Originators of the Pink Room idea, ABCD Mentor Susan Cusatis and her colleagues at Marcus Hotels & Resorts Bridget Gallagher and Sarah Geitner, join Marcus Corporation Chairman Steve Marcus at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

On July 22 Marcus Hotels and Resorts and ABCD cut the ribbon on two Pink Rooms at the Intercontinental Milwaukee. The launch celebration in the lobby of the InterContinental drew so much attention that a guest immediately approached the front desk about renting one of the Pink Rooms that night.

The Pink Rooms at the InterContinental Milwaukee are designed as a tribute to breast cancer survivors, their families and friends.  Tastefully decorated in pinks that are welcoming to all, each room features an intranet for guests who can learn more about ABCD and other breast cancer resources, record their personal reflections, and read the journal entries of others.  Special keepsakes and a gift card for use in the hotel are also included with each room rental.

Pink Room-related public relations will raise ABCD’s profile so that more people affected by breast cancer will learn of its distinctive breast cancer support services.  In addition, $25 from each room rental will go to ABCD to support its one-to-one mentor services.

The upbeat ribbon cutting celebration on July 22 featured video stories from ABCD mentors and participants, as well as remarks by Marcus Hotels and Resorts staff who conceived the Pink Room concept.  Among those celebrating the ABCD/Marcus partnership were a number of ABCD collaborating partners from the breast cancer community.

The project came about because of Marcus Hotels and Resorts’s commitment to the Milwaukee community and the opportunity to share a great idea – ABCD’s mentor program – with the diverse, wide audience that enjoys staying at the Intercontinental.  ABCD is a particularly well-suited collaborative partner for the MH&R as both organizations are dedicated to the highest quality personal touch and serve people from all walks of life.

To learn more and see pictures of the Pink Rooms, visit:  http://www.intercontinentalmilwaukee.com/pink-room/

Hart Park Stadium is located at 7300 W Chestnut Street, just east of the Village of Wauwatosa shops.

The brainchild of Morgan Oldenburg, daughter of ABCD’s Founder Melodie Wilson Oldenburg, the tournament will feature stiff competition, information booth and raffle. Confirmed sponsors to date include: Burghardt Sporting Goods, Gateway Field Hockey, Panera Bread, Savage Field Hockey, STYX Field Hockey, and Treiber & Straub Jewelers.

To learn more about the tournament and Morgan’s motivation for organizing it visit: http://stickittobreastcancer.webstarts.com/

ABCD representatives will be on hand to answer questions for anyone seeking services or wishing to learn more about becoming an ABCD mentor.

The tournament is one of many “third party events” that raise funds for and awareness of ABCD at a community level. Third party events are especially helpful to ABCD because they are organized completely by volunteers, assuring ABCD has no event costs and freeing the ABCD staff to focus on program services.

Schedule

• 8:30a.m. – 8:45a.m. Registration

• 8:45a.m. – 9:00a.m. Welcome

• 9:00a.m – 10:00a.m. Keynote speaker Leslie Waltke, PT

  Leslie is a nationally recognized clinical specialist in oncology physical therapy and lectures and teaches on the subjects of cancer rehabilitation, exercise after cancer, and the treatment of cancer related lymphedema. She serves on the Medical and Community Advisory Board of ABCD, has been nominated for Wisconsin Physical Therapist of the Year four times and received the 1999 Wisconsin Physical therapist Of the Year Honorable Mention Award. Additional honors include a Certificate of Honor from the Wisconsin State Assembly and a Personal Commendation from then Governor Tommy Thompson for her efforts and commitment to cancer advocacy. Leslie is a member in good standing of the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association.

• 10:15a.m. – 12:00p.m. Healing and Survivorship

  Please choose one session to attend:

  Introduction to Mandala – Body Centering

  Artist, writer, motivational speaker and stress management consultant Elizabeth Lewis, recommended to us by ABCD Board President Kathy Ehley, provides a wide variety of integrative healing programs, lectures and workshops focusing on the healing power of art, the healing power of writing and words, and stress management and prevention. Elizabeth believes that personal transformation begins with intention. Her workshops focus on the integration of body, mind and spirit and helping each individual person recognize that they possess inner wisdom and the inner resources to heal.

