The Road to October - Benefit Kickoff
The Road to October – Benefit Kickoff
2008 Benefit chair Susan Bevan (L) with vice chairs
Sharon Phillips and Cathy Dann
The Breast Cancer Alliance Annual Benefit luncheon and fashion show may not take place until late October, but the planning is already in full swing. In early April, committee members met at the home of 2008 Benefit chair Susan Bevan for the annual Benefit kickoff breakfast meeting.
The meeting began with a thoughtful reminder of why we all join to fight this disease as Debbi O’Shea reflected on her own experience with breast cancer. O’Shea, head of Richards By Appointment, the personal shopping service at Richards, is a 12-year survivor and a forceful advocate of confronting the disease head-on. She advises women to know their family history, give themselves a “hands-on” self-exam at every shower, and aggressively follow-up at the first sign of a problem. “Don’t watch and wait – if you notice a problem, see a breast specialist right away – don’t ignore it, you can’t wish it away.” For more on Debbi’s thoughts on how to battle breast cancer, check out her blog at www.divadebbi.blogspot.com.
Energized by Debbi’s story, the committee members then turned to the day’s business of deadlines, logistics and sign-ups for ad sales, raffle donations, seating, invitation writing, the video – all the details that make for a successful event.
Scott Mitchell was there to reinforce his family’s commitment to this event. Benefit vice-chairs for 2008, Cathy Dann and Sharon Phillips, fresh off of last year’s successful luncheon, reviewed the upcoming schedule and outlined various tasks and deadlines.
Susan Bevan summed up the excitement and importance of this endeavor: “The cure for breast cancer is going to come from whoever asks a different question. That’s what I love about this organization - we have funded and we will continue to fund people who have changed protocols for the treatment of breast cancer.”
