15 Minutes Could Save Your Life!

Photo by Valerie Caviglia

Great article in Aboite and About newspaper about Francine's Friends! Check it out here:
http://www.aboitetimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9957

And here's a video on You Tube sharing our story too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYV1R25YW5A&list=UUyuxbnAxI0Y1-2_33s8U1zQ&feature=plcp

Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography Program Awarded Grant Dollars to Help Fund Mammograms

Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust awarded a $13,500 grant for the Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography program. Funds will be used to help provide mammograms for women who, without this assistance, would not be able to afford this life-saving cancer screening. The funds are raised by the IBCA Trust through the sale of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness license plate. If you bought a plate, Francine's Friends, in partnership with Parkview Comprehensive Cancer Center and Breast Diagnostic Center, wants to thank you!

To learn more, click on the two links below:
http://www.facebook.com/breastcancerplate
http://www.breastcancerplate.org/programsgrants/2011-programs-2/

Punch Films Wins Emmy for Community Service Spot

Punch Films, based in Fort Wayne and Chicago, was awarded an Emmy on November 6th in Chicago for its public service announcement meant to discourage texting and driving. Punch had been nominated for two Emmys for two versions of the PSA, and in October, was on hand and part of the premiere of “Life with Francine's Friends,” a short film they recently completed to help tell the story of Francine's Friends and the importance of screening mammograms at our annual fall fundraiser.

“Awards are great, but that audience reaction — that's what we live for,” said Punch's Derek Devine. "There was a collective, 'wow,'...after they showed the spot,” referring to the Chicago audience seeing the PSAs during the presentation ceremony.  “A story is a story, whether it's 30 seconds or 30 minutes,” added Punch's John Cuneo.  Cuneo is especially pleased with the reaction to their recent short film, “Life With Francine's Friends.”  Read the article featured in the News Sentinel here.  To learn more about Punch or view the award-winning PSA, visit PunchFilms.com. Congratulations to Derek, John and everyone at Punch!

Francine's Friends is Lucky to Have Friends Like Lucky Harley Davidson!

Lucky Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles held a one-day fundraiser on October 15th for their breast cancer awareness day, and with the help of employees from Hooters Restaurant, sold t-shirts and helped raise awareness. Francine's Friends was the "lucky" local charity of choice for the donations, and in addition, Lucky Harley-Davidson will be a new location site in 2012 for the mobile mammography coach.

Lucky Harley Davidson will be supporting other location organizations during the month of December - check out www.luckyhd.com for more information - or stop in and see them and the hottest motorcycles at their Illinois Road location. We are lucky to have Lucky Harley-Davidson as our new friend!

"The Faces of Breast Cancer" Masks Debut At Festival of the Masters, Walt Disney World

Chicago-land artist Laura Thompson of Savanah's Designs Glass Studio is unveiling of "The Faces of Breast Cancer" masks at the 36th Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney, Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL, November 11-13th.

The two-mask glass set depicts both the darker side of the emotions that a woman might feel and face after she learns she has the disease, while also reflecting both the acceptance and positive emotions of strength, hope and courage that eventually emerge as she moves into the "I'm a survivor" mode.

The pieces were inspired by a recent personal experience Thompson had while attending the October "Lunch with Friends" for Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

"The nonprofit organization who put on the event was Francine's Friends - an all-volunteer group of women who have not only upped the level of breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection, but have also raised funds to purchase a mobile mammography coach to serve Fort Wayne and the surrounding area," said Thompson. "The coach comes to a variety of locations - and has provided screening mammograms for over 17,000 women since 2005, regardless of their ability to pay," she continued. What this means is women who are under-insured, un-insured, or simply want the convenience of taking care of their mammogram while the coach is in the parking lot of a public location or place of employment can take the "15 minutes to save their life" and not take time off work or worry about the cost of a screening mammogram.

Thompson was completely inspired by the program, the stories, and the 500+ women at the October event. She also toured the coach, and at the age of 47, had her first mammogram. "My creative juices just started to flow - and I thought - I have to do something to give back to this group and pay it forward at the same time," she explained.

A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this set will be donated to Francine's Friends to help pay for screening mammograms for women who can't afford one. If you're in Orlando this weekend, stop in booth #109 and see this beautiful two-piece mask set!

We're "Wild" About Wildman Business Group

Wildman Business Group of Warsaw Indiana was founded in 1952. The company now operates three distinct divisions - Wildman Uniform & Linen, Wildman First Aid & Safety, and Wildman Corporate Apparel and has 170 employees. After an employee was diagnosed with breast cancer, president Josh Wildman decided to set aside dollars each year to help support breast cancer awareness.

Each year, the employees decide which organization receives the donation. This year, Wildman employees picked Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography because "of helping women who might not otherwise be able to receive a mammogram."  The company provided pink t-shirts that read "Find a cure; pink is NOT my color!" Loreen Lemon, HR, organized all employees to form a pink ribbon on the parking lot and invited Francine's Friends to Warsaw to receive a check for $1,000 and a quick photo opportunity. Thanks to our new friends at Wildman!

OmniSource Shows Breast Cancer Awareness Support in a Few BIG Ways

OmniSource and SDI have been long-time supporters of Francine's Friends and the support of breast cancer awareness. They were sponsor's of this year's fundraising event "Lunch with Francine's Friends" and participated in both our grassroots public capital campaign "50k in 50 Days!" and as a major funder of the new coach.

The OmniSource Marketing Group came up with a great idea for another way to show support for breast cancer awareness by painting one of their roll-off boxes pink! They also designed a ribbon magnet that included the OmniSource logo to put on the box. Breast cancer has affected some of the OmniSource employees as well as other important people in the lives of so many. Says the article in ScrapRap, the company newsletter "Our 'pink box' shows that OmniSource supports this important cause.”  The pink box is located in Fort Wayne and the ribbon magnet is also on some of their company trucks.