When I was a kid I would always try to think up fun ways to make my mom feel special on Mother’s Day. Usually that would involve a poorly executed (burnt), but well-intentioned (pretty presentation), attempt at breakfast in bed. Now my entire perspective on Mother’s day has changed.

Now I find it ironic that most Mother’s Day celebrations are synonymous with brunch, breakfast in bed, and pampering mom. Since on the last Mother’s Day I had with my mother; no food was had since she could no longer eat solids, bed was a necessity not a choice, and taking care of her was a need not a luxury. I will never look at Mother’s Day the same. It’s not that I dwell on these thoughts and hate the holiday but the things I celebrate have changed.

Now I view Mother’s Day as a time to remember what an amazing woman my mother was. I think of her infectious laugh, love for adventure, sharp tongue, ability to never let you off easy, and amazing warmth.  I think about the way she lived her life and the people she impacted. I use those thoughts as fuel to motivate me and keep me focused on my goals. I use Mother’s Day as a reminder to speak out and teach others that knowledge is power and being proactive is the best defense. I use Mother’s Day as a reminder to allow myself to be vulnerable and share my family’s story to hopefully bring awareness.

In March 2008 my mother went to her doctor complaining of back pain and left knowing she had two large tumors on her ovaries. Ovarian cancer ran in the family and my mother always told her doctors to watch for it, but they still couldn’t find it until she was already at stage four.

As I struggled to cope with the terrible news of her cancer and remain strong for her, I couldn’t help but also think “this could be my future”. As a 22 year old just graduating college this is an overwhelming amount of information. Shortly after figuring out my mom’s plan for treatment, my parents and I figured out my plans for early detection. The two of us, determined to ensure her story would not become mine, started on a journey together. She was waging a war against this dreadful disease and I was on a quest for information and support. What I found became that and so much more.

That’s when I found Bright Pink – and found an instant connection to the organization from my first interaction. Until then, all of the cancer organizations I knew supported women like my mother – women who had cancer. Bright Pink was different – it was there for women like me who were high risk. Bright Pink gave me a forum to discuss worries for my health and find support for what I was going through with my mother. Bright Pink knew that I needed emotional support, information and a plan of action.

The first program I connected with made a huge impact on my life, Bright Pink experiential outreach events. These events allowed me to connect with other young women who understood my situation.  They, too, could relate to the pressure and anxiety that I carried with me each and every day as one of my mom’s main caretakers.  They were going through the same thing. These groups gave me a forum to discuss what I was going through in an atmosphere that was warm, welcoming, upbeat and fun. Whether it was a yoga class, manicures or a cancer-fighting food workshop, I always left feeling inspired with new tools and resources to cope with my mom’s ever worsening situation and to give me the confidence that I was doing all I could to be proactive with my own health.

In addition to Bright Pink being emotionally supportive, it was also arming me with the life-saving information I needed to ensure my mother’s cancer battle would not one day become my own. That it’s really the unknown that makes being high-risk so scary.  They helped guide me as I developed a prevention and early detection strategy that was right for me, including finding the right doctor and starting to make changes in my life now to affect my future. Through it all was the consistent positive message that gave me a whole new outlook on what it meant to be a young women at high-risk for cancer.

On June 29^th, 2011 I left my parents home after spending the day with my Mom. She said she would “see me tomorrow” as her and my father sat down for dinner. Hours later my father texted me saying “Emergency, we are headed to the hospital.” I rushed over hoping for the best. However, the reality was I was only able to tell her I lover her even though she couldn’t respond, watch her smile, and be with my parents.  That night she passed away.

Now I will not sit idly by and watch others receive a late cancer diagnosis that could be avoided with the proper tools. The best way to fight any type of cancer is early detection, which is why breast and ovarian cancer awareness is so important. I watched my mother deal with symptoms of ovarian cancer for months before being diagnosed.  She wanted to tell her story so others wouldn’t find themselves in a similar situation. Now she’s my inspiration to get the word out about awareness.

