Sherry Clarke, a breast cancer survivor, shares her experiences at the El Paso Power of Pink Breast Cancer Survivor Kickoff Sept. 27 at Las Palmas LifeCare Center. Photo by Julia Yubeta.

Power of Pink kickoff ushers in
Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Julia Yubeta

WBAMC Public Affairs

Twenty-eight cancer survivors and supporters attended the El Paso Power of Pink Breast Cancer Survivor Kickoff Sept. 27 at the Las Palmas LifeCare Center.

The Power of Pink is a community project organized to celebrate the lives of El Paso’s breast cancer survivors and to kick off October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. NBCAM is the shared effort involving local hospitals, charitable organizations, pharmaceutical companies and various foundations that offer support to all who have contracted the disease.

“The Power of Pink Project was funded by a $7,300 grant by Helen of Troy and Rio Grande Foundation,” said Debbie Pinedo, Power of Pink chairwoman. 

The William Beaumont Army Medical Center Green House, located on the 10th floor, is also funded by the Rio Grande Foundation. 

“Patients find the Green House to be a great resource for information on cancer diseases,” added Pinedo.

“This program began when a group of health care providers came together with the desire to uplift the spirits of patients during the dark days of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment,” said Izzy Mora, resource library coordinator for the Rio Grande Foundation and a member of the organizing committee for the project. “They asked, ‘What would be a splash of pink to these patients’ lives?’” 

The project consisted of a one-day makeover for breast cancer survivors, said Pinedo. In August, El Paso Community College cosmetology students prepared the survivors’ hair and makeup for a photo opportunity. 

“We display the photos to memorialize the continued lives of each person and to celebrate their beauty in the face of adversity,” said Pinedo. 

The photos, taken by Toni Marie Studios, are placed on display boards rotated between Basset Place and various hospitals within the city during October. 

The kickoff is meant to celebrate survivorship, generate awareness and portray a positive picture to newly diagnosed patients and their families, said Pinedo. 

“Today is an exciting opportunity to celebrate living and celebrate life,” said Terri Wyatt, director of marketing and communications for Las Palmas Medical Center. 

“I am thankful for the lives we touch and continue to touch because of medical research,” said Wyatt. “Thanks to all the people who work together to help women fight this disease and help finance the fight against breast cancer.” 

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the U.S. after skin cancer, accounting for nearly one in three cancers diagnosed. There were an additional 464 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in El Paso County in 2007, according to county statistics.

“There were 32 cases of newly diagnosed breast cancer at WBAMC [in 2007],” said Pinedo. 

In Texas last year, there were an estimated 12,120 new cases of breast cancer and 2,480 deaths attributed to the disease. Nationally, there were more than 180,500 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed, and more than 40,000 died from the disease in 2006. 

The consensus of opinion among the survivors is the importance early detection. The survivors also spoke of the importance of letting others take care of them during treatment.

“Chemotherapy treatment was difficult for me,” said Sherry Clarke, a breast cancer survivor who gave her testimony during the kickoff ceremony. “I thank my daughter, Angel Marie, for feeding me, making sure I kept up my strength. To all of you – those of you who are survivors and to those of you so devoted to fighting this disease – we are sisters for life. Today, I am standing here before you to tell you that I have resumed those leisure activities that bring meaning to my life. My life goes on – and it is richer for this experience.”

The Power of Pink campaign recognizes the struggle women face as they endure against breast cancer. Studies show it is crucial that breast cancer is caught early because the survival rate is higher and there are more treatment options. Statistical data indicates that when the cancer is confined to the breast, the five-year survival rate is greater than 97 percent.

For any questions about all types of cancer, call the WBAMC Cancer Registry at 569-1320.