  LIVESTRONG at the YMCA: A Cancer Survivorship Program

  Learn about this 12-week, small group exercise experience designed for adult cancer survivors who have recently become de-conditioned or chronically fatigued as a result of their cancer and/or cancer treatment. The goal is to build muscle mass and muscle strength, as well as increase overall functional ability. Additional goals include reducing the severity of side effects, preventing unwanted weight changes and improving energy levels and self esteem. We will have the opportunity to try some gentle exercise, so dress casually!

• 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m. Power of One-to-One Luncheon

Please call the office for more information.

Reservations are required. RSVP: 414-918-9222 or jackie@abcdmentor.org

Continuing Education programs are intended for ABCD mentors.

The project came about because of Marcus Hotels and Resorts’s commitment to the Milwaukee community and the opportunity to share a great idea – ABCD’s mentor program – with the diverse, wide audience that enjoys staying at the Intercontinental.  ABCD is a particularly well-suited collaborative partner for the MH&R as both organizations are dedicated to the highest quality personal touch and serve people from all walks of life.

To learn more and see pictures of the Pink Rooms, visit:  http://www.intercontinentalmilwaukee.com/pink-room/

You may need that support from the beginning of your journey or at any time during treatment, or after initial treatment is complete and you are building your “new normal” life.  ABCD mentors assure that no one need take this journey alone.  Mentors are matched one-to-one to provide breast cancer support – patient to patient or loved-one to loved-one.

If you have been through a breast cancer journey – as patient, family or friend – and you are looking for a way to share your compassion in a personal way, consider becoming an ABCD mentor.  The process is easy and you will join a corps of the most amazing volunteers you will ever meet.  Not sure if you are ready?  You can still learn more and decide later. Click here for more details on how to become an ABCD mentor.  Orientation and training sessions happen throughout the year and throughout the state.

August 14, 2010

Continuing Education – All trained mentors invited
8:45am – 2:00pm
Summit Place, West Allis

November 6, 13 & 20, 2010

New Mentor Training
8:45am – 12:45pm
Summit Place, West Allis

November 6 & 13, 2010

New Mentor  Training (11/6 & 11/13)
Continuing Education for trained mentors (11/13 only)
8:45am – 2:45pm
Triumph Cancer Resource Center, De Pere

Reservations are required for all training programs
Food and beverages will be served

Download your invite! (PDF)

Taste the night away May 7, 2010 at The Garage at the Harley-Davidson Museum Campus 5:30 to 9:00 PM at the crossroads of 6th and Canal streets Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A delicious evening for a very good cause feast on the finest from Milwaukee’s top chefs as you stroll about The Garage at the Harley-Davidson Museum campus. Savor, sip and mingle while you enjoy live music and bid on irresistible silent auction treasures and jewels from Kesslers Diamond Center.

Admission

$65 admission per person in advance
Telephone advance orders through noon May 6
414-918-9222
$75 admission at the door
Attire: blue jeans
$30 of each admission and all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Featuring

Presenting Chef of the Evening
Joe Bartolotta
(Bartolotta Restaurant Group)
Small Plate Tastings
Live Music
Silent Auction
Special Tribute
Honoring ABCD’s Founder
Melodie Wilson Oldenburg

2010 Honorary Co-Chairs

Keith & Deb Wandell

Sponsors

Harley-Davidson Foundation
Aurora Health Care Foundation
Badger Meter
Brewers Charities, Inc.
Foley & Lardner
Bev Greenberg
Business Journal Milwaukee
M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank
Miller Compressing
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Ritz Holman
Roundy’s
The Northridge Group
Rite Hite Foundation
Rita A. Stevens Family Foundation
We Energies

For more Mentor Matters, read our previous issues:

Mentor Matters – Summer 2009

Mentor Matters – Winter 2009

The auction will be open to the general public starting Friday March 19^th and will end on Sunday March 28^th.

