer research, so we also plan to raise money for our local Avon Walk and Relay for Life as well.

In order to meet our goal, we recruited Sports & More Auctions to help us with our silent auction. They provided some wonderful products that brought in some high bids! We appreciate all their help.

We put together a variety of raffle baskets. We were inspired by the number of creative raffle baskets at the 2009 Cabarrus Relay for Life. We got a great variety of items donated and we raised a lot of money from these so we appreciate everyone who donated little goodies for our baskets!

Clearly Carolina provided a ton of water with custom Focused on a Cure water bottle labels! Special thanks to them!

Chelish Moore of Chelish Moore Flowers was the one and only person we ever considered for decorating and flowers. She's the best at what she does and we knew we wanted this event to be "over the top" as Renda says. She did an AMAZING JOB down to every detail.

Concord Printing provided Piggin' Out for Pink's programs on a beautiful pearl paper, in addition to the tickets for the event. They are wonderful people and we've used them our studio newsletter for years. Definitely recommend them for local printing!

Our survivor portrait display was a hit! H&H provided all our prints on metal this year. It was hung with chain and was an eye catcher! The color pops off the metal and it looked fabulous.

In addition to providing our survivor portrait display, H&H flew out our one and only Ginger (our customer service rep). We were so happy for Ginger to be a part of our first annual event. She's a part of our IP family and it was only right for her to be there! Thanks H&H!

Brandy Haithcox of Sugar & Spice Sweet Treats baked and served all the desserts for the event! How cute is this cake?! She's very talented. Everything was delicious!!!

Punchy's catered our bar-b-que dinner. It was delicious as well! We are very grateful for their generosity. They gave us GREAT deal on the food for 200+ people and we can't say thank you enough!

Chloeann Durham is one of our 2009 survivors. She has two very talented children with phenomenal voices! Trenton and Chloe graced us with the beautiful voices during dinner. We heard them for the first time at Relay for Life. We knew we had to have them as a part of Focused on a Cure!

Divina Cook and Jane Jacobs both shared their inspiring stories with everyone Friday evening. Each of them told how they got through the battle against cancer and how life is different since their diagnosis.

Divina seemed to handle her challenges and bad news with humor. She spoke of her daughter throwing a party the night they shaved Divina's head. They shaved it down the middle, then tried combovers. Laughing seemed to get Divina through the tough times, where as Jane seemed to hold on to the future of her children. As a single mother to her two daughters, she knew she had no choice but to survive for her daughters' sake.

We thank both ladies for sharing their stories and experiences. It must take unbelievable courage to get in front of so many people and talk about the most difficult time of your life. But they both did it with such style and grace. We appreciate them both!

We showed a documentary film that we created in June with six of our survivors. The survivors sat with their families as they told their honest emotions and thoughts of their battle against breast cancer. It was amazing to watch and so enlightening.

This wouldn't have been possible without KA Studios. They volunteered their time to film the survivors and then to produce it. You'll never know how much we appreciate this film.

We hope to have the film on our fan page soon, so that those of you who weren't able to come to the event can view it. It's amazing. Be sure to have some tissues close by.

You can tell by the intensity on Janet's face that she felt the emotions in the film.

Here's the Sloop family watching the film together. We hope they realize how much their participation in this film meant to us.

After the tears were shed, it was time to tear up the dance floor with Too Much Sylvia. Of course, Renda was the one to break the ice... before she jumped on stage to steal the mic! We're used to it!

Tara's the same. There's no stopping her! Needless to say, the band was great and everyone seemed to have a GREAT time!

We had to have a group shot before the end of the night. Too Much Sylvia, IP, and Ginger!

You can view ALL the images from Friday night on our facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/focusedonacure.

Thank you to everyone who came to the event. We're setting our goals higher for next year, so you won't want to miss out on it. Thank you to everyone who made donations, even though they couldn't make it that evening. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to help the event flow nicely!

And most of all thank you to our sponsors! We couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you to ...

