Great Day for a Pinknic ... And for FUNdraising for The Rose

A gorgeous day, a breathtaking setting, supportive sponsors, hard-working volunteers and the commitment of event organizers Kathy Morgan, Beth Dennard and Bonnie Sawyer made Pinknic one of the top ten fundraisers for The Rose in a month of awareness-building for the nonprofit breast health organization.

Carothers Coastal Gardens in Seabrook provided the perfect backdrop to the pink covered tables, pink-infused auction-items, pink lunch bags and even a pink-adorned and statuesque pelican which helped bring the day’s fundraising efforts to more than $12,200. 

 “To everyone who bid on the bounty of auction items, enjoyed the delightful picnic lunches and baked goods as well as the music by Mickey Hobbs, we cannot say enough ‘thank you’s’,” noted Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose. “Your support truly enables The Rose to take ‘me to the second power’ and multiply our efforts throughout 25 counties.”

Gibbons was referencing the recently launched Me2 campaign of The Rose which encourages women to think “me, too” and make their health a priority while simultaneously acknowledging the community’s role in the nonprofit’s ongoing provision of services to the uninsured. While October is deemed “breast cancer awareness month” nationwide, The Rose depends on the numerous fundraising efforts that are scheduled on top of the educational events. In November, The Rose announced a record-breaking 83 fundraisers were put on by schools, sports teams, beauty product retailers, restaurants and bars in support of The Rose, bringing in more than $235,000.

And while organizers and The Rose staff are grateful for the incoming funds which will help cover the costs of the nearly 10,000 women who need some level of financial assistance annually, the event made an additional impact on the Seabrook community. Beth Dennard reported that Dodie Miller, owner of Miller Machines in Seabrook, who won the Pelican of Seabrook’s Pelican Path Project, intends to donate his newly acquired and soon to be painted pelican to the Seabrook Fire Department.

The Rose -- currently with two locations and a mobile fleet that extends to 25 counties -- has been serving the Bay area for all 27 years of its existence, and the commitment continues. Last year, 9,571 Bay Area residents were provided screenings and 2,064 received diagnostic services. Of those, 111 had their cancers detected.

Pinknic sponsors and underwriters for the inaugural event included Bright Futures Consulting, the City of Seabrook, Libby Jones, realtor with Gary Greene, Smith Analytical, Bolivar RV Resort, Hill’s Discount Liquor, Neptune Subs, Panera Bread, Robinette Catering, Arlan’s, Kroger, Randalls, and Classic Café, Cake Place.

"30 for Ana" Turns into 30 Miles AND More than $30,000!

Before Ana Barron Garcia passed away from Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) at 35 years of age, she was on a mission to educate her community on the little known but deadly form of breast cancer which often strikes Hispanic women. After her death, her family continued her mission. In October they also honored her memory and provided for women like her with their “30 for Ana” Run benefitting The Rose, the nonprofit breast health organization where her cancer was diagnosed.
Not only did the 25 runners cover 30 miles, they also exceeded their $25,000 goal and raised more than $31,000 to support uninsured women who need screening or diagnostic services at The Rose.

As a result, “30 for Ana” was the top non-corporate fundraiser for The Rose in October. In November, The Rose announced a record-breaking 83 fundraisers were put on by schools, sports teams, beauty product retailers, restaurants and bars in support of The Rose. And those activities brought in more than $235,000 in what is nationally deemed “breast cancer awareness month.”

"It was very important to us that we give back to The Rose.  The Rose was instrumental in Ana's diagnosis and supported her along her journey,” said Daniel Barron, Ana’s brother, who initiated the fundraiser last year along with his sister Sandra, brother Johnny, and Ana’s husband Gerry Garcia. “During her battle, Ana was also an advocate for The Rose and helped to educate and spread awareness of Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  As Ana's Angels, we want to continue Ana's mission of spreading IBC awareness, and using that as our driving force, raise money for The Rose." 

The early morning run covered a route intentionally designed to trace many of the significant stops on Ana’s journey as she battled the disease -- MD Anderson, Houston Hospice, The Rose – and concluded at Grandview Cemetery in Deer Park where Ana is buried.

Six years younger than Ana and an avid runner, Daniel told the crowd gathered to celebrate the successful run that it was a small way to connect with his sister’s ability to endure physical challenges as she fought the disease. “Running 30 miles isn’t anything compared to going through cancer but you do have to push yourself,” he noted.

While last year’s run was focused on four individuals covering the 30 miles, this year teams were formed in order to make shorter distances an option. The shorter distances meant Ana’s children Bryanna, now 13, and son Maverick who is nine years old was able to run alongside (and sometimes ahead) of their father, Gerry, who is not a sport runner but still participates in the event at the 30 mile level.

Runners included: Aurora Pecero, Bryanna Garcia, Cathy Capetillo-Malone, Crissy Pena, Daniel Barron, Diana Tejeda, Erin Villasenor, Gerry Garcia, Ginger Stagg, Helen Martinez-Barron, Jeremy Peña, Jesse Pena, John Barron, John Reid, Jonathan Pena, Jorge Olvera, Julie Cruz, Julio Aguilar, Kevin Pena, Leticia Peña Martinez, Lucia Vasquez, Mark Ramos, Miranda Romero, Roxy Riggs-Mounter, Sandra Aguilar, Valerie Ramos, Veronica Ramos, and Vicki Sheppard.

Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose joined family and friends who met at the grave to welcome the runners at the completion of the half-day event.

“Ana was special to us in so many ways,” said Gibbons. “She was not just a patient. She volunteered. She educated others about how aggressive Inflammatory Breast Cancer can be. And she lit up the room with that gorgeous smile. I know she would be smiling now at how compassionate and generous her family has been to the women we continue to serve.”

Supporters who helped make the large donation possible included family, friends, as well as organizations and businesses such as The Corridor Shops in the Heights, Dr. Shirley Parikh with Bristles Family Dentistry, and University of Houston Alumni with Cougar Punch Tailgating.

For more information on The Rose, visit www.TheRose.org.