Free Mammograms!

During the month of March, THR Harris Methodist Hospital's Wellness for Life Mobile Unit will be providing mammogram screening for uninsured women, age 35+ who are residents of Tarrant, Parker, Hood, & Johnson Counties.

CLICK HERE TO FIND A LOCATION NEAR YOU!

 

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Happy Birthday Kimmy!

Today marks what would have been Kimberlly's 39th birthday. Celebrate her life with us by joining in her favorite pastimes. Make your favorite spaghetti recipe for dinner, read a good book, or just dance to one your favorite songs using a makeshift microphone. Whatever you do, don't forget to flash that pretty smile and share your celebration with us. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY!

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Feburary Volunteer Opportunity in support of Komen Tissue Bank

Come out and volunteer to support Komen Tissue Bank!  See flyer and volunteer assignments for main event February 28, 2015.  All volunteers must register on-line and attend a volunteer orientation session the week of the event.  See below for instructions. 

 

As we know, there is especially need for donations among minority women. The event will be held at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, McNair Campus.  On that day, we will join together with other local breast cancer organizations, Pink Ribbons Project, Komen Houston, MD Anderson, and community churches in advancing breast cancer research.

 

The tissue bank will collect breast tissue from healthy women to answer the question: "What makes healthy breast cells become cancerous". 200 volunteers are needed to help out with the event.  See attached for the volunteer assignments.  When you register, you will need to identify yourself with a group and a code. This will let the organizers know that you received the invitation to participate from me.

Registration Codes:

•         Group Name:  African American Outreach Committee

•         Group Code:  2015 AA Reach

 

The general overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abf9m_Uy1nE           

 

Please help spread the word!

Point of Contact:

 

Cassandra Harris, MS, MCHES

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Health Disparities Research

1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1440

Houston, TX 77030

(713) 794-1730

clharris@mdanderson.org

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Save the date! PIAP's 7th Annual Pink Party set for Oct 25th!

Our signature event, PIAP will host it's 7th annual Pink Party in Houston, TX. If you'd like to serve on the committee, email katie@piapinc.org. 

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Our New Executive Director

PIAP is pleased to announce that Katie Porterfield will be its new Executive Director!  Katie is a breast cancer survivor and has an intimate knowledge of how much awareness can make a difference in both treatment and prevention. 

Unfortunately, Katie has seen breast cancer take the lives of her mother, daughter and sister. She is committed to stop this epidemic in our community. 

Let's give her our unwavering support!

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2013 Pink Party - Oct 5th

We've moved to Texas!  

This year's Pink Party will be hosted by Wayne and Katie Porterfield, Kimmy's parents.  The event will take place just outside Houston at Teal Run Clubhouse, 4703 Teal Bend Blvd, Fresno, TX 77545.  Come any time between 10 AM and 4 PM.  The event details are located at https://www.facebook.com/pinkisntalwayspretty/events.

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Resolved to Fight Back

A new year always brings about resolutions to improve our lives. Our resolutions can range from what we eat to who we date and even how we challenge ourselves to be more adventurous. Well, here at P.I.A.P., we're resolved to fight breast cancer one goal at a time. 

GOAL #1: Eat a variety of healthy foods each day, with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Cut down on red meat.

Don't take our word for it. Check out Dr. Fung's recent study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology.

P.I.A.P. is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization. Give us a hand...spread the word!

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Pink Party Planning Idea - Arts & Crafts

Get the kids involved! Let's be honest, kids love getting dirty. Why not let them express themselves by setting up arts and crafts? Believe it or not, that was the basic concept of the very first PIAP Pink Party. Kim's kids invited some of their friends over. I picked up some snacks and we all sat around the dining room table doing arts and crafts.

You can do a lot with just a few supplies:

• Various color markers
• Foam Cutouts (available at Michael's or Hobby Lobby)
• Blank t-shirts
• Fabric Paint
• Breast Cancer Stickers (you can find those practically anywhere this month)
• Pink Pipe Cleaners
• Crayons or Colored Pencils
• Pink Cardstock Paper
• ...and most importantly, a plastic table cover

Have fun!

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P is for Personal

It's officially breast cancer awareness month and, as I'm sure you've already seen, PINK is making its annual appearance all over the country. On cereal boxes, NFL uniforms, TV ads and the list goes on and on. So here's a question: where is it making an appearance in your life?