Know the symptoms, talk to your doctors, and know your body.

Bright Pink gives me a voice. They inspire me every day to create a destiny for myself that will undoubtedly be different than my mom’s. Being high risk, a caretaker for someone with cancer, and losing a loved one can leave you feeling lost and without hope, but I promise you there is life beyond these labels. Because of Bright Pink I have the love, support, knowledge, tools and positive outlook to lead a healthy and proactive life.

So now that you have celebrated the mothers in your world take a moment to celebrate the mothers we have lost, the one’s fighting, and those left behind to tell their stories. It is this generation of young women and organizations like Bright Pink who will change the future of these diseases so we can be there when our daughters want to make us awful burnt scrambled eggs in bed.

Love everyone, seek knowledge, share stories, ask questions. It’s how we grow.

My son is the reason that I decided to test for the BRCA mutation.

I knew that I was at high risk for breast cancer, because my family history was riddled with the disease. I grew up certain that I would get cancer, because that’s what happened to women in my family. When my mother told me that she had tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation, she also sent me a packet of information about the mutation and contact information for my local genetics center. But I dismissed it, thinking that it wouldn’t make a difference.

When I met with a genetic counselor about it, however, she said something that struck a chord. “If you have the mutation,” she said, “there’s a 50% chance that your son has it also.” There was my reason.

It seemed unfair of me to withhold this knowledge from my son, who was only 7 at the time. He was too young to understand what it meant, and what the implications are for him. But as his mother, I held responsibility for giving him the best possible chance at a healthy life. If I tested negative for the mutation, then at least I would know that my son didn’t have it.  I had the test, however, and it came back positive for the BRCA1 mutation.

Right from the start, I was very open about the mutation. I talked about it with my partner, family and friends. I was involved with Bright Pink. I was looking to connect with as many people as possible. So it was natural that my son heard about it. He saw my involvement at Bright Pink events and was curious about them. He is a curious child, and asked questions. It never occurred to me to not answer them honestly or openly.  As with any difficult topics, the conversations were always age-appropriate and measured. I explained to him that my genes work differently than they should. I explained that this meant that there was a higher chance for me to get cancer, but stressed the fact that I am healthy right now and doing what I can to remain healthy.

Several years later, he asked me how I got this mutation, and I explained that I inherited it from my mother. A few minutes later, after thinking quietly, he asked, “Does that mean I have it too?” My heart wrenched, but I was proud of him for connecting the dots and realizing that this might be something that could affect him. I told him that I don’t know if he has the mutation, but that there is a chance that he does. And I explained that there was plenty of time for him to worry about it when he was older, that he was healthy now. To which he said, “OK. Can I go skateboarding?”

It wasn’t so much that I had a plan for how to explain this to my son. His father and I have always been open and honest with him, and this was something that will potentially affect him as he grows older.  I knew that I wanted him to be as prepared as possible, and that means having as much information as possible.  When he gets to an age where he can decide to test for the mutation, I want him to feel empowered and supported. I want him to understand that breast cancer isn’t just a “woman’s disease.” I want to remove the taboos around male breast cancer so that when he’s old enough for this to be a real concern for him, he can talk about it openly and get the care that he needs without any fear or shame.

Several weeks ago, we had an event for Bright Pink Vermont, and in the weeks leading up to the event my son saw me making arrangements for logistics and volunteers. When I told him that our volunteers would be wearing Bright Pink t-shirts, he asked if he could have one too. I was a little surprised at first, but on the night of the event, I could not have been more proud. My 12-year old son unabashedly wore his Bright Pink t-shirt, and walked around an auditorium full of people selling raffle tickets and handing out Little Bright Books.

As mother’s day approaches, I can think of a million things about my son that bring a smile to my face. As any parent can attest, having a child is an amazing experience. And watching that child grow into a confident, self-assured person is one of the most heart-warming things you can see. For me, part of that is knowing that I’m doing what I can to give my son the tools to live a happy, healthy, and brilliant life.

