slides: Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2012 Events in RI

What's at stake

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women (behind skin cancer). There are more than 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., and about one out of every eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer. In 2012, the American Cancer Society predicts that 226,870 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and about 39,510 women will die from the disease.

The Pink Promise

Oct. 1-7

Providence Place Mall Level 1 Center Court

One in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Sign the Pink Promise, and for each one posted in the Pink Promise Zone Providence Place will donate $1 to benefit Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation in the fight to make this statistic a thing of the past!

Flames of Hope Kick-Off

Friday, Oct. 5

6pm, Downtown Providence Marriott

The Gloria Gemma Foundation's Flames of Hope Weekend kicks off with a ribbon cutting and the unveiling of the "Celebrate Hope, Celebrate Life" calendar, which will feature 12 Rhode Island women who received a breast cancer diagnosis before the age of 40.

Celebration Village Opens

Saturday, Oct. 6

12pm, Station Park, Providence

The Flames of Hope extravaganza continues with the opening of Celebration Village at Station Park! The village consists of several tents, each with a different focus, including the Education and Wellness Pavilion, the Interactive Health Zone, the Garden of Hope, the Healing Arts Pavilion, the Kitchen Stadium, and the Mastery Amphitheater's "Breaking Boards for Breast Cancer." Photo: Gloria Gemma Foundation.

Celebration Village Tents

The Education & Wellness Pavilion allows Rhode Islanders to meet and learn from representatives of area hospitals and health care providers.

The Interactive Health Zone features free health screenings and innovative health and wellness products.

The Garden of Hope highlights the Gemma Foundation’s new horticultural therapy program, a collaboration with Craig Marciniak of Cumberland-based Tranquil Water Gardens.

The Mastery Amphitheater will include the popular “Breaking Boards for Breast Cancer,” demonstrations, and instruction from Smithfield-based Mastery Martial Arts. Photo: Gemma Foundation

More Village Tents

Also at the Celebration Village:

The Healing Arts Pavilion is a chance for visitors to contribute to the Foundation’s Starfish Project, a massive ongoing participatory public art installation.

The Kitchen Stadium opens at noon and will include healthy cooking demonstrations by local vendors, two appearances by Michelle Ragussis of “Food Network Star” fame—one at 1pm and another at 4pm—and the official launch of a Foundation-published and survivor-penned cookbook, A Gem of a Cookbook. Photo: Gemma Foundation

Illuminations of Life

Saturday, Oct. 6

Dusk

Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo will join breast cancer survivors and their loved ones at the Illuminations of Life Ceremony. From the State House, bathed in pink light for the event, participants will carry torches to the Providence River basin in memory of those who have lost their battles to breast cancer, and to light the way for those who have yet to begin their journeys. A special WaterFire follows.

To participate in or support the Illuminations of Life Ceremony, please visit torch.gloriagemma.org.

Saturday Parties

Saturday, Oct. 6

7pm  

For $25, enjoy food, live music, and dancing at the ARS Pink Party. Proceeds benefit the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. To purchase tickets, call (401) 861-HERO (4376).

8pm

The free main stage concert features Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez. The beehived singer has headlined the SNL Band for over 2 decades. Photo: Rochester Jazz Festival.

Boobstock

Saturday, Oct. 6

8pm, The PVD Social Club, Providence

Donate to a good cause while having a great time at Boobstock, 990WBOB's annual Breast Cancer charity show. "Boobstock is the pink carpet affair you cannot afford to miss," says founder Adam Palazzio. "It's the event everyone talks about all year round!" Performances will include those by Kanerko, Sienna, Torn Shorts, The Can't Nots, and Resin Ed.

71 Richmond St, Providence. Donations at the door. For more information, go here. Photo: 990WBOB

Gloria Gemma 5K

Sunday, Oct. 7

11:15am

Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo will compete alongside teammates from her high school alma mater Bay View Academy in the Gloria Gemma 5K, the Foundation’s biggest fundraising event of the year. The Gloria Gemma Kids 1K, new this year and sponsored by Macy’s, begins an hour earlier at 10:15 a.m.

For information on how to run or walk in the Gloria Gemma 5K or Kids 1K, or contribute to the ongoing fundraising efforts of family members, friends, or coworkers, go to gloriagemma5k.org.

Party In Pink Zumbathons

Oct. 7, 13, 14 20, 21, 27, 28

Love Zumba? Why not give back to a great cause while getting in a fun workout? Raffles, souvenirs, and food will be available! Proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in their fight to end breast cancer.

Oct. 7: 9:30-10:45am, Fit World, 30 Kenney Dr, Cranston. Tickets $10.

Oct. 13: 6-8pm, Vital Spark Fitness & Wellness Studio, 158 Greenwich Ave, Warwick. Tickets $20.

Oct. 14: 3-5pm, Knights of Columbus, 7 Valley Rd, Middletown. Tickets $10.

Oct. 20: 12-2:30pm, Shake It Up Fitness, 611 Waterman Ave, East Providence. Tickets $15.

Oct. 21: 2-5pm, Effin's Last Resort, 325 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Tickets $10.

Oct. 27: 4-6pm, Rising Stars Dance Academy, 4 Warren Ave, North Providence. Tickets $10.

Oct. 28: 12:30-3pm, Shake It Up Fitness, 611 Waterman Ave, East Providence. Tickets $15.

Making Strides Walk

Sunday, Oct. 21

7:30am, Temple to Music, Roger Williams Park, Providence

Team up with friends, family, coworkers, and students in this non-competitive 3-mile walk. Open to all, many walkers have faced breast cancer, are currently battling the disease, or have lost loved ones. Honor breast cancer survivors, raise awareness, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with breast cancer research, information and services, and access to mammograms for women who need them. Walk or volunteer! For more information, go here.