I was going to write about what happened to our agency the first time we really sat down and came up with a wish list of clients, but my head and heart keep going back to something that happened Saturday night in Austin.

That night about 400 people came together at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for a rowdy fundraiser, the Graphic IV Art Bra Fashion Show & Art Auction. The event, sponsored by The Pink Ribbon Cowgirls, a group of young breast cancer survivors, was not your typical fundraiser.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

“As difficult and as sad as it was, it was so moving to see such a quick response,” said Vivian Smith, Executive Director of the BCRC. “One of the reasons she is doing as well as she is, is because of the immediate care and support from everyone there and we couldn’t be more thankful.”

It is unclear at this time what events led directly to her collapse. Her oncologist, Dr. Debra Patt, was present at the event and rushed to help her as soon as she collapsed, along with her husband who is a cardiologist. Dr. Patt continued to give her CPR and stayed by her side when the ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital. Dr. Patt comments on her current condition: “I think that we are very fortunate that her incident was handled so appropriately and rapidly, because she is in a stable condition and expected to make a complete recovery.  Though I’m sure this was frightening for many people to witness, we are lucky it happened as it did with so many quick medical responders to lend a helping hand.  She is being evaluated extensively to determine the cause of Saturday’s events.”

ABOUT THE BREAST CANCER RESOURCE CENTERS (BCRC) OF TEXAS

As breast cancer survivors, the BCRC helps women of any age, culture, education, profession, and financial status navigate from diagnosis through recovery, and all services are free of charge.

Founded in 1995, the BCRC now serves close to 5,000 clients each year from six locations and offers a helpline to provide immediate support; weekly orientations to clarify diagnosis and treatment options and provide information about available resources, a lending library including a special Children’s Resource Collection to assist parents in explaining breast cancer to their children, peer-to-peer support, a number of support groups, and physical recovery information. The team assists patients by providing emotional support and by aiding with the practical matters of filling out forms and formulating questions for the physicians. The BCRC also has offices at St. David’s Professional Building in Round Rock, The St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas at North Austin Medical Center, St. David’s Georgetown Cancer Center, and their newest location at the Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos. Learn more about the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas services and events at http://www.bcrc.org.

These early risers were not there to get their hands on the latest bargain. They were there to participate in the 33rd annual Daisy 5K put on by the Austin Runners Club.

Megan Baker is a the Director of Volunteer Services for the Austin Runners Club.

“We decided on the Round Rock Premium Outlets because we were having problems finding a location that was affordable as well as beneficial to our participants,” she said.

The event is usually held in the Downtown Austin, but Baker said the costs associated with holding the event there led them to move.

“Since we’re a nonprofit club, a lot of the downtown barricades and
police that are required are sometimes too costly for a club like ourselves,” Baker said.

However, runners like Irene Xenitis said this course was just not the same as running downtown.

“I still like to go downtown. I think it’s a lot more fun,” she said.

On top of that, Xenitis said the course was a little different from what she was used to.

“It was kind of flat, so I think it made it harder to run,” she said. “Whereas in downtown, there are hills where you can break it down a little bit.”

But Baker said the location comes at a high cost, when taking into account the application fees and permit fee, on top of the cost for barricades and police.

According to the Public Information Specialist with the Austin Transportation Department, the application fee is $359. There is also a permit fee accessed of $100 per block, for up to 15 blocks.

“I do think that looking at outside space, whether it be parks, it’s malls like the Domain or the Galleria and what not, I think they are going to become more popular just because we can’t afford to pay for all the costs associated with the race and still have beneficiaries,” Baker said.

This year, the Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas was chosen as a beneficiary of the race.  Click here to see the video.

CEDAR PARK — Area residents are invited to celebrate Williamson County’s prehistoric past during Dinosaur Day, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at Champion Park, located at 3830 Brushy Creek Road in Cedar Park.

The second annual event, which is hosted by Precinct 1 Commissioner Lisa Birkman and the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department, will feature activities for children, as well as food and live music.  Click here to read more.

Vivian K. Smith
Executive Director
Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas
P.O. Box 300040
Austin, TX 78703
512-544-0901
www.bcrc.org
vivian@bcrc.org

Executive Director Posting Final.doc

Exercising and drinking green tea may help prevent depression among breast cancer survivors, according to the results of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.[1]

Depression is a major concern among breast cancer patients and survivors. Some estimates report that the prevalence of depression in this population is as high as 55%.[2] Depression can reduce quality of life and also potentially affect survival.

Researchers from Vanderbilt University conducted a study to determine whether lifestyle factors prevented depression among breast cancer survivors. They analyzed activity levels; food, tea, and alcohol consumption; smoking; and supplement use among 1,399 Chinese women who were treated for breast cancer in Shanghai, China, between 2002 and 2006.  Click here to read more.

Mission: The BCRC is a centralized source of information, education and support that empowers those affected by breast cancer to navigate through diagnosis, treatment, recovery and beyond as active, knowledgeable participants in their healthcare.