Geralyn Lucas, a Lifetime Television producer and head of the Stop Breast Cancer for Life initiative, will be the featured speaker at the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group’s (VBCAG) 19th annual Celebration of Life luncheon to be held on Friday, July 19, at Vail Marriott Resort and Spa.

Having been diagnosed with breast cancer when she was only 27, Lucas thought it was important to share her story with others to help dispel the myth that breast cancer discriminates by age. Filled with courage, humor and inspirational candor, Lucas penned, “Why I Wore Lipstick: to My Mastectomy,” which details her internal struggle and soul searching to rediscover her “inner cleavage” after losing a key female-defining characteristic and to feel sexy and whole once again.

Having gained wide praise as an author and inspirational speaker, SELF magazine said Lucas’ “honest, funny and courageous account of facing down the disease is both inspiring and entertaining, and readers who know anyone going through treatment will love this singularly upbeat account.”

“We know of many young women in our valley who have been diagnosed with breast cancer,” says Kristin Kenney Williams, president of the VBCAG. “We wanted to bring Lucas’ humor and candor to be an inspiration for them and others who might have to go through treatment.”

Lucas’ message, however, is not just for women who have experienced the effects of cancer, but rather for all women. “A lot of people say going through a serious illness makes you look deeply at who you are, and that can be true,” says Lucas. “But you don’t have to have breast cancer to do that.”

The Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group was co-founded in 1993 by Avon resident, Brenda Himelfarb and Edwards resident, Patti Weinstein. The group, which also includes board members, president, Kristin Kenney Williams, Lynda Gustafson, Tracy Gillette, Mary McDougal, Brielle Stockton, Kathy Spangler, Pollyanna Forster, Joyce Bradley and Nicole Denton, strives to ease the financial and emotional burdens endured by those in Eagle County who are battling breast cancer. Since its inception, The VBCAG has raised over $1,000,000.

For sponsor opportunities, reservations or more information, please email info@vailbreastcancerawareness.org or call 970-479-8595.

Thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors for this years Strike Out Breast Cancer bowling event!  We appreciate all of your support and look forward to a fun-filled Valentine’s Day.

The Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group (VBCAG) is pleased to announce the creation of the GAP Fund – $50,000 has been donated to the Sonnenalp Breast Diagnostic Imaging Center at the Shaw Regional Cancer Center for those who need additional diagnostic tests.

“Unlike donations that we have previously made that are spread over several years – we want the money to be used in one year,” says Kristin Kenney Williams, president of the VBCAG.

Williams continued: “We were shocked to learn that many women, although insured for their annual mammogram, are not following through with additional diagnostic tests – if found to be necessary – due to their deductible or the additional payment that might be required.

“These women might get that terrifying follow-up phone call saying ‘we think we see something’ but when they look to their insurance, to their deductible, most times they decide that the gap payment is too big. They then face the risk of waiting another year until their next mammogram, which is covered by insurance.”

Since announcing the donation at the group’s 18^th Annual Celebration of Life Luncheon on July 15, 11 women have received monies from the Gap Fund.

Diagnostic breast imaging services include diagnostic mammography, diagnostic breast ultrasound, breast ultrasound biopsy, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast MRI biopsy, breast needle localizations, ductograms and cyst aspirations.

Since 1994, The Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group (VBCAG) has played a critical role in bringing support to those in Eagle County who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. To date, they have raised over $1 million to fulfill its vision to fund those who fight this disease each day.

For information about the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group, please call 970-479-8595 or go to vailbreastcancerawareness.org. For more information about the GAP Fund, call the Sonnenalp Breast Center at 970-569-7690.

Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group Announces Date Change for 2012 Celebration of Life Luncheon

VAIL, CO – May 4, 2012 –  Congratulations to Giuliana and Bill Rancic for being named the hosts of the upcoming NBC prime time show “Ready for Love” which will be airing during the Fall of 2012.  Due to the taping schedule of their new show, the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group has changed the date of its Celebration of Life luncheon from Friday, July 13 to Sunday, July 15. The event will still be held at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa from 11:30am-3:00pm.  The auction begins at 11:30am and the brunch will be served at 1pm.

One of America’s most celebrated celebrity couples, the Rancics have explored deeply personal issues, such as Giuliana’s ongoing bout with breast cancer and her struggles to become pregnant, on their hit reality TV show, Giuliana and Bill, on the Style Network. Recently, the happy couple announced that they are expecting their first child, this summer.

“The Vail Valley cannot wait to welcome such a courageous young woman who has battled breast cancer and simultaneously has reached out to so many others in their time of need,” said Kristin Kenney Williams, President of the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group.

