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Archive for the ‘breast cancer’ Category

Softball game raises $21,000 for breast wellness

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by:Amanda Cuda

Members of the Derby and Ansonia High School Girls Softball teams recently presented Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness Medical Director Denise Barajas, MD, fourth from left, with a check for $2,100, which they raised through a fundraiser game on May 11. Pictured from left, Ansonia High Softball Co-captains Tierney Lawlor and Morgan Westine, Ansonia High Softball Coach Tim Pedevillano, Derby High Softball Coach Joe DiMartino, Lori DiMartino, and Ansonia High Softball Co-captains Rachel Rizzo and Shelby Mendillo.

A game between the Derby and Ansonia High School softball teams raised $2,100 for The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

Organized by long-time Griffin Hospital employee and Derby High School Softball Coach Joe DiMartino, the May 11 fundraiser was held in honor of his wife, Lori, a breast cancer survivor. The event featured raffles, food and music as the two teams competed. This is the third year of the fundraiser.

Located at 300 Seymour Ave. in Derby, The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services. For more information about The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

Katie Holmes/Rose of Hope notebook

Friday, June 14, 2013 by:Amanda Cuda

Actress Katie Holmes will headline this year's Rose of Hope luncheon for the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center at Bridgeport Hospital

Actress Katie Holmes headlined Thursday’s Rose of Hope luncheon for the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center at Bridgeport Hospital

As you might have seen in today’s paper, I covered the Rose of Hope event for Bridgeport’s Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center yesterday, at the Fairfield home of Tom and Patti Keegan. You can read in today’s article all about the event, attended by about 600 people, and the speech given at the event by actress Katie Holmes, but here are some more of my thoughts on this celebrated event.

Rain, rain go away: So yeah, this event was outside, in a tent. Here was the view from my seat:

I don’t know if it comes through in my picture, but it was pouring rain outside and it was streaking down the sides of the tent. With all the noise it made, and the fact that speakers kept referencing it throughout the luncheon, the weather was practically another guest at the event. Not only did Holmes reference that she had worn tennis shoes in prep for the nasty weather, event hostess Patti Keegan opened her speech by immediately referencing the soggy elephant in the room.

“Tom and I are sorry about the weather,” she said, adding that, in the many years she’s hosted the event, this was the first where the weather didn’t cooperate. “I guess nine out of 10 isn’t bad,” she said.

Event co-chair Linda Blackwell even told a sweet story about how Tom Keegan pumped up the event committee before the luncheon by telling them that the rain was actually a good thing, because it would help everyone who came to the event bond. Blackwell said she felt the same way. “We feel like we have 600 new family members,” she said.

So why no pictures of Katie?: Right about now, you must be thinking — “Hey Amanda, if you had an iPhone with you and were able to take pictures, how come you didn’t take any pictures of Katie?” That is a good question, readers. Because of the tabloid-ability of this year’s speaker, security was crazy tight at Rose of Hope. I was one of the few media allowed to come, and I wasn’t permitted to bring one of our photographers with me. Guests weren’t permitted to snap any photos during Katie’s speech and, to make sure we behaved, somewhat menacing guys in suits lurked behind many tables keeping a sharp eye on everyone (note: The guys were probably very nice and were just doing their job. I’m just bitter about getting the stinkeye whenever I reached in my purse). Bridgeport Hospital’s photographer did provide us with some nice shots, however.

And, in case you thought they were being paranoid, I will tell you I got an email from a People magazine reporter Thursday evening asking me if I wanted to talk about my experience at the lunch. Sorry ma’am — my thoughts are for our readers.

Parting gift: All those who attended the luncheon received a rose quartz bracelet — yes, pink, in honor of breast cancer awareness — donated by Rob and Cindy Citrone. Cindy Citrone was special program chair for the event, and the bracelet had a special story behind it.

Citrone had heard a woman named Meredith speak at an event about her life as breast cancer survivor, and was so moved, she gave Meredith a bracelet to thank her for sharing her story. The two became friends. Years later, Cindy bought Meredith another bracelet — at a breast cancer fundraiser. The day she went to pick up the bracelet, Cindy learned that Meredith had died. The bracelet given at the Rose of Hope event, designed by jewelery designer Faye Kim, is a symbol of Meredith’s battle and the struggles of all women with cancer. Here’s a picture of it.

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Norma Pfriem hosts “Wellness for Women” night

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 by:Amanda Cuda

Dr. Veronica Waks leaders a workshop on naturopathic medicine at a Wellness for Women night.

The Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center will host a Wellness for Women evening on Tuesday, April 23 for the Fairfield Ludlowe High School PTA. The Breast Care Center’s Wellness for Women program introduces women to services that can help them learn about and manage common health problems. Doctors and nurses will conduct mini-sessions in their specialty areas. Women will be able to participate in sessions on meditation, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, guided meditation, yoga and a psychotherapy session on “Understanding the Teenage Brain”.

“Women have unique health concerns yet most of what we know about prevention and treatment is based on what we know works with men,” Dr. Donna Twist, executive director of the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center said in a press release. “Women need to know their bodies and understand what they can do to stay healthy.”

The program is a partnership with local schools and community groups. Groups interested in scheduling a program with the Breast Care Center can call Nancy Church at 203-255-5300.

Katie Holmes to headline Rose of Hope event

Thursday, April 11, 2013 by:Amanda Cuda

Actress Katie Holmes will headline this year's Rose of Hope luncheon for the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center at Bridgeport Hospital

Actress (and tabloid sensation) Katie Holmes will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Rose of Hope Luncheon on June 13, a benefit for the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center. Holmes has appeared in several notable films, ranging from the action blockbuster “Batman Begins” to critically acclaimed art house pictures such as “The Ice Storm” and “Pieces of April,” in which she plans a young woman planning a last Thanksgiving dinner for her mother, who is dying from breast cancer.

But despite her varied and impressive credits, she’s probably best known for two things: Playing Joey Potter on the iconic WB soap “Dawson’s Creek” and her recently ended marriage to Tom Cruise.

She is also an active philanthropist. In 2009 Holmes co-founded the Dizzy Feet Foundation, a non-profit organization which aims to help underprivileged youth realize their dream of becoming professional dancers and works to support, improve, and increase access to dance education in the United States. Her co-founders include director Adam Shankman; producer, Nigel Lythgoe; and “Dancing with the Stars” judge, Carrie Ann Inaba. Holmes’ work with the foundation was recognized at Variety’s 2010 Power of Women event .

Holmes is a supporter of children’s charities and international relief organizations, including the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. She was included in Love Our Children USA’s 2009 Mothers Who Make a Difference List, alongside First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.

The Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center, the first free-standing, community-based breast care center in Connecticut, has been helping women in the community fight breast cancer for over a decade.

One of the area’s largest and most publicized fundraisers, the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center’s Rose of Hope Luncheon takes place each year in June, with over 500 Fairfield County women and men attending. The luncheon serves as an important source of funds for the Breast Care Center’s programs for women in need, including their Medically Underserved Initiative, which provides financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured women. Over 700 women receive screening and diagnostic services through the Initiative each year, making it the largest program in the area.

The luncheon also raises money for the Breast Care Center’s outreach and education programs. “So many women are still unaware of their risk for breast cancer,” says Dr. Donna Twist, executive director of the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center in a press release put out by the center. “We feel its part of our mission to get the message out to women — early detection can save your life. Breast cancer is treatable and often curable when found early.”

“We’re so excited to have Katie at this year’s luncheon, helping to us to get the message out about breast cancer screening and early detection,” says Twist. “She’s a talented woman with a successful career and busy family life who makes time to help others,” says Twist. “

Daneen Grabe and Linda Blackwell, both of Fairfield, will co-chair the Rose of Hope Luncheon. Both are active members of the Breast Care Center’s President’s Council and Advisory Board. Cindy Citrone of the President’s Council will serve as Special Program Chair. For the ninth consecutive year, the Rose of Hope Luncheon will be held at the Fairfield home of Patti and Tom Keegan.

People’s United Wealth Management will also receive the 2013 Rose of Hope Award, which recognizes the charitable work of an individual or organization.

For ticket information, call 203-255-5300.

Pfriem center receives $40,000 from Pink Aid

Tuesday, April 9, 2013 by:Amanda Cuda

Pictured: Front row: Dr. Donna Twist, Executive Director, NPBCC and Deb Placey of the Pink Aid Grants Committee; Back row: Amy Gross, Pink Aid Grants Committee; Pat Poniros, RN, NPBCC; Renée Mandis and Amy Katz, Pink Aid Grants Committee.

Bridgeport Hospital’s Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center has received a grant for more than $40,000 from Pink Aid, a new grant-based organization founded by Andrew Mitchell-Namdar of Mitchell’s stores.

