‘It’s A Breast Thing’ fundraiser is Oct. 6 at Eagle Eye
LANSING — Gilligan’s Island, Star Trek, I Dream of Jeannie and other old television favorites will take center stage at the “It’s A Breast Thing” fundraiser on Oct. 6.
“TV Shows of the ‘60s” is the theme for the eighth annual event, held to help breast cancer patients who either have no insurance or inadequate insurance to pay for out-of-pocket expenses.
There will be 27 creatively decorated bras to vote on. The top 12 winners will be featured in the 2016 “It’s A Breast Thing” calendar.
“People are so creative, it’s just amazing to me,” said Suzi Wyman, one of the event coordinators. “I’m just so in awe when I see these bras. There’s even a Jetsons bra with LED lighting on it.”
A panel of local experts, led by Dr. LaKeeya Tucker, will address the subject “What’s the Latest in Breast Imaging? Are Yours Too Dense?”
The panel includes Dr. David Anderson, Michigan State University; Dr. Alfredo De La Fe, Sparrow; Dr. Lewis Jones, McLaren; Dr. David Rawson, McLaren; and Dr. Gerry Weiss, Capital Internal Medicine Associates.
“The program this year, dense breasts, is really a hot topic,” said Wyman. “We have a lot of interest. It is really a draw.”
Soda floats with handmade ice cream, furnished by Velvet A Candy Store in downtown East Lansing, and a popcorn table, will be available throughout the evening.
The voting process is different this year. “Each person who signed up to be a bra decorator got 100 (voting) tickets and could sell them for $1 a ticket prior to the event,” said Wyman.
“To date, we’ve raised $5,000 just on pre-event voting tickets. One individual, who has been in the top 12 every year, but has never been number one, is on her 1,300th ticket. This adds to their winning chances and creates more profits for local breast cancer grants.”
The proceeds are used to award grants to breast cancer patients in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton and Shiawassee counties. All of the money raised stays local.
Each recipient receives $500. The organization recently funded its 73rd grant and is hoping to get two more out before the event so they can announce that they’ve reached 75.
Other breast cancer awareness events taking place during the month of October and November are listed below.
Contact Vickki Dozier at (517) 267-1342 orvdozier@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter@vickkiD.
2015 Breast Cancer Awareness events in the Lansing area
Bra Fitting events
Millie Heinz, owner of Michigan-based company Essential Bodywear (EBW) and the Bra Ladies are holding special bra fitting events throughout the Lansing area during the month of October in observance of breast cancer awareness and “Bra Ladies for a Cause.” Attend an expert bra fitting and for every bra you purchase, Heinz will donate one bra to one of these local women’s organizations: Capital Area Response Efforts (CARE), End Violent Encounters (EVE) or Women’s Center of Greater Lansing. Heinz will be donating her bras to women affected by domestic violence. Bra fitting dates, times and places are at www.mibralady.com or call 449-4771.
Pink Tea
McLaren Greater Lansing will host a Pink Tea at 6 p.m. Oct. 8 at Dawe Auditorium. The tea is a presentation of Health Education Physician Lecture Series. The free program is designed to educate about breast cancer detection and mammography in a relaxed, pink setting. Join Dr. Lewis Jones, Director of Breast Imaging, McLaren Greater Lansing, along with survivor speakers Dr. Elizabeth Layhe, Lori Eastman and Bilky Joda-Miller, as they inspire and motivate women by teaching the basics about how to detect cancer at the earliest possible stage and significantly reduce risk of death from breast cancer. Wear your pink. Dawe Auditorium is on McLaren Greater Lansing’s Greenlawn campus, located at 401 W. Greenlawn Ave. Use the patient entrance, take the Chi elevator to ground floor, turn right to room G042. To register, call 975-6600 or email Jessica.Vermeersch@mclaren.org. Refreshments will be served.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
The 5K run/walk Oct. 10 celebrates survivorship and is an occasion to express hope and a determination to make this breast cancer’s last century. Registration is at 9:30 a.m., with activities and entertainment from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The 5K and one-mile walk kicks off at 11 a.m. at the Capitol. Information at 332-3300. Register at www.makingstrideswalk.org/lansingmi
“Navigating breast cancer treatment and survivorship with support, humor and compassion”
Join Sparrow Cancer Center and Women’s Information Network and Support (WINS) breast cancer support group Oct. 12 for a night of celebration and inspiration. Motivational speaker and author Kim Wagner, a stage-3 breast cancer survivor and author of “Saying Goodbye to the Girls: A Light Look at the Dark Side of Cancer,” will speak. Refreshments at 6:30 p.m., program 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Clark Conference Center, Sparrow St. Lawrence Campus, 1210 W. Saginaw. RSVP to 364-5471 or sharoncosgrove@sparrow.org. Free parking on the second floor of east parking structure. Light snacks and door prizes provided.
Pink Dessert Wars
The second annual battle of the batter, presented by Pioneer Sugar and MSUFCU, will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 13 at the University Club at Michigan State University, 3435 Forest Road, East Lansing. Sample what area bakeries, caterers, pastry shops and restaurants create. Competitors will compete for prizes and awards given by a panel of judges for their desserts, table decorations and use of Michigan-made food products with the Pioneer Award. A portion of ticket sales benefits Susan G. Komen Mid-MIchigan. To buy your tickets visit tsmlansing.ticketleap.com/2015-pink-dessert-wars/ To compete in Pink Dessert Wars, call 887-3255.
In Her Cups, Bras for a Cause Art Auction
The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 13 at The Runway located in the Knapp’s Centre downtown Lansing. Promoting both cancer and domestic violence awareness, the art auction donations received will help benefit the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing and its Cancer C.A.R.E.S. program. The Mitten Mavens Roller Derby Team will be returning to model the bra art along with survivors, making the presentation of the submissions one of the most empowering and fun parts of the night. For information, call 372-9163.
It’s A Breast Thing
The event takes place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at Eagle Eye Golf Club, 15500 S. Chandler Road in Bath. Suggested donation to attend is $5.