C.C. & Company - Girls Night Out donation

Chelish Moore Flowers - Decorations

Clearly Carolina - Water

Concord Printing - Programs & Tickets

H&H Color Lab - Metal Survivor Display

KA Studios - Documentary Film

Party Reflections - Tent

Proofcast - Website

Punchy's Diner - Dinner

Sugar & Spice - Desserts

Sun Drop Bottling Co. - Drinks

RL Imprints - T-shirts

Too Much Sylvia - Entertainment

Thank you to our sponsors with monetary donations...

Cabarrus Dance Academy

Designs by Stephanie Anne

Gio's Tire & Wheel Service

Tina S. Merhoff, DDS, PA

B.E. Kluttz Lumber

Brother's Tire

Club at Irish Creek

Dream Dinners

Gary's Bar-B-Q

Hope's Bridal Boutique

Hurt & Associates

iConnect

K-Town Cars

Live Well Charlotte

Mirror Mirror Hair Design

Progressive Builders

South Ridge Veterinary Hospital

Sports and More Auctions

Steve Cook Nationwide Insurance

Wayne's Tire Service, Inc.

Whitaker Plumbing Inc.

Save the best for last...

We have to give our praises to God for blessing us with Focused on a Cure. We never imagined that we could have come this far in our first year. He has blessed us beyond belief. He laid this on our hearts and it's our job to make it the best we can. It is with his grace and your support that we will continue to progress towards a day when cancer no longer exists.

Thank you!

2009-09-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

We received a nice surprise today!!! A PINK arrangement... to fit the occasion!

The arrangement came with a little note that read:

To my Irresistible Portraits family -
Thank you so much for everything that you have done for me and my family. You are truly amazing and I am so blessed that God has put all of you into my life. Piggin' Out for Pink was wonderful! I am in awe of what you do and how you use it to help others. I am so honored to be a part of this! I love you guys!
-Laura Blackwell

Laura,
We love you too! It was truly a blessing that we crossed paths at Relay for Life... (all because of Miss Scarlet!) You are so glad that you could be such a huge part of Focused on a Cure. We appreciate all your hard work at collecting raffle items and selling tickets! Keep spreading awareness! God bless you and your beautiful family!
-Everyone at IP

Girls Night Out at C.C. & Company

2009-08-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, we partnered with C.C. & Company for a Girls Night Out! The salon and spa hosted the event and volunteered their time and facility to help us raise money for Focused on a Cure.

For $20, each lady received a hair style, a mini manicure, make up, a neck massage, one underarm hair removal treatment, and 10% off any retail products. The Bra Lady, Accent Your Life with Style, Cherry Picked Creations, and other vendors joined us for the evening, offering their products and services, with a percentage going back to our foundation. Dream Dinners provided dinner for everyone... which was DELICIOUS!

C.C. & Company gave raffle items about every 30 minutes. This lady won a beautiful pink ribbon bracelet.

At one point, there was over 100 cars parked in the salon parking lot and neighoring parking lots. CRAZY!!!!

Although they were outnumbered, we had the help of a few men.

Can you say "FULL HOUSE?"

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to C.C. & Company for their generosity. We raised $1,585 for Focused on a Cure in one night! That's AMAZING! We appreciate everything you've done for Focused on a Cure.

If you haven't been to C.C. & Company before, you're missing out. They have the friendliest staff and they're all GREAT at what they do. Their facility is gorgeous and we promise you won't be disappointed.

Check out their website at www.ccandcompanysalonspa.com.

Relay for Life Wrap Up Celebration

2009-08-20T14:38:00.001-07:00

Renda attended the 2009 Relay for Life Wrap up Celebration on behalf of our Focused on a Cure team - Digital Divas. The event summarized all the money that was raised by Cabarrus County and honored the teams involved.

The yummy thank you cake...

Relay was promoting other events that are coming up in the near future - Bark for Life, Making Strides, etc. You can find info about all those events at www.relayforlife.org.

Some teams won different awards, such as Best Rookie Team, Best Decorated Campsite (... which will be OURS next year...), Best On-Site Fundraiser, Last Tent Standing, Best Decorated Luminaria, etc.

"Thank you for helping us TAKE OUT cancer!!".... such a cute idea!

Cabarrus County's Relay for Life was such a success! We're looking forward to next year!

C.C. & Company's Girls Night Out

2009-08-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

We've had such a good response from both of our Facebook Party/Girls Night Outs that we're doing it again! But this time... it will be a little different.

