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BAG IT® for the CAUSE Brings Care and Comfort to Hundreds of Breast Cancer Survivors in Seven Cities

30 Sep

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 27, 2016
CONTACT: Tonya Evans, Chair pinkwellchickfoundation@gmail.com

2nd ANNUAL BARB’S BAG® “BAG IT® FOR THE CAUSE” EVENTS
Bring Care and Comfort to Hundreds of Breast Cancer Survivors in Seven Cities

#BagItChicago with Advocate Health Partners

#BagItChicago with Advocate Health Partners

The Pinkwellchick Foundation, Inc. kicks off a season of “Bag It® for the Cause” Days of Service starting Saturday, Sept. 26 through Oct. 16, 2016. This annual service initiative engages volunteers to assemble and distribute free Barb’s Bag® of Care & Comfort chemotherapy bags to cancer treatment centers, nurse navigators and other organization to assist patients diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Houston Oncology Nurse Navigators 2016

Barb’s Bag® Ambassadors will lead gatherings in seven cities: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Palm Beach (FL), Phoenix, and Sarasota. The Sarasota BAG IT event features a special production of LIFE in the CANCER LANE, written by PWCF’s founder Barbra Watson-Riley, by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. The event includes panel discussions with her parents, Lois and Dr. Bernard Watson, Board Chair Dean Tonya M. Evans, doctors and health care advocates.

Donation center partners include: White Memorial Medical Center/Adventist Health, Memorial Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Program, Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care’s (MECCC) BOLD Program, Singleton Moms, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and The Cancer Care Unit at Advocate Trinity Hospital.

What is Barb’s Bag®?

promobag_topviewBarb’s Bag® of Care & Comfort is a tote bag filled with essential items for chemotherapy patients to not only survive but thrive during their treatments. It’s a beautiful and vital chemo survival kit! Pinkwellchick Foundation, Inc., founder, Barbra Watson-Riley, received a “chemo bag” early in her “life in the cancer lane” from a dear friend, and former foundation board member Lori Hall-Armstrong. Barbra was so encouraged and inspired that she blogged regularly about how much she treasured the bag. Today, recipients of these helpful bags cherish the contents and tell similar stories of relief and comfort.

Barb’s Bag® of Care & Comfort is made of high-end materials and include a range of aids and products that Barbra identified as essential when going through chemotherapy. The bag also includes “Real Talk” information about what to expect during chemo and access to stream LIFE in the CANCER LANE to “live, laugh and learn” about other cancer survivor’s personal journeys.

About PWCF

logo-Pinkwellchick_whitePWCF™ is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable private foundation (seeking public status). Through fundraising efforts, events, survivor essentials (including Barb’s Bag® of Care & Comfort for chemotherapy patients), productions of Life in the Cancer Lane™ and financial support of other organizations, allies and partners, PWCF™:

  • raises awareness of breast cancer and heart disease
  • supports breast cancer and heart disease research
  • works for better detection, diagnosis and cures for breast cancer and heart disease
  • supports those diagnosed with breast cancer and heart disease and their families

About the Founder

Memorial PhotoBarbra Watson-Riley was diagnosed in September 2011 with advanced stage 3 breast cancer. Her treatment included chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and radiation. Six months after completing treatment, she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer of the lung. Barbra’s valiant journey came to an end on November 7, 2013 but her mission, purpose and play live on.

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Reserve NOW!: Exclusive Performance of LIFE in the CANCER LANE by WBTT (Sarasota, FL)

11 Sep

wbtt-logo-h

LIFE in the CANCER LANE

By Barbra Watson-Riley

dvd menu

(c) 2014 T. Evans Herberger Theater (AZ)

Saturday October 1 at 7:30 PM

Followed by intimate discussion with playwright’s parents, Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Watson, & PWCF Board Chair, Tonya Evans

**PWCF LIFE in the CANCER LANE Directors in attendance**

Sunday October 2 at 2:00 PM

Followed by discussion with cancer specialists

Admission FREE- reservation required

Download the LITCL Production Flyer

With honesty, heart and humor, this powerful story is told from the real-life accounts of survivors and their caregivers, examining life after diagnosis and what happens when these women are thrown head first into “the Cancer Lane.” Whether it’s the side effects of chemo or the loss of hair and friends, the play examines the twists, turns and bumps in the road along the breast cancer journey.