The Rancic’s will provide a unique couple’s perspective on battling breast cancer and facing the many decisions that came their way.

The event gets underway with a silent auction, followed by the “bruncheon” and the keynote address by the Rancics.

For those out-of-towners attending, the Marriott is offering a room rate of $189 for July 14.

Tickets for the Celebration of Life Luncheon are $125; sponsorship tables are also available. Please call 970-479-8595 or email info@vailbreastcancerawareness.org for more information.

Checks may be sent to:

The Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group
Post Office Box 4043
Avon, CO 81620

One of America’s most celebrated celebrity couples, Giuliana and Bill Rancic, will share their heartwarming, motivational perspective on surviving breast cancer when they appear as guest speakers at the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group’s 18th Annual Celebration of Life Luncheon on Sunday, July 15.

The event will be held at the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort & Spa.

The Rancics have explored deeply personal issues such as Giuliana’s ongoing bout with breast cancer and her struggles to become pregnant on their hit reality TV show, Giuliana and Bill, on the Style Network – now entering its fifth season.

Considered one of the nation’s preeminent entertainment and fashion journalists, Giuliana can also be seen nightly as co-anchor of E! News and co-star of E!’s popular Fashion Police team with legendary comic Joan Rivers. Giuliana also writes a weekly fashion column for OK! Magazine and her popular FabFitFun daily newsletter.

This year she created “Fab-U-Wish,” a program to grant fashion, beauty and celebrity-themed wishes to women battling breast cancer.

“The Vail Valley cannot wait to welcome such a courageous young woman who is currently being treated for breast cancer and simultaneously reaching out to so many others in their time of need,” said Kristin Kenney Williams, President of the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group (VBCAG).

Bill Rancic vaulted onto the national scene in 2004 as the winner of Donald Trump’s first season of NBC’s “The Apprentice.” The Chicago real estate developer is also the founder of the highly successful Cigars Around the World online retail outlet. Bill is also a sought-after motivational speaker and expert on entrepreneurship.

“Having both Bill and Giuliana will provide a unique couple’s perspective on battling breast cancer, and we hope more survivor’s spouses and men in general will attend this year’s event because of Bill’s invaluable perspective,” Kenney Williams said.

The event gets underway with a silent auction from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by the luncheon and the keynote address by the Rancics from noon to 2 p.m.

Tickets for the Celebration of Life Luncheon are $125; sponsorship tables are also available. Call 970-479-8595  for more information.

VAIL, Colo. –February 25, 2011—Doris Kirchner, President and CEO of Vail Valley Medical Center announced today the installation of a new Stereotactic Biopsy Table, built to assist with patient’s positioning and comfort during the breast biopsy procedure. The table will be in use at VVMC’s Sonnenalp Breast Center at the Shaw Regional Cancer Center in Edwards beginning in mid-February.

The table provides an ergonomically designed system that brings improved comfort, lighting, and higher quality optics for doctors who are treating patients undergoing breast biopsies. Better position and improved visualization results in reduced testing time, improved outcomes and a more positive patient experience. The new installment continues to distinguish VVMC as a leader in cancer care and diagnosing breast cancer in the Colorado region.

“We are the first hospital in Colorado to implement this improved technology,” said Peggy Carey, Vice President of Shaw Regional Cancer Center. “The table will aid the accuracy of biopsy by allowing better patient positioning, the ultimate goal of the equipment. Technology, programs, services and patient outcomes distinguish VVMC’s Sonnenalp Breast Center from other breast programs in the state. Without the support and philanthropy of our community and the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group, it’s unlikely we would have this kind of technology; it is top of the line and we are very fortunate to have support from the community to advance services for the citizens of this region.”

“The new table provides an improved digital screen,” said Colleen Berga, Breast Imaging Coordinator of Sonnenalp Breast Center. “Improved resolution allows physicians to see subtle calcifications.”

“The new equipment will help patients be more comfortable and relaxed, which in turn helps us get a good biopsy sample,” Berga added. “The easier it is for a patient to be still, the less time it takes for us to do the biopsy.”

The technology is partially funded by the Vail Breast Cancer Awareness Group who will donate $50,000 toward the table’s purchase.

Vail Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization. It is governed by a Board of Directors composed of community leaders. The Board, administration, employees and physicians at Vail Valley Medical Center are committed to continuous quality improvement, the centerpiece for creating an organization that provides excellence in service to each customer it serves. Vail Valley Medical Center is an equal-opportunity employer. It is handicap accessible and adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act.