As we turn the calendar page to welcome a new month, one of the most important events each year is the “Surviving and Thriving” luncheon hosted by our local Pink Alliance and sponsored by the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. Thanks to The Eagle’s generous sponsorship, you already know that the luncheon starts today (Oct. 3) at 11:30 at the College Station Hilton. Because this is their 14th consecutive year for the Hilton luncheon, you probably know they’ll changes their outside building lights from white to pink for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Men and women alike are impacted when a woman they love is diagnosed with cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common. Statistics indicate that one in eight women will be touched by this disease. There’s treatment that’s important of course, but first, there is education and prevention that are key to beating the disease.
What are we in the Brazos Valley doing about it? By supporting the Pink Alliance events here, your gifts stay right here in the Brazos Valley, here at home. Local breast cancer patients are the ones who receive the benefits of your gifts. My own grandmother, Dian Jones, is a breast cancer survivor, so this cause is especially important to me. Because it’s her cause, it’s my cause, too.
Over $570,000 has been raised here in 13 years; as their web site shows, in 2015 alone, 82 patients received medical assistance totaling over $44,000. Donations go to just more than mammograms; there’s educational initiatives, emotional support and the warmth and love from survivors who share the scary times with you, so you won’t be alone. If you’d like to make a gift today, in honor of or in memory of someone special in your life who has been touched by breast cancer, many opportunities abound.
As most of you know, the October 3rd Surviving and Thriving Luncheon is sold out, and has been for many weeks. Yet, there are other opportunities all around our community all month long to show your support and participate.
Also, on October 3rd, Allen Honda is promoting awareness with their Driven to Give (Sept. 30, Oct. 1, and Oct. 3) if you purchase any new or used vehicle in stock, Allen Honda will donate $100 per sale to the Robin Fuchs-Young Laboratory at the TAMU Health Science Center at the Texas A&M College of Medicine.
Now, on October 4th, there is the event we can all participate in: #PaintTheTownPink, which is where everyone wears Pink. Not only will awareness of breast cancer be increased, but the local funds used to support residents will also be increased. The following list of local restaurants will donate 5% of your bill to Pink Alliance when you eat there on Tuesday, October 4th. I ask for your consideration in supporting them with your business:
Phillips Events Center at Briarcrest
Wings ‘N More
The Village Café
Grub Burger Bar
Traditions Country Club
Downtown Uncorked
Christopher’s World Grille
Nothing Bundt Cake
Napa Flats
RX Pizza
Texas Roadhouse
Mad Taco
Veritas
The Corner Bar & Grill
Paolo’s
Café Eccell
Kokomo Sno Co
Chicken Oil Company
La Riviera
Dickey’s
Pebble Creek Country Club
Madden’s
The Proudest Monkey
Veritas
Casa Rodriguez
Carney’s Pub & Grill
Caffé Capri
Gogh Gogh Coffee
Ninfa’s
On Tuesday, October 18, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center will host Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day from 5:30- 7:00 pm at their College Station Center, 700 Scott & White Drive. It’s a FREE event and informs attendees about what women can expect, along with hearing stories from breast cancer survivors. For more information, call Andi at (979) 207-3711.
All month long, CHI St. Joseph Health is selling pink flamingo signs for only $15 at their hospital. The flamingos remind women to get mammograms and you’re encouraged to place the signs outside your home and maybe take your photo of the flamingo and spread across your social media accounts. For more information, visit CHIStJoseph.org or call (979) 431-3914.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Brazos Valley is coming up on October 30 at Atlas Discovery Center at Traditions. This is an inspirational, noncompetitive walk to celebrate survivors and raise awareness and funds to end breast cancer. Information can be found on Facebook, at Makingstrideswalk.org/brazosvalley, or by contacting Stephanie Chesson at (979) 776-1464.
AMICO Nave and Shipwreck Grill are using Tuesdays all month to provide support to Breast Cancer patients and survivors. See the website at http://www.AmicoNave.com
October is also a month that reminds us how lucky we all are to live in the Brazos Valley to be in a community of the best hospitals, doctors, nurses, EMTs, first responders and caring volunteers who make life better for all of us, every single day. Please “think pink” this week especially and thanks to all who are putting on these events that continue to improve our quality of life here, every single day.
Cody D. Jones ’02
Owner and Community Member
