Pink Recycling Carts Support Breast Reconstruction
03/19/2012
Pink Recycling Cart Sales Raise Visibility of
Breast Reconstruction Rights for Cancer Patients Locally
—Project inspired by cancer victim’s struggle and desire to help others cope with difficult disease—
VANCOUVER, Wash. – March 19, 2012 Let’s just say the collection crew won’t have any trouble finding them. Waste Connections’ new bright pink curbside recycling carts are going on sale starting Wednesday, March 21st. The limited edition pink carts will replace the regular blue carts and will be sold for $200, with proceeds benefitting the local non-profit Pink Lemonade Foundation.
The cart sales are timed to coincide with the first annual Breast Reconstruction Advocacy Victory Event” Day or “BRAVE” Day. On Monday, the Mayor and City Council in Vancouver, Washington unanimously approved a formal proclamation declaring Wednesday, March 21st as the annual BRAVE Day celebration in Vancouver.
The annual BRAVE Day proclamation was conceived by the Pink Lemonade Foundation to raise awareness about breast reconstruction rights and to highlight important information that all breast cancer patients should receive from their insurance provider as required by federal law. Unfortunately, data shows only 40% of women who receive a mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis go on to have breast reconstruction.
Waste Connections’ pink cart project was inspired by a relative of the company’s Western Region Vice President, Rob Nielsen. Nielsen’s sister-in-law, Deedra Rosamond, passed away at age 35 after a long battle with stage 4 breast cancer. It was one of Deedra’s final wishes for her family to continue to support a local breast cancer charity. Her struggle inspired Nielsen and his wife, Desiree, to help make the pink cart project, now known among Waste Connection staff as “Deedra’s Dream”, a reality.
The public will be able to order the pink recycling carts at a special open house on Wednesday, March 21st, at PeaceHealth Medical Group Plastic Surgery Office, 505, NE 87th Ave, Suite 250 (Bldg. A) Vancouver, WA.
BRAVE Day Events and Activities (Open House Hours are 8:30am to 5pm)
11:30-Noon: Proclamation presentation by Tim Leavitt, Mayor, City of Vancouver; and Allen Gabriel, MD, Chief of Plastic Surgery, PeaceHealth Medical Group; Courtney Peebles, Miss Vancouver
11am-1pm: Physical therapist Joyce Masters, PT, will also offer exercise demonstrations
All Day:
• Raffle for SkinCeuticals skin care kits
• Amazing gift bags & BRAVE Day bracelets giveaways (limited supply)
• Various breast reconstruction vendor displays
• Fun photo booth
• “Wall of the Brave” bra design table
• Delicious food & pink lemonade
Local Business Support for BRAVE Day
A number of local business and groups are supporting BRAVE Day by encouraging their employees and customers to wear pink on March 21st. Key supporting organizations and businesses in the Portland/Vancouver area include Waste Connections, Alaska Airlines, Audiology Clinic Inc., the Heathman Lodge and Hudson’s Bar and Grill, LifeCell, 8th Floor Surgical Unit, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Shanahan’s, Atrium Lounge, Garside Florist, and Compass Ecology. The sale of BRAVE Day inspired bracelets also benefits the Pink Lemonade Foundation.
Federal Law and Breast Reconstruction
Under the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) of 1998, group health plans, insurance companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offering mastectomy coverage also must provide coverage for certain reconstructive services relating to the mastectomy; and must provide women with a notice of these rights upon enrollment and at least once each year. However, data supports that less than 40 percent of patients are referred for breast reconstruction.
Pink Lemonade
Pink Lemonade’s mission is to provide breast cancer patients and their families with education and support opportunities that offer hope and healing for the mind, body and spirit. Through funds raised, they provide retreats, educational programs and support of breast cancer patients. For more information, please go to www.PinkLemonadeProject.org.
BRAVE Day Facts:
• Approximately 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
• In 2011, an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 57,650 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer
• While WHCRA requires group health plans, insurance companies and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) offering mastectomy coverage to provide women with a notice of these rights when they enroll in the health plan, and then once each year, data supports that less than 40 percent of patients are referred for breast reconstruction
• There is no current legislation in most states, including Washington or Oregon, requiring patients to be reminded of these rights at the time of diagnosis
For information, visit www.BraveDay.org or go to pinklemonadeproject.org or myreconstructionrights.org.
PeaceHealth Medical Group
PeaceHealth Medical Group providers in Clark and Cowlitz counties are closely aligned with PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview. As part of the larger PeaceHealth family, PeaceHealth Medical Group (PHMG) is made up of more than 820 physicians and allied health providers and 2,000 caregivers across three states (Alaska, Washington, and Oregon). PHMG providers practice in more than 40 specialties and subspecialties in PeaceHealth inpatient settings and more than 50 outpatient sites.
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Pink Recycling Cart Sales Raise Visibility of 