I’m honored!

Three to four weeks ago I was contacted by a woman named Alexandra Gekas.  Alexandra is a writer for Woman Day Magazine.  She was writing a story for Womansday.com titled “Men who Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer.”  She called to interview me regarding my blog and wanted to feature it in her story with four other men.

I am absolutely honored that someone finds my blog interesting enough to actually write about it in an online publication and feature it in a story.

The story came out last Friday, October 21^st.  As I said, I’m honored they included me in a story about men who support the fight against breast cancer.  I’m even more honored that they put me in a category with men who are in the “Who’s Who” of men against breast cancer.  I’m in the story with Mitchell Ashley, founder and blogger of BreastCancerForHusbands.com;  Woody Fraiser, Co-Founder of MenforWomenNow.org; Marc Heyison, Founder of MenAgainstBreastCancer.org and Eric Brinker, National Board Member of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  I have so much respect for these men and what they’ve accomplished, and now, I’m one of them!  I couldn’t be prouder!

Take a look at this story:

http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health-Fitness/Conditions-Diseases/Men-Who-Support-the-Fight-Against-Breast-Cancer.html

Ed

“Putting on the Glitz” Komen Fundraiser!

Patty, Nicole and Linda (owner of Poway Jazzercise Fitness Center) hosted a “Putting on the Glitz” fundraising event to benefit  Susan G. Komen for the Cure this past Saturday at the Poway Jazzercise Fitness Center.  Unfortunately I had to work so I wasn’t able to attend but from what I heard, it was an evening filled with fun, sweat, friendship, tears, laughter, energy and best of all… money to donate to the cause!

Patty, Nicole and Linda worked hard over the past few weeks to pull this event together and their hard work proved to be successful as when all was said and done and the dollars were counted, they raised $2,340.00!   All together, team Patty in Pink has raised a grand total of $6,940.00!!  I think that’s quite an accomplishment to be proud of!

Since I was unable to attend the event and can’t really talk about it first hand, I’m letting Patty fill in the details…

This was such an inspiring fundraiser!!  The staff and teachers at Poway Jazzercise, along with many volunteers, put together an awesome spread of food.  We received so many wonderful raffle prizes, we had a table full of things to choose from.  At 6:00 p.m.  Linda, the owner and instructor along with my daughter, Nicole lead us in a Burn and Blast Jazzercise class.   The other instructors from Poway and Escondido got up on stage to help lead us.  There was so much energy in the room and so much love and support it brought tears to my eyes.  There were about 35 to 40 attendees, all dressed in their pink glitz.  The donations had already started coming in prior to the event and each women who attended donated a minimum of $20.00 for the class.  People were so generous.  After the class, we munched on healthy food, along with a lot of yummy treats and had the raffle drawing and a silent auction for Ryka shoes donated by Jazzercise.  It was a blast and I am definitely feeling the Burn and Blast today.  I am so humbled by all of the support Nicole and I received from the Poway/Escondido Jazzercisors.  There is a special camaraderie within the Jazzercise family and it was definitely reflected in this very special event. 

This event was so successful, I have a feeling this may be a yearly event!

Kristi, Patty and Nicole

Patty saying her "thanks" to everyone

Burn and Blast!

Nicole and Linda leading a classPatty thanking everyone for their support

More Burn and Blast!Keep going ladies!

Patty’s modeling debut!

Patty in her "evening wear" just after making her debut on the catwalk!

Patty made her modeling debut this morning for a Komen fundraiser at the Poway Stein Mart.  It was a small affair, but featured breast cancers survivors as models.

Patty had to be at the store by 10:00 a.m. to prep for the “show”.  The show was to start at 11:00 a.m.  She showed up right on time and I met her there later.  I wasn’t sure where they were holding the fashion show but I figured they’d most likely have it somewhere in the woman’s department.  As I strolled through women’s purses, underwear and bras, I heard laughter from a far corner of the store.  Those of you who know Patty, know she has a very distinctive laugh so I easily found her by walking in the direction of that contagious laugh!   As I got closer to the dressing room I heard Patty saying to someone: “You know, it’s really difficult wearing a jacket when you’re having a hot flash!  (That’s my girl… tell it like it is!)

The first look was “Evening Wear”.   Patty wore a  gorgeous blue dress with some pretty hot silver shoes.  I have to apologize, but being a guy I don’t quite have the words to accurately describe her outfit.  I all can say is that she looked pretty hot!  They strolled the “catwalk”, up and back in front of onlookers.  Once everyone did their stroll, they then walked the interior perimeter of the of the store showing people their ensemble.   Then they returned to the dressing room for a quick change into their “casual look”.

(again, please remember I’m a guy!)  Patty’s casual look consisted of a pair of dress jeans, button down blouse, leather jacket and high-heeled boots.  Again… pretty hot!  She looked great!  As before, the did their walk on the catwalk then paraded throughout the store.

The entire event took about a half hour and it was fun just the same.  The store gave Patty a discount on clothes for her participation.  She ended up buying the blue evening dress.  (good choice)

Overall, this little event was fun.  Patty had a good time… she received a good discount on clothes, and more importantly… it kept her mind busy!

Tonight is the Komen fundraiser that Patty, Nicole and Linda are hosting at Poway Jazzercise Fitness Center.  It should be a really run event!  (pictures to come!)

Here’s a few more pictures of Patty’s modeling debut…

 

 

Keeping busy is good!

You’d never know that Patty was retired!  She seems busier than me and I have a full-time job!  That’s such a great sign that she’s progressing in her recovery and looking forward to what each and every day brings!

You may know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  There are so many breast cancer related events going on.  Stein Mart has guaranteed to donate $100,000.00 to Susan Komen for the Cure and Patty is going to be part of the fundraising efforts this Saturday by participating in a fashion show at our local Stein Mart in Poway.  All the “models” are breast cancer survivors!  She’s pretty excited to participate in this event and today she meets with the organizers to get fitted with her “outfits!”  Pretty cool!  My wife, the model!  I’ll make sure to get some pictures for you to see.

This Saturday evening is the Komen Fundraiser that Patty, Nicole and the owner of Poway Jazzercise and Fitness Center have organized.  Patty and Nicole have already made their goal of $2300.00 each to participate in the Komen 3-day walk in November so the money raise from this event is icing on the cake!  Every penny helps!   It’s going to be quite the event.  As I said in an earlier post, the event starts at 6:00 p.m. with an hour Blast and Burn jazzercise class followed by an hour of pink champagne, raffle prizes and a silent auction.  They’ve already had quite a few RSVP’s and are hoping to pack the event with close to 50 people!  I won’t be able to attend (it’s a good thing since I don’t want to “Blast and Burn”) but Patty’s promised to take a lot of pictures that I can post.

Patty met with her reconstruction surgeon yesterday.  Everything is looking good!  It’s healing well and, to me, looks great!  She doesn’t need to see her for another month.  Most likely the surgeon will schedule the final procedure and Patty should be done by Christmas!  What a great Christmas present!

Patty being busy is the best thing for her!  She still has moment where the cancer scare is a reality.  She still has moments where she gets very frightened that the cancer will come back.  I don’t think those feelings will every go away.  So things like watching Avery during the week, going to bible study, participating in the Stein Mart fashion show and organizing the Komen fundraiser keep her on her toes and, most important, keep her mind focused on life!