Donna Packnett to Speak at 15th annual "Lunch with Friends"

Donna Packnett is a breast cancer survivor, and champion of cancer patients and fellow cancer survivors. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 at the age of 54, Donna underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. Through the ups and downs on her journey from cancer patient to cancer survivor, she learned the importance of breast cancer awareness and patient advocacy.

Donna is also a committed community volunteer and philanthropist. She currently serves on several committees including Rhinestone Rodeo for Ronald McDonald House, Ivy Tech’s Reason to Taste, Women’s Philanthropy Groups for Healthier Moms and Babies, as well as Band Together and Christmas Families for TROY School. Recently, Donna was chosen as the artist for the Parkview Cancer Institute’s annual t-shirt design, which serves as a fundraiser for the Parkview Foundation, supporting the Transformative Cancer Care Fund.

Natives of Oklahoma, Donna and her husband, Mike, have lived in northeast Indiana for 13 years. They have two daughters, Kristin and Kelli. Together as a family, they stay active serving alongside those making strides for cancer and creating opportunity for Fort Wayne and surrounding communities. 

The annual “Lunch with Friends” is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

If you haven’t yet confirmed your intent to be a guest, Table Captain, Bosom Buddy, Corporate Table host, or Sponsor for this year’s event on Oct. 11, email Marita Dwight-Smith at marita.dwight@parkview.com or contact her at 260.249.0154 today!

An Open Letter to All "Bosom Buddies"!

Aug. 22, 2019

Dear Friends,

THANKS TO YOU as a Bosom Buddy, along with the generosity of many sponsors and other donors, Francine’s Friends continues to bring potentially lifesaving screening mammography to women in our community. Early detection of breast cancer with screening mammography means that treatment care can be started earlier. It also means a woman’s chances of survival are higher. Together, we have raised more than $1.900 million from our annual October fundraisers (from 2005-2018) to fund mammography screenings and over $2 million in overall funds raised since our inception, including the funding of over 15,000 mammograms.

The Francine’s Friends coach has visited more than 2,900 unique community, business sites and clinics in Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties in northeast Indiana. More than 44,000 women have received screening mammography services on the coach and over 11,487 women received their first screening mammogram on the coach.

Early detection is the best weapon in the fight against cancer and finding breast cancer in its earliest stages increases the survival rate to an astounding 95%! Screening mammography continues to be the best tool we have to detect breast cancer early. For over a decade, we have been able to provide screening mammography to women who might not have access due to lack of insurance or transportation. This September, the coach will upgrade from 2D digital mammography to 3D! We are so excited to bring the latest technology to our community.

As a Bosom Buddy, you gift of $1,000 will enable us to continue bringing Francine’s Friend to those women who are unable to receive screening mammography for whatever reason. Every Bosom Buddy will be recognized at our October event and receive a special gift of thanks. We need YOUR help so we are able to continue to provide the screenings for women in northeast Indiana.

Please mark your calendar for the 15th annual “Lunch with Friends” scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Registration begins at 11:00 p.m. and the program is from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Sincerely,

Marita Dwight-Smith, BAM, RT(R)(M) ARRT
director, Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography
Office: 260.266.6216   Cell: 260.249.0154
marita.dwight@parkview.com

Annual "Lunch with Friends" is Oct. 11!

It's official — the Annual "Lunch with Friends"
is Friday, October 11, 2019 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Convention Center.

Still interested in being a sponsor or corporate table? We have you covered. Haven't lined up all of your table guests? We can help! Interested in being a table captain this year instead of a guest? We'll drop off your table captain packets!

2019 Table Captains, sponsor representatives, and honored guests recently joined Marita Dwight-Smith and Fort Wayne’s NBC co-anchor Linda Jackson on Aug. 7 for two exciting announcements and a sneak peek as to what's coming for everyone who attends the Annual "Lunch with Friends" event in early October.

Click here to view photos on Facebook from the Kick-off Luncheon.

"At year 15, Francine’s Friends continues to make a difference in the lives of women in our area, providing screening mammograms to those who might not have access due to lack of insurance, funds, transportation or other barriers," Marita Dwight-Smith, director of Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography, told guests. "The true success of the program lies in the countless donors and sponsoring organizations in our community. You are helping women in northeast Indiana receive life-saving mammography services. Thank you for your generosity and support!"

