Valley Women Empowered
and Inspired at the 2nd Annual
Buddy Check 12 Girlfriends Getaway
More than 120 women enjoyed the 2nd Annual Buddy Check 12 Girlfriends Getaway, hosted by John C. Lincoln Hospitals. Held June 22 - 23, 2007 at the Scottsdale's chic Hotel Valley Ho, the event celebrated the power of female friendships and empowered women to detect breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage.
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Oncologist Linda Benaderet, DO, of John C. Lincoln Hospitals, and 12 News anchor Lin Sue Cooney at the 2nd Annual Buddy Check 12 Girlfriends Getaway. |
The Girlfriends Getaway included a Friday night dinner show starring comedienne, author and TV personality Fran Capo; 12 News anchor Lin Sue Cooney and Jan D'Atri of Arizona Midday; and a medical panel focusing on women's breast health, with John C. Lincoln physicians Brenda Moorthy, DO, Pablo Prichard, MD and Linda Benaderet, DO, noted TGen breast cancer research leader Heather Cunliffe, PhD, and community volunteer and breast cancer survivor Melodie Lewis. Co-sponsors of the event included 12 News, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Fry’s Food Stores.
"Taking time to share knowledge, understand medical choices, laugh and try belly dancing with a large group of women you just met must be good for your health," says Rhonda Forsyth, CEO of John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital. "Clinical research shows that 'girlfriend time' reduces stress and boosts healthful hormone production; it actually improves a woman’s well-being."
12 News anchor Lin Sue Cooney kicked off the event with heartfelt words on the importance of female friendships and introduced a comedy dinner show starring the vivacious comedienne, author and TV personality Fran Capo. Also known as the world's fastest talking woman, Fran's act, titled "Dare to Do It," combined rip-roaring comedy with inspirational stories about friendships, raising her son and her many adventures. Fran regaled her audience with tales of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro and diving in a submersible to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean to see the wreck of the Titanic.
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Bianca Escarcega dances to Motown music in the Coldwater Creek fashion show. |
Arizona Midday's Jan D'Atri emceed Saturday morning's activities, which began with a medical panel focused on women's breast health, breast cancer treatment and the latest genetic research into breast cancer. Using a talk show format, the panel provided event attendees with the opportunity to ask questions of leading breast cancer physicians and researchers.
Following the panel was a Coldwater Creek fashion show featuring the latest summer fashions modeled by real women with heartwarming stories. Models were pairs of best friends; each pair included a breast cancer survivor.
A Girlfriends Getaway wouldn't be complete without plenty of time to enjoy girlfriend time and shopping. The Buddy Check 12 Boutique featured local retailers and services celebrating fun, friendship and women's health. A portion of the proceeds from the Buddy Check 12 Boutique, as well as all of the proceeds from door prize drawings held throughout the event, were donated to breast health programs at John C. Lincoln Hospitals and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
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Cindy Hallman (2nd from right) and friends enjoy dinner and conversation. |
About Buddy Check 12
Buddy Check 12 is a breast health awareness program sponsored by 12 News, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Fry’s Food Stores and John C. Lincoln Hospitals. Members of Buddy Check 12 receive an e-mail from Lin Sue Cooney on the 12th of each month reminding them to perform their monthly breast self-exams. Personal information and e-mail addresses are used only for these monthly reminders. To sign up for Buddy Check 12, click here.
Buddy Check 12 Partners