No, the name of the blog is not changing, but for this one it’s worth emphasizing the point, to talk about a good cause.
As we embark on the Labor Day Weekend, to honor all of us who work to put food on the table for our families, there is also another type of work to be recognized, those of the volunteers. The people who make their work a labor of love.
A large group of volunteers is busy at work right now, putting together an event, The Breast Lunch Ever, http://www.breastlunchever.com/, which will be held at the Woodholme Country Club in Baltimore and presented by Shuster & Schreiber Plastic Surgery. The group, led by Jill Mull and Amy Kowitz and nearly 30 volunteers, are busy making sure this is one of the premiere events in Baltimore to raise money for the Tyanna Foundation, a charity directly benefitting breast cancer patients and survivors. There is lunch, shopping, a Survivors fashion show, and even an exclusive book sale and signing, (more on that in a minute), all to raise money for the cause, and all things I know the ladies like to do, lunch, shop, check out the latest fashions, and read (I hope).
Who is Tyanna you ask? Tyanna Barre O’Brien, a mother of five, who lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 48. Since 1999, her five daughters, Anne, Bridget, Megan, Sara & Kate have kept her memory and her legacy alive, raising more than $1 million dollars for the Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy Medical Center right here in Baltimore and other worthy organizations in three sister cities.
The lovely ladies putting together this year’s Breast Lunch Ever, are a dedicated bunch. I am honored to be the MC for the event and have attended two meetings with the girls recently. They have this machine running on all cylinders and it will be a great event. It’s wonderful to see the magic that happens when great minds are all focused in the same direction, dedicated to the same goal, for something bigger than themselves. These women embody the true spirit of what it means to be a volunteer and are living proof if you do it right, you can make a difference. Several of those taking part are breast cancer survivors themselves, including Jill and my own wife.
Speaking of my wife… her story, actually our story, will be on display that same day, as I offer 100 exclusive copies of, It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story, for sale with proceeds going directly back to the Tyanna Foundation. These first 100 copies, will be numbered and signed by the author (hey, that’s me! :)). Worldwide release on Amazon.com, is set for September 26th, in Kindle e-book and softcover versions. I want to personally thank the Breast Lunch Ever Committee for the opportunity to share the book that day and to give back to Tyanna in a big way.
And speaking of other big Tyanna events there is – Birds. Beers. Boobs. – sponsored by Tyanna & the Orioles, when the O’s take on the White Sox on September 7th at Camden Yards and the BreastFest, sponsored by Tyanna and Under Armour in Baltimore on October 12th. For more information you can visit, www.tyanna.org, and then LIKE them on Facebook.
All of these events, including our Breast Lunch Ever, are to help save and honor “The Girls”. In so many cases, the events ONLY happen because fantastic women, many who have already battled the beast, or know or love someone who has, band together to make a difference.
One day, the cure. Until then, the labor of love continues.
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Hope to see you on September 19th.
Until next time, thanks for taking the time.
Mark
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