This year, in an effort to personalize PINK, P.I.A.P. is bringing back the original style Pink Party...just a group of our closest friends sharing our personal experiences with breast cancer and our thoughts on what we can do to prevent it. This month, members of the P.I.A.P. family from all over the country will host their very own Pink Party. Some will be having the event in their home while others will have it at a local restaurant. While their parties will be different, all of us will share in the same goal of raising awareness to the young women of color affected by this disease.

And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for...How can you take part in the fun? You guessed it...

THROW A PARTY!

In the days ahead, please visit our upcoming events page for useful tips, flyers, decor ideas and other updates on how to host your very own Pink Party. (Trust us, it's easier than planning your child's birthday pizza party.). Best of all, when you're done, share your experience and pictures with the world! As an added incentive, we'll be giving out prizes for the most unique party ideas, no matter how big or small.

So, are you willing to take the P.I.A.P. pledge?

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Make it a spaghetti dinner night!

Good Afternoon All!

On this the birth day of our dear Kimmie, and especially in honor of her culinary prowess, we invite you to join us in cooking spaghetti for dinner tonight! It was both one of Kim's favorite dishes to make and serve - a family treat that we enjoy to this day. So dust off that huge-mongous (yes, hugemongous) saucepan, take a trip to the grocery store if need be, pull out that apron, and get to cookin'!

Spaghetti a-la-Kim

Serves 6-8 (w/leftovers for lunch)

Ingredients

2-3 large cans or bottles of peeled tomatoes (w/juice) (this depends on how soupy you like your sauce)
1 lb. spicy italian sausage (sub. turkey sausage if you don't eat red meat)
1 lb. ground turkey or chuck
1 pack of kielbasa (turkey or pork)
2 packages of regular, multi-grain, or whole wheat spaghetti
2-3 mixed peppers, for color and flavor (red, orange, yellow or green) - chopped
2 jalapenos - chopped
1 chile pepper (green) - chopped
2 yellow onions (sub. red or scallions if yellow are too strong) - chopped
2 cloves of garlic - chopped
2 tbsp. of evoo
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. grape jelly (sub. sugar if you don't have)
3 tbsp. fresh basil - chopped
2 tbsp. sea or kosher salt
2 tbsp. red/pepper flakes (you can use some of the seeds from the peppers, adds lots of kick ;-)
2 tbsp. ground pepper
2 tbsp. hot pepper sauce (optional)
parmesan, pepperjack or extra sharp cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

Follow directions on package to cook spaghetti. Strain and store (add splash of evoo to prevent pasta from sticking).

In a large saucepan, heat the butter and oil on high until hot. Add garlic and onions, and cook for about 4 minutes or until onions begin to become opaque (do not cook all the way through). Add about 3/4 of the chopped bell, jalapeno and chili peppers to pan - cook for about 3 more minutes while stirring consistently. (Save the remaining peppers for serving - adds flavor and color!).   

Turn down the heat to medium-high, and one at a time, add in meats, making sure that they are well mixed and browning. As soon as all of the meats are in the saucepan, add pepper, salt, pepper flakes, jelly and pepper sauce (if you'd like). Turn down the heat to medium. Add in peeled and chopped tomatoes (w/juice). Stirring consistently, combine and cook for about 20-30 minutes or until all ingredients (especially meat) are cooked through. Add in remaining peppers and basil and stir. Simmer for about 3-5 more minutes.

Serve over spaghetti with shaved or shredded cheese. Is the perfect comfort-food dinner with Texas toast (garlic was Kim's favorite) and corn on the cobb or green beans.

ENJOY!

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A Painful Reminder

Today the world received a painful reminder that the reality of breast cancer isn't always consistent with the shimmering glamour of its awareness ribbon. As we mourn the loss of Elizabeth Edwards, we pray not only for her family and friends, but for the family and friends of those who have lost loved ones outside the media spotlight. And for those currently enduring this battle...DO NOT GIVE UP. DO NOT GIVE IN. We're fighting for and with you today, and always.

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Pink Party 2010

Another success! Thank you to all who came out and supported our Third Annual Pink Party this past Saturday at Eastern Market in DC! We're also eternally grateful for those of you who supported by buying raffle tickets, making general donations, or otherwise offering your support for our efforts. Again - thank you thank you!

