Ansonia-Derby softball game raises $3,200 for good cause

Members of the Derby and Ansonia High School Girls Softball teams recently presented a $3,200 donation to The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital. 
Pictured from left, Ansonia High Athletic Director Anthony Piccolo, Ansonia High Softball Captains Kirsten Langrieger and Grace Keener, Ansonia High Softball Head Coach Tim Pedevillano, Lori DiMartino, Derby High Softball Head Coach Joe DiMartino, Assistant Coach Jenn Moffat, Derby High Softball Captains Shelby Mendillo, Rachel Rizzo, Shyanne Garofalo, and Gabrielle Greenhill, and Derby High Athletic Director Joe Orazietti. / Contributed photo



DERBY - A recent game between the Derby and Ansonia High School softball teams raised $3,200 for The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital. Ansonia won 10-1.

Organized by long-time Griffin Hospital employee and Derby High School Softball Coach Joe DiMartino, the fundraiser was held in honor of his wife, Lori, a breast cancer survivor.

The event featured raffles, food, and music as the two teams competed. This is the fourth year of the fundraiser.

Located at 300 Seymour Ave. in Derby, The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.
For more information about The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Game to benefit Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness in Derby

A fun event for a great cause!

Talk at Griffin in Derby to focus on breast health

DERBY - The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital will host a free breast health discussion April 10 to answer questions about breast cancer screening and prevention.


“Breast Health: Controversies and Q&A” will feature experts from the fields of breast surgery, neuropathic medicine, nutrition and physical therapy.
The program will run from 5-8 p.m. in Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division St.

Denise Barajas, M.D.

Denise Barajas, medical director of The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, will present “Breast Imaging, What You Need and When.”

Naturopathic Physician Lisa Rosenberger of Griffin Hospital Integrative Medicine Center, will lead a discussion on “Women's Health and Integrative Medicine.”

Samantha Heller, clinical nutrition coordinator for The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital will discuss “Nutrition and Breast Health” and Physical Therapist Nancy Corvigno, of Griffin Hospital Rehabilitation Services will present “Feeling Good in Your Body: Exercise, Skin Care and Lymphedema Prevention.”

Nursing professionals can earn up to two contact hours by attending this program.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. RSVP to 203-732-7233.

About The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness
Located at 300 Seymour Ave. The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital combines advanced technology, a team of highly trained physicians, breast and reconstructive surgeons and patient navigators, and a Planetree healing environment to offer our patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.

The Center features state-of-the-art digital mammography suites equipped with 3D mammography, a breast ultrasound suite, and the most advanced system available to perform stereotactic biopsy. With all of these resources under one roof, the Center provides fast and accurate diagnosis, alleviating our patients’ anxiety.

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness has been fully accredited by National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, the highest level of quality breast health care recognition from the American College of Surgeons, and is a designated Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.
In awarding the status of a “Breast Imaging Center of Excellence,” the ACR recognizes that The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness demonstrates excellence in breast imaging by successfully earning accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, and breast ultrasound (including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy).

For more information, call 203-732-1300 or visit breast-center.griffinhealth.org.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Show your skills in art contest at Griffin Hospital in Derby

4th annual event benefits breast wellness center

A super “Paint a Duck” entry from last year. / Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts’ 4th Annual “Paint-A-Duck” Contest is under way.

This annual art contest invites members of the community to show off their painting skills and help support The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

Participants can purchase a “Paint-A-Duck” kit at Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts, located on the ground floor of Griffin Hospital at 130 Division St., or at the Boutique at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.
The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness receives $1 for every paint kit purchased.

Participants may decorate their duck using the eight different color paints included in the kit or improvise with their own.
Props and accessories are also allowed.
All entries must be dropped off at Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts by April 14.

Each entry will be displayed inside Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts as they are submitted.
A panel of judges will decide the winning duck in each of the following categories: Best in Show; Most Creative; Best Use of Props; Best Theme; Best Group Effort; Best Senior Entry; Best Children’s Entry (Age 5 & under); Best Children’s Entry (Age 6-10); and Best Children’s Entry (Age 11-14).

Each winning category will receive a $25 Gift Certificate to Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts.

For more information, call 203-732-1490 or email gpg@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

School in Ansonia gets into the pink

Emmett O'Brien Tech marks breast cancer awareness month

Students and staff wearing EOB Goes Pink Day T-shirts pose in front of the school Friday.
Principal Laurie LeBouthillier went on the roof to take a photo of them standing in the shape of a breast cancer awareness ribbon.
I stayed on the ground to capture this "sea of pink."

The school collected $1,450 for The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby. 

