Aimee Salzmann watched her 80 year-old grandmother, Erin Festersen, fight for her life and the right to save it.
“My grandmother knew something was wrong but because of her age, she received little respect from her doctors,” says Salzmann. “She had to become her own advocate to get the mammogram that led to her breast cancer diagnosis.”
As committee chair for this year’s “Sleep in for the Cure” presented by the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells, Oct. 4-5, Salzmann has brought in a host of beauty and other services to complement the evening’s festivities.
• Frenchie’s PJ Party and PJ Contest
• "Greased Lightning" Photo booth
• Complimentary spa and beauty treatments at the Pink Poodle Spa
• Crater Lake Vodka Pink Cadillac drinks
• Pink Ladies Fashion Show hosted by Caroldean Ross of Resale Therapy
• Silent Auction, shopping, musical entertainment and more
Save Your Life
Salzmann realized that after melanoma, breast cancer is the No. 2 cancer killer. However, if caught early, breast cancer patients have a good chance to become survivors.
“Really as women, we have to be our own advocate,” says Salzmann. “We know when something doesn’t feel right, and we have to not be afraid to speak up to get the right medical treatment.”
Three keys for women:
• Get educated about your health
• Listen to your body
• Early detection is key.
A Means to an End
While her grandmother became a breast cancer survivor, Salzmann was motivated to start “Sleep in for the Cure” in Coachella Valley, an event to promote breast cancer awareness through education and empowerment.
What started six years ago as a Fashion Show featuring breast cancer survivors as models has become an annual affair to honor women and get them involved to find a cure. Salzmann partnered with the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire three years ago to grow the event into a larger community function.
Truly Beautiful
As an added bonus, it was through her involvement with “Sleep in for the Cure” that Salzmann met her friend and owner of two boutique beauty salons, Tracy Worthington. Bonding quickly over their mutual passion for giving back, Salzmann and Worthington understood that the beauty businesses could influence the notion that “true and real beauty comes with compassion and giving back,” according to Salzmann.
Salzmann is now director of Wink Lash & Beauty Bar and Just Blow Drys in Palm Desert, and she and Worthington have branded the salons to embody their “true beauty” motto.
A Legacy Celebrated
To honor her grandmother’s inspiring legacy, Salzmann’s family has raised a special sponsor donation for this year’s “Sleep in for the Cure” as a tribute to Festersen’s name. Last year’s event generated more than $20,000 for the Susan G. Komen Inland Empire. For every dollar raised, 75 cents goes to Riverside County grant recipients and 25 cents to National Research.
Like what you're reading? Then "Like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter.
