Neighbors
www.SanTanSun.com
“Whether it’s, ‘I can help raise funds’ or ‘I can register for the race’ or ‘I can be that support system for my mom, grandma, my aunt whoever might be going through breast cancer,’” Roberts says. “What is that individual step a person can do in the fight against breast cancer.” In addition to spreading the word on breast cancer awareness and health, Gabriel has also participated in the Faustine Gabriel Submitted photo. Komen race every year since her mother’s diagnosis almost 20 years ago. “What I do in October is I really, really stress about fundraising. I always have a goal of at least $1,000 for the Komen race. I do walk it every year, ever since my mom was diagnosed and that’s always been my fundraising goal to help the foundation, and raise at least $1,000 every year for it,” Gabriel says. It is of the utmost importance to continue discussing the topics of breast cancer and bodily awareness, as well as conducting monthly self-breast exams, Gabriel says. If it were not for the many dedicated volunteers spreading the word on breast health, the topic would dissipate and possibly endanger the lives of many. “I just remember feeling really grateful that the volunteer had taken time out of her day to come educate me about something that I don’t know and for me to bring that information to my mom to help her save her life,” Gabriel says.
CANCER FROM PAGE 49
director with the Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona, says Gabriel has been a great contributor as a community volunteer as well as an incredible Komen supporter. “We were really moved when we heard her story about learning about breast cancer from a COA that came to talk to her so she could basically walk her mom and educate her mom on the process. It’s learning about what’s the best way to get to people to pass that education along,” Roberts says. Komen Central and Northern Arizona began with the Phoenix Race for the Cure 21 years ago and has since been an affiliate here in the desert. For Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, Komen will host the Race for the Cure on Oct. 13 as well as health fairs and educational events. “The month of October is huge for us because we have a group of trained (volunteers)—whom we call community outreach ambassadors—so they are basically all over town going to different health fairs, speaking engagements, companies that want people to come talk about breast health and breast cancer,” Roberts says. “So they are out arming people with knowledge not just about Komen and more specifically about breast cancer awareness; what people can do to be aware of their own bodies; what they need to know about breast health and breast cancer.” Komen hopes to mainly promote the importance of knowing one’s body—learning the benefits of conducting regular self-exams, maintaining awareness of any bodily changes and actively seeking out information on any family history of breast cancer, Roberts says. This year’s breast cancer awareness theme will center on the tagline “I can” with Olympic gold medal swimmer Amanda Beard serving as honorary race chairwoman, Roberts says. With Beard, the organization is hoping to show that everyone can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.
51
October 5 – 18, 2013
Valeri Spiwak is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.
Organizations join forces to provide makeover magic It started when Darlene Arias, the owner of Luxe Salon & Spa, challenged her professional staff to start doing more makeovers and it turned into an important outreach to some deserving and hardworking local moms. Luxe Salon & Spa worked with the East Valley Mom’s Blog (EVMB) to find moms who needed and deserved some time at the salon to focus solely on TURNING BLONDE: Veteran themselves. professional stylist Janelle Niomee Baker Williams adds blonde highlights of Niomee B for the first time in four years to Photography, the hair of triple entrepreneur, another EVMB blogger and mom of twin boys, contributor, and Andrea Boring. Submitted photo Heather Cisek of The Purple Skirt boutique offered to help with photography and clothing makeovers respectively to showcase each of the four moms’ final looks. Christina Nguyen, one of the four founders of EVMB, was in a unique position to help Luxe Salon & Spa track down great candidates for the makeovers. SEE MAKEOVER MAGIC PAGE 52
“A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.” — Coco Chanel Fall is all about change. Let Luxe help you explore your own catalyst for change and enhance what is uniquely you. MODEL: Andrea Boring, Mom, Entrepreneur and Blog Contributor of Chandler, AZ
KNOW A DESERVING WOMAN WHO COULD USE A CHANGE OF HER OWN?
ALL NEW CLIENTS TAKE 15% OFF*
Tell us why and win her a makeover valued at more than $300. Find out more at www.luxesalonspaaz.com or visit us on Facebook.
*Not to be combined with other offers.
Lost contact or just looking for someone new? Call one of our experienced professionals:
JADE MORGAN
STORMY MARTIN
TODATIYAH MORRIS
MICHELLE MCKEE
ABBY SCHRECK
MISCHA MENDOZA
AVERY WOODBURNE
Andrea Boring, before Andrea Boring, after
CYNTHIA AKINS
STEPHANIE ZACCARI
DANIELLE JONES
MELISSA PAOLO
HILLARY HENSLEE
AMANDA MILLANES
JANELLE WILLIAMS
DENISE PIERCE
JODI ZELLER
TAMMY ROSENBERG
MEGAN RYAN
LINDSEY RAE HAYES
MELISSA BERNARD
RAYNA MONCRIEF
AMANDA FLETCHER
BETH LONGO
2410 S. Gilbert Rd., Ste. C1 • Chandler
Val Vista
Germann
Gilbert
Watermark Plaza off Gilbert Rd., south of 202 Freeway Monday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
BRADLEY WALKER
Loop 202 Cooper
480-209-1659
SUSAN GENSON
N