The gym was alive with spirit during Friday's volleyball tournament.

The cheerleaders created a special 'fight breast cancer' cheer.

O'Brien students and staff deserve plaudits for their efforts to support Griffin's breast wellness center and for raising awareness of the disease.

Derby to host luminary lighting to benefit Valley Goes Pink

Ceremony planned on Green 

 DERBY - The city will hold a Luminary Lighting Ceremony on the Green at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

  Anyone wishing to purchase a luminary in memory of a loved one or for the encouragement of a loved one or for someone special in their lives is asked to stop by the Town Clerk’s Office or Mayor Anthony Staffieri’s office at City Hall, 1 Elizabeth St.

  The price is $3 per luminary. 

   Proceeds will go to Griffin Hospital's The Valley Goes Pink! campaign, a grassroots initiative launched in 2010 to create awareness about breast cancer and to raise money for the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital. 

   October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

School in Derby raises funds for Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness

St. Mary-St. Michael students 'in the pink'

The students and staff of St. Mary-St. Michael School in Derby sponsored a "Pink" fundraiser to support breast cancer awareness and research. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The students collected $350 which was donated to the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby. / Contributed photo

Derby supports 'The Valley Goes Pink'

DERBY - While at City Hall Tuesday night to get results of the school roof referendum vote, I spied a display of sparkling support of The Valley Goes Pink.

The initiative was launched in 2010 at Griffin Hospital; it goes into high gear each October to mark National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Not familiar with the Pink initiative? Here's some information from its Facebook page:

"The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community-wide effort throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley to: create awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection; support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital; and showcase partnering organizations.

"Throughout October, Valley towns are invited to host a variety of unique fundraising events and marketing programs to raise awareness and support for the cause. From hosting Pink Parties in homes, to "pinkifying" businesses with ribbons or lights, or hosting dress down days and auctions - the possibilities are endless!"


It's great to see how much the Valley community comes together each October for such a worthy cause.
 

Breast wellness center in Derby offers new risk test

DERBY - The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital has launched a high-risk breast cancer program that includes state-of-the-art screening options including the BREVAGen^™ predictive risk test.

 
BREVAGen is the latest advance in assessing a woman’s unique risk of developing non-familial or sporadic breast cancer.

“The breast cancer screening process can be arduous and confusing for patients because there are so many screening options and test attributes to sort out,” Denise Barajas, MD, medical director at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, said.
“We can simplify the process by administering BREVAGen, which gives patients an accurate five-year and lifetime risk assessment for developing estrogen-positive breast cancer. By knowing each patient’s risk we can then develop personalized breast health and monitoring plans tailored to their specific risk and needs which will help us reduce the incidence of advanced breast cancer cases we see; this should help save lives.”

BREVAGen is a predictive risk test that more accurately identifies a woman’s unique risk of developing sporadic, estrogen-positive breast cancer.
BREVAGen examines a woman’s clinical risk factors, such as their lifetime exposure to estrogen, combined with scientifically validated markers to determine each patient’s personalized five-year and lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

For more information about BREVAGen at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, contact Catherine Krueger, 203-732-7233.

How BREVAGen Works

The BREVAGen predictive risk test is administered in a physician’s office using a simple, non-invasive “oral-swab.”
Physicians receive a comprehensive genetic risk prediction report to review with the patient. The patient’s risk of breast cancer is calculated by combining their relative risk score from seven genetic markers, called single nucleotide polymorphisms, with factors that comprise the patient’s clinical and reproductive history including current age, age at menarche, age at live first birth and race/ethnicity.

The BREVAGen test provides five-year and lifetime predictive risk assessments to more accurately evaluate the patient’s risk for developing sporadic breast cancer, regardless of family history or previous indeterminate test results.

Clinically Validated

BREVAGen was proven superior in determining breast cancer risk. Utilizing data from the U.S. Women’s Health Initiative Clinical Trial, 3,300 women underwent breast cancer assessment utilizing the BREVAGen test. 
Of those 3,300 women, 1,664 were diagnosed with breast cancer and 1,636 were in the breast cancer-free control group. BREVAGen test results support current American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for prevention and early detection of breast cancer.

