And the winner is...

CONGRATULATIONS to our very own Dr. Julie Barone, a San Diego-based member of the Southern California Affiliate Board of Directors, who was the lucky winner of the drawing for the super, duper, Lance Armstrong-caliber bike last December, just in time for the Holiday gift-giving season.  Julie bought several tickets, multiplying her chances at winning and, in the process, increasing her support of our mission.  Well done Dr. and thank you for your continued support.

Special “Thank You” to PV Bicycle Center in Palos Verdes for donating this wonderful bike for the drawing! Be sure to drop by their store at 4B Peninsula Center, Rolling Hills, CA, 90274, for all your cycling needs. We guarantee you that the wonderful staff there will make your shopping experience a most pleasurable one.

Walking the Walk...

Oh how sweet it was, this past Mother’s Day in Southern California.  A combined force of nearly 3,000 walkers joined their respective Walk to Empower event sites in San Diego and Los Angeles to mark yet another year of making a difference in the lives of those touched by breast cancer.  At both events, as far as the eye could see, walkers in their vibrant team t-shirts and high spirits set out on that beautiful morning to conquer the world – the world of breast cancer.  After limbering up with warm-up experts Mandy Muenzer at the L.A. event and Heidi Barajas at the San Diego event, our walkers set out on their 3-mile route, putting their best foot forward to help raise much-needed funds in support of Network of Strength’s mission to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone.

San Diego event local Sponsors American Specialty Health, Pfizer, Morrison & Foerster Foundation, RMG, UPS, ABC10, Exa/La Mejor and Azteca15 were on hand to commemorate the day with their corporate teams; in Los Angeles, Regional Sponsors GoGirl and Gavina/Don Francisco’s as well as media Sponsor KOST 103.5FM lent their support to the day.

From the National front, we were honored to again welcome McDonald’s as our Presenting Sponsor.  On Walk day at both San Diego and Los Angeles, the McFamily members were out there in their bright yellow t-shirts pleasing the crowds with their yummy treats, the McCafe Frappe and coffee.  Never one to play second fiddle to an apple dipper, Ronald McDonald was out there front and center, completing the tableau with his smiling face and whimsical antics.

And, of course, who could miss our friends from United Airlines, another one of our National Sponsors,  in their teal Team t-shirts making not only a fashion statement but also showing us a thing or two about the art of fundraising.  A shout out also to our following Sponsors for adding that special extra touch to our 2010 Walk to Empower with their generous product samples, giveaways and hospitality at their booths:

Bumble Bee – Cheers to our local San Diego BeeWellForLife Ambassador, Cathy Repinski

Grant Thornton – love that trademark purple!

Walgreens

Harley-Davidson – You can take us for a ride on that machine anytime…

Silk

And who could imagine a Walk to Empower without the strong presence of our Family Teams.  They were out there that morning, all 100+ of them walking for their loved ones.  We are family, indeed!
Let’s not forget also to recognize and thank our following friends for excellent performance in a speaking role on Walk Day…

Bob White, American Specialty Health
Steve Norby, McDonald’s
Gino Potesta, McDonald’s
Al Turner, United Airlines
Susan Righthouse, Family Team Chair
Rochelle Baldwin, Harley-Davidson
“New York” Mike, Harley-Davidson
Cathy Repinski, United Airlines
Damon Frier, Grant Thornton
Jessica McGovern, Walgreens
Bill Griffith, ABC Channel 10
Claudia Llausas, Azteca15
Pamela Bird
Donna Mohamed

And finally, a big APPLAUSE to all our volunteers without whose unselfish hard work we could not have done it!  THANK YOU.

And now for your viewing pleasure, here are some scenes from our Walks