If you’re a table captain or sponsor, remember to secure your table seats of 10 by Sept. 13 and mail the table captain reservation card with your guests’ names, e-mail addresses, vegetarian option, and checks for $75.00. Checks should be made payable to “Francine’s Friends, Inc.” and mailed to: Francine’s Friends, Inc., c/o Parkview Foundation 10622 Parkview Plaza Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46845.

For more information on sponsorship or becoming a table captain, please contact: 
Marita Dwight-Smith, BAM, RT(R)(M) ARRT
Director of Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography
marita.dwight@parkview.com
Office:  260.266.6216
Cell:  260.249.0154

Join us as we honor breast cancer survivors and raise funds for mammograms! And don't forget — the "Lunch with Friends" RSVP date is Sept. 13. See you in October!

Kickstands up! 2019 Ride for a Cause Aug. 3

Ride for a Cause is an annual fight breast cancer ride that takes place every August and is hosted by Brandt’s Harley-Davidson Wabash.  “We are proud to announce that we are celebrating our 7th year in 2019!” said Toni Metzger, event organizer. “Our riders are some of the most generous people on the planet, and we are so happy with how much money has been raised through donations, our auction, our sponsors and our communities.”

This year’s ride takes place on Aug. 3 with kickstands up at 11:30 am. The $20 donation per person includes a t-shirt, the ride and the dinner and auction to follow. Registration opens at 9am. The ride leaves from Brandt’s Harley-Davidson in Wabash and this year’s ride stops include The Bulldog in Mentone, The Inn in North Manchester, and Scotty’s Bar, Wabash.

Donations are raised thru:
• Rider registrations
• Shirt sponsorship(s)
• Auction of merchandise donated
• Miscellaneous donations

The event has raised $94,000 total in the first six years of the ride’s creation. 100% of all money raised goes to non-profit organizations that focus on fighting breast cancer, including the Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography program.

“This is truly one of our favorite third-party events,” said Marita Dwight-Smith, director, Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography.

For more information, please contact:
Toni Metzger / Ride for a Cause information / 95.9 KISS FM – WKUZ Radio
Cell:  (260) 571-8142 or click here to go to an email contact form.

Click here to donate, order online, or pre-register

Click here to visit the official Facebook page 

Click here to visit the official website

Kick-Off Luncheon Planned for Aug. 7!

Calling all 2019 Francine’s Friends Table Captains, Bosom Buddies, Corporate Tables and Sponsors!

It is time again to prepare for the annual Francine’s Friends “Lunch with Friends”!  At year 15, Francine’s Friends continues to make a difference in the lives of women in our area, providing screening mammograms to those who might  not have access due to lack of insurance, funds, transportation or other barriers.

The true success of the program lies in the countless donors and sponsoring organizations in our community.

The annual “Lunch with Friends” is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Our pre-event, Kick-Off Luncheon for all CONFIRMED Table Captains, Bosom Buddies, Corporate Table and Sponsor Representatives will be held Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019 at The Parkview Mirro Event and Conference Center, 10622 Parkview Plaza Drive, Fort Wayne. Registration begins at 11 a.m.; with the luncheon to follow from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

We are VERY excited about this year’s event!  There will be some fun surprises, and our Aug. 7 guests will experience an exclusive “table captains only” reveal regarding our Oct. 11 event!

If you haven’t yet confirmed your intent to be a Table Captain, Bosom Buddy, Corporate Table host, or Sponsor for this year’s event on Oct. 11, please CLICK HERE to send a a confirmation email to Marita Dwight-Smith or contact her at 260.249.0154 so we may include you in updates going forward and have your invitation packet ready on Aug. 7.

Remember to RSVP by July 26 for the Aug. 7 Kick-Off Luncheon — we are in great hope that you will consider being involved again this year! And be sure to SAVE THE DATE for Oct. 11, 2019 annual "Lunch with Friends".

THANK YOU for your continued support and for helping to provide potentially life-saving screenings for women in our community! Without you and other donors, this program could not be possible. 

2019 Glo’s Wine, Women + Wellness ANNUAL BASH

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW for this year's annual Glo BASH! Grab your gal pals and join Glo Magazine for a summer afternoon of celebration. Enjoy great food, fun music, fashion shows, giveaways, excellent wine and fantastic friendship—and some new surprise treats this year.

