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Events
Upcoming Events
11th Annual Honor Thy Healer Awards
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Mill Valley Community Center
Nominations being accepted now!
Call Sharon Doyle at 415-507-1949 ext 102 for more information or email her at sharond@zerobreastcancer.org
Past Events
Breast Cancer Prevention Forum for Younger Women
Saturday, February 7, 2008
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Carr Auditorium at San Francisco General Hospital
Hosted by Zero Breast Cancer, and UCSF-SFGH Avon Comprehensive Breast Care Program,
and the Marin County Board of Supervisors
Bay Area women, public health leaders, researchers, policymakers and breast cancer
advocates participated in an informative Saturday morning forum
specifically focused on breast cancer prevention issues for women under the age of 40.
Presentations and audience dialogue included updates on incidence, genetic risk
assessment, diagnostic screening, treatment, and practical tips for reducing breast
cancer risk and accessing medical coverage for breast health and breast cancer services.
To visit the official Forum webpage, please click:
Breast Cancer Prevention
Community Education Forum for Younger Women
Honor Thy Healer 2009
The tenth annual Honor Thy Healer awards celebration was held on Thursday, April 23, 2009. The
celebration honored healthcare professionals and special individuals
who have played pivotal roles in helping people in their experiences
with breast cancer.
Honoree Videos
The honoree videos played at the event are located at the end of each honoree's bio
paragraph.
Honorary Chair
Zero Breast Cancer welcomes back Cheryl Jennings, a KGO 7 TV Emmy Award-winning newscaster
and community philanthropist, as Honorary Chair of the 2009 Honor Thy Healer Awards.
Ms. Jennings, a 2008 inductee into the Marin Women's Hall of Fame, is a champion of groups that improve
the well-being of women, children, seniors and the disabled, both locally and worldwide. Cheryl is the
weekday co-anchor of ABC News, keeping viewers abreast of world affairs while hosting the community
affairs program, Beyond the Headlines. In recent years, Cheryl also hosted a breast cancer special
called Fighting Back. She is a known advocate for cancer causes and organizations in Marin County.
One of her notable projects is Camp Okizu, a program that sends children with cancer to summer camp.
Her peers in broadcast journalism have recognized Cheryl Jennings throughout her professional career. She
was inducted into the San Francisco/Northern California National Television Academy's prestigious "Silver
Circle" for her contributions to the communications industry and the community. Cheryl's industry
accolades include awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the American
Women in Radio and Television. Always one to make a positive difference in the lives of others, Cheryl
was the co-creator of a television program aimed at teenages in Straight Talk N'Teens, hosted by teens that she
trained and mentored.
A Marin County resident, Cheryl treasures time with her husband and extended family while also
finding the time to volunteer on behalf of local charities. Zero Breast Cancer appreciates
Cheryl's enthusiastic "yes" when she was invited to preside over the 10th annual Honor Thy Healer
awards. Thank you, Cheryl Jennings, for your gracious gift as Honorary Chair for the evening's
ceremonies!
The Healing Professional Honoree
The 2009 Healing Professional award is presented to Edward W. Banks, MD,
a Kaiser Permanente surgeon at the San Rafael Medical Center with a special interest in the
treatment of breast cancer. He is being recognized for his many years of dedicated and
compassionate care for breast cancer patients.
Dr. Edward Banks has been treating women with breast cancer for nearly 30 years. He has been a
steadfast proponent of the team approach to medical diagnosis and treatment, and utilizes all of
the resources at his disposal to benefit his patients. More than a decade ago, he created the
first breast care coordinator position at the Kaiser San Rafael Medical Center. While only three
Kaiser medical facilities had breast care coordinators at the time, today every Kaiser medical
center has one.
Dr. Banks was chief of surgery at San Rafael Medical Center for many years. Under his leadership,
the surgery department developed a greater sense of compassion and humanity that continues to
bear his imprint. Not only is he a superb physician and a highly skilled surgeon, Ed Banks
finds a way to connect with each patient. His gentle touch and deep concern conveys to his
patients that he cares about them as a whole person.
