First “Think Pink” Weekend to advocate breast cancer awareness, prevention, cure

Years ago Holly Rennie and Laura Neeld were members of the prom committee together at Wildwood Catholic High School. Today they share another common bond: a dedication to fundraising, education and prevention of breast cancer.
Rennie and Neeld were each planning separate breasts cancer fundraising events when Neeld approached Rennie about combining their efforts into one fabulous “Pink” weekend to raise money for the Philadelphia Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in October.
“We can’t do this alone; we need all the help we can get,” Neeld said.
An entire weekend of “Pink” ladies-only fundraising events is planned here for Aug. 23-24. All are encouraged to wear the official color of the breast cancer movement: pink.
Avalon resident Jennifer Lambert formed the “Birds for Boobs” Team of Cape May County last year starting with 19 members, all of whom have been affected by breast cancer. The quirky team name was chosen because, aside from sharing a common goal to fight against breast cancer, Rennie said the group had something else in common: they’re all Philadelphia Eagles fans.
This year the group has grown to 30 members who will join thousands of other dedicated women and men this October at the Philadelphia Breast Cancer 3-Day walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust.
After months of training and fundraising, participants will walk 60 miles in three days to raise awareness and funds for critical research and community outreach programs.
Participants in the 3-Day must each raise a minimum of $2,200 to walk. The local “Birds for Boobs” group has set a $75,000 goal, or $2,500 per person, in order for the entire group to participate.
The borough’s first “Think Pink” weekend begins on Aug. 23 at 8 a.m. when Laura Neeld will host an inspirational beach walk beginning and ending at Veterans Circle at 21st Street and Dune Drive. Neeld will offer encouraging words followed by a continental breakfast.
Neeld has undergone over 30 surgeries and told me she wants to use her story to inspire strength in others. She was named the Herald’s “Woman of the Year” in 2006 for her dedication to the fight against breast cancer.
“The Herald is a part of my positive attitude because they honored me so incredibly. When I saw what they did it brought tears to my eyes.”
After the walk, the Golden Inn is hosting the first Survivor Beach Event. Guests will enjoy pampering from Michele’s Salon along with a poolside barbeque, discount drinks, entertainment and chances to win raffles and prizes.
The finale of the weekend is the “Think Pink” Cocktail Party hosted by the “Birds for Boobs” Team Aug. 24 at the Princeton Bar and Grille at 21st Street and Dune Drive here from 2-5 p.m. The party will celebrate survivors, their families and friends and the memory of those who lost. There will be door prizes, raffles, entertainment, complimentary food and pink drinks!
The Philadelphia Breast Cancer 3-Day will be held from Oct. 17-19. The walkers will cover 60 miles, about 20 miles a day, at their own pace. Taking place in 14 cities nationwide, the Breast Cancer 3-Day provides an opportunity to educate tens of thousands of people about breast health, including the importance of early detection.
“There’s an emphasis on early detection because it is the beginning of the cure,” Rennie said.
“As a Breast Cancer 3-Day participant, I have an opportunity to celebrate breast cancer survivorship, honor those who lost their lives to the disease, and ultimately, have an enormous impact on awareness and funding for breast cancer research and community outreach programs. The Breast Cancer 3-Day is challenging and fun, and the memory of my personal accomplishment will last a lifetime.”
As the primary beneficiary of the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation receives 85 percent of net proceeds and the remaining 15 percent goes to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a global breast cancer movement. Now Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.
The Komen Race for the Cure and Breast Cancer 3-Days have helped the organization to invest nearly $1 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
Managing Breast Cancer 3-Day Series is the National Philanthropic Trust, one of the 100 largest charities in the United States with more than $675 million in assets under its management. Since its inception in 1996, NPT has raised more than $1.2 billion in charitable assets, and made more than 22,500 grants to charities within the United States and internationally totaling $650 million.
“We want to advocate health, development and good communication skills between doctors and their patients,” Neeld said. “We want a world without breast cancer so our daughters and granddaughters don’t have to worry about it. I am honored to be an ambassador for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.”
ltruluck @cmcherald.com