Breast Friends

I love this day!  For the last 15 years, the Breast Cancer Alliance of Greenwich has worked tirelessly to raise millions of dollars, providing grant money for the brightest and best researchers.  It takes a full year of planning and dozens of volunteer to seamlessly pull of a luncheon, silent auction, raffle packages and the Richards runway fashion show for close to 900 women and I am very proud, to have served on this committee for the last 3 years.  No small feat and a huge round of applause and congratulations to glamour puss Co-Chairs Jill Ciporin, Julia Dunn and Paige Montinaro (above), who looked stunning in Brioni, Lela Rose and Giambatistta Valli.

Speaking of stunning,  this year's key note speaker was Hoda Kotbe,Co-anchor of The Today Show, NBC, Correspondent and Author.  Oh yeah...and breast cancer survivor too.

Hoda is hilarious!  She is the kind of woman you instantly want to hang out with.  Warm, funny, self-effacing and chic.  I am always stunned about the on camera phenomenon....it doesn't just add pounds, but height too.  Most of the television and movie celebs I have seen up close and personal are downright lilliputian.  Would I love an opportunity to Diva on air in some capacity???   You know it, but unless I want to come across as a white Wendy Williams,  I best crank up that wheat grass juice fast now.

Hoda regaled us with the funny and charming story of how she finally got her break in the business and her fondness and friendship for Stan, the News Director who finally said yes, after 26 others said no.  Does persistence pay off???  Doesn't it always?  Hoda, is a household name.

My friend Margaret Sinclair, who has done a magnificent job as  the BCA's President,  recently walked me outside to show me a quote, stenciled in pink in Richards window:
"I hope you never have to hear the words, "your tumor is malignant".  If you do, you will cope...you simply have to".  Did Hoda say that?  Nope.  I did..but I have the feeling she would concur.   Hoda did share that her life feels like it's now in two parts, before cancer and after cancer.  I can definitely relate.  I am looking forward to learning more about this inspiring lady.  I picked up a copy of her new tell-all titled Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer and Kathie Lee,  and I would bet a boob, that  I will be laughing out loud. 

Besides laughter, how else can you cope with a breast cancer diagnosis?  "With the help of a great medical team,  family,  friends, luck,  perseverance and resources like the Breast Cancer Alliance, life resumes and it will never be sweeter. Mine is".    End quote. Me.

xox and healthy breasts,
DD