Dr. Banks is what some call a "doctor's doctor." His fellow surgeons, anesthesiologists, operating
room nurses and technicians would want him to be their personal surgeon. To the many patients
he has treated over the years, he is the doctor who "walks on water." Women facing a breast
cancer diagnosis appreciate the person that Dr. Banks is - the consummate professional and
compassionate guide who helps them through a very difficult period of their lives.
Zero Breast Cancer is pleased to present the 2009 Healing Professional award to Dr. Edward Banks.
The Shining Star Award
The 2009 Shining Star award is presented to Larree Renda and the Safeway Foundation, one of the major funders of breast
cancer research. Since 2000, Safeway's annual October Breast Cancer Research and Awareness campaign
has raised more than $40 million for breast cancer research and prevention programs.
Larree Renda oversees retail strategy, labor relations, public affairs, government relations,
health initiatives, human resources, industrial engineering, reengineering, and communications
for one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America and one of the largest employers
in California. Ms. Renda serves as Chairwoman of the Board for the Safeway Foundation, which
contributed more than $248 million in 2008 to important causes including hunger relief,
education, cancer research and people with disabilities.
In 2008, thanks to the leadership and support of Ms. Renda, the Safeway Foundation raised more than
$18.6 million for breast cancer research and prevention programs during its annual October
fundraising campaign at its stores throughout the US and Canada. The Foundation donated the
funds to more than a dozen cancer centers with reputations for conducting leading-edge breast
cancer research.
Understanding that breast cancer is a major health threat to women, Ms. Renda has inspired
Safeway and all its employees to work together to fund the research that will ultimately find a
cure or ways to prevent the disease. The business experience and dedication that Ms. Renda
brings to Safeway's fundraising campaign inspires Safeway employees and vendor partners to
exceed their goals.
Zero Breast Cancer is proud to recognize Larree Renda and the Safeway Foundation as the 2009 Shining Star.
The Community Breast Cancer Research Award
Kathie Dalessandri, MD, a breast cancer researcher working on ways to predict breast cancer risk
in women, is the 2009 Community Breast Cancer Research honoree. Dr. Dalessandri, an independent
physician researcher who has participated in numerous breast cancer research studies, used data
from Zero Breast Cancer's first research study to further validate risk assessment models.
Eleven years ago, Zero Breast Cancer partnered with Dr. Margaret Wrensch of UCSF to conduct the
first breast cancer research study in Marin County, The Adolescent Risk Factor Study and the
Development of Breast Cancer (ARFS). This five year research study (1998 - 2003) provided data
for several additional studies that took a closer look at such things as breast cancer risk
factors, geographic variability, tumor histology and adolescent stress. All of these studies
have yielded valuable clues in understanding the breast cancer puzzle in Marin County and the
Bay Area.
One of the primary goals in breast cancer research is finding ways to predict each woman's
individual risk of breast cancer. Working with InterGenetics, the company that developed
OncoVue, a genetic-based breast cancer risk test, Dr. Dalessandri used Zero Breast Cancer's
ARFS data to develop a new study to evaluate breast cancer risk. The Gail model, developed
over 20 years ago, is currently used by scientists and clinicians to predict risk. Factors
include age and family/menstrual /reproductive histories. The new tests aim to predict breast
cancer risk more accurately using genetics. The results of Dr. Dalessandri's study using the
OncoVue model, presented at the end of 2008, show a statistically significant improvement over
the Gail model. The importance of this research is that adding a genetic component to the
assessment tools may enhance our ability to predict breast cancer risk.
We are proud that that ZBC's ARFS data has spawned another important research project and
pleased to recognize Dr. Kathie Dalessandri's contributions to breast cancer research
efforts.
The Francine Levien Activist Award
The owner of Pacific Heights Cleaners of Sausalito and San Francisco, Karl Huie is the
2009 Francine Levien Activist award honoree. Karl is being recognized for taking a
leadership role in promoting the health of the community. His business, Pacific Heights
Cleaners, is Marin's first and only Certified Green Dry Cleaner, an official designation by the
County of Marin. In addition, Pacific Heights Cleaners is a demonstration site for a statewide
program.