About The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital opened in 2011 and primarily serves the  Valley and surrounding communities. It combines state-of-the-art technology, a team of highly trained physicians and staff, and a Planetree healing environment to offer patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services. 
The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness features two new, state-of-the-art digital mammography suites with 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) capability, a breast ultrasound suite, and the most advanced system available to perform stereotactic biopsy.
The Center also utilizes a rapid diagnostic model where patients are often given test results the same day imaging tests are performed, and if indicated, follow up testing (ultrasound, breast biopsy) and even consultation with a breast surgeon are often available the same day if the patient’s schedule permits.
For information, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

About Phenogen Sciences

BREVAGen is supplied by Phenogen Sciences, a subsidiary of Genetic Technologies Limited. Phenogen Sciences, the U.S. subsidiary of Australia-based Genetic Technologies Limited, is a pioneer in personalized healthcare. Phenogen offers novel predictive testing and assessment tools that help physicians proactively manage women’s health risks. For more information, visit phenogensciences.com. 

About Genetic Technologies Limited

Genetic Technologies is an established diagnostics company with more than 20 years of experience in commercializing genetic testing, non-coding DNA and product patenting.
 The company has operations in Australia and the U.S. and is dual-listed on the ASX (GTG.AX) and NASDAQ (GENE). Genetic Technologies is focused on the commercialization of its patent portfolio through an active out-licensing program and the global expansion of its oncology and cancer management diagnostics assets.
For information, visit gtglabs.com.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Griffin wins $2,100 from Derby-Ansonia girls softball game

3rd annual benefit honors survivor

 

Members of the Derby and Ansonia High School Girls Softball teams recently presented Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness Medical Director Denise Barajas, MD, fourth from left, with a check for $2,100, which they raised through a fundraiser game on May 11. 
Pictured from left, Ansonia High Softball Co-captains Tierney Lawlor and Morgan Westine, Ansonia High Softball Coach Tim Pedevillano, Derby High Softball Coach Joe DiMartino, Lori DiMartino, and Ansonia High Softball Co-captains Rachel Rizzo and Shelby Mendillo.




DERBY - A game between the Derby and Ansonia High School softball teams raised $2,100 for The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

Organized by long-time Griffin Hospital employee and Derby High School Softball Coach Joe DiMartino, the fundraiser was held in honor of his wife, Lori, a breast cancer survivor.
The event featured raffles, food and music as the two teams competed.
This is the third year of the fundraiser.

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, 300 Seymour Ave., offers patients a comprehensive range of personalized breast care and wellness services.

For more information about The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.

This post is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin in Derby receives $50K for breast health education

 DERBY - The Susan G. Komen Foundation has awarded Griffin Hospital $50,000 to increase breast health education in the Lower Naugatuck Valley and provide free mammograms.

The funds will help provide better understanding of the high breast cancer mortality rates for the Lower Naugatuck Valley and hopefully reverse the trend by providing low-income and uninsured women free breast cancer screening.
According to the 2011 Komen Connecticut Community Profile, the towns of Shelton and Naugatuck were identified as having breast cancer mortality rates higher than the state rate.

“We do not know why the mortality rates from breast cancer are higher in the towns of Shelton and Naugatuck. We are currently collecting important demographic and cultural information to help us better understand why women are not getting mammograms in a timely manner, which will help to save lives,” said Daun Barrett, RN, director of the Griffin Hospital Community Outreach and Parish Nurse Program.

The community profile indicates that diverse types of minority populations are at particular risk for foregoing recommended breast screenings.
The black and African-American population represents nearly 4 percent of the population in Naugatuck and 1 percent in Shelton.
Hispanics represent 5 percent of the population in Naugatuck and 4 percent in Shelton. There are also large Polish and Portuguese communities in Naugatuck and even a larger Polish population in Shelton. Barrett said the education efforts will target these communities to ensure it reaches women with the most need.

The Komen award will support the breast health education efforts of the Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurse Program.
Formed in 1990, The Griffin’s Valley Parish Nurse Program is one of the largest programs of its type in the area, providing free health screenings, links to healthcare, wellness and safety programs, and support services to community members throughout the Valley.
The grant will fund evaluations and questionnaires conducted by the Program’s Community Outreach Coordinators and Outreach Nurses to determine women’s understanding of breast care, a patient satisfaction survey, and tracking systems to record the number of women who received education and breast screenings, and demographic information on those served.
A minimum of 1,000 women will receive breast wellness education in an effort to increase access to screening mammograms at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

The Komen award will also provide for uninsured and underinsured women, free mammograms and screening ultrasounds, which are used for women with dense breasts or abnormalities. Working with the Valley Breast Wellness Initiative, the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness will provide at least 200 free mammograms to women of the Lower Naugatuck Valley through the Komen funding.

For more information and to see if you qualify for free mammograms, contact the Griffin Hospital Breast Wellness Outreach Coordinator, 203-732-7371.

About The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness opened in 2011 and primarily serves the Lower Naugatuck Valley and surrounding communities. For information, call 203-732-1300 or visit griffinhealth.org/cbw.