How Does the ACA Benefit You As a Consumer?

Certain Preventive Services are Covered Free of Cost to Patients:

• The ACA mandates that health insurance plans cover certain preventative services, including well-woman visits and mammograms, free of charge without having to pay a copay or deductible. Click here for a list of all covered preventative services.  However, The law only applies to preventative services, not diagnostic services and plans started by an employer (grandfathered plan) prior to 2010 are exempt from this provision.
• HIGH-RISK WOMEN: Many of these services have age limits, so young high risk women seeking access to screenings at a younger age won’t get free coverage. Insurance companies may still cover these services, but a copay or deductible may apply. Be sure to check the law in your state, as some states require insurance companies to cover mammograms for high-risk women under 40.  For more information about your state’s specific laws, contact the CLRC.

Health Insurance Companies Can No Longer Rescind an Insurance Policy:

• Insurance companies are banned from retroactively canceling insurance policies based on mistakes made on an application. Companies can only rescind policies if they discover fraud, intentional misrepresentation of health status or if an individual fails to pay premiums.

There Can No Longer Be Lifetime Limits and There Are Restrictions On Annual Limits:

• The ACA bans lifetime dollar limits on health insurance plans. Beginning in 2014 there will be no annual limits.
• Some plans can apply for a waiver on annual limit rules until 2014. If your plan has a waiver and you reach an annual limit, you may need to find another insurance option for the remainder of the year. Beginning on January 1, 2014, you can shop for insurance through a health insurance exchange.

Consumers Have Greater Insurance Appeals Rights at the Federal Level:

• If your insurance company denies coverage for a procedure, the ACA gives you greater appeal rights. Under the ACA, insurance companies must notify you of the reason for the denial, your right to file both an internal and external appeal, and must make a decision within a specific timeframe set by the government. Click here for a step by step guide to insurance appeals.
• These rules only apply to plans that were established on or after March 23, 2010. Check your state law to see if they have appeal rights that would apply to your health insurance company.

Beginning January 1, 2014, Medicaid Is Expanded to Include All Low-Income Adults:

• Beginning in 2014, Medicaid will be expanded to all non-elderly Americans with incomes below 133% of poverty and will ensure low-income Americans can enroll in the program regardless of whether they have dependent children or a disability.
• The Supreme Court ruled that states can opt out from Medicaid expansion, so individuals living in these states will only qualify for Medicaid if they meet a program category requirement. If your state is not expanding Medicaid, speak to local advocates in your area to share your story and participate in the call for Medicaid expansion.

How does the ACA Benefit You as a Young Woman?

Beginning January 1, 2014, Health Insurers Will No Longer Be Able to Charge Women More Than Men:

• Beginning January 1, 2014, health insurance companies will only be able to consider four things when setting premium rates: age, geographic location, number of people insured, and tobacco use.

Young Adults Can Access Health Insurance Up To Age 26:

• Children can stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26 regardless of their enrollment in school, whether they are dependent of their parents for IRS purposes, or if they married or have children. Young adults cannot stay on their parent’s plan if they have access to their own group health plan.

What Should I Keep In Mind as A Cancer Survivor?

No More Pre-existing Condition Insurance Denials Beginning in 2014:

• Starting in 2014, health insurance companies will no longer be able to look at a person’s medical status when determining whether to insure a person and how much to charge.  Thus, individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as cancer, will be able to access health insurance on the individual market. For more information on what this means for you and for information about specific insurance plans, contact the Cancer Legal Resource Center.

For more information about healthcare reform, visit the federal government’s The Portal, which provides comprehensive information about healthcare reform.