This performance is produced by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and licensed by Pinkwellchick, Foundation, Inc., in connection with

BAG IT for the CAUSE 2016

[RESERVE YOUR SEATS]

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe
1646 10th Way, Sarasota, FL 34236

(941) 366-1505

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Self determination

27 Mar

Pink Ink

 

Heart Walk 2013 finish line

Heart Walk 2013 finish line

Heart Month has come and gone! Did it impact you in any way?  What did YOU do to challenge yourself or others to be heart healthy?  It was a tough month, but I made it!

My goal, as motivated by Star Jones, was to do 28 days of fitness!  I mapped out my plan, got a calendar, some weights, saw a trainer and got to work.  It was harder than I expected!  Who wants to exercise for 28 days straight?  Not me!  But I was determined to try.  If Stuart Scott could work out right after chemo, I could at least try!  It got a little complicated when I started getting transfusions…often!  But despite a February of 6 transfusions, and 3 chemo treatments, I finished!

I completed 24 of 28 days of exercise!

It may not seem like a lot, but it required commitment and determination.  There were days that I lifted light weights before being hooked up to a machine.  Other days when I rolled out of bed, walked, then, rolled right back into bed!

Why did I do it?

  • Most times, I felt better after exercising.  Isn’t that what all the doctors tell you will happen?
  • I have metastasized cancer in my lungs.  I need to increase my “lung strength” through exercise.
  • I wanted to set a good example for my daughter, and prove to myself that I could do it.
  • Heart disease KILLS!

The best thing to come out of this, is that I continue to exercise!  However,  I have scaled back my ambition.  I now work toward 5 days a week of exercise. That is still tough!  But the doctors say that is a good goal and possible to maintain.

Just because Heart Month is officially over, doesn’t mean you should go back to old habits!  The 1st part of this month had me in the hospital 3x in 1 week getting transfusions. I was worn out! Over it!  But, this weekend I participated in the local Heart Walk! Determination!  It was great to see FAMILIES walking together. My daughter is in her 3rd week of trying to be a vegetarian! A 10 year old who is willing, albeit begrudgingly, to try new veggies! I couldn’t be happier!

What else can you do?

If you are in the Phoenix area, join me and other Go Red Ambassadors at the 2013 Red Dress Cocktail Party on April 3, 2013.  Check out www.2013reddresscocktailparty.eventbrite.com  for more details.

Not in Arizona? No problem! Contact your local American Heart Association and help us continue to educate others about heart disease.

Or, just eat right, and work out! You can do it!

Remember, it’s an exercise in…SELF determination!

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Healthy Living…Cheers!

15 Feb

Pink Ink…

Editor’s note.  This was a post I originally planned for Valentine’s Day.  Unfortunately, I spent the day in the hospital.  But I am back! Happy belated Valentine’s Day!

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So we’ve moved from New Year’s resolutions to Valentine’s Day!  Seems like yesterday we kicked off Heart Month!   But here we are ½ way through the February!  What have you done this month?  Worked out? Gone to a Go Red party? Cut down on sodium?  I hope you have done something!  I am half way through my 28 days of exercise, following the lead of Star Jones. (Twitter tag #hearthealth30) Let me tell you, it is hard!  But I am doing it, and have even engaged my Mini-me.

It’s Valentine’s Day.  But instead of talking about the love of others, I wanted to share some stories of inspiration.  People who decided to love themselves and take heart action!

First I toast Linda, my sorority sister from college! Last year she lost one of her best friends to a heart attack.  The kicker? They were on the phone when it happened.  The phone went silent, and Linda thought she was having a standard “can you hear me now?” moment.  Unfortunately, they found her friend the next day at work, with the phone still in her hand.  The loss of a friend was just the kick in the pants Linda needed.  She has become focused not only on her health, but also on educating others about heart health.  Last weekend she held her 1st Go Red brunch! She spoke about the warning signs and risk factors for stroke and heart attack, and offered blood pressure checks.  Ladies munched on heart healthy food like Greek yogurt and baked oatmeal!  Linda hired a coach to hold her accountable for eating and exercising, and has committed to advocating for women’s health, once a quarter! Great job my friend!

