It’s time to gather your friends – and furry ones, if you so choose – and register for Desert Cancer Foundation’s (DCF) Fourth Annual Paint El Paseo Pink on October 9, 2010. This annual walk for breast cancer benefits local residents in need of breast cancer screening and diagnostic services. Appropriately held during the 25th Annual National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the event anticipates over 700 walkers – with an overall goal of raising $100,000+.
Desert Cancer Foundation is proud to announce the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s event as the Auen Foundation, which has been involved with the walk since its inception and is pleased to become the Presenting Sponsor. The public and social mission of the Auen Foundation is to focus on the quality of life of middle and older aged individuals, and families.
Other sponsors include the Comprehensive Breast Center at Desert Regional Medical Center, serving as the Provider of Service Sponsor, as well as the Desert Healthcare District, Gardens on El Paseo, El Paseo Village, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Scott Burch Design.
"We’ve been so pleased how Paint El Paseo Pink has grown. This breast cancer fundraiser has more than tripled in participation in just four short years," said Peggy Bilous, executive director of Desert Cancer Foundation. "And all the dollars raised go directly to breast cancer services for patients right here in the Coachella Valley."
Paint El Paseo Pink is DCF’s largest fundraising event each year, which also raises money for the Suzanne Jackson Breast Cancer Fund (SJBCF). All registered participants will receive a FREE limited edition Fourth Annual Paint El Paseo Pink T-shirt. Last year alone,the event assisted in providing funds that covered screening services for over 800 local women.
This year, a unique new fundraiser is being introduced – which allows participants’ pooches to get "painted in pink" as well. Pink dog bandannas will be on sale at the event for $10. Not only will this add to the festivity of the walk, but provide another fun way for pet lovers to support DCF.
The event is especially important this year, since the state run "Every Women Counts" has accepted no new applicants since 2009 and no longer pays for breast cancer screenings for women under 50. Great advancements have been made in breast cancer over the years because of early detection and treatment, and the five-year survival rate for breast cancer, when caught before it spreads beyond the breast, is now 98 percent as compared to 74 percent in 1982. The State’s drastic budget cut measure means there has been a major influx of women turning to local services such as Desert Cancer Foundation for their screenings.
Check-in for the Fourth Annual Paint El Paseo Pink Walk will begin at 8:30am on Saturday, October 9, 2010, with the pre-walk program beginning at 9:30am, in the center garden court of the Gardens on El Paseo. Walkers will begin their walk at 10am, along the streets of El Paseo. Post-walk events include entertainment at the Gardens on El Paseo, and the Grand Opening of the new El Paseo Village set for 1pm, just one block west of the Gardens on El Paseo.
Online registration and set-up for walkers’ personal fundraising pages is available at www.firstgiving.com/desertcancerfoundation. Participants may also register by faxing credit card registrations to (760) 773-6532, or, mailing pay-by-check registrations to: Desert Cancer Foundation, 74-091 Larrea Street, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Registration for the Fourth Annual Paint El Paseo Pink is now open.For more information, please call (760) 773-6554 or visit the website at www.desertcancerfoundation.org
About Desert Cancer Foundation:
Founded in 1994, Desert Cancer Foundation (DCF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting residents in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities who need financial assistance in obtaining screening, diagnosis and treatment for cancer. To date DCF has funded cancer related medical treatment valued at over $36 million for local residents. For more information, please contact DCF, call 760-773-6554 www.desertcancerfoundation.org.