October is a couple days away, and it's time to "think pink." According to national statistics, 2.3 million women in the United States are living with a breast cancer diagnosis.
A diagnosis of breast cancer brings with it many questions concerning surgery, treatment and aftercare.
It can be an overwhelming experience, all the unfamiliar medical jargon and treatments. Add on top of that you don't have the medical coverage or you don't know where to turn for assistance.
The following local fundraisers assist local women that otherwise would have nothing while facing the most difficult decision of their lives.
The seventh annual "Stroke to Help" is here and is looking for golfers to help raise money to provide women free mammograms.
Last year alone 780 screenings or ultrasounds and 10 biopsies were provided to woman that had no insurance or no ability to pay.
I know as well as everyone that the economy is currently not the greatest, so this tournament is essential for women getting the assistance needed for early detection.
With that early diagnosis you are giving them a fighting chance for survival.
Come join corporate sponsors Dick Campagni's Automotive Group, Carson Toyota, Capital Ford and Carson Mazda/Hyundai, Greater Nevada Credit Union and Great Basin Imaging in a great game of golf and save a life.
My boys Kyle and Nick and their friends Kyle Winter and John Gradert will be supporting this tournament and the community they grew up in. Their hope is helping someone's mother, sister or friend. Please come join us. You can make all the difference in signing up, playing golf and having fun with family and friends.
There is nothing like surviving and having your love ones celebrate by your side in helping another person have that same chance.
Soroptimist International of Carson City "Stroke to Help"
WHAT: Golf, games, great food and helping local woman beat breast cancer
WHERE: Eagle Valley Golf Course, East or West
WHEN: 8 a.m. Oct. 11
CONTACT: Dixie Busch at 883-3051 or Judy Plume at 721-1731
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: Local woman needing mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies
The Cancer Resource Center is another program that helps to assist patients and their families face the difficulties that come with being diagnosed with cancer.
The Center provides information, support groups, counseling and financial aid. Here is what I really think is great, because you never think about this unless you have experienced cancer first hand, they also provide wigs, scarves, hats, camisoles, yoga, personal training and many other services that help in recovery from your head to your toes.
I applaud their logo, "Patients simply do not slip through the cracks."
Come check out Tom and Manya Brooks' special all-women golf tournament benefit at Carson Valley Golf.
All proceeds support Carson Tahoe Cancer Services, providing support to cancer patients and their families in the Northern Nevada region.
PINK BALL BASH
WHAT: All-women golf tournament and silent auction
WHERE: Carson Valley Golf Course.
WHEN: 10 a.m. Oct. 18, 4-player teams. 3 players play scramble. Silent auction bidding for items will begin Oct. 11 and end at 3 p.m. Oct. 18.
COST: $55 per person
CONTACT: 265-3181
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: Cancer Resource Center
When you hear a knock at your door this coming Saturday, be ready with dry food items. For the third year, the Mentor Center of Western Nevada mentors and their young charges will go door to door in several Carson City neighborhoods collecting food to benefit the Food for Thought program.
Ruth Gordon, director of the Mentor Center, said teams of four " two youth and two adults " will leave at 10 a.m. in search of items they will collect for Food for Thought.
The Food for Thought program gets food right to children within the Carson City School District. The priority is sending food home to more than 100 elementary age children from Bordewich-Bray, Empire, Fritsch, Fremont, and Mark Twain elementary schools.
Mentor Center of Western Nevada
WHAT: Center will be on the hunt for food Saturday morning
WHEN: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. If you'd like to donate but will not be home, leave a message on the office phone and a driver will come by and pick it up
ITEMS NEEDED: Microwavable soups, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, Easy Mac n' Cheese, single-serving bags of trail mix or beef jerky, canned or freeze-dried meats, vegetables in plastic containers, cheese & beef sticks, Power Bars, granola bars, protein fortified instant oatmeal, fruit cups in plastic containers, individual-serving juice boxes, calcium enriched instant hot cocoa, non-refrigerated individual serving cartons of milk, non-refrigerated pudding, plastic spoons and other individual "dry" snack food items
CONTACT: 445-3346
PROCEEDS BENEFIT: Food for thought
Note: School supplies are on sale if you want to purchase a backpack with supplies, there are always children that need them. Drop them off at any elementary, middle or high school in town and know they will be given to a student in need.
- To have your information included, contact Kim Riggs at kimriggs@att.net.