Cancer Groups Praise Coverage of Genetic Counseling and Testing Under Affordable Care Act, Urge Coverage of Other Vital Services

Washington, DC—The federal government recently released regulations that clarify which preventive services will be covered under the Affordable Care Act without cost sharing for patients enrolled in private insurance plans. Preventive services are provided without cost sharing to people enrolled in private plans that were established after August 1, 2012. Insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act cannot apply a co-pay or deductible to services outlined in the act.

Among the services included in these regulations are genetic counseling and testing for inherited breast and ovarian cancer risk in women with a family history of cancer. Breast and ovarian cancers have been linked to mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, FORCE, Bright Pink and CCARE Lynch Syndrome applaud the government’s attention to women’s health services in general and preventive services in particular. We are happy that genetic counseling and genetic testing will be covered without cost-sharing, as these are important services for women who may have an increased risk of ovarian and breast cancers. The new regulations are a step in the right direction, but they have only taken us halfway there. We are concerned that the current regulations do not include the following:

• genetic counseling or testing in people with a family history indicative of Lynch Syndrome (which is associated with colon, uterine, and ovarian cancer) or other hereditary cancer syndromes;
• genetic counseling and testing for women who have already been diagnosed with cancer;
• risk-management services such as increased surveillance and prophylactic surgery which has been proven to reduce the risk for developing cancer and the risk of dying in high-risk women; and
• genetic counseling and testing in men.

As organizations representing thousands of women and families who have or are at risk of developing hereditary cancer, we will continue to work with appropriate government agencies to ensure coverage of evidence-based services that reduce people’s risk for cancer.

The preventive services covered under the Affordable Care Act are based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force and include women with the following risk factors:

• Ashkenazi Jewish women with one first degree relative or two second degree relatives on the same side of the family with breast or ovarian cancer
• Non-Ashkenazi Jewish women who have:
  • two first-degree relatives who had breast cancer; at least one of these two were diagnosed before age 50;
  • three or more first- or second-degree relatives with breast cancer regardless of age at diagnosis;
  • a combination of both breast and ovarian cancer among first- and second-degree relatives;
  • a first-degree relative with bilateral breast cancer;
  • a combination of two or more first- or second- degree relatives with ovarian cancer, regardless of age at diagnosis;
  • a first- or second- degree relative with both breast and ovarian cancer at any age; or
  • a history of breast cancer in a male relative

These guidelines are based on USPSTF’s Genetic Risk Assessment and BRCA Mutation Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Susceptibility recommendations released in 2005. The USPSTF is currently reviewing these guidelines. Revisions in the guidelines could impact preventive services covered by the Affordable Care Act and services available to Medicare beneficiaries

Women with breast cancer diagnosed at age 50 or younger or ovarian cancer at any age meet expert guidelines for genetic counseling but this service is not specifically covered under the Affordable Care Act.

People who are concerned that the cancer in their family could be hereditary should consult with a qualified genetics professional prior to proceeding with genetic testing for cancer risk.

About the Alliance: 

The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is the foremost advocate for women with ovarian cancer in the United States. To advance the interests of women with ovarian cancer, the organization advocates at a national level for increases in research funding for the development of an early detection test, improved health care practices, and life-saving treatment protocols. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance educates health care professionals and raises public awareness of the risks and symptoms of ovarian cancer. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is a 501 (c) (3) organization established in 1997. For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Amanda Davis at adavis@ovariancancer.org or (202)331-1332.

About FORCE: No one should have to face hereditary breast and ovarian cancer alone. For more than 13 years, FORCE has been the voice of the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer community. FORCE provides support, education and awareness to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer know their healthcare options and make informed decisions. The organization is the de facto leader in guiding critical research and policy issues that impact the hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer community. For more information about FORCE and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, please visit www.facingourrisk.org.

About Bright Pink: Bright Pink is a national non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women while providing support for high-risk individuals. Our innovative education and support initiatives inform young women about their lifetime breast/ovarian cancer risk, help them develop a prevention/early detection strategy based upon risk and offer support and a sense of community to women who are at high-risk for these diseases. Visit BrightPink.org for information about our educational and support programs and resources for young high-risk women.

