The first goal has been reached.  The CSCRB (www.cscrb.org), the research group at U.F. which has been receiving all proceeds from the pink ribbon jersey sales, reached their goal for the first seed grant.  The grant will soon be awarded to one of nine applicants, who will use the funds to help discover more effective treatments for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). 

 

To date, pink ribbon jersey sales have contributed $4,068.87 to breast cancer research.  Over 472 pieces (jerseys, shorts and gloves) of this copyrighted design have been sold or sent as gifts to folks around the world, since the jersey made its debut in the GCC's double century weekend in October 2007.  Thanks to all of you who have helped make this possible.

 

Ally Gill and Beatrice Solis have created a Facebook page for the jersey.  They would welcome your input.......tell them where the jerseys you've purchased have gone to friends around the world, what rides they've been seen on, and by all means send photos of yourselves or family/friends wearing the jersey!  It will help to spread the word and keep up the demand, so that we can continue to support the CSCRB's funding of important research.  The page is at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/278436338850834/

 

Please send inquiries and orders directly to Barb Thomas at bnbbarb@xxxxxxx  

If you use the address on this email it will not get to me as quickly, so please do not hit "reply."

You may also call me at 352 3774427.  Payment is by check or money order and needs to be in my hands before I place the order on ~ October 17th.  If you absolutely cannot get it to me in time, please email or call me to discuss options.

 

The jersey has been written up in the FBA's newsletter, Messenger, in the spring '08 and '10 issues, in the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation's newsletter in December '07 and January '10, the GCC's newsletter in February 2011, in Gainesville Magazine October/November 2010, the Caloosarider's newsletter this spring, the Gainesville Sun in October 2009, is seen on the opening page of the GCC's website, and has been worn on Bike Florida tours as well as RAGBRAI in Iowa.  As recently as this summer's edition of U.F Shands Cancer Center News magazine, my husband Dave is pictured in his jersey on the back page, taken at the CSCRB's fundraising "NuNu 5K " walk/run this past April.

 

Jerseys are $70 for the women's or men's short sleeved version,  $60 for women's sleeveless, and $24 for matching gloves.  You can see them on the CSCRB's website, www.cscrb.org                                    (direct link: www.cscrb.org/#/pink-ribbonjersey ), as well as on the GCC's opening page, www.gccfla.org, and at www.pinkribbonjersey.com    They tend to run one size small, so if in doubt, order up, or check the Louis Garneau sizing charts.

 

Many people have ordered and worn the jersey on special awareness rides and walks in honor of loved ones lost to breast cancer, and specifically triple negative breast cancer.  TNBC, which represents 10-20% of  breast cancers, accounts for 25% of all breast cancer deaths.  It is a hard-to-treat subtype, aggressive and poorly understood.  TNBC tends to have a higher rate of recurrence and the effects of chemotherapy are often limited.  Researchers like those funded through the CSCRB's grants are looking for combinations of drugs that may provide more effective treatments.  Currently, only about .1% of the NIH's budget (National Institute of Health) goes towards TNBC research.

 

Dr. Jeanne Mandelblatt ( Associate Director for Population Sciences, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Professor, Depts. of Oncology and Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center) recently purchased the 34 jerseys remaining in stock.  Jeanne had seen a woman wearing one at a breast cancer fundraiser last year in the D.C. area, got my contact information, and ordered one for herself.  She received so many compliments on hers that she decided to buy up what I had, and is reselling them to raise team funds for an Avon fundraising breast cancer walk to be held in Washington D.C. next year:

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/WashingtonDC?team_id=99690&pg=team&fr_id=2160 

If you need a jersey before December, contact Jeanne directly, at   mandelbj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Barb Thomas (five year survivor and counting!!)