First Posted: 1/8/2015
LIMA — The Breast Cancer Awareness Coalition is holding a Pink Pajama Party fundraiser from 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 23 in the grand ballroom at Howard Johnson Inn, 1920 Roschman Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.
“Our biggest fundraiser is our Purse Bingo held in the spring. This is the first time we’ve held the pink pajama party,” Beda Sielschott said.
Ladies wearing pink pajamas will receive an extra chance for a door prize.
What successful event would not include food? There will be pizza, popcorn, nachos, chocolate and hors d’oeuvres, as well as a cash bar.
“Everyone has been so wonderful donating pizza, nail polish, just these types of things,” Sielschott said.
Games, including Truth or Dare, will be played as well as a story time, chair massages, nail polishing, a cellphone photo booth and a silent auction. Everything that a pajama party attendee could want.
Tickets are $35 each with discounted tickets for breast cancer survivors at $25. Call Sielschott at 419-230-6952 or Danielle Carder at 567-204-0072 for tickets.
Ladies can turn this event into a true slumber party, as Howard Johnson’s has discounted rooms to $79 if the ladies want to spend the night. This rate includes a hot breakfast in the morning. These rooms are reserved under Pink Pajama. Call the hotel at 419-222-0004 to make reservations for a room for the night.
While the Pink Pajama Party promises to be a fun event, the flip side is the seriousness of breast cancer in our region.
The 501(C)(3) nonprofit Breast Cancer Awareness Coalition was formed in 2011, and helps women in Allen, Hardin and Putnam counties.
“We were approached by the American Cancer Society about the idea of forming a coalition and the need for it,” said Nora Fought, co-chairwoman of the coalition. Chairwoman of the coalition is Dr. Darlene Weyer.
Weyer is the only female fellowship trained radiologist in women’s imaging in the region. She is the medical director of Lima Memorial Health System’s Women’s Health.
Fought is the supervisor of oncology at Lima Memorial Health System.
The mission statement for Breast Cancer Awareness Coalition is: “To empower our community by raising awareness of breast health issues through outreach, education and support services; thus, replacing fear and doubt with knowledge and hope. Whereas, any woman diagnosed with breast cancer will not have to face it alone.”
“The patient assistance program provides ladies with $250 that they can use to help supplement them in treatment, whether it be medication, co-pays, medical bills or down to the simplicities of life such as helping pay mortgages, rent, or utility bills while they are going through treatment. That fund is established based on the fundraisers we hold as a coalition,” Fought said.
In addition, the coalition holds educational events.
“We also hold educational events for the medical community as well as events for the community at large,” Fought said.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Coalition is in the midst of a recruitment effort. For information on joining the coalition, contact Fought at 419-235-3825.
Miracle Ear gives back to community
LIMA — Miracle-Ear of Lima and the Miracle-Ear Foundation work together to provide underprivileged Lima children and adults hearing instruments.
Dr. Scott Beall and his staff have made a commitment to support the Miracle-Ear Foundation, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization. This foundation was created to enhance the life experiences of families and individuals of limited means through the gift of sound. To date, more than 6,500 hearing aids have been donated to more than 4,100 individuals nationwide.
Lima residents who suffer from hearing loss and do not have the means to fund hearing health care can apply for free hearing instruments. If approved, the staff will volunteer their time to provide regular follow-up care.
For information about the Miracle-Ear Foundation, visit http://miracle-earfoundation.org.
