Wednesday, December 30, 2009

It's Never Too Late to Make a Difference

As 2009 winds to a close, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of Pink Isn't Always Pretty, Inc. This time last year, my family and I were still in shock at the prospect of a new year without our beloved Kimmy. In an effort to make the new year more meaningful, and with the help of a few close family friends, we have made this a monumental year for both our family and the organization we humbly began in Kim's honor.

We began by putting together a dedicated and well-rounded team of individuals to serve as members of the board of directors. We then incorporated and officially filed for 501c(3) status. And just 54 days after incorporating, we hosted the 2nd Annual Pink Party to raise awareness in the Virginia, D.C. and Maryland metropolitan area. Since then, we've built partnerships with several organizations including Army of Women, a joint project by the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation, and F.O.R.C.E., an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. These accomplishments would not have been possible without your support.

Since the beginning, our goal has been to work diligently to fulfill the dire need for a greater focus on breast cancer as it effects communities of color across America. Through our 5 tenets of early education, support, wellness, expression and quality of life, we have set an ambitious goal that will make a lasting impact in the prevention of breast cancer and provide a network of resources for those affected by the disease.

Somewhere in America today, a young woman of color has heard of the new study suggesting that women should wait until age 50 to get mammograms. The study generated a great deal of controversy over how to effectively manage the average woman's risk of breast cancer. Yet the information stands in stark contrast from what we know to be true for women of color: they are not average. Before this announcement, women of color would already be 34% more likely to die of breast cancer. Unfortunately, for this group of women, having breast cancer at a younger age is markedly more significant.

This is a reality that we must face squarely. With our tenet of early education we are prepared to spread the message cross communities of color that this statistic holds a different truth for us. But we need your help. A simple donation of $25 or $50 will go a long way in educating young women of color on the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer.

We know that in this holiday season many pockets are stretched. However, we hope that you can join us in giving the gift of life and hope to those who need it. It's never too late to make a difference. End the year with the bang!
»»  read more

Thursday, December 10, 2009

We Need You




















As we gear up for next year, P.I.A.P. needs your help. We're already developing a planning committee for next year's pink party which was a huge success. We're also incorporating several other events into our calendar this year. So, please, help us make a difference.
Volunteer.
»»  read more

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Breast Cancer Screening Age Pushed Back...and the fight for early detection took a step back right along with it...

As you may have heard, a new study was just released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force about the the minimal impact breast cancer screening has before age 50. The recent news about the breast screening has caused a great deal of controversy with organizations such as the American Cancer Society strongly disapproving the recommendation for women to begin breast cancer screening a decade later (absent high risk factors).
MSBNC's Today Show had a brief story on the change this morning...

While there was much to be said about the advancement of science and how money could be better spent, there was little said about the impact this will have on early detection. For years, breast cancer organizations have been pushing the impact of early detection. You've heard the messages:

Do your self breast exams. Get your mammograms. Know your body.

And now, in the name of science, we're telling women, "it really doesn't make a difference" or "it has a minimal impact." I'm not sure what a "minimal impact" is when it comes to the difference between life and death. What I do know is that I come from the school of thought that it's better to be safe than sorry. And if it means that even one life is saved, I don't think that a women should stop taking these steps towards early detection (even if it does costs the insurance companies a few more dollars).

»»  read more

Monday, October 5, 2009

Sick of pink - The Boston Globe

»»  read more

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Your Special Invitation to the Pink Party

»»  read more

Saturday, October 3, 2009

2nd Annual Pink Party is Seven Days AWAY!!

Hello Family, Friends, & Supporters:

We are very excited as we quickly approach our 2nd Annual Pink Party event taking place on Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 12:00-2:00pm at the Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center, 1605 Cameron Street Alexandria, Virginia. Join us for food, fun, and special games for the entire family while learning more about how breast cancer affects women of color.

Come celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness with us next Saturday!!

Toward a Cure..

P.I.A.P. Board & Staff
»»  read more

Friday, September 25, 2009

A Sister's Plea

Good Day Friends, Family, and Supporters: 
As most of you know, our family lost a bright star, our Kimmy, on February 29th of last year. What this past year of reflection has done for us is reiterate how important family, friends, and support are when you are dealing with "the pink disease."
The facts speak, more than any words I could ever muster up: women of color have a 37% higher chance of dying from breast cancer. What that means for these women and their families, who, statistically speaking, are often the most vulnerable and the most without quality health care, is that they face a double-whammy: living with breast cancer,and possibly dying from breast cancer. 
The vast majority of research says early detection is key. What the research also tells us is that more than half of the battle against breast cancer lies in the patient's will to live. However, women of color and their families may not have the resources or the connection to the support they need to WIN the battle against breast cancer. 
To that end, we have begun a nonprofit organization near and dear to our hearts, called "Pink Isnt Always Pretty," or P.I.A.P. P.I.A.P.'s mission is to provide a national community of support for women of color coping with breast cancer through raising awareness, education on healthy living and encouraging freedom of expression. Our vision is to develop a network of communities dedicated to providing financial, educational and moral support to women of color and their families as they battle breast cancer together. 
WE NEED YOUR HELP: While we are developing, P.I.A.P. needs the support and financial donations of you, our friends and family, to be able to provide the services to communities in need and to ensure the success of this rather large, and admittedly, ambitious endeavor. Our 501 (c) (3) is now pending, but come tax time, you can surely write your donation off!
We know that these are rough and turbulent economic times, but please if you can spare  $5, $25, $50 or more to help families battling this disease. Please visit www.pinkisntalwayspretty.org to donate what you can.

Let's beat this thing...together.
Toward a Cure, 
Laura


»»  read more

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Join us at our Annual Pink Party

2nd Annual Pink Party
Promoting Breast Health and Awareness Among Young Women of Color

 Did you know that women of color have a 37% higher risk of dying of breast cancer? You can learn more at our Annual Pink Party featuring free food, cooking classes, a Kidz Korner with arts and crafts, special performances and much more...


Date: Saturday, October 10, 2009
Time: 12:00pm-2:00pm
Location: Dr. Oswald Durant Memorial Center
                 1605 Cameron Street
                 Alexandria, Virginia 22309

For more information: contact us by phone at (877) 495-PIAP (7427) or by email at pinkparty@pinkisntalwayspretty.org
»»  read more

Monday, August 17, 2009

The Meaning Behind Our Logo...

As catchy as our name might sound (well, at least we think it is ;-), there's actually some meaning behind it.

PINK has come to represent womanhood, and by extension, breast health and awareness world-wide. It conjures up images of femininity, demureness, and for some, it represents beauty.

But for those dealing with breast cancer every day - pink - isn't always pretty. So we've scratched it up a bit, roughened it around the edges so that it reflects the battles that women, families and communities face when dealing with the 'pink' disease.

Our late sister, daughter, mother, and friend Kimberlly, or as we called her, Kimmy, frequently saw butterflies in the last stages of her life. They were welcoming to her, comforting. We thought we'd share that imagery, and the imagery of the metamorphosing butterfly, with the world. The butterfly is different shades of brown, like the women for and with whom we fight. And, as a little added touch of Kimmy, the core of the butterfly is blue - her favorite color.

Enjoy...!
»»  read more