Throughout the month of October, join us in Rancho Palos Verdes for extraordinary experiences and a wonderful cause. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Terranea Turns Pink, with a portion of proceeds from resort offerings – including oceanfront adventures, delicious dining and specialty cocktails, spa treatments and more – donated to Cancer Support Community South Bay and Play for P.I.N.K.
Cancer Support Community South Bay
Since 1987, Cancer Support Community South Bay has provided psychosocial and emotional support to over 24,000 cancer patients and their loved ones. CSCSB offers over 250 programs, services, classes, and workshops per month – all completely free of charge.
With any cancer diagnosis comes feelings of hopelessness and social isolation. The mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.
Recognizing the need for critical support services for cancer patients and their families, Dr. Harold Benjamin, Ph.D. founded the first Wellness Community in Santa Monica, California, in 1982. Their services were based upon the “Patient Active” concept, which focuses on the adoption of a set of actions, behaviors, and attitudes to improve quality life, which potentially enhances the possibility of recovery. Being “Patient Active” empowers cancer patients to become actively aware of their medical care, remain informed on new medical discoveries, and provided with solutions to manage side effects of illness and treatment, while being pro-active in all aspects of their cancer experience. In April 1987, a group of South Bay residents and advocates including founders Jean McMillan, Elise Asch, Thomas Simko, MD, Anne Clary, MFT, and Joost van Adelsberg, MD, worked diligently to raise start-up funds from their local community and corporate donations to open their second facility, The Wellness Community – South Bay Cities, now known as Cancer Support Community South Bay. In 2008, CSCRB expanded the program to provide more nutrition, preventative, educational and exercise programs, once again, without financial obligation for patients. The once small initiative has now grown to 47 affiliates nationwide.
Cancer Support Community South Bay offers free programs and classes that help cancer patients and their loved ones navigate the complex emotions and stresses that come with the diagnosis. These programs have been proven to raise the spirits and quality of life of cancer patients, as well as help keep traditional medical treatments on track. Psychosocial programs are just one part of the continuum of care offered for those fighting cancer.
From physical wellness and strength-building classes like yoga and tai chi, to empathetic support groups with others who share in the personal cancer journey, Cancer Support Community South Bay provides a caring community of support to lean on during often challenging days.
Although Cancer Support Community does not offer financial assistance, medical advice, services, or referrals, they do, however, offer regular educational workshops and classes that can assist in providing informed education and knowledge of cancer, how to navigate through the challenges, and how to prepare for the road to recovery.
PLAY FOR P.I.N.K.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the disease that affects both women and men every year.
Play for P.I.N.K.—standing for Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge (or PFP)—began in 1990, when Founder Laura Lassman was inspired to raise money for her friend battling breast cancer. An avid golfer, Laura urgently rallied fellow members at her local country club to play in support of the cause.
For six years, the dedicated group continued this tradition of fundraising through club sporting events until 1996 when Laura met Evelyn Lauder, founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF)—a pivotal moment in her life and her small organization’s history. Their friendship flourished and led to the Play for P.I.N.K. we know today; an organization of more than 30,000 volunteers across the nation who have raised over $65 million to date for BCRF, its sole beneficiary. Thanks to underwriting from The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign, PFP donates 100% of its proceeds to the Foundation. Other corporate partners include The Estée Lauder Companies, Penn Tennis and Tory Sport.
[aesop_gallery id=”2091″]“Play for P.I.N.K. is an example of how a devoted community can mobilize and create dramatic change in advancing research,” said Stephanie Hamburger, Executive Director of Play for P.I.N.K. “Each event contributes to the larger mission—no gift or event is too small, because we are in this together. Every dollar makes a difference.”
What started with a single golf swing, has turned PFP to one of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s largest, longstanding donors. The tremendous gifts from supporters across the nation allow Play for P.I.N.K. to support 12 research projects led by 15 world-class scientists.
The passion for funding research through grassroots sporting events has expanded rapidly. PFP is currently supported by donors across 30 states through community-hosted tennis, golf, swimming events and more.
“Play for P.I.N.K. started more than two decades ago as a way for me to help my dear friend,” said Laura Lassman, President and Founder of Play for P.I.N.K. “And today, with the support of the late Evelyn Lauder and BCRF, we are directly involved in funding breakthroughs that may affect those with breast cancer around the world.”
As PFP’s sole beneficiary, BCRF’s mission is to raise critical funds for research. BCRF is the largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide, and the highest-rated breast cancer organization in the United States. BCRF and PFP have created a remarkable synergy of working toward scientific advancements.
The researchers funded by PFP have become an integral part of the organization’s family. Each Play for P.I.N.K. dedicated researcher is chosen by BCRF’s esteemed Scientific Advisory Board; the idea of funding “people not projects” in order to honor the flexibility of the ever-changing research climate is integral to success.
With each event, Play for P.I.N.K. moves closer to the end of breast cancer as we know it. By funding hours in the lab today, we are taking crucial steps toward life-saving discoveries tomorrow.
Terranea Resort is honored to continue its annual Terranea Turns Pink initiatives and support breast cancer organizations Cancer Support Community Redondo South Bay and Play for P.I.N.K.
For more information or to become involved, visit cscrb.org, playforpink.org and terranea.com/pink.