According a press release from Bridgeport the hospital, the grant will help medically under-served women access screening and diagnostic services, as well as such complementary therapies as wigs, therapy, and nutrition counseling.

“This gifts means underserved women will have the same access to services as women with insurance or other means of support. This is so important to the community we serve. So many of our clients are single mothers or otherwise on their own with no one to turn to when they are faced with a serious illness,” says Dr. Donna Twist, Executive Director of the NPBCC in the press release. “This gift means they will be able to take advantage of therapies and services that make it easier to take part in daily life while undergoing treatment and help speed their recovery.”

Part of Bridgeport Hospital and the Yale New Haven Health System, the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center has served more than 20,000 women and their families since it was established in 1999.

For more information call 203-255-5300 or visit the Center on the web at www.bridgeporthospital.org/cancer/breast.

Fundraiser for breast cancer awareness

Tuesday, October 9, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda

This is the symbol of the Celtic Knots, a local group that raises money for breast cancer care.

As you might be aware, this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are tons of events going on this month in honor of the occasion.

One such event is the Celtic Knots third annual fundraiser, taking place this Saturday at the Singing Society Norden, 4 Seabright Ave., Bridgeport from 3 to 10 p.m. The event will feature the usual — live music, food, drinks, raffles, an auction, etc. and all of the proceeds will be donated to the Norma Pfriem Care Center, based at Bridgeport Hospital.

In 2010, a group of local women formed Team Celtic Knots to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, a 40-mile walk in New York City.

Last year, the members of that team began fundraising for the Norma Pfriem Breast Care Center, which also has a facility in Fairfield. The Center’s Free Care Fund serves uninsured and under-insured patients throughout the state. The Celtic Knot’s have held 3 fundraising events, so far, and have donated nearly $15,000 to the Free Care Fund.

For more information on the weekend’s fundraiser, visit its Facebook page, Celtic Knots, which has an events page for the fundraiser.

Survivor donates mural to Norma Pfriem Breast Center

Friday, September 7, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda

Breast cancer survivor Susan Murray of Monroe (center) presents her mural to Drs. Donna Twist (left) and Mary Pronovost (right) of the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center.

“Empowerment.”
“Faith.”
“Be Strong.”
Those are just some of the words that are readily visible on the 4 by 6 foot mural hanging in the meditation room of the Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center’s Fairfield branch.
The artwork was created by Monroe resident Susan Murray, who knows a little something about empowerment, faith and being strong. Murray, 50, was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2009 and received her treatments through the Pfriem Center, which is run by Bridgeport Hospital. “It was obviously pretty traumatic and a pretty big adjustment to my entire world,” Murray said.

Through it all, Murray said, she maintained a “keep calm and carry on” attitude — something she was taught by her mother, who lived in London during World War II. She was also grateful for the kindness and professionalism of the breast center staff. “They really just all so incredible there,” Murray said.

Today, Murray’s her cancer treatments are done and, as far as she knows, she’s cancer-free. But she’s remained active in fundraising, particularly for Norma Pfriem. A few years ago, she decided she want to do something really special to pay tribute to the center.

Murray, an artist by profession, created a mural that she thought illustrated the core values of the Pfriem Center. It was made with a product called Aurastone, an architectural coating that can make any surface look like natural stone. “Stone is a symbol of strength,” Murray pointed out. The mural was covered in pictures of roses, the symbol of the Norma Pfriem Center. Then she covered the piece in encouraging words and phrases.

For the past two years, she’s displayed the mural at the Fairfield County Irish Festival, and encouraged breast cancer survivors and those whose family members had battled breast cancer to sign the mural. The goal of the mural is to inspire those struggling with their own diagnosis, Murray said. “The idea was to let people know that they’re not alone,” she said.

Eventually, she decided to donate the piece to the Pfriem center, so it could offer comfort to women coming there for treatment. However, she worried that its size would be daunting and wasn’t sure what staff would do with it. “I said ‘You can just throw it in the closet if you like,’ ” Murray said.

But it turned out that the mural was a big hit with staff. “They loved it,” she said. “They fought over where to hang it.” It’s now at the Fairfield branch (Norma Pfriem also has a location at Bridgeport Hospital).

Murray is sponsoring a fundraiser Oct. 13 at the Norden Club, 4 Seabright Ave., Bridgeport. For information, you can call her at 203-231-0706.