C.C. & Company Salon and Spa has offered to host this one! If you've never been to C.C. & Company, you're missing out. They have a beautiful facility and a wonderful staff!

Here's your chance to try them out... C.C. & Company is hosting our next facebook party. Friday, August 21st, from 5pm to 8pm, you can receive a hair style, mini manicure, make up, chair massage, and one underarm laser hair removal treatment. You can enjoy all these services for $20 a person and $15 of it will be donated to Focused on a Cure! C.C. & Company has volunteered to donate 10% of all add-on services and retail sales to Focused on a Cure also!

Karen will be there photographing each lady that participates. We'll post our favorite image of each lady on facebook to be used as their new profile image! We'll post all the images from that night on our website so that you can view all of them and even order if you're interested.

Of course, the bra lady will be there to fit you for your perfect bra. But this time, we have a new guest to join us. Her name is Gwen, from Accent Your Life with Style. She is an image consultant, which means she will give you tips on how to pick out the perfect clothes to fit your body. She'll help you pick the colors that flatter your skin tone the best, and she'll give you tips for hair and make up colors. And if you're interested, she's also a great help with closet organization!

You can invite all your friends and co-workers, sisters and daughters. You can RSVP to the salon at 704.792.2001.

Facebook Party

2009-07-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

Friday, we hosted our 2nd IP Facebook Party AKA Girls Night Out! We had a HUGE response and we were very satisfied with the amount of money that we raised for Focused on a Cure's Avon Walk team - Digital Divas. We raised over $1,100 in about 3 hours!

We had a great collection of vendors and volunteers from: Dream Dinners, Sugar & Spice Sweet Treats, B's Purses, Essential Bodywear, Mary Kay, Shear Image, C.C. & Company, and Scentsy. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE that volunteered their time and effort to help us raise as much money as we could!

We've gotten a lot of love on Facebook since Friday and wanted to share it with you!

"We had such a great evening! Thanks for everything and I think it is espically kind all the work you do towards cancer and a cure." -Jennifer Thomas Cannon

Karen, thank you for having the Facebook party! it was so much fun!! Please have more of them!!!! -Kelly Casey Falcone

"Thank you Karen and everyone who made this possible." -Lisa Meadows

"Had a great time @ IP's Facebook Party! I was amazed at how many people came for the GNO and how much fun it was...we'll definitely have to do that here!" -Anne Battey Grant

"I wanted to thank you for a wonderful time. We loved every minute and Sarah-Jane felt so special. Thanks for the mommy and me photo! So excited about seeing it!" -Cynthia Lorick Pace

"Karen, Thanks for Last night. Had a great time and was for a great cause." -Tracey Lewis Dorsey

"Karen...you are awesome and what an awesome thing to do for for others!!! I had a great time.....:-) Thank YOU!" -Tonya Stanley Linker

"It was so awesome!! Thank you!!" -Tina Sinclair

"You are wonderful!! Thanks for the invitation!!" -Sandy C

"I had a great time with my friends and making new friends. Your staff was so nice and helpful. Enjoyed all the side adventures, hair, makeup, bras, pocketbooks and of course "food". With your talents and all the help we had I know our pictures will be great. Thank you to all who made it happen...love ya Girl!" -Linda Reed

You can check out some candids from Friday night on our IP Fan Page. All the new profile pictures will be posted to Facebook in the next couple of weeks. We'll let you know when those are posted. We're looking forward to sharing all of them with you!

For those of you that missed this Facebook Party, we're teaming up with C.C. & Company. They will be hosting a Facebook Party/Girls Night Out on Friday, August 21st from 5pm to 8pm at their salon (160 Manor Ave, Concord, NC). Hair, make-up, and a mini-manicure will be included for a $20 donation. We will be photographing profile images at their location and $15 from each donation will go to Focused on a Cure. You can RSVP for their Girls Night Out at 704.792.2001. We'll see you there!

WBTV Live Interview

2009-07-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

Monday, July 13th, Karen and Renda were interviewed live on the noon show on WBTV! WBTV is considering Focused on a Cure as their chosen non-profit organization to sponsor for 2009. The ladies were excited to be there and see how everything worked behind the scenes.