Karl grew up in the garment cleaning business. His parents started Pacific Heights Cleaners of
San Francisco in 1969 and later bought Sunshine Cleaners in Sausalito. He took over the family
business in 1986. Karl began researching nontoxic alternatives to perchloroethylene, known as
perc, a chemical cleaning solvent used by most dry cleaners. The chlorine-based solvent has
been linked to a number of health risks, including breast cancer. In 2008, Karl Huie made the
switch to a nontoxic wet cleaning procedure and purchased computer-controlled washers and
dryers. The investment in new garment cleaning equipment was substantial, but it was offset by
the savings associated with hazardous waste removal and regulatory fees. More importantly, he
made the switch for the health of his employees and customers and for the environment.
As a research organization that aims to identify environmental factors and the role they play in
the development of breast cancer, Karl's business practices align with Zero Breast Cancer's
goals of breast cancer prevention. Karl has demonstrated that a small, neighborhood business can
make a big impact on the community it serves. Zero Breast Cancer is proud to honor Karl Huie as
the 2009 Francine Levien Activist.
The Healing Partner Award
It is our privilege to present Walt Spicer as the 2009 Healing Partner in recognition of his loving
support as a husband and for his vision and leadership in the development of the Marin Cancer
Institute.
Walt's association with Marin General Hospital began in 1992 as the cancer center was being
built. He was encouraged by the Marin General Hospital Foundation to direct gifts made to the
hospital in memory of his late wife, Susie Spicer, to the new cancer care center. MGHF also
suggested that Walt get involved in the project, which he did with a great passion.
Walt Spicer assumed the "get it done" role. Having experienced first-hand what a cancer patient goes
through, Walt knew what was needed. His inspiration was to humanize the center and bring comfort to
the patients going through cancer treatment. Understanding that the environment is vitally
important to a cancer patient, he wanted to create a place for helping and healing.
Many creative ideas became a reality in the new cancer center including the healing art displayed
throughout the building, the healing and meditation gardens, the large backlit photo murals
in the ceilings of the radiation therapy rooms, the design of the waiting room and the
resource library. The original Susie Spicer Circle Library has evolved to the present Cancer
Resource and Recovery Center. The recent remodel of the cancer center, now called the Marin
Cancer Institute, retained Walt's vision of a place to bring comfort to patients undergoing
cancer treatment.
In the interim, Walt met and subsequently married his second wife, Dana. In 1995, the Spicers
moved to Napa. Later that year, Dana was diagnosed with breast cancer and Walt found himself
once again in the role of healing partner. Walt guided Dana through her treatment and recovery.
Through his love and healing support, Dana is now a 14 year breast cancer survivor.
As a healer, Walt Spicer has supported two wives with cancer and his contributions to the Marin
Cancer Institute have touched the lives of countless cancer patients and their families. We are
honored pay tribute to Walt Spicer as our 2009 Healing Partner.
Dipsea Hike/Run 2008
In honor of Annie Fox
Thank you to all of the community members, businesses, volunteers, sponsors and
Planning Committee members whose generosity helped make the 6th annual Dipsea
Hike/Run a success!
Zero Breast Cancer Signature Events
Zero Breast Cancer is an active partner in
the community and works to include as many supporters as possible
in the activities of the organization.
Honor Thy Healer
Each year, Zero Breast Cancer hosts an awards
ceremony to recognize individuals who play the important role of
supporter and healer in breast cancer treatment, either in a professional
or personal way.
Dipsea
Hike/Run
To promote the importance of physical fitness in the fight
against breast cancer, Zero Breast Cancer holds an annual Dipsea
Hike/Run on the famed route on Mount Tamalpais. The event is held
in honor of former Zero Breast Cancer board member Annie Fox, who
passed away in 2002 at age 35 after a fight against breast cancer.
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