This information is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Contestants to get quackin' at Griffin

Some of the entries that caught my eye in the first 'Paint-a-Duck' Contest in 2011.

DERBY -  Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts’ third Annual “Paint-A-Duck” Contest is under way. 

This art contest invites members of the community to show off their painting skills and help support The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

Participants can purchase Paint-A-Duck” kit at Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts, located within Griffin Hospital at 130 Division St., or at the Boutique at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave. 
The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness receives $1 for every paint kit sold.

Participants can decorate their duck using the eight different color paints included in the kit or improvise with their own. Props and accessories are also allowed.
All entries must be dropped off at Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts by April 12.

Winners to get gift certificates

Each entry will be displayed inside Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts as they are submitted. 
A panel of judges will decide the winning duck in each of the following categories: 
Best Children’s Entry (Age 5 and under); Best Children’s Entry (Age 6-10); Best Children’s Entry (Age 11-14); Best Adult Entry (Age 15-59); and Best Senior Entry (Age 60 and over).

Each winning category will receive a $25 gift certificate to Griffin Pharmacy & Gifts.

* * *
 
I covered the judging of the first contest in March 2011. Some folks are so creative!
The judges really took their time examining each entry before deciding on the winners. It's a fun competition, that's for sure. 

 

Valley Chamber of Commerce group presents $3,500 to Griffin

'Pinktoberfest' proceeds to support Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness

Alexis Tomczak, Community Outreach Vice-Chair of the Greater Valley Chamber’s Young Emerging Professionals (YEP), presents a $3,500 check to Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital to support The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness.

YEP participated in Griffin’s annual “Valley Goes Pink” by hosting a “Pinktoberfest” at Molto Bene Italian American Kitchen at John J. Sullivan’s Oct. 11.
Pictured are, from left, Bill Purcell, President of the Chamber, Chris Hill, Chairman of YEP, Tom Steeves, Immediate Past Chair of YEP, Connie Evans, Executive Director, Griffin Hospital Development Fund, and Janet Hall, Senior Development Officer at Griffin.

Ansonia Cadette Troop 60500 earns Silver Award

Girl Scouts work to promote breast cancer awareness

Girl Scouts pictured above are (counter clockwise from bottom left): Rebecca Cafaro, Amanda Vasas, Kaitlyn Sarandrea, Shelley Hopkins, Carly Toth, Jamie Karas, Jessica Palmer, Allie Ricci, Shannon Cayer-McCarthy, Rebecca Chilly, and Danica Graham. Missing from the photo is Jahia Owens.

On Nov. 4 a banquet was held to honor the 12 girls from Ansonia Girl Scout Cadette Troop 60500 who earned their Silver Award (Girl Scouts' second highest award).
In a collaborative effort, the girls volunteered more than 56 hours each in support of Breast Cancer Awareness over the past year specifically with The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

They donated a Christmas tree with more than 500 breast cancer ornaments; made and donated more than 300 mastectomy pillows; made and donated more than 100 Bottles of Hope; put together and donated 200 goodie bags with items donated by various businesses, family and friends; and met and spent time with the women of the Griffin Hospital breast cancer support group.
To wrap up their award the girls volunteered at the annual Griffin Hospital 5K Walk/Run by distributing water and more than 200 key chains that they made for the event.

The above information was contributed by Carole Cafaro, one of the Troop leaders.

O'Brien students, staff commended on fund-raising

Griffin Hospital initiative gains support 

Cheerleaders at Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia use pom pons Friday to form a breast cancer awareness ribbon to support The Valley Goes Pink initiative to raise funds for The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby. 
The school raised $950 through the sale of pink T-shirts, wristbands, and carnations and participation in a volleyball game. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Photo contributed by Rodney Vardon

Pink is the color of the month in the Valley

Raising breast cancer awareness in October

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community-wide effort throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley to increase awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby and celebrate the charitable spirit of the Valley’s businesses and organizations.

The following is a list of some of The Valley Goes Pink fundraising events.
For information on how you can "go pink," visit the Griffin Hospital website at www.griffinhealth.org/pink or contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at 203-732-7504 or cevans@griffinhealth.org.
Every Wednesday in October is “Percent for Pink Day” at The Original Antonio's, 314 Main St., Ansonia. Owner Chris Setaro will donate 10 percent of all sales to The Valley Goes Pink.

Cut-a-Thons planned. Get a haircut, make a difference, and feel great Sunday at two salons. Walk-ins welcome or call for an appointment.
At Capelli Salon, 131 Main St., Derby - Anna Durante and her team will donate a percentage of their earnings to the cause from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 203-732-1977.   
At Hair After Salon, 522 Shelton Ave., Shelton, they will offer $20 haircuts, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit The Valley Goes Pink. Open noon-4 p.m. Call 203-929-6361 or 203-929-6362.