Click here to watch their 1 minute and 50 seconds of fame!

It's official!

2009-07-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

Focused on a Cure is now a non-profit organization! Our planning is coming along very well for the "Piggin' Out for Pink" event!

What: 1st Annual Focused on a Cure event
When: Friday, August 28th from 6pm to 10pm
Where: Propst Farm, 1500 Weddington Road, Concord, NC

Entertainment: Documentary Survivor Film by KA Studios, Too Much Sylvia
Dinner: Bar-B-Que donated by Punchy's Diner
Speakers: Jane Jacobs (survivor) and possible others

Tickets: $50 each
Dress: Your fancy denims
Fundraising during Event: Raffle Baskets and Souvenirs to Purchase

GOAL: $10,000 (to be donated to NE Foundation)

To purchase tickets, stop by the studio or give Renda a call at 704.933.5600.

Thank You

2009-06-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

Last week, we had the honor of photographing Jackie Linker. She is one of our survivors for our 2009 Focused on a Cure. A few days later, we received a heartfelt card from Jackie's daughter, Meredith. With her permission, we wanted to share it with you.

Karen,

I wanted to say "thank you" for including my mom (and aunt) in your breast cancer photo gallery. They had an incredible time yesterday. We as a family don't take many pictures but they said that they felt like little kids having their pictures made. Thank you to you and your staff for making them feel so special. You have a big heart and are very talented. This wonderful combination are sure to shine through with the creation of "Focused on a Cure." I can't wait to see the final gallery and hear all of the new stories at the Fashion Benefit this year. God bless you and your staff for all of your great works!

Sincerely,
Meredith Valentine

Here are a few of our favorites from Jackie's session....

Thank you, Jackie, for being a part of Focused on a Cure.

Survivor Movie Film Day

2009-06-16T11:48:00.001-07:00

We have big plans for Focused on a Cure 2009. During our 1st annual Focused on a Cure event on August 28th, we plan to show a documentary film of a few of our survivors and their families, telling their story of their battle against breast cancer. This video contains candids images from the film day in early June.

The final film will contain video that was filmed and editted by KA Studios Cinematography. We hope you can make it to our event on August 28th to see the final film.

We've set our goals high and we're aiming to raise $10,000 on August 28th. We hope you'll join us in the fight against breast cancer.

Relay For Life 2009

2009-05-21T13:29:00.001-07:00

IP participated in the Relay for Life in Cabarrus County a couple weeks ago. As of March 8th, the day of the Relay, Cabarrus County had raised about $88,000. The goal for the event was $100,000. Throughout the night, they hosted different fundraising events, such as raffling gift baskets, a Mr. Relay pageant (where the guys collect as many donations as they can and the winner wins the title of Mr. Relay), and each team could host their own fundraiser at their tents. On the evening of the Relay, Cabarrus County collect $35,000 to add to the original donations... in one night!

IP had a tent at the Relay, where we showcased our 2008 Focused on a Cure survivor exhibit. We were able to talk to alot of other survivors and even recruit a few for our 2009 exhibit. Although all these survivors are fighting the same disease, every story has a unique trait that we want to share.

We're so excited about our 2009 exhibit and we have HUGE plans for this year's campaign. At this point, we can tell you to mark your calendar for Friday, August 28th! Other details will come soon!

Here's some candids from our Relay experience. Enjoy!

All Aboard

2009-04-30T12:44:00.001-07:00

Judie joined us for Train Day last Wednesday at the NC Transportation Museum. As you know, Judie's story is "All Aboard!" She sees life as a train station and her Great Conductor will decide which track for her to be on. To Judie, her suitcases represent taking hope, faith, and perserverance along with her on her voyages.

Needless to say, the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC was the PERFECT location for Judie's portrait!

Facebook Party AKA Girls Night Out

2009-03-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Admit it! Most of us have one picture that we like of ourselves and it's been our facebook profile picture for the last year. Well, here's your chance to get a new one that you'll love for the next year!

But it's not just about the profile picture! We're turning this into a Girls' Night Out! We'll have ladies here doing hair, makeup, paraffin dips, and neck messages. And we'll have ladies selling purses, jewelry and bras! We'll also have some food and refreshments! What more could a girl ask for??

