Category: The Pink Room Blog


Face Time with Fellow Survivors

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June 17, 2011

On Monday June 13 ABCD held its annual Face to Face gathering, an inspiring opportunity for mentors and participants to meet in person, share their stories further and enjoy encouragement and laughter from each other.  This year, ABCD also invites co-survivors – a family member or friend whose help was important on the journey.

We connected with Audrey Warner, ABCD Mentor and asked her about her experience.

Here’s what she had to say.

A truly magical night.  Being an ABCD mentor for someone going through treatment for breast cancer is a personal experience.  Over the phone you cry, laugh, listen and love the person through their journey.  Monday night at the ABCD Face to Face event,  I met my mentee for the first time.  It is such a special experience to hug the person and to see her feeling healthy and strong.  Once again, we laughed, cried and shared our triumph over breast cancer.  Her treatments are over and the new normal has begun.  Every visit to the Pink Room helps support another one of those connections.  Thank you for making those magical connections possible.

Did you attend the Face to Face gathering? What was your experience?

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We’ve passed the $5000 Milestone!

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May 27, 2011

Since July 2010, We’ve has been contributing $25 from each stay in one of our two “Pink Rooms” to ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, a Milwaukee-based organization whose mission is to provide free, personalized information and one-to-one support to people affected by breast cancer—patients, families and friends. We’re proud to announce that we’ve recently surpassed the $5,000 mark in contributions to the organization.

The initial idea for the Pink Room project came from three employees’—who all share a personal connection with the disease—desire to support the fight against breast cancer. This project has home-grown roots and that’s what we love about it!

When guests of the Pink Room enter their room they’re greeted by an abundance of pink—from the comforter to the commissioned artwork. They’ll notice a laptop on the desk that opens up to the Pink Room blog, where they can read previous guests’ survival stories, learn about breast cancer events in the area and much more. InterContinental Milwaukee’s guests have been inspired by design concept and stories left on the Pink Room blog since the hotel began taking reservations for the Pink Rooms last summer.

Thank you to those that have helped us reach the $5000 mark and let’s continue the journey!

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This Pink Room Idea is Really Smart

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May 25, 2011

By Ginny Finn, Executive Director of ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

“This ABCD Pink Room idea at the Intercontinental Hotel is really smart,” my friend told me this weekend.  He continued, “I read about it in my in-flight magazine when flying home after business on the east coast.  What a great way to spread the word about ABCD.”  I agree with him, but the credit goes to the folks at Marcus Hotels and Resorts and the committed team that promotes the Pink Room.

When a man on his way home from a business trip reads an article or sees an advertisement in his airline magazine and remembers it, you think the article will be about a fun touristy event or a new gadget that makes traveling easier, but the Pink Room information was so different and creative that it caught his eye.

Of course, his life has been touched by breast cancer, as is true of millions of people.

As early detection methods and treatments continue to improve, most breast cancer patients and their loved ones will continue to do well and have active lives after treatment.  Traveling, enjoying the company of family and friends, dining and toasting all that life has to offer.  All things you can do at the Intercontinental Hotel while staying at the Pink Room.

There are so many reasons the Pink Room is so smart.  It pays tribute to those who are on or who have experienced this journey.  It provides a cozy yet cosmopolitan shelter – whether one is in Milwaukee as a visitor or on a business trip or are simply a “local” running away from home for some fun!

The Pink Room does all this, while raising awareness of and funds for ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis – a free, personalized support service available anywhere, anytime to anyone with a telephone.  Pretty smart, I think.

I also like to think a year from now so many people will know about ABCD and the Pink Room from their in-flight magazines that it will be what they chat about at baggage claim!

The Pink Room

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Stories of Strength and Support Winner: Jenna McGrath

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May 16, 2011

This has been an amazing contest with some great photo and story entries from showing wonderful support to those near and dear to our hearts. We appreciate all of the time that went into writing these stories and we love having the opportunity to read about everyone’s supportive network.

It was an extremely tough decision to pick only one winner. After long consideration from our judges, we have chosen a winner because of their touching story and heart-felt photo. We’re excited to announce the winner of the Stories of Strength and Support Contest is, Jenna McGrath! To read their story please click HERE.

This is a picture of Senior Day at my brother's football game in high school last year. It was also a game dedicated to breast cancer awareness. The two of them are walking off the field together.

Congratulations! As our winner you will enjoy: e a two night stay at the Pink Room, $200 in dinning credit at Kil@wat inside the InterContinental Milwaukee and a massage for two at WELL Spa + Janice Salon.

If you have a story to tell of strength and support, feel free to share HERE.

There is a war going on and we are winning. Share your stories of support today.

Sincerely, the InterContinental Milwaukee Pink Room

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Reaching out a Helping Hand

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May 16, 2011

By Audrey Warner, Mentor at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

The magic number five is fast approaching.

Five years cancer free.

So grateful for good health and so grateful for ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis.  Still I recall the days after diagnosis; days of fear and a sense that I must rush to do something but not knowing what.  How do I continue to be a strong, capable woman at work and home?

Thankfully, I found ABCD and with it found the support and understanding I so needed.  A mentor who held my hand…over the phone lines.  My mentor; a coach, a friend, a strong professional woman and an inspiration.  I made it through the surgeries, treatment and medications and today I am a mentor.  Reaching out my hand…

Therese Burkhart and Audrey Warner, ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis Mentors

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My Take on Date with a Plate

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May 12, 2011

By Audrey Warner, Mentor at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

Audrey Warner, ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis Mentor

Date with a Plate is such fun event, great food, music, tempting auction items, and a room of lovely Kessler diamonds. The Kessler diamonds sparkled as did the amazing mentors.