Log on to www.breckenridgelandscape.com/auction and place your bid. You will be notified via email should you be out bid affording you the opportunity re-bid. Please join Valley of Wisconsin, Breckenridge Landscape and their partners in helping ABCD provide support to those diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Architectural Garden harmoniously blends the use of raw building materials such as concrete, brick and wood with the soft and colorful textures of trees, shrubs and flowers. Strong lines and shapes are incorporated throughout the space. Plantings are not merely used as filler material but they become as much a part of the form of the garden as the walls and paths themselves. The use of earth tones in the block, pavers and wood wall provide the ideal background for the colorful plantings. The water feature adds the final earth element and appeals to ones sense of sound. The plantings set within the wood wall bring the ground up and give the illusion that the wall has grown from the earth. Free from excessive curved lines and the massing of plants, the lines in the garden speak to the sense of architectural details found in modern design. The garden table is a feature that can be incorporated in any design both indoors and out, inviting one to sit and enjoy the gardens bounty. A raised garden provides additional space for home grown vegetables and herbs without the stress of working at ground level.

Valley of Wisconsin http://www.valleyofwisconsin.com

Breckenridge Landscape http://www.breckenridgelandscaping.com

• Learn about your disease and treatment options.
• Make informed decisions.
• Be your own advocate.
• The mind is powerful, think positively.
• Let go of things you can’t control, and focus on those you can.
• Share your challenges with others.
• Ask for help.
• Accept support.
• Celebrate the milestones.
• Get involved.
• Believe in the power of one-to-one.

Jane Hathaway’s recent journey with breast cancer deepened her commitment to living life well. Becoming an ABCD mentor is giving her the opportunity to act upon that commitment and to help others face their disease with support.

It was 2005 when Jane found a lump in her breast. When the results from that mammogram came back normal, Jane really wanted to believe the good news, but knew better. She sought another opinion. This time the diagnosis was breast cancer and it was aggressive.

Because Jane’s treatments were so varied, she was matched with three different ABCD mentors. Her personal interactions were valuable because she could ask the hard questions and get the real answers.

Jane was eager to give back to ABCD both with gratitude and lessons learned. She attended the mentor training program in October 2007 and has since been matched with several women. She discovered that one of her participants, Gail, owned her own communications firm, and encouraged her to share her skills with ABCD. Gail explored opportunities and has now become a trainer for the Green Bay ABCD Mentor Program and is planning to become a mentor herself. ABCD is so very grateful for these women who reach out and touch the lives of others.

• A local breast cancer surgeon that will present what’s new in breast cancer treatment.
• Information on how to recognize and deal with depression, and how to take care of yourself during the mentor process.
• Opportunities to learn and practice effective communications skills.
• Experienced ABCD mentors offer tips and guidance based on real mentoring experience.
• Understand the legal and ethical issues involved with being an ABCD volunteer mentor.

Our next 3-day program will be held on April 10, 17 & 24

8:45 am – 12:45pm at Summit Place in West Allis
Make-up sessions can be provided if you can attend two of the three sessions.
A free continental breakfast is provided.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ABCD MENTOR, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE at 414-918-9222 or 800-471-0322. Advance registration is required.

Starting March 13^th at its Cedarburg location, Fiddleheads Coffee Cafes of Cedarburg, Mequon, and Thiensville will host a 3 concert series featuring the Mission River Band with special promotions to benefit ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

The Mission River Band plays great music from the “golden age of rock” – The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Clapton, The Eagles, Van Morrison, Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers, Santana, Neil Young, Tom Petty, and some interesting “deep cuts” as well a few classic R&B favorites. MRB is special – talented local guys – friends committed to their families, their professions, and their community – who love music and a good cause.

Together Fiddleheads and MRB have decided to promote and support ABCD’s work and its free power of one-to-one support for people affected by breast cancer – patients and their loved ones.

Concert dates, times & locations –

• March 13^th – 7 to 9 pm Cedarburg – W62 N605 Washington Avenue
• May 15^th – 3 to 5 pm Mequon – 10530 N. Port Washington Road
• June 5^th – 6 to 8 pm Thiensville – 192 South Main Street

So come support free breast cancer support services and enjoy a cup of the finest freshest coffee!

Special promotions include –

• Mission River Band will donate all proceeds from this three concert series to ABCD and Fiddleheads will match public donations up to $1,000.
• Also… Fiddleheads will donate $1 from every bag of coffee purchased in the store on concert dates March 13^th, May 15^th and June 5^th.
• Also… 20% off coffee purchases for customers who go to Fiddleheads web site and use the ABCD promotion code. www.fiddleheadscoffee.com Promo code FiddleheadsABCD. For every bag of coffee purchased using this promo code, Fiddleheads will donate $1 to ABCD.