GENEROSITY ROCKS...TOTALLY !

Today we were reminded of just how blessed our little organization is.

A business in Altamonte Springs opened on its day off, to host a fundraising event for us.  The folks at SHREDDER EXPERTS agreed to shred documents for free, if people made a donation to us !
How cool is that?!

So anyone who wanted personal or business documents shredded just came to the business, made a donation and received the service.

We were honored to have Mrs. Windermere, Amy Santiago, join us for the day.  She helped us greet the guests and was a wonderful addition to the day.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the effort !

THE DESIGNER DOZEN

We are quite excited about a big event we have coming up on September 13th.  Save the date.  It's THE DESIGNER DOZEN Purses & Prizes event.  When you come to GIRLS NIGHT OUT, you can buy tickets for a chance to win a designer purse.  We're talking high end, luxury, designer, name brand purses.  But that's not all.  In each purse, will be prizes.  You could also win a spa day, a weekend getaway, dinner at a fancy restaurant and the list goes on.  
    Here's a sneak peak at the wonderful venue where the event will be held.
     Hope to see you there!

HEALTH CARE LAW DEBATE HITS HOME

We met a client today who has strong feelings about the health care law, and for good reason.  She noticed a lump several months ago.  She did not have it check out because at the time she had no insurance.  When she got insurance under the Affordable Care Act, she did go to the doctor.  She was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer.

It is a great reminder that in the midst of the debate about the disastrous health care website roll-out, mass confusion about signing up and the real costs involved for some families, it has made a profound difference in the lives of others.  For this client, it's not about the politics, it's about a person fighting for her life.

STARTING THE CONVERSATION IS NOW ONLINE

Several of our clients are featured in the documentary, STARTING THE CONVERSATION:  Relationships and Breast Cancer, co-produced and written by me, the founder of COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH, Vanessa Echols.
     Almost every breast cancer patient has thought about this issue or talked about it in private.  But until now, few have discussed it openly.  That all changed with this project.  Several bold breast cancer warriors stepped forward to talk about how breast cancer diagnosis and treatment affected their intimate relationships.  
      What they have to say is enlightening, startling and in some cases, heartbreaking.  I encourage you to watch and leave your comments about the issue.
www.startingtheconversation.info

    

STARTING THE CONVERSATION

STARTING THE CONVERSATION !  That's exactly what we hope happens after you see this new documentary.  It was co-written and co-produced by the founder of COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH, Vanessa Echols.
      The documentary looks at an issue on a lot of survivors' minds, but it's a topic few have been willing to discuss openly, until now:  What happens to intimate relationships when some is diagnosed with breast cancer ?
      This project came about because so many of our clients have experienced separation, divorce or serious marital problems while they were going through treatment.  
       The documentary features breast cancer survivors whose marriages collapsed during treatment, and couples who talk about how their marriages were actually strengthened after the diagnosis and treatment.
       The documentary premier is Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Werner Auditorium in the Ginsberg Tower at Florida Hospital on Rollins Street in Orlando.  It is open to the public.
      Here's a preview:
www.startingtheconversation.info

THINK BEFORE YOU PINK

Yes, it is that time of the year again.  It's October and that means almost everything you see will be pink or have a pink ribbon on it. We appreciate that so many people want to buy these products in an effort to support the breast cancer cause.  But here's a word of warning for you.
     There are a few questions to ask yourself before you make these purchases.  One:  Is a portion of the profits going to a breast cancer-related organization?  Two:  If so, how much is going to the cause?  Three:  How does that organization use its donations?  How much goes to research or patients?  How much ends up being used for administrative costs?
     That's why we say:  THINK BEFORE YOU PINK !

PURSES&PRIZES

We are SO excited about a big fundraising event coming up for us Saturday night, August 24th.  CBS RADIO here in Orlando is hosting an event called GIRLS NIGHT OUT.  It's a party for girlfriends, moms and daughters, sisters and sisterfriends.  There will be fashion, food, drinks and more fun.  But there's also a charitable component to it.  And there's where we come in.
     At the event, COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS will be hosting a PURSES & PRIZES event.  You're invited to join us.  We have 22 designer purses (COACH, MICHAEL KORS, COLE HAAN, DOONEY, KATE SPADE, etc) and they're all NEW!  And one (or perhaps more than one) could be yours!
     But that's not all !  All of the purses come with a prize package.  For instance, one purse may have a weekend getaway theme, so inside the purse will be gift certificates for a hotel stay or theme park excursions.  The "pamper yourself" themed purse includes spa treatments, beauty makeovers, etc.
      To win a prize, it's  simple, purchase a packet of tickets (prices range from just $10 to $100 ! ).  Then place your tickets in the bag next to the purse you'd like to win.  You may want to put all your tickets in one bag or spread them around.  That's the fun of it, guessing how to increase your odds.  :)
     Can't wait to see you tomorrow night !
     Oh, it's not all girls.  Four male members of the WFTV Channel 9 news team (Greg, Jamie, Brian and Jorge) will be there as our official purse presenters.  This, you have to see.