EMPOWERING YOUNG WOMEN TO TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR BREAST & OVARIAN HEALTH

SPREADING GRATITUDE to the Bright Pink Community Tis the season of giving thanks, and 2011 would not be complete without expressing our deepest gratitude to those we are thankful for, while acknowledging that none of our goals could have been achieved without your support. You, our Bright Pink community, are the brilliant to our bold and the bright to our pink. Every word of support you utter, every penny you donate and every minute of every hour you commit to this organization reaps enormous rewards, not just as motivation for our team, but for the hundreds of thousands of young women who rely on our services across the country. Here are just three ways your contributions have helped us make a difference:   Because of you, we were able to create, publish and distribute over 15,000 copies of our newest editions of the Little Bright Book Educational Booklet Series especially for young African American, Latina and Lesbian women.

Because of you,  we were able to expand our Breast/Ovarian Health 101 Educational Workshops nationwide. After piloting the program in Chicago for two years, we expanded the offering and thousands of women across the country were able to receive life-saving information in an engaging, uplifting format in 2011.   Because of you,  we hosted ten VIPink cocktail celebrations throughout the month of October where we welcomed thousands of new Bright Pink Girls into our programs and raised vital funds to continue our work in our chapters nationwide.    From the bottom of our heart, and on behalf of the women who have benefited from your generosity, thank you!

The life-saving impact we were able to have this Fall was magnified by the generous support from our top sponsors and partners. We’re so grateful!

BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER IN THE NEWS
	If you read the news in the last couple of weeks, you probably saw a few articles about a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that suggests women who have a first- degree relative (i.e. mother, sister or daughter) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, but who themselves test negative, face no increased risk for breast cancer. The study also indicates that those women can safely follow the same cancer screening guidelines as women in the general population. This finding contradicts a 2007 study that suggested a "non-carrier" with first-degree relatives carrying a BRCA mutation still had breast cancer risks ?up to five times greater than the average woman.   So what implications does this have ?on how you care for your health now? Bright Pink’s Expert Panel Member, Amber Trivedi, MS, CGC, explains that the current standards of care don’t
Because of you,  we were able to expand our Breast/Ovarian Health 101 Educational Workshops nationwide. After piloting the program in Chicago for two years, we expanded the offering and thousands of women across the country were able to receive life-saving information in an engaging, uplifting format in 2011.   Because of you,  we hosted ten VIPink cocktail celebrations throughout the month of October where we welcomed thousands of new Bright Pink Girls into our programs and raised vital funds to continue our work in our chapters nationwide.    From the bottom of our heart, and on behalf of the women who have benefited from your generosity, thank you!

TAKING CONTROL OF MY HEALTH BY RUNNING WITH TEAM BRIGHT PINK Guest Columnist: Robyn Bumgarner
I am many things. I am a mother, a wife, a musician, and a writer, but never in my life have I been an athlete. So when my neighbor, Erika, asked me to join her for an evening run in September of 2010, ?I said, "Trust me, you’ll regret taking me with you. I don’t run unless something ?is chasing me." She refused to let up. I agreed to go. To my surprise, I survived the one mile run that night, and decided maybe running wasn’t so bad.
A month later, my routine mammogram revealed the need for biopsies. That night, less than a quarter of a mile into our run, I blurted out the news to Erika.  ?She gasped and spent the remainder of the run trying to convince us both that everything was going to be okay.     Two separate biopsies revealed DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ) in my right breast. Shortly thereafter, I tested positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation, and I opted to undergo a bilateral mastectomy.     Up to this point, I ran for fun. After my diagnosis, I ran for my life. Running ?prepared me both physically and mentally for my mastectomy. Erika sensed this and urged me to train for and complete my first half marathon before surgery. She laced up to help me train in spite of the bitter cold wind and snow challenging every step we took.     After surgery, final pathology showed the cancer was gone. I thought I would be relieved, but a nagging fear lingered that it would return if I didn’t take excellent ?care of my body from that day forward. I resumed my evening runs with Erika.?She listened to me unburden myself of all the emotions surrounding the loss ?of my breasts. Our runs were therapeutic and healing.    Sometime in April 2011, Erika announced her intention to run the 2011 Bank ?of America Chicago Marathon in my honor and asked me what charity team she should join. "Bright Pink," I answered, without hesitation. I discovered Bright Pink during my recovery from surgery and the organization gave me the courage to do more than just survive; Bright Pink gave me the courage to live. Almost instantly after Erika brought up the marathon, I too, jumped at the opportunity to run with Team Bright Pink.    Training for and running the Chicago Marathon with Team Bright Pink turned out to be the perfect way for me to find peace with my personal breast cancer experience. I underwent every physical and emotional sensation during training that I felt through my diagnosis and recovery, except this time it was on my terms. Running the marathon was my way of showing my body who is boss.    I would have survived cancer on my own. However, I would not be half as strong and healthy today without Erika and Bright Pink. Thanks to Erika, I discovered I am an athlete and realized just what excellent medicine running is for both the body and soul. And thanks to Bright Pink, I have become a true advocate for my health with the peace of mind to live a long, fulfilling life. And who knows, maybe there’s another marathon up my sleeve.    Interested in learning more about running with Team Bright Pink for the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon? Email Wendy@BeBrightPink.org.

BRIGHT IDEA We know that eating right and maintaining a healthy weight are two ways to reduce your cancer risk, but keeping your eating habits on track with a calendar full of holiday parties can be a challenge.?Try incorporating these helpful tips:
Don’t show up to the party hungry—eat a healthy snack like non-fat yogurt or ? a piece of fruit before you go. Skip the calorie-packed eggnog, and opt for a glass of white wine (or better ? yet, a seltzer with a splash of cranberry juice) instead. And, once you’re full, keep yourself from making that third trip to the buffet ? by popping a piece of sugarless gum into your mouth.
Your body will thank you come New Year’s Eve, and with the extra motivation you’ll have a leg up on that pesky 2012 resolution.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Courtney LaValle joined the Bright Pink family in the midst of our bustling Fall and quickly made a tremendous impact. She was an irreplaceable resource as we planned for ten VIPink events nationwide while juggling numerous third party events and educational sessions. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Courtney graduated from the University of South Carolina in May 2010 with a double major in Marketing and Management and a minor in Fashion Merchandising. Following a recent move to Chicago, Courtney was reffered to Bright Pink as a great way to get involved in the local community. The organization’s mission struck a chord with her, especially given her family history of breast cancer, including two aunts who were diagnosed

with the disease. Courtney feels connected to Bright Pink’s special focus on early detection and prevention as she strongly believes in the organization’s mantra ?that "knowledge is power" and that taking control of one’s health is of the utmost importance. We wish to extend Bright Pink thanks to Courtney for donating her ?time and talent to become such a vibrant advocate and passionate volunteer for ?our cause.

BRIGHT HAPPENINGS Be sure to regularly visit our events page for the latest information on upcoming events!

As you embark on your holiday gift shopping, consider purchasing one or more ?of these limited-edition posters, and give a gift that gives back. All proceeds from poster sales will benefit Bright Pink’s support programs for young women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.