“We love this event and can’t wait to attend!” said Marita Dwight-Smith, Director of Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography. As one of the five nonprofit partners with Glo Magazine, Francine’s Friends will again have a table with information for attendees to learn more about its mission of early detection and the importance of screening mammography.

2019 Glo’s Wine, Women + Wellness ANNUAL BASH
Thursday, August 1
3pm to 7pm
Country Heritage Winery, LaOtto

•    Free tote full of goodies for first 500 attendees
•    Free food from The Charles
•    Music
•    Vendors
•    Wine
•    Fashion Show
•    Health information
•    TONS of raffle giveaways
•    And so much more…

The event is free to attend, but tickets are required and available in the July and August issues of Glo magazine, or at the registration table the day of the event. More details to come - and you can learn more by following Glo on Facebook - but set the date on your calendars, ladies!  See you there!

2019 Cookin' Men a Smashing Success!

Cookin' Men 2019 was a smashing success due to more than 1,400 guests, an entertaining chef competition, an incredible silent auction, generous sponsors, and heartwarming laughter that could be heard throughout the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The 16th Annual Parkview Foundation Cookin’ Men, presented by Fifth Third Bank, continues to raise much-needed funds in support of women’s health in our community. Through our donor’s generosity, $192,000 was raised to help Francine’s Friends fight the battle against breast cancer! The gifts of healing and comfort our donors provided are making a difference for countless women in our community regardless of their access to insurance or ability to pay.

Click here to view Parkview Health album on Facebook
Click here to view Francine's Friends album on Facebook

These gifts will help ensure that Francine’s Friends will continue to provide mammograms and proper follow-up services women need such as early detection, prevention, screening and management plans to fight breast cancer. Thank you to everyone who made it possible for us to continue the wonderful Cookin’ Men tradition of food, fun and philanthropy and supporting Francine's Friends through this event this year. Your generosity heals!

Mark your calendar and save the date - please join us in 2020 as we celebrate 17 years of Cookin’ Men on Saturday, April 18 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Click here to learn more.

State Farm "Quotes for Good" Selects Francine's Friends as May Recipient

Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography is excited to be sponsored by a local State Farm agent as this month’s Quotes for Good organization.

Quotes for Good is a corporate State Farm campaign that encourages local agents to get involved in their communities and support great causes.

This May, for every person Francine’s Friends refers and who completes an auto, fire, life, or health quote, local State Farm agent Chris Moring will make a $10 donation to Francine’s Friends.

“My team and I are excited to help support our community!” said Chris Moring, State Farm® Insurance Agent, Moring Insurance Agency Inc. “We’re looking forward to giving back through Quotes for Good donations to Francine’s Friends for the month of May. We are excited about the opportunity to generate donations and create awareness about the importance of early detection and women’s breast health. Please share this opportunity and help us spread the word!”

For the quote to qualify, the individual can be a new customer or a current State Farm customer, but the quote must be for a product line the individual does not currently have with State Farm.

To request a quote, visit www.moringsf.com to complete the quote request online. Simply select the type of quote you’re interested in from the pull-down “Get A Quote” box on the upper right hand side of the home page and then enter your zip code.

You may also contact Chris via email (chris@moringsf.com), by phone (260-490-8553) or stop by her office located at 10351 Dawson’s Creek Blvd, Building 4 Ste. A, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.

Be sure to mention Quotes for Good and Francine’s Friends for the quote to qualify.

Remember - help spread the word - follow Chris on social media too:
Facebook: Christine Moring State Farm Agency
Twitter: @MoringChris
LinkedIn: Christine Moring

Calling all FRIENDS - please share and tell YOUR friends about the Quotes for Good initiative and how it will benefit Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography.

2019 Cookin’ Men Silent Auction Sneak Preview!

Here’s a sneak peek of the 2019 Cookin’ Men silent auction, plus the ability to pre-register for the auction, and the opportunity to bid early (starting TODAY!) by clicking here.

Bidding can be completed using any smart phone or laptop. Laptops and volunteers will also be available at the event to help our guests register and bid. Please note that items will be available for bidding until the day of the event, so be sure to check back and bid often!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday, April 27th at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum for the 16th Annual Cookin’ Men. Thank you for purchasing your tickets in support of women’s breast health initiatives in your community through Francine’s Friends. Your generosity has resulted in a sold out event and with your attendance, you ensure women like Polly (click here for related story) receive the mammograms and proper follow-up services they deserve and need.

