1. Indiana Fever Partners with Pink-4-Ever

    Pink-4-Ever is excited to announce it’s partnership with the Indiana Fever for the 2nd Annual Simply Pink Fashion Show! Select Indiana Fever players, along with Indianapolis native, Pink-4-Ever Ambassador and Indiana Fever Forward, Shyra Ely-Gash will strut their stuff in this year’s fashion show.

    Purchasing a fashion show ticket will also include an admission ticket to the Indiana Fever Breast Health Awareness Game which will be held on Friday, September 14th at 7:00 pm against the Minnesota Lynx.  

    Below are pictures from our 1st Annual Simply Pink Fashion Show.  

  2. Looking for a bag that’s easy to carry around, stylish and supports breast cancer awareness?  Purchase a Pink-4-Ever Cinch Bag!   Click HERE for purchasing details.  

    Looking for a bag that’s easy to carry around, stylish and supports breast cancer awareness?  Purchase a Pink-4-Ever Cinch Bag!  

    Click HERE for purchasing details.  

  3. Indiana Fever and Pink-4-Ever Ambassador, Shyra Ely-Gash speaks on behalf of Pink-4-Ever.  

  4. Executive Director, Nadia Miller speaks on behalf of Pink-4-Ever.  

  5. The Man Behind Pink-4-Ever When you think of the term “breast cancer,” it’s natural to associate this frightening term with women.  Men are actually affected by breast cancer more than you think.  Having to watch their grandmother, mother, wife, aunt, sister, daughter or other loved ones battle against breast cancer can take a toll on men emotionally.  John Miller is one of the many males affected by breast cancer.  Losing his oldest sister to breast cancer then having to watch his youngest sister fight for breast cancer survival was tough.   Although Miller is one of the many men affected by breast cancer, he stands out from the rest.  In 2008, Miller decided to take a personal stand against breast cancer and partnered with his sister (5-year breast cancer survivor) Nadia Miller, to create an organization that would educate the community on taking responsibility of their health care and reducing breast cancer disparities in the minority community.   “It’s about getting men and women involved,” says Miller.  Today, Pink-4-Ever has a strong presence in the Indianapolis community through empowerment, education, support and serving as a resource for breast cancer and health care as a whole.  Pink-4-Ever, Inc. offers access to clinical screening services and host various seminars on breast cancer awareness, prevention and breast reconstruction throughout the city of Indianapolis.  You can also find Pink-4-Ever working hard in churches, high schools, colleges and universities, in parades and health fairs to spread breast cancer awareness.   Pink-4-Ever recently became a finalist in the Lester Smith Pink Well Challenge.  The Pink Well Challenge is a fundraiser that offers matching grants to organizations who support or engage in breast cancer research and breast cancer awareness in the United States.  Pink-4-Ever’s biggest goal is to grow and to continue supporting those not only in the Indianapolis community but people all over the United States.  Help Pink-4-Ever reach their goal by donating or voting for Pink-4-Ever HERE.  You can vote everyday and the organization with the most votes on May 15, 2012 will win an additional $50,000!

    The Man Behind Pink-4-Ever

    When you think of the term “breast cancer,” it’s natural to associate this frightening term with women.  Men are actually affected by breast cancer more than you think.  Having to watch their grandmother, mother, wife, aunt, sister, daughter or other loved ones battle against breast cancer can take a toll on men emotionally.  John Miller is one of the many males affected by breast cancer.  Losing his oldest sister to breast cancer then having to watch his youngest sister fight for breast cancer survival was tough.  

    Although Miller is one of the many men affected by breast cancer, he stands out from the rest.  In 2008, Miller decided to take a personal stand against breast cancer and partnered with his sister (5-year breast cancer survivor) Nadia Miller, to create an organization that would educate the community on taking responsibility of their health care and reducing breast cancer disparities in the minority community.  

    “It’s about getting men and women involved,” says Miller. 

    Today, Pink-4-Ever has a strong presence in the Indianapolis community through empowerment, education, support and serving as a resource for breast cancer and health care as a whole.  Pink-4-Ever, Inc. offers access to clinical screening services and host various seminars on breast cancer awareness, prevention and breast reconstruction throughout the city of Indianapolis.  You can also find Pink-4-Ever working hard in churches, high schools, colleges and universities, in parades and health fairs to spread breast cancer awareness.  

    Pink-4-Ever recently became a finalist in the Lester Smith Pink Well Challenge.  The Pink Well Challenge is a fundraiser that offers matching grants to organizations who support or engage in breast cancer research and breast cancer awareness in the United States.  Pink-4-Ever’s biggest goal is to grow and to continue supporting those not only in the Indianapolis community but people all over the United States.  Help Pink-4-Ever reach their goal by donating or voting for Pink-4-Ever HERE.  You can vote everyday and the organization with the most votes on May 15, 2012 will win an additional $50,000!