About CCARE Lynch Syndrome: Leading the fight against Lynch syndrome through education, advocacy and research. Lynch syndrome is the second most common genetic cause of ovarian cancer, and the most common genetic cause of uterine and colon cancers. Our national non-profit is dedicated to saving lives by increasing Lynch syndrome awareness among health care professionals and the general public.

After Sandy, Attorney Holds Marathon to Raise Cash at Home

In the days after super storm Sandy, Wendi Weiner weighed her options

On one hand, she wasn’t sure she should run in the New York City Marathon so soon after Sandy left so many suffering. On the other hand, she’d made a promise to a friend.

“I realized I shouldn’t be running the race,” Wendi said. “There are all these people who didn’t have power or lost their homes. How am I going to run through these streets and take a cup of water from volunteers who may not have a home, or have water?”

But Wendi had already accepted marathon pledges for her friend’s target charity, Bright Pink, which helps fight breast cancer. Her 34-year-old friend had just beaten the disease.

So, Wendi decided, she needed to run, but she didn’t need to run in New York. An associate trial attorney in our Miami BLO, Wendi decided to sit out the NYC Marathon — even before organizers and city officials cancelled the event – and run her own marathon in her neighborhood. She divided it into four legs over a weekend so friends and family could run with her.

Wendi ran the first leg on a Saturday morning with her running club teammates, some of whom dressed in pink to mark the cause.   Later that day, her family joined her for the second leg. By Sunday morning, she had only nine miles left. She ran five by herself and then walked the rest with friends that afternoon before going out to dinner.

After Wendi raised $2,975 for Bright Pink, the organization agreed to sponsor her in the 2013 Chicago Marathon. But most importantly, she served as an inspiration for her friend.

“It feels incredible,” Wendi said. “There are so many people out there who suffer from breast cancer. When you find out it’s your childhood friend in her mid-30s, and she has to shave her head, go through radiation, and have major surgery, you want to be able to honor her.”

It’s almost a miracle Wendi even had a chance to run. NYC Marathon participants are selected from a lottery of about 200,000 people. In 2011 – her first year entering – Wendi’s number came up. She finished in 7 hours, 32 minutes after suffering an injury at Mile 20.

She entered the lottery again in 2012 and, amazingly, got the call again. That’s when she knew she had the perfect opportunity to raise money for Bright Pink.

Since she got into running in 2010, Wendi has lost about 50 pounds. She’s greatly improved her health and eating habits and conquered obstacles she never thought she could. She’s become an inspiration to those around her, including her friend, who recovered fully and was married in late December.

“Here’s someone who was fighting for her life,” Wendi said. “I watched her go through chemo and have reconstructive surgery. I didn’t know how I could inspire someone who has been through all that.”

At Bright Pink we believe that Being in The Know is Always in Style. Knowledge can play a powerful role in affecting our health behaviors, so we thought it would be Bright to help explain the recent coverage and implications for our Bright Pink community.

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine examined national data on mammograms from 1976 to 2008. The study found that during this time, twice as many cases of early-stage breast cancer were caught — but they estimate that 31% of those cancers were slow-growing and might never have made the woman sick. They therefore claim that Breast cancer was “overdiagnosed” in 1.3 million women over the past 30 years — 70,000 women in 2008 alone, according to the study.

The study has created some controversy. The American College of Radiology recently issued a statement saying the report was “deeply flawed and misleading.” The study’s thesis “depends on their suggestion that the incidence of breast cancer is much higher than would have been expected had screening not been initiated”

Dr. Carol Lee, a breast-imaging specialist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City who sits on the communications committee of the American College of Radiology, continues that the author of the study has a pre-existing bias. He is also the author of a pop-culture book called Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health.   But she also points out that some experts in the breast-imaging community have a pre-existing bias toward over testing.  Lee says, “The truth probably lies somewhere in between.”