Each woman, with a personal triumph over breast cancer and a willingness to guide others through that journey. It was a great opportunity to raise a glass to toast all the mentors!

Share with us your triumph over breast cancer and let us celebrate with you.

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Story of Strength and Support: Brian Wheeler

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May 9, 2011

First of all, my sister-in-law, Michelle Fiala battled stage 4 breast cancer for over 4 years. She fought a valiant fight but succumbed to it this last December. Nearly everyone I know has been touched by breast cancer, and so when me and my band were approached by another friend of ours, who was a breast cancer survivor, to perform at her 3 day fundraiser, we jumped at the chance. We’ve performed for free at her event each of the past 5 years. It’s become such a regular event that they moved us up to the coveted Friday night slot at the venue we play, so we’re hoping to raise even more money to battle breast cancer.

To those who are battling breast cancer, to those who have beaten breast cancer, to those who have been touched by breast cancer: you’ll never walk alone.

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Story of Strength and Support: Jenna McGrath

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May 9, 2011

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago. I would have never known that she was sick unless she told me because she never let “breast cancer” affect the way she was going to live her life. Going to the doctors, receiving treatments, and going to my brother, sister and my school activities were her job. She said, “Every day is a good day,” because she was always so happy to be alive and surrounded by people that loved and supported her.

The word breast cancer never fazed me because my mom was so strong and supportive of herself as well as many others. She even made some of her best friends at support groups. Even though she rarely got good news from the doctors, she kept fighting because she wanted to be there for us and show others that it something you can overcome if you stay positive.

Unfortunately after a long battle, my mom lost. But even though her life was cut short, she taught me the importance of strength and courage. Her bravery lasted all the way until the end. She really showed my family and everyone in my community what it was like to be a strong person. This coming Mother’s Day will be the second breast cancer walk my family has gone too. Sadly we are not walking with the survivors’ this year. However we still strongly support all breast cancer foundations because my family is still hoping for a cure, so that nobody has to lose someone they love to cancer.

This is a picture of Senior Day at my brother's football game in high school last year. It was also a game dedicated to breast cancer awareness. The two of them are walking off the field together.

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A Celebration of Sorts: Date with a Plate

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April 18, 2011

By Theresa Reagan at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

Is there ever a time to celebrate cancer? Maybe not. But I do believe it’s right, even mandatory, to celebrate when people succeed in conquering it. And ABCD’s annual event to celebrate the “power of one-to-one” in dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis is truly a great celebration.

Date with a Plate is now in its 11th year. From a board member perspective, it’s a perfect event. It’s a “friend-raiser” and a fundraiser. Last year, 700 people enjoyed the terrific food, silent auction, location and people.

The attendees at each year’s event participate for lots of reasons: some would do anything to support ABCD’s mission; some come for the amazing array of auction items and tasty samples from 15+ area restaurants; some enjoy seeing the inside of great Milwaukee businesses and mingling with their execs; and some just like to attend an event that doesn’t involve a stuffy sit-down dinner.

On the fundraising side, it’s terrific as well. The venue is donated, as are the auction items and all the food. The only significant cost is the invitation! This means that nearly all of the proceeds go to the mission of ensuring personalized one-to-one support for anyone who receives a breast cancer diagnosis.

Most importantly, Date with a Plate is a great time! It’s fun, enjoyable, meaningful and… tasty! And this year will be no exception — in fact, it’s going to be the best ever. I hope you’ll join us at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Printing Facility on Friday, May 6. Check out all the details and register online at www.abcdbreastcancersupport.org See you there!

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An Insider’s View at ABCD

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April 12, 2011

By Ginny Finn, Executive Director of ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

The thing about breast cancer is this: it is never what you expect.  And yet, surprises can change lives.

The “C” word is always a punch in the gut and then some.  Whether you have a family history, or like most breast cancer patients, you do not, the words “you have breast cancer” are always a shock.

Yet, for all its heartache, I get to experience some joy every day because I work at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. Here women (and men) whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer commit themselves to making the healing journey a bit easier for someone who now faces a breast cancer diagnosis.  There is a generosity in our volunteer mentors that boggles the mind.  One-to-one they support others; people that they have never met but who, because of a breast cancer diagnosis, they already “know.”

That sense of generosity born of personal experience is also why the Pink Room came to be.

Women who work at the Intercontinental who have been personally touched by breast cancer – one of whom is a proud ABCD mentor – conceived the entire project.  They have created a hotel experience quite different than what you might expect.  The rooms are pink, yes, but they are sophisticated and modern with that distinctive Intercontinental Hotel feel.  Your Pink Room stay includes the opportunity to learn about triumph over breast cancer from ABCD mentors’ personal stories and the chance to share your own thoughts if you like.  Plus, staying at the Intercontinental is all about the joys in life – including one of my favorites – Chocolat Bar.

We look forward to the stories we will hear as the Pink Room welcomes more guests.  Stories that will inspire us as we continue to personally support those who next hear the words, “you have breast cancer.”

We are grateful to partner with the Intercontinental Milwaukee.  Their team’s creativity and generosity will help ABCD change the experience of breast cancer for countless people.  It will help us assure that this journey is less mysterious and less lonely.  Pretty surprising accomplishment from a little Pink Room!

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