And the best part is.... you get your new facebook look for only $15. All the money we collect during this Girls Night Out will go towards our 2009 Focused on a Cure Breast Cancer Survivor Campaign! This is a wonderful cause and we hope you'll help us support something we're passionate about.

Here are a few FAQs we've received so far...

Can I bring my kids or my husband with me?
Sure you can! If you want them in your profile picture, bring them!

Do I need an appointment?
Nope! You can drop in whatever time is best for you between 5 and 8pm on Friday. Don't wait too late though. You don't want to miss out on the complimentary hairdo, nail treatment, make up and neck massage!

Hope to see you there!

2008 Survivor Video

2009-02-23T09:25:00.001-08:00

Focused on a Cure now has it's own YouTube channel. We hope to post videos from our survivor sessions and our annual survivor video. You can find us by searching for "IPSurvivors."

At our Survivor party last year, we played a video that we put together of excerpts from our survivors' stories. It became a very emotional video, displaying each woman's portrait with her impactful words. We wanted to share it with you. It's our first video on our channel. We hope you'll enjoy it! Click here to view the video.

Rita Sutton

2009-02-16T10:40:00.000-08:00

During last week's casting call, Renda and Tara had the opportunity to photograph Rita Sutton. She is currently battling breast cancer and wanted to document this time in her life.

The following is Rita's story:

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on September 5th, 2008, and the world as I knew it changed forever. I have always been a carefree, fun-loving girl who looked at the world with a glowing sense of optimism. When you receive such a blow, it takes some time to get your hands around the process. During such times, fear can easily replace hope. But with the help of a loving, supportive husband and daughter, great family and friends, the sun is shining again - especially on the inside.

I have learned to ask new questions. Specifically, how do I interject fun into every aspect of my already meaningful life? I only need to look a few feet in front or to the sides of me. This is where I can find those I love the most - my family. Our close, tight-knit unit has now been woven into one of my husband's famous apple pies. Life is sweet. -Rita Sutton

Thanks, Rita, for sharing your story with us. We hope it will inspire other women battling breast cancer to stay optimistic!

Hopes for 2009

2009-02-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

We were impressed with how well our first year of Focused on a Cure went. We never imagined that our exhibit would travel to different locations for 15 weeks! We had a total of seven survivors and we made an incredible bond with each of them.

But we've raised our goals. We hope for MORE in 2009! We're looking for 15 new survivors - of all ages and races! And this year, we hope to have a opening event to unveil the exhibit.

Now we need your help! If you're a survivor or know a survivor, tell them about Focused on a Cure. Direct them to our website and blog. Tell them to call us or email us at Renda@irresistibleportraits.com.

It's therapeutic to talk about what you've been through and to tell your story. And why not inspire someone else? Telling how you made it through your battle with breast cancer can give hope to someone currently going through the same battle.

We look forward to hearing from you and spreading more awareness!

Divina Cook

2009-02-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

Last week, we had the honor of photographing Divina Cook, a breast cancer survivor. She was full of positive energy and has such a great outlook on her situation.

Divina said she always knew she was strong, but never realized how strong until she was diagnosed with cancer. "I have not shed a tear and I found myself handling the news with humor. With each misadventure, I'd turn to my husband, laugh and say, 'And the laughs just keep coming.'"

When Divina's hair started to come out by the hand full, her daughter had a party while she shaved her mother's head. "First she shaved down the middle and said I looked like the comic Gallagher. We did comb overs like balding men. We laughed so much I was peeing my pants."

Divina brought all her wigs with her to the portrait session. So... we had some fun!

Thank you, Divina, for sharing your story. Your positive outlook brightens the room! Thanks for letting us goof around too! We had a great time!

2008

2009-01-25T17:53:00.000-08:00

The Avon Foundation recently sent us a letter expressing their gratitude for our participation in the 2008 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Charlotte. Here's some info we thought you'd find interesting:

The Avon Walk series last year - held nationwide in nine U.S. cities - was the most successful in the event's history, having raised more than $56 million in donations!