Women’s Health Research at Yale awards four pilot study grants

Tuesday, June 26, 2012 by:Amanda Cuda

Women’s Health Research at Yale University has announced grants for four pilot projects on several critical areas of women’s health: smoking cessation, breast and ovarian cancers, breast ultrasound screening and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, which are more common in women than men. Below are details on the projects, from a press release put out by Yale:

Irina Esterlis, assistant professor of psychiatry, grant recipient for smoking cessation study: Smoking quit rates for women have been lower than those for men in every single year for decades, and the most commonly used treatments to aid quitting — nicotine replacement therapies — are not as effective for women as for men. Thus, in order to improve smoking cessation therapies for women, there is a critical need to investigate whether the neurobiology of smoking in women is different from that targeted by nicotine replacement therapies. By using PET scanning (a technology that produces visual images of cellular and molecular level functioning), Esterlis will take the first steps in investigating whether treatments targeting brain receptors—called metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR5)—may be a better option for helping women quit smoking. She believes glutamate receptors are excellent candidates because evidence from animal studies suggests there are gender differences in the role of mGluR5 in nicotine addiction, and because glutamate, a key chemical messenger in brain cells, has been shown to be compromised in mood disorders such as depression, one of the reasons that women smoke or relapse to smoking after quitting.

Peter M. Glazer, M.D., professor and chair of therapeutic radiology, great recipient for breast and ovarian cancer study: This study will begin moving a powerful new antibody (a protein made by immune cells to attack disease agents such as cancer cells) toward clinical application for improving breast and ovarian cancer treatments. Glazer discovered that this antibody, 3E10, can increase the vulnerability of various types of cancer cells to radiation and chemotherapy. Early evidence shows this effect is greater in breast and ovarian cancer cells related to mutations of two particular genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. Inherited mutations involving these genes increase risk for breast and ovarian cancers, and many non-familial breast and ovarian cancers are associated with cell-repair defects involving mutations of these two genes. The 3E10 antibody is distinguished from all other antibodies currently in use for cancer treatment by its abilities to penetrate cells and affect cell-repair. The ultimate goal is to provide new, more effective treatments for women with breast and ovarian cancers.

Regina J. Hooley, M.D., assistant professor of diagnostic radiology, grant recipient for breast screening study: Mammography screening can reduce breast cancer mortality through early detection, but has limited ability to detect cancers in women with dense breast tissue. Because of this limitation, other screening methods, including breast ultrasound, have also been used to detect breast cancer. In this study, Hooley will investigate the performance of breast ultrasound since the 2009 implementation of a Connecticut law mandating that radiologists inform women with dense breast tissue that they may benefit from supplemental screening with ultrasound, after the mammography. Through her review and analysis, Hooley and colleagues can determine the usefulness of ultrasound plus mammography in detecting tumors not revealed by mammography alone. As other states and the federal government consider adoption of laws similar to Connecticut’s, the outcome of this study could inform the medical community, legislators and women worldwide about the value and cost-effectiveness of breast ultrasound screening.

Flora M. Vaccarino, M.D., professor of neurobiology and the Harris Professor in the Child Study Center, grant recipient for neurodegenerative disease study: Women have a higher incidence of disorders involving degeneration of nerve cells such as Alzheimer’s disease. Although studies have examined the role of estrogen in these neurodegenerative diseases, little research has focused on the cellular mechanisms underlying gender differences in aging. Further, no research has examined the role of cells called astroglial cells in gender differences and aging, despite a clear role for these cells in the generation and preservation of nerve cells, and evidence that these astroglial cells facilitate estrogen’s role in supporting healthy nerve cells. Astroglial cells, the most abundant cells in the brain, play roles in key areas including maintenance of the blood-brain barrier, transmission of electrical signals, and repair of nerve cells. Vaccarino will take initial steps toward understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie gender differences in aging, and will identify genes expressed in astroglial cells involved in aging. Gene identification may enable the targeting of particular cellular genes that control growth and play roles in determining gender differences in neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Thus, this study represents first steps at identifying new targets in developing interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly those which are more common in women.

Women’s Health Research at Yale is funding the studies by professors Esterlis and Glazer in conjunction with the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Women’s Health Research at Yale was founded in 1998 to address historic gender disparities in medical research by initiating and supporting innovative studies on women’s health and gender differences in health. Since inception, the center has awarded more than $4.4 million in annual pilot grants to more than 60 Yale investigators who have used their results to obtain nearly $50 million in new external grants to further their work.

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