Francine’s Friends has been able to perform 15,612 mammograms, afford over 11,000 first-screen mammograms and provide diagnostic services to more than 43,900 women since it began serving the community in 2005.

Meet Polly...

It had been approximately four years since Polly Workman, an employee at Steel Dynamics, Inc. (SDI), had a mammogram. In the past, she had her mammogram through Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography program and the results came back clear. Plus, with planning her upcoming wedding, it was not exactly in the front of her mind. Thankfully, Parkview and Francine’s Friends were there and ready to help when she needed it.

In 2018, Polly found herself once again coming to Francine’s Friends for a 3D mammogram. Only this time her results were much different. She was diagnosed with breast cancer that day — nearly three months before she would walk down the aisle to her now husband.

“I had invasive lumpectomy surgery to attempt to remove the cancer and some lymph nodes. This surgery was three weeks before I was supposed to put on my wedding dress and get married,” she continued – sounding almost surprised at what she has conquered even today.

Along with the surgeries, Polly would undergo 20 radiation treatments. Even with a family history of breast cancer the news was still crippling.

“Francine’s Friends were beyond amazing. While they offer great services and assistance for those in need of financial support – I went to Francine’s Friends because they were convenient, helpful, caring, and ready to fight this battle with me,” she expressed.

Polly married her husband on April 28, 2018 and received her final radiation treatment at Parkview’s Cancer Center on June 19 of that same year. Thanks to your generosity and valued support of Francine’s Friends, not only is Polly enjoying time with her husband and family today,

Meet This Year’s Cookin’ Men!

Cookin’ Men 2019 will feature more than 105 local chefs from throughout the community serving up their specialties to benefit Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography program and their committed fight against breast cancer. Your generosity through attending this event will ensure area women receive the mammograms and proper follow-up services they deserve and need.

Take a look!

General admission tickets are $65 in advance and VIP tickets are $150. Find out more at Parkview.com/CookinMen or click here to register or purchase tickets today!

Tell Your Taste Buds: Cookin’ Men Tickets are on Sale!

VIP tickets, general admission tickets, and table reservation for Parkview Foundation’s 16th Annual Cookin’ Men are available for purchase at Parkview.com/CookinMen! Presented by Fifth Third Bank, the event will take place on Saturday, April 27 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Don’t wait— VIP and general admission tickets are going quickly! When you register for VIP tickets, you and your guests will enjoy decadent treats, drinks, and great conversation from 6-7:00pm. Doors will open for general admission at 7:00pm. General admission tickets are $65 in advance and VIP tickets are $150.

Please join us in 2019 as we celebrate 16 years of Cookin' Men tradition on Saturday, April 27. Because of earlier detection and improved treatment, death rates for women with breast cancer have steadily declined since 1990. As we all know, screening mammography can save lives. Breast cancer detected in its earliest stage increases the survival rate to 95 percent. Because of this, the Parkview Foundation is dedicating the 16th annual Cookin’ Men event to raise funds for Francine’s Friends mobile mammography program. Please join us as we support early detection, prevention, screening and management plans to fight breast cancer. Additionally, your support will focus on personalized approaches and improved care for those in need. In other words, we’re working to save lives and we need your support to make that happen.

Click here to register today!

For questions about Cookin’ Men, contact Kelli Kline at Kelli.Kline@parkview.com.

Kroger “Shares the Love” with Donations to Local Charities, Including Francine’s Friends

Kroger’s Central Division celebrated Valentine’s Day in Fort Wayne by donating $91,877 to five charities as part of its division-wide “Share the Love” event. Chris Gomez of Kroger’s Central Division presented checks to local nonprofits that exemplify the company’s own philanthropic goals, specifically Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste initiative and Fight Cancer Days.

“Supporting these organizations, and others, is another way we at Kroger say thank you to our customers,” Gomez said. “These organizations demonstrate the kind of support in this area with services that might not over wise be available.”

“Francine’s Friends is so grateful to Kroger for all they do for our community,” enthused Marita Dwight-Smith, director, Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography Program.  “Without this type of community support, we could not do what we do.”

The local charities included Community Harvest Food Bank, Love INC of Huntington County,  Toledo NW Ohio Food Bank, American Cancer Society, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, and Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography Program.