Local beneficiaries of the 2008 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Charlotte include:

*North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Winston-Salem, NC) received $375,000 to support a community outreach and patient navigation services program that expands the Avon Foundation safety net to Winston-Salem. Navigators will work to reduce disparities in breast care among the African-American community by expanding the current program to include more patients from the surrounding rural counties.

*Presbyterian Hospital (Charlotte, NC) received $300,000 to support its community outreach and patient navigation program to improve access to screening, diagnostics, and treatment to underserved populations in underserved populations in Charlotte, NC, Mecklenburg County and eleven surrounding counties.

*Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, NC) received $275,000 to support the Mecklenburg County Breast Care Management program that provides outreach and patient navigation services to medically underserved women in Charlotte. The staff coordinated screening and care through the Carolinas Hospital, the Blumenthal Cancer Center, and the Myers Park Clinic.

*Health Research Alliance (Research Triangle Park, NC) received $95,000 to support the development of a web-based grants database that will contain pooled grant information of nonprofit agencies. This award is a key outcome of the Avon-led collaboration between Avon and other foundations.

Funds raised by the Avon Walk Charlotte also support national programs:

*Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund was awarded $7,000,000 to be disbursed as grants to 145 non-profit Community Based Organizations across the country - with at least one in every state - for education and outreach programs. These programs will collectively navigate 150,000 women next year into mammography screening and will educate 500,000 others on breast health and the importance of early detection.

*Cancer Care (New York, NY) was awarded $1,500,000 to continue AvonCares - a financial assistance program that provides cash for low-income women facing breast cancer. The cash assistance can be used to pay for gas to get to a doctors appointment, or for child care or elder care. The program which launched in 2000, has already assisted 39,000 women who have received approximately $250 each, for a total of $9,750,000.

*Love/Avon Army of Women was created with a $1,200,000 award to recruit 1-million women around the country to participate in studies to understand the causes of breast cancer and how to prevent the disease. All women should learn more by visiting www.armyofwomen.org.

We hope you found this info as inspiring as we did!

Info of the Week

2008-11-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

Early detection is the KEY to more successful treatment. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends the following schedule for women at average risk.

Age 40 and over: Mammogram and clinical breast exam yearly.
Age 20s and 30s: Clinical breast exam about every 3 years.
Starting in 20s: Choose whether or how often to do breast self-exam.

Note: ACS recommends that women at higher risk have an annual mammogram and MRI beginning at age 30.

This information was found in Women & Breast Health, provided by Carolinas Medical Center.

Article in Charlotte Observer

2008-11-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

We recently told you to look for an article about our Focused on a Cure campaign that was written by Barbara Thiede. The article was printed in last Sunday's Charlotte Observer. If you didn't get a chance to read it, click here. Hope you enjoy!

Avon Walk!

2008-10-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

They did it! The Avon Walk was this past weekend. Renda and Tara completed 20 miles on Saturday and 13 miles on Sunday! We're so proud of them!!

All of the images are posted online... but here's a sneak peek!

Before the walk started on Saturday morning, the girls signed the names of our survivors that they walked in honor of.

Meet the Pinkerbellas! They were dressed up and ready to walk!

Only halfway girls!

Here's another team from Kentucky. Their team of 16 members raised a total of $50,000!

The halfway mark was at Charlotte Country Day School. They were cheering the walkers on. Renda added our survivors to their banner!

At the 20 mile marker, the girls made the decision to stop for the day. What an accomplishment... 20 miles in one day!

Words cannot explain how good that massager felt on Tara's feet... but her expression can.

Karen and Rhonda visited the girls Saturday evening and brought them their favorite.... Chik-fil-A milkshakes!

Milkshakes and foot massages... what else can a girl ask for?

Here's Renda's decorated bag.

"My Avon Walk For: Rhonda Sloop, Jill, Jane, Allison, Judy, Angie, and Shirley"

... and her shoes that were white at 6am.

The girls in their Focused on a Cure hats.

Meet the Cleavage Crusaders! They were an entertaining group!

Renda, Rhonda, and Tara at the Wellness Village.

Sunday, bright and early, in the cold!

This guy was cheering the walkers on... "You ladies are utterly amazing!"

This guy was cheering on from his car with a megaphone and a "I'm a breast man" shirt!