This year's Pink Party featured a number of free (our favorite price) fitness/exercise classes: Zumba, Yoga and Tai Chi.

Aziza Wellness demonstrated how to make a yummy & healthy kale salad (we love two-for-ones too).

Our raffle winners were pretty darn excited about their prizes, and who wouldn't be? We sold a bunch of tickets at the Party, and one young passerby won the AMEX $150 giftcard. Talk about a big win!

We were visited by our corporate sponsor, CVS Pharmacy, and their generous donations and support, in addition to other Breast Cancer Organizations in the DC Metro Area. We'd like to send a special thank you to F.O.R.C.E. (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) for their continued support of P.I.A.P. and our mission to educate - early.

While the Pink Party is a celebration, an interactive and lively health and wellness fair geared toward the whole family, it happens alongside a rather sobering statistic: women of color are 34% more likely to lose their life to breast cancer than their caucasion counterparts. That puts our collective efforts into sharp perspective: this work is needed. So yes, ladies and gentlemen, we WILL be back next year, and we hope to see our extended family grow tenfold (footfall stadium status)!

Can't wait until next October to be a part of the P.I.A.P. action? No need, we have another big upcoming events for your pleasure:

Family Support Day
April 2011

We will keep at this until we are no longer needed. Until then, we fight.



Toward a cure...


P.I.A.P.

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Tomorrow's the BIG day!

You don't want to miss our Signature event. A brilliant combination of vendors, performers and healthcare providers will raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer on young women of color. Got questions about your breast health? We've got answers.

Join us at Eastern Market North Hall (225 7th St SE) between 10Am and 3PM for this annual signature event. Express yourself through song, pictures, poetry and more, all while improving your breast health awareness.

We'll see you there!

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Win an Apple iPad!

Help us fundraise for our Pink Party Health & Wellness Fair on October 9th by purchasing raffle tickets for an Apple iPad and other great prizes! Tickets are selling fast so get yours today!

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Share your Gift!

Got a gift? Share it with the community at this year's Pink Party & Community Health Fair. In an effort to explore culturally unique ways of raising breast health awareness, PIAP is looking for talented members of the community to perform during this year's Pink Party. The event will take place on October 9, 2010 in D.C.'s renowned Eastern Market. Since the event is free and open to the public, it will be a great opportunity to both introduce your talent to the community and raise awareness about this fatal disease.

Interested? Contact us at talent@pinkisntalwayspretty.org.

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Volunteers Needed for 2010 Pink Party

P.I.A.P.'s 3rd Annual Pink Party is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, 2010. We're currently looking for volunteers to assist in preliminary planning. This is a great opportunity for those who want to build their resume working with nonprofit organizations. A variety of positions are available.

Only have time to volunteer the day of the event? We have room for you too! The Pink Party is a guaranteed to be an exciting an event with featured artists and performers, all while raising awareness about breast cancer among women of color. All volunteers will receive a commerative P.I.A.P. t-shirt and various other rewards for those who provide extraordinary support to this year's event.

Contact Khaleelah PoRome, event coordinator, for more information.

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Join Team PIAP!

P.I.A.P. is putting together a team of runners, walkers and even sleepers to join forces in the Global Race for the Cure on Saturday, June 5, 2010. Join our team at http://globalrace.info-komen.org/goto/PIAP.

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Happy Birthday Kim!

Today marks the anniversary of Kim's birth and death. We want to sincerely thank you for your support in keeping her memory alive.

To help us celebrate her life, we'd like you to do us a small favor. Kim was an avid music lover. Rarely could you find her without her iPod. A big fan of Hip Hop and R&B, Kim could often be found off in her own little world, happily getting lost in song. No matter she was, when “her song” came on, she would smile from ear to ear and rock her body to the beat of the music. As members of our extended family, we’d like you to take a couple of minutes to celebrate her life with us. Sit back, relax and get lost in the words and rhythm of your favorite song.

And most importantly, don’t forget to fill your day with a smile!

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Winter Volunteer Drive

Please join us at our Winter Volunteer Drive at 2 PM on Saturday, January 30, 2010. We are in need of both one-time and dedicated volunteers. There are a variety of positions we are looking to fill. We look forward to seeing you there! Details below...

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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!

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