The “Share the Love” celebration will continue as Kroger’s Central Division distributes more than $400,000 to nonprofits in five states. Last year, Kroger ranked in the top 20 of America’s largest donors by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, giving back $189 million to the communities it serves.

Time to Get YOUR Indiana IBCAT License Plate!

Francine’s Friends is a 2019 recipient of a grant for breast cancer screening from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, Inc. (IBCAT). 

In 2019 alone, IBCAT granted $445,000 to 30 organizations dedicated to screening mammography and diagnostic programs. Services are available in nearly every Indiana county. In addition to screening/diagnostic services, IBCAT also funds Support Services grants for patients currently battling breast cancer. For assistance, visit www.breastcancerplate.org to find the program that is closest to you.

IBCAT receives funds through sales of breast cancer awareness special group recognition (SGR) license plates.  Each license plate sold generates a $25 donation to IBCAT. The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness SGR license plate can be purchased by visiting any Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch, online, or on a Connect kiosk. 

“Thank you IBCAT for improving the health of women in our communities,” said Francine’s Friends director Marita Dwight-Smith. “Not only does this grant help in the detection and prevention of breast cancer, it’s imperative to the overall wellbeing of those who might otherwise not have access to this important procedure. IBCAT helps us fund screenings in Adams, Allen, Dekalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties in northeast Indiana. We are so grateful for this support from IBCAT and for making a difference in the lives of our patients and their loved ones,” she concluded.

Since the Breast Cancer Awareness special group recognition license plate was first made available in 2002, over $5 million has been distributed by the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) through competitively awarded grants to organizations throughout Indiana for innovative projects for breast cancer screening, diagnostic and support services not otherwise available to medically underserved populations in Indiana. In addition, over $560,000 has been awarded in scholarships to incoming and current college students who have lost a parent or who have a parent currently battling the disease.

The mission of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, Inc. is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and support services throughout Indiana. Indiana residents may purchase an Indiana breast cancer awareness special group recognition license plate by visiting any Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch, online at www.IN.gov/BMV, or on a Connect kiosk for an annual $40 fee, $25 of which is a direct tax-­deductible donation (to the extent of the law). The plate may be purchased for display on passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, trucks with a declared gross weight of not more than 11,000 pounds, and recreational vehicles.

For more information on the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust and the programs it funds, please visit www.breastcancerplate.org or call 866.724.2228.

Happy 2019 to our Friends!

The 14th Annual “Lunch with Friends” was a huge success — raising $99,992 to support the detection and prevention of breast cancer!

“Whatever form it takes, the many gifts and donations of generosity help heal. These kindnesses are profoundly felt by not only those who benefit from Francine’s Friends, but by each and every caregiver who has the privilege of providing care,” said Marita Dwight-Smith, director of Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography Program. "Thank you once again for making a difference in the lives of our patients and their loved ones,”

Screening mammography continues to save lives. Breast cancer detected in its earliest stage increases the survival rate to 95 percent. “Through Francine’s Friends, your commitment to enabling women to be proactive in their healthcare has developed into a vital community resource.,” Dwight-Smith concluded.

Since its inception, Francine’s Friends has funded more than 14,500 mammograms, facilitated more than 11,000 first-screen mammograms and provided screening services to more than 41,000 women.

CLICK HERE to see photos from our October 2018 "Lunch with Friends"!

Please mark your calendars and save October 11, 2019  for the 15th Annual “Lunch with Friends”.

And, coming in April.....

The Parkview Foundation is dedicating the 16th Annual Cookin’ Men event to raise funds for the Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography program! Please join us as we support early detection, prevention, screening and management plans to fight breast cancer. Additionally, your support will focus on personalized approaches and improved care for those in need. In other words, we’re working to save lives and we need your support to make that happen.

Parkview Cookin' Men — April 27, 2019
Venue: Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Fort Wayne, IN
Contact: Kelli Kline
Email: Kelli.Kline@parkview.com
Phone: 260.266.7796

Please join us in 2019 as we celebrate 16 years of Cookin' Men tradition on Saturday, April 27. Because of earlier detection and improved treatment, death rates for women with breast cancer have steadily declined since 1990.

2018 was another sold out year for Cookin' Men, so you'll want to get your tickets early! CLICK HERE to give us your name and email address and we will send you an email notification in February when tickets go on sale for the 2019 Parkview Cookin’ Men event.