Some experts believe that mammography screening could be done less frequently in women at lower risk of breast cancer, specifically those who have no family history or genetic predisposition to cancer.

So while the verdict may still be out regarding the best screening test and frequency of testing for low-risk women, if you are at a moderate to high risk, there is no question that mammogram is the best tool available to diagnose breast cancer early and potentially save lives. 

To help you determine if you should receive a mammogram, refer to the guidelines from the American Cancer Society. 

I think it is safe to say that it is officially the holiday season! With the conclusion ofOctober’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a beautiful pink Chicago skyline becomes a memory and outrageous Halloween costumes are put to rest (I cannot count how many Gangnam Style costumes were out there..), which means tryptophan comas and Mariah Carey’s holiday album are on their way.  It is also a time to reflect and be thankful for the little things in life.  For me, although it sounds cliché, I am extremely thankful for the health of myself and my family this year.

Let me lay it out for you as simply as I can.  When my mother was sixteen, she lost her mother to ovarian cancer.  My mother often wonders what her mother would be like today and what kind of relationship my siblings and I would have with her as a grandmother.  My mother never wanted my sisters and me to have those same thoughts or questions about her.  My grandmother did not get the opportunity to see my mother walk across the stage at her high school graduation, watch her six children fall in love and walk down the wedding aisle or hold my sister’s hand as she received chemotherapy for lymphoma.  All of these events, and many more, are the reasons my mother did not want to miss out on any of the successes and struggles our family have and will incur.

When I was in high school, my mother made the decision to go through genetic testing given the long line of ovarian and breast cancer in our family and after discovering that her cousin had tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene mutation.  My mother, at the age of 45, discovered that she was also a positive carrier.  Shortly after receiving this information, my mother proactively opted to follow through with a bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy.  I remember coming home for lunch each day as a junior in high school following her surgeries and helping her tend to her war-like bandages.  Not once did my mother feel sorry for herself. Ever.  Her only complaint: the constant hot flashes.  This is what she needed to do in order to be our mother for years to come and to live without a ticking time bomb in her body.  In those moments, I knew I needed to find out if I was a positive carrier as well.

I’ve never been one to sit back and let things happen.  I needed to take control and gain as much knowledge as possible.  At the age of eighteen, and my sister sixteen, we both urged our mother to allow us to go through genetic testing.  Although she was hesitant, my mother took us to Northwestern Memorial Hospital to meet with a genetic counselor to begin the process.  Unfortunately and fortunately, both my sister and I tested BRCA 1 positive.  I say fortunately because I am grateful that I have been able to share this experience with my best friend, my sister.  Our genetic counselor informed my sister and I of a new organization for high-risk young women called Bright Pink.  Luckily for me, I was about to embark on my college career at DePaul University, located in Chicago, and quickly reached out to Lindsay Avner.  Knowing that there was at least one other young, successful woman in the same city as I who understood what I was going through gave me hope and relief.  Now, as a PinkPal, I am inspired and comforted by the women that I amable to connect with across the nation who are beginning their genetic journeys.  I see their strengths, their fears and their hope to live a long and healthy life given their genetic mutations.  At twenty-two years old, I still have those feelings, but being proactive and having conversations with women who understand only reaffirms the fact that I have an extremely supportive network with Bright Pink for many years to come.

With the holidays quickly approaching (where did the year go!?), I challenge each of you to use this opportunity of togetherness speak with your family members and gather your family’s cancer history. Journey through BrightPink.org to gain knowledge, take action, receive support, or lend yourself to the cause. Make your new year’s resolution to brighten up and schedule that doctor’s appointment you have been putting off.  Sign up to receive Bright Pink’s Underwire Alerts via texting PINK to 59227 to remind you to partake in a monthly self-breast exam, or if you’re at high risk, sign up for one-on-one support with the Pink Pal program to speak with another high-risk woman. With Bright Pink’s tools, it’s easy to be proactive.
No matter what point you are at in your life, knowledge is always power. Most importantly, remember that you are not alone. The Bright Pink Family is here to help you digest the facts and develop a plan that’s best for you. The holidays are a time for us to come together and support one another.  We are a team and we are in this together!