This was Team Courage. They had a team member in a wheelchair. That's inspiring.

Someone else has their own "Millie and Luke." Meet Bailey....

and Bacardi!

As the girls passed, they noticed this man standing to the side with pink roses and wondered who he was waiting for. Little did they know, it was the group of ladies behind them. As they approached, he gave each lady a pink rose. What a sweeatheart!

This is the motto of the Pinkerbellas... "Faith, trust and Pinksie dust combined with the happiest of thoughts are all your need to walk for a cure!"

This was another team that the girls met - The TaBoobs. One of their team members made hats for the other team members. They were pink crocheted breasts! So creative!

And they finally made it to what they thought was the end.... but they soon realized it was 13.3 miles! :)

.3 miles to go!

And now they're happy!

Karen and Rhonda were waiting at the end to greet them. Rhonda was thankful for Renda's dedication.

There they are at the finish line. Mission complete!

There were tons of people cheering them on as they crossed the finish line.

Tara took 78,473 steps. Renda claims she took more.... due to having shorter legs!

This was the youth crew that was there to encourage the walkers. Renda was inspired by their generosity to volunteer at an event like this.

Then it was time to tend to the blisters.

The closing ceremony started with the entrance of all the walkers.

Then the survivors made their entrance with a round of applause.

This was the oldest survivor participant. She was in her 70s!

This lady was honored as a single participant to have raised over 1 million dollars! She has participated in 98 walks in various cities!

Since 1992, Avon has raised over $525 million towards breast cancer and still counting....

For two days, we walked as one.

To view all the images from the Avon Walk, click here. Simply enter your name and email address to access the images.

Thanks again to everyone who helped us raise money for the Digital Divas! In 2009, we hope to participate in several walks and we hope you'll join us!

Fight Like a Girl!

2008-10-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day! Renda and Tara are up for the challenge!

They'll be checking into the event around 6am tomorrow, walking a marathon and then enjoying the festivities put on by Avon. Then Sunday they'll start over with a half-marathon. And Monday... they might be a little soar!

We want to thank everyone who has made donations towards our Digital Divas team! But this isn't over! We want this to be an annual campaign and a year full of events!

Info of the Week

2008-10-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

We've decided to start an educational "info of the week" blogpost. Each week, we'll post some helpful breast cancer information - anything from facts, statistics, tips for mammograms and self breast exams, etc.

We hope you'll find this useful!

This week's information is...

Myth: If a mammogram does detect a problem, it's too late to do anything about it.

Fact: Mammograms can detect most breast cancers very early, giving you more treatment options and greater chances of survival. Mammograms could save your life!

This information was found in Women and Breast Health by Carolinas Medical Center.

Giving Hope

2008-10-22T11:08:00.000-07:00

The 28th annual Healing Threads Fashion Benefit was held Monday and Tuesday evening at the Gibson Mill in Concord. The even was hosted by Suzanne Stevens Becker with the theme, "Giving Hope." There was a full house both nights and the event raised $106,000 for the CMC - Northeast Breast Health Program!

They put thought into every little detail. The tables were decorated with pink ribbons, pink vases, goodies and information. Butterflies hung from the ceiling as symbols of hope. It was beautiful!

Karen and Renda were able to attend the event, which was great! We were there to talk to people and get wonderful feedback about our exhibit. Everyone loved the images and are looking forward to seeing what our campaign has to offer next year.

We want to thank everyone at CMC-Northeast for letting us be a part of this wonderful event. It has inspired us to dream bigger for next year's campaign!

Upcoming Article

2008-10-22T10:54:00.000-07:00

We are so happy to announce that the Charlotte Observer is doing an article about our "Focused on a Cure" campaign! Earlier this week, we talked with Barbara Thiede. She has a column in the Cabarrus Neighbors. She was very touched by our story, having watched her sister fight breast cancer as well. The article should be printed in this Sunday's Cabarrus Neighbors. Be sure to look for it! We can't wait!

Update!

2008-10-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here's an updated list of our exhibit locations! We've had such an amazing response from this campaign. We hope that you're able to visit one of these locations!

