CT Race in the Park 2013

This past weekend I had the opportunity to be a part of something wonderful.  I was invited to attend the CT Breast Health Initiative's 10th annual CT Race in the Park.  The CT Breast Health Initiative is an organization that raises money to fund research and education for breast cancer in the state of Connecticut.  The organization is right in my home state and I was honored to get to know the organization better. 

Even though the sun was not shining on Saturday and the ground was wet, the energy in Walnut Hill Park was bright and cheery with a sea of pink wearing smiles and looking proud.  During the Survivors Brunch I met so many inspirational women who have fought breast cancer. 

One of the speakers is a friend and also happens to be an all-star camper at my weekend getaway, Camp Reveille! Eileen Kaplan is a breast cancer survivor and she has been a camper at Reveille for the past 3 years. When we first met Eileen, her energy and spirit were instantly contagious.  Eileen wrote a book called Laughter is the Breast Medicine which documents her battle with the disease. She faced breast cancer head-on and with a sense of humor. Eileen speaks at Reveille about her journey and she is an inspiration to everyone who meets her.  Eileen now devotes much of her time to helping others with breast cancer, and it was a treat to get to hear her speak on Saturday. 

I met many other inspirational women at the brunch.  Joyce Bray who is the funder and president of the CT Breast Health Initiative is the reason the organization has flourished.  Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman from of CT spoke at the brunch and inspired the crowd.  Marie Heslin, this year's wonderful chair of the brunch was everywhere and put a lot of effort into making it the success that it was!  Anne Craig, the talented and vivacious member of WTNH News 8 in CT spoke to the crowd and might I add, is ADORABLY pregnant!

Yolanda Pucinski of Yolanda Christine Photography provided her photographic services for the day.  We found out that Yolanda actually does photo sessions with breast cancer survivors for free and even made a calendar for the CT Breast Health Initiative, doing hair and makeup and making the survivors feels like models for the day.  The crowd also got treated to pink frosted yummy cupcakes from a gorgeous display, baked for us by the talented Joelle Walasewicz of Frosted Couture Cupcakes.

It was really incredible to see so many individuals and businesses come out and donate, volunteer, and show their support for such a wonderful and important cause.  It is estimated that approximately 40,000 women will die from breast cancer each year, but that number is finally starting to diminish in this country – thanks to organizations like this one.  The CT Breast Health Initiative takes profits from events like CT Race in the Park and every dollar goes back into research and education. I was honored to be a part of it this year!  For more infomation, visit: http://ctbhi.org.