I’ve introduced you to Maria before!  She’s my heart health guru.  But that doesn’t mean it comes easy for her.  Because of family history, she must be vigilant with her health.  So she and her mini me now have a trainer, and they love it!  What started as physical therapy for Maria’s shoulder has turned into weight training.  She has even taking a liking to boxing!  It gets her blood flowing!  As part of her heart month challenge, Maria got her family to change their diet.  Maria is a pescatarian, while her Mini-me and hubby have gone all the way vegan! An 11 year old who is excited to go Vegan!  So far so good!  We’ll get an update from her at the end of the month. I love that she is giving her daughter the GIFT of a healthy lifestyle.

Finally, I lift a chocolate strawberry to…my hubby!  He has a family history of high blood pressure, and has been on meds for about 10 years.  He’s an active guy, but has a high stress job…and a wife who has cancer!  So it’s been a challenge to get his pressure under control.  But Life in the Cancer Lane has shown him that we are not promised health.  So he decided to take it to the next level.  B decided to go vegan in November after watching “Forks over Knives”, at the suggestion of his doctor.  This is a man who LOVED meat!  LOVES to cook.  But he was focused and determined. Four months later, and his blood pressure has improved so much that his doctor is considering taking him off meds in the next few months! As a side bonus, he has also lost 15 pounds.  Another example of someone taking charge of his or her heart health.

There are countless other stories of people who have taken control of their health and learned to love themselves in a different way.  As I check off days on my heart health fitness calendar, I remind myself that with each exercise I am hopefully giving myself the gift of health.  What’s a better gift than health to receive on Valentine’s Day?

So today, I celebrate the love of…healthy living!

Cheers!

Cheers!

Cheers!

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Walk On

6 Feb

Pink Ink…

It’s day 6 of Heart Month! Everywhere I turn, I see ladies in RED or lovely red dress pins.  The news anchors are wearing red, and people are talking about heart health.

What I haven’t seen a lot of, is the kids getting engaged.

On Feb 1st, I put a red shirt on my daughter, and packed a “healthier” lunch. The next day we did Just Dance 4™ together. My husband and I are trying to model good behavior for our daughter. Every day, she asks me if I worked out, or what I ate for lunch.  But by the 4th, I was wondering how much of this was really sinking in to my 10 year old’s brain.  Did she view this as another one of mom’s “causes” or was she learning about a lifestyle.  Then, she came home and told me about a program targeting fifth grade students’ health. She wanted to participate! My heart skipped a beat when I realized how excited she was. My words…or someone’s words…were sinking in!

Not sure what to do with your child?  Try creating a “family plan” based on one developed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona®!  Started in 2006, the Walk on Challenge™ is an “interactive, educational program designed…to help combat childhood obesity and motivate youth to incorporate exercise and healthy nutritional habits into their daily routine”.  By being active and living a healthy lifestyle, our kids will be heart healthy!  The crux of the program is to make sure children get 5210!

  • FIVE fruits and veggies a day
  • TWO hours or less, of screen time (computer, gaming, TV, telephone etc)
  • ONE hour of physical activity

    Play on!

    Play on!

  • ZERO sweetened drinks

5210 y’all!

At my daughter’s school, they are offering incentives for kids who follow the plan and track their progress all month on a calendar.  Create a calendar & an incentive plan for your child! What I like about this program is that it puts the responsibility into the hands of the child.  This is also a plan that could be incorporated into a family routine!

For more info, checkout  http://walkonaz.com/home/kids-parents/

So how can your family do this?

  • Smoothies in the morning or for after school/work snack.  Pack your veggies or fruits in a blender.  Or try the new V8 Fusions! They’re good! Mix them in a smoothie and your kid will never know!
  • Turn the tv OFF during dinner.  Set a time to turn off the computer, or cell phones.  Try and do it at least two hours before bedtime.
  • Take a walk at lunchtime, or with your child, after school.  Dance with your child! Alternate between your “old school” music and their “new music”.  This time could also open the lines of communication between you and your child.
  • Cut out soda, and juice!  It’s just bad for everyone! Add lemon or orange to your water, drink low fat or almond milk.  Try and stay away from sports drinks, unless you are actually getting physical.  They contain a lot of sugar and salt.

 

The earlier children learn heart health, the better. But it starts with us!

walk on!

walk on!

So live the number 5210, and remember to…Walk ON!

 

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