October 13th - October 17th - Bates Center at CMC Northeast

October 20th - October 24th - Breast Health Center at Copperfield

October 20th and 21st (evening only) - "2008 Healing Thread Fashion Benefit for the Northeast Foundation", Both nights at 7pm. (For more info, visit http://www.givenortheastfoundation.org/.)

October 27th - 31st - Cabarrus Family Medicine, Concord office

November 3rd - 9th - Carolina Mall, Center court

November 10th - 14th - Wachovia, Church Street, Concord

November 17th-21st - Sportcenter Athletic Club, Concord

Remember... our Avon Walk is less than two weeks away! We're still accepting donations!

Thanks in advance!!

Avon Walk Countdown

2008-10-03T11:55:00.001-07:00

Only three more weeks until our Avon Walk. We've been training for the 40 mile distance, but we still need your help with donations!

Our team goal for "Digital Divas" is $5,000! We're over half way there, but there's not alot of time left!

To donate to our team, go to http://www.avonwalk.org/.
Click on the "Make a Donation" tab.
Click on the "Donate to a Participant" button.
Select our walk - "Charlotte 2008".
Select "Search for a team" and type "Digital Divas" in the box.
A box will appear at the bottom of the screen showing our team "Digital Divas" and our team captain "Renda Ayscue."
Click on our team name "Digital Divas."
*You can read our info and keep an eye on our progress through this page.
To make a donation, scroll to the bottom where you see the team members box. You must click on a specific team member to make a donation.

Donating is easy. You simply click on the pink box that says "Click here to support me." It will walk you through the donation process.

We appreciate your donations!

Wish us luck in the walk! Any advice from our long distance walking/running friends??

Concord Library

2008-10-03T11:48:00.001-07:00

Our exhibit is showing at the Concord Library this week. It will be there until next Friday, October 10th.

The exhibit is located on the second floor of the library. Stop by in your spare time!

Survivor Party

2008-10-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

Monday, we held a survivor party!! We wanted to thank our 2008 survivors for participating in our Focused on a Cure campaign. It takes a lot of courage to tell such an emotional story and then to have it showcased for thousands of people to see. So, we wanted to honor these women!

The night started with snacks and refreshments. Then everyone took a seat for Renda and Karen to express their appreciation. To be honest, we've all learned so much through this experience and we wanted them to know.

We put together gift bags for the ladies. They had the opportunity to open their gifts and see all the goodies they received.

The ladies had an opportunity to meet and greet one another. They all had so many stories in common; it seemed like they had all been friends for years.

We want to thank everyone who donated to the party!

Bates Center (health material)
Breast Imaging Center (health material)
Brighton (leather ribbons)
Laura Buckel with Arbonne (skincare samples)
Coldwater Creek (promise bracelet)
Office Max (pink ribbon office supplies)
Townhouse II (Sundrop pound cake)
Irresistible Portraits (handmade jewelry, food, portraits, water bottles, DVD)

We hope that our survivors have enjoyed this campaign experience as much as we have!

*Dont forget about the remaining exhibit locations:

September 30th - October 10th - Concord Library

October 13th - October 17th - Bates Center at CMC Northeast

October 20th - October 24th - Breast Health Center at Copperfield

October 20th and 21st (evening only) - "2008 Healing Thread Fashion Benefit for the Northeast Foundation", Both nights at 7pm. (For more info, visit http://www.givenortheastfoundation.org/.)

October 27th - 31st - Cabarrus Family Medicine, Concord office

November 3rd - 9th - Carolina Mall, center court

November 10th - 14th - Wachovia, Church Street, Concord

November 17th-21st - Sportcenter Athletic Club, Concord

We have more locations that we will announce after the dates are finalized. But if you have a business of your own or an idea of a location that might be interested in hosting a gallery showing for us, please contact Renda at 704.933.5600 or renda@irresistibleportraits. Remember, the more shows we hold, the more awareness there will be!

Welcome!

2008-10-01T10:44:00.001-07:00

Welcome to our NEW Focused on a Cure blog! We wanted to be able to keep you updated with our campaign and keep in contact with our survivors on a regular basis, so we'll see if this does the job!

Our plan is to post all the survivors' stories on here and eventually give the survivors access to the blog, so that they can keep us updated on their treatments and victories over breast cancer!

We hope you enjoy!