  6. Photo: New volunteers gathered together for the Pink-4-Ever Volunteer Workshop.  Welcome Ladies! We are so excited!  We have some big things stirring up for 2012!

    Photo: New volunteers gathered together for the Pink-4-Ever Volunteer Workshop.  Welcome Ladies! We are so excited!  We have some big things stirring up for 2012!

  7. Follow Pink-4-Ever on Twitter

    Please follow us on Twitter for more Pink-4-Ever updates and helpful breast cancer information.

    @Pink_4_Ever

  8. A Breast Reconstruction Discussion with Dr. David Ciacoppo

    Pink-4-Ever, Inc. and the Pink Ribbon Connection joined forces to host a breast reconstruction discussion to serve as a resource for women who are still exploring their breast reconstruction options. Women of various ages and backgrounds joined together to share their breast reconstruction experiences and concerns accompanied by Dr. Cacioppo from University Plastic Surgery Associates to share his expertise on breast reconstruction. 

    Although the occasion was to bring women together to discuss breast reconstruction methods, breast cancer survivors in attendance also served as a support system for those currently battling breast cancer by sharing their experiences and offering words of encouragement. 

    There is hope,” said Nadia Miller [Executive Director of Pink-4-Ever, Inc], as she encourages those currently fighting breast cancer.

    Here are a few important points discussed at the breast reconstruction discussion: 

    Timing: It is recommended that you undergo breast reconstruction after radiation to replace radiated skin with healthy skin. 

    Types of breast reconstruction: Autologous vs. Implants 
    Autologous is a reconstructive surgery that uses your own tissue to replace lost tissue.  Others chose reconstructive plastic surgery which uses silicone or saline implants. 

    Silicone v. Saline: 

    Silicone implants are pre-filled with silicone gel – a thick, sticky fluid and feels like human fat. Despite popular belief, silicone implants do not induce systematic diseases (systematic diseases such as brain cancer, lupus, etc.).  Saline implants are filled with saline and often times feel hard. 

    Bilateral Mastectomy v. Unilateral Mastectomy: 

    Bilateral [Prophylactic] Mastectomy is surgical removal of both breasts. The objective is to prevent breast cancer from occurring or (in some cases) reoccurring.  Unilateral Mastectomy is he surgical removal of one breast. 

    Age: Age does NOT matter. Anyone can undergo breast reconstruction at any age and the recovery time is the same, no matter if you’re young or old. Medical conditions are an important factor in regards to breast reconstruction, not age. 

    Physical Therapy: Physical therapy post surgery is very beneficial. It helps you stretch the tissue and aid in pain relief. Often times the patient must ask to receive physical therapy.  It is very important to inform your doctor if you want therapy. Dr. Cioppo recommends seeing a therapist who specializes in breast reconstruction physical therapy. 

    DIEP Flap vs. TRAM Flap 

    DIEP Flap is surgical removal of skin and fat from the lower abdomen and is transferred to the chest to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy. No muscle is sacrificed which makes the recovery a lot faster.  TRAM Flap is the surgical removal of muscle from the lower abdomen and transferred to the chest to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy. TRAM flap procedures may weaken the abdominal wall and torso strength. 

    Check out pictures for the discussion below!

  10. Executive Director of Pink-4-Ever, Inc. Nadia Miller and Executive Director of the Pink Ribbon Connection, Dori Sparks-Unsworth

    Executive Director of Pink-4-Ever, Inc. Nadia Miller and Executive Director of the Pink Ribbon Connection, Dori Sparks-Unsworth

  11. Executive Director of Pink-4-Ever, Inc. Nadia Miller and Dr. David Cacioppo

    Executive Director of Pink-4-Ever, Inc. Nadia Miller and Dr. David Cacioppo

  14. We want women who have had reconstruction and women who are exploring their options to join us in A Breast Reconstruction Discussion. A circle of survivors will be sharing their experiences to support and nurture other survivors in their journey.We invite you to join us, Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Pink Ribbon Connection, 1139 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN.

    We want women who have had reconstruction and women who are exploring their options to join us in A Breast Reconstruction Discussion. A circle of survivors will be sharing their experiences to support and nurture other survivors in their journey.

    We invite you to join us, Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Pink Ribbon Connection, 1139 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN.

  15. Basics of Breast Cancer Workshop: Ben Davis University

    Pink-4-Ever kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by hosting a “Basics of Breast Cancer” workshop for Ben Davis University’s sophomore class. “Basics of Breast Cancer” workshops travel throughout the community to provide basic information about breast cancer from breast cancer prevention, early detection, how to perform a breast self-examination and more.

    Contact us at http://www.pink-4-ever.org/ if you would like Pink-4-Ever to host a “Basics of Breast Cancer” workshop.