HERS Breast Cancer Foundation :: Bras for Body & Soul

FAQs

The HERS Breast Cancer Foundation, a 501(c)(3) a non-profit organization, provides programs and services supporting the needs of women and families affected by breast cancer in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Bras for Body & Soul is a specialty bra shop and extended services for all women, including women who have had breast surgery, in order to make a positive difference in women's lives.

Fifth Annual Keep Abreast - Walking Together for Her - 2004

September 25, 2004

THANK YOU for your participation in, and support of, the HERS Breast Cancer Foundation’s 5^th annual KEEP ABREAST-Walking Together for HER event held on September 25, 2004 at Coyote Hills Regional Park, Fremont (scroll down for photos).

It was a glorious fifth year anniversary; enlivening while also heart-rending for the 650 participants. Phenomenal thanks to our Presenting Sponsor: Fremont Bank Foundation for their incredible support. Endless gratitude also to Major Sponsors: Washington Hospital Healthcare System, Mercury News, KOIT 96.5, Curves, Clif Bar, PennySaver and Trader Joe’s.

After aerobically stretching muscles per the thoughtful guidance of Michelle Callaghan, the Opening Ceremony was particularly memorable. Special thanks to Honorary Co-Chairs Bernie Dutra and Ysabel Duron, to Nacha Subramanian for her words of welcome, to Mike Amaral for his gift of song, to Tony Gelfuso and family for speaking so beautifully about Fil and HERS and to all the Survivors who came forth to celebrate life. Once again Jim’s beautiful doves touched everyone’s spirit.

With staging and sound set by Oakland Audio & Visual, the morning was complete with Master of Ceremonies Buz Covalt at the helm announcing: the twenty-four exciting Expo participants sharing important information and donating items for our ‘free raffle;’ Assemblyman John Dutra’s fabulous picnic barbeque; Patty & Abigail on guitar and vocals; Massage by Julian and friends; and awarding 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place ribbons for the runners, as well as KEEP ABREAST Mugs for Lead Volunteers who have been with us 2000–2004. Coyote Hills is transformed each year at this event, and so are we.

The enthusiasm and expertise of more than 75 invaluable Volunteers helped the morning run smoothly. One noted difficulty, however, was traffic flow. We never expected delays at the entrance gate! Know that 2005 will see the implementation of a ‘new plan.’ Thanks to Central Chevrolet and Signer Buick Cadillac we did have terrific transportation for everyone once they got parked!

2005 was our highest fundraising to date: $46,780. 100% of the proceeds stay in the community to support the delivery of our services which include: HERS Haven resource center and meditation garden (now located directly across from Central Park, Fremont), Threads of Hope support gatherings, Reiki healing sessions, our Bras for Body & Soul program, one-on-one counseling, community education and advocacy.

This summary offers highlights of the day and only some of the incredible people who made it all possible. It takes the dedication and effort of many people to make a community event like this a success. We are deeply grateful to be walking this journey, together, with each of you.

We hope to see everyone again at the 6^th Annual KEEP ABREAST event, September 24, 2005

Thanks to our major sponsors in 2004:



	Fremont, Union City, Newark

Click a photo for a larger view

		Good Morning…….My name is Tony Gelfuso, the husband of Fil Gelfuso, who the HERS Foundation is honoring her memory today. This is not easy being up here talking about my beloved Fil who only last year, was standing here with Bernie Dutra, talking about hope and courage to all you cancer survivors, to carry on with your lives and live each day to the fullest. Little did we know that Fil would be gone just 4 weeks after last year's Walk-a-Thon. We are now approaching the 1st year of the anniversary of her death and it was not an easy year for all of us who knew Fil. But with the strong support of our immediate family and friends, together with Fil's spirit that remains in all of us, I want to personally thank the members of the HERS Foundation and all of you for this beautiful dedication in honoring her today. Support is so important at a time like this, not only for the survivors, but also the caretakers who play a vital role in helping to keep not only the body strong, but the spirit stronger. This is why the HERS Foundation plays an important part in our community today. On behalf of Fil's family and friends, we all thank you for honoring her today and keeping her spirit alive. Thank you for being here. [Welcome address from Tony Gelfuso]