Vesting, [vest-ing] (noun): the act of getting awesome with 500 of your closest Vest Friends all in the name of charity and goodwill.

For the past 8 years we have had many people ask us what is Vest Fest? While words can barely describe the most epic sleeveless event in history, we can start by saying, “it’s probably the Vest time of your life.” And by the “Vest time of your life”, we mean that it is the nation’s premier sleeveless event where rocking a Vest and getting super-awesome is required. An event where your insides are not only warmed by your toasty Vest, but by our Vesters’ continued generosity and support for our local charity/nonprofit partners.  

Vest Fest Events is an Illinois registered General Not For Profit (102.10) formed by vest enthusiasts. The organization promotes and hosts events (Vest Fests) that raise money and awareness for selected local nonprofits and charities in Chicago, Denver, and soon, DC and beyond. 

When we started looking for charity/nonprofit partners, we wanted to find an organization whose mission and values were similar to ours. We wanted a nonprofit partner who worked hard to promote their cause and who had a super awesome time in process. We wanted a national nonprofit partner whose organization touches us all…and whose demographics and interests are similar to our organization. And most importantly, we wanted an organization whose mission is to improve the lives of women and empower them with the education, tools, and resources to prevent cancer. Cancer sucks. Bright Pink rocks. Vest Fest and Bright Pink rocks even more. We are super stoked to support this amazing organization here in Chicago, Denver, and going forward, in DC and beyond.  

This Saturday’s Vest Fest to benefit Bright Pink is lining up to be our largest and most successful to date. We cannot thank our Chicago Vesters enough for their awesome support and participation in this epic sleeveless tradition. We also have to thank everyone at Bright Pink for their support and for spreading the love of the Vest here in Chicago and across the country… 

See you at the Vestivities! 

Vest Fest – 11.17.12  |  3–7pm at Zella, 1983 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL

Apres-Vest Party: 8 – 10pm at Mahoney’s, 551 North Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL

Buy tickets online at http://vestfest.eventbrite.com/

on the web: www.vestfest.org  |  on facebook: Vest Fest  |  on twitter: @vestfest

http://www.inc.com/scotty-cadenhead-and-malachi-leopold/bright-pink-lindsay-avner-making-an-impact.html

Best and Brightest,

Carli

For the final week in October we teamed up with NBA star Kevin Love of the MInnesota Timberwolves. This pro is brilliant, both on the court and off! Minnesota native and friend Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals shaved Kevin’s heads in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The video capturing Love’s new hair-do and both Love and Fitz’s reflections on the importance of breast cancer awareness has gone viral, and the spread of love is benefitting Bright Pink! For every view or share, Kevin Love is generously donating $0.25 to Bright Pink, up to $125,000. And we still have one more day left to try to reach our goal of 500,000 interactions, so please watch and share with your networks before October is over! bit.ly/loveandfitzcare.com

In other basketball news, the Bright Pink team received VIP treatment at the Chicago Bulls pre-season home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. To celebrate the birth of a new partnership with Chicago Bulls Charities, Nancy Reinsdorf & Leslie Forman, wives of Chicago Bulls President and COO Michael Reinsdorf & GM Gar Forman, hosted our team in their executive suite last week. The Bulls’ entire leadership team greeted us with open arms and adorable pink hats. As a Chicago native and huge Bulls fan, I was in heaven and cannot wait to bring out partnership to life this 2012-2013 NBA season. What an incredible opportunity to reach thousands of fans, employees, and players with our lifesaving message! Stay tuned for more exciting developments!

Bright Wishes,

Carli Feinstein

Marketing and Communications Manager, Bright Pink