June 2009 BCA Newsletter Articles

 

BCA Survivorship Event Recap
2009 BCA Survivorship Celebration

On Saturday, April 18, 150 breast cancer survivors and the people who love them gathered at the Cincinnati Woman's Club to celebrate life. The 14th Annual Survivorship Celebration was a time of coming together to recognize the inspiration of our members. From numerous nominations, the Survivorship Celebration Committee chose two recipients for the 2009 Linda K. Heines Award of Inspiration and Hope. The BCA recognized Heidi Base-Smith and Katie Brown to receive the Linda K. Heines Award of Inspiration and Hope respectively. Additionally, the BCA recognized the nominees: Susan Bernstein, Beth Goldfarb, Marianne Jackson, Dawn McNeese, Heather Ray, Betsy Schirmer, and Suzanne Wallace.

The day started with socializing and fellowship as survivors and their families and friends gathered in the many rooms in the beautiful Cincinnati Woman's Club to laugh and talk.

The BCA'a Wall of Hope was on display. This year, Tim Bonn of B&B Studios volunteered his time to take photos of survivors wanting to be included on the Wall of Hope. We had many new participants. The beautiful artwork by Karen McMannon to be given for the 2009 Linda K. Heines Award of Hope was also on display. Brunch was served in the large banquet room beautifully decorated by the Committee. Betty Tonne, President of the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, introduced each nominee. How inspiring to hear the accomplishments and dedication of these nine women!

Heidi Base-Smith, who received the Linda K. Heines Award of Inspiration, was introduced by her sister Cyndia Meierdirecks. She told of Heidi being the founder of the Ride to Live-Live to Ride motorcycle events which benefit the BCA. Because of Heidi's terrific energy and her desire to find a cure for this disease, and the help of her sister who is a survivor, Heidi has raised $21,000 from the two rides.

Katie Brown, who received the Linda K. Heines Award of Hope, works in the Department of Environmental Health at the University of Cincinnati and is the Principle Investigator for the Community Outreach and Translation Core (COTC) of the Cincinnati Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Center (BCERC). This Center is one of our four research centers in the U.S. who receive funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. She is the organizer, the advocator, the collaborator, the communicator, and the detail person who makes sure that the COTC is a success and that breast cancer advocates are included in all levels of this research in meaningful ways.

With laughter, and some tears, the program continued to a beautiful climax - the Rose Ceremony/Survivors Circle. As the number of years as a survivor was called, breast cancer survivors were given a rose and asked to join a circle around the room. Those watching could not help but be moved as the courageous women rose to take their place.

Plans are underway for next year's event. We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help us on the planning committee. If interested please contact us at bcacincy@yahoo.com.

Photos from the event can be viewed at:
http://www.bcacincy.org/April182009.htm