Week of Oct. 22:   Pink Week at Il Palio, Shelton, featuring pink specials all week: Oct. 23:  Friendly's FUNdraiser, 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Naugatuck; Oct. 25:  Waiter's Go Pink at Jesse Camille's, Naugatuck, 6 p.m.; Oct. 27:  Breast Wellness Walk, 1-4:30 p.m. at Linden Park, Naugatuck; Oct. 30:  Wrap-Up Celebration for Valley Goes Pink at Il Palio, Shelton, 5:30-8 p.m.

Through Oct. 31 James Heating Oil, at 326 Derby Ave., Derby, will donate $1 for every grill tank refill. Call 203-736-2566 or visit www.jamesheatingoil.com.


The above information is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Kicking cancer to the curb

Griffin Hospital staff offers support when needed most

DERBY - I'm not one to reveal my thoughts too often but today I thought I'd give it a whirl.

After all, my editors published a story about my breast cancer journey I wrote on a whim last December, and that was straight from the proverbial heart.

I want to publicly thank the health-care professionals at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital and The Center for Cancer Care, also at Griffin Hospital.

They helped me through every step of my mammography, ultrasound, biopsy, diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and post-treatment appointments.
I'm sure I've left something out, but I must admit 2011 went by in a bit of a blur.

That said, I want to congratulate the hospital on the acquisition of tomosynthesis equipment. The state-of-the-art technology creates 3-D images of a breast.

The equipment can detect previously "hidden" cancer cells on select patients, doctors say. The machine has been in use at Griffin for less than a month.

I attended a reception Thursday at which Dr. Zandra Cheng, medical director at the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, told supporters and patients about the new equipment and introduced Dr. Laura Sheiman, the center’s recently hired breast radiologist and breast imaging medical director..

I was fortunate to have imaging supervisor Mariann Vallillo show me the impressive new equipment and demonstrate how it operates. Check out the video imbedded in my story.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a variety of pink-themed activities are being planned throughout the community.

Schools, church groups, civic organizations, restaurants, and businesses will again take part in The Valley Goes Pink, a month-long initiative to raise awareness and funds for The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness and the grassroots organization, Seymour Pink, Inc.

Please check out the websites to see how you can help these efforts.

My hope is Valley residents will take the time to support at least one of the many fun activities being planned with the goal of making the diagnosis of breast cancer a thing of the past.

Health initiative to honor 7 Valley women

DERBY - The Valley Women's Health Initiative will honor seven women at its 12th annual Women Making a Difference in the Valley Tribute Luncheon and Breast Cancer Fundraiser Oct. 4.
The event starts at noon at Grassy Hill Lodge, 77 Sodom Lane.
The tribute recognizes “outstanding women" who have made positive contributions to the community and have demonstrated significant achievement in their fields of endeavor, both professional and volunteer. 
Honorees are: Carol Pendagast of Shelton; Pat Lesiw and Carmie Potash of Seymour; and Gloriann Albini, Brenda Bazyluk, Laura Howell, and Lori Murphy, all of Derby
Liz Kennard of Comcast will host this year’s event.

Proceeds benefit the Griffin Hospital/Valley Breast Care Fund, established in 2001, in an effort to ensure that no person, regardless of age or socioeconomic condition, is denied screening mammograms or diagnostic testing for breast cancer.
Supporters are encouraged to become "Make a Difference" and "Pink Ribbon" sponsors through ad donations.
Ad prices range from $30 for a business card-sized ad to $1,000 or more as a “Make a Difference” sponsor, which entitles the purchaser to a reserved table for 10, specially marked full page ad in the program booklet, and recognition as event sponsor on all publicity.

To purchase a ticket, or to make a donation, call 203-732-1300, e-mail mvallillo@griffinhealth.org, or send check to:  The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., 06418, Att: M. Vallillo.
To become a sponsor for the October luncheon or to place a congratulatory ad, call 203-233-7639 or email dgandy@snet.net.

The Women’s Health Initiative, co-chaired by Kate Cosgrove of Oxford and Dr. Stephanie Wain of Griffin Hospital, is comprised of members of the community working toward a common goal of addressing and improving women’s health issues including breast cancer awareness.
Committee members include Jack Betkoski, Dolores Chew, Dorothy Gandy,  Lauren Kuzzi, Peggy Marlowe, Michelle Moore, Lisa Smith, Robin Smith, Karen T. Cusick, and Patricia Tarasovic.  Committee membership is open to all interested persons.