Breast cancer survivor promoting gala fundraiser

A fundraiser being planned in Burlington by a cancer survivor will aid the development of a new breast cancer screening and diagnostic centre in Hamilton.

The first annual Shooting for the Stars Gala is set for Tuesday, Feb. 14 at the Burlington Convention Centre.

Funds raised will support the development of the new CIBC Breast Assessment Centre at the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre in Hamilton, in the former Henderson Hospital emergency department.

The $5-million centre is expected to streamline breast cancer screening and diagnosis for women in the region with a breast abnormality or who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer.

It is projected to open in the spring of 2013.

The Shooting For The Stars Gala is planning for 800 guests who will receive a gourmet dinner, complimentary cocktails and hors d?oeuvres, live entertainment, and silent and live auctions.

The gala is the brainchild of cancer survivor Dawn Blainey.

?As a single mother of two sons and a mortgage broker in Burlington, my life changed overnight on Feb. 8, 2011. I was diagnosed with the C word ? cancer,? Blainey says on the gala?s website ( www.shootingforthestarsgala.com).

?One of my greatest fears was breast cancer as I had lost a dear friend to the illness three years ago,? she adds.

Blainey had a lumpectomy on Feb. 18 last year. On March 21, she was told the lump in her breast was two centimetres long. Doctors informed her she also would have to have 11 lymph nodes removed, as five of them were cancerous.

She had the surgery and follow-up chemotherapy and radiation.

?I knew I could feel sorry for myself or I could take this opportunity to empower people and to make a difference in my community. When I learned of the (proposed) CIBC Assessment Centre in Hamilton I felt this was a way I could help and encourage others to help make a difference, not just in our community but for all women and families affected by this terrible disease,? says Blainey, who continued to work as a mortgage broker with Dawn Blainey and Associates during her treatments.

The CIBC centre will consolidate all breast screening and diagnostic services currently spread across three sites and provide continuing care where initial tests to diagnose breast abnormalities are performed in a single visit with results available likely within a week.

The centre will serve women with screen-detected abnormalities, women who are at high risk for genetic breast cancer, women presenting with symptoms and women previously diagnosed with breast cancer who are being followed-up with at the Juravinski Cancer Centre.

Blainey hopes to raise more than $100,000 in the Shooting For The Stars Gala?s first year. She is appearing on Breakfast Television on Jan 23 to promote the event.

Corporate tables for 10 people the night of the event are available for $2,500 while sponsors are also being sought at the $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000 levels.

Tickets to the gala cost 4175 and can be obtained by calling 905-336-8951, ext. 2887, faxing 905-332-3007 or e-mailing info@shootingforthestarsgala.com.

Metroland News Service

Source: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/652354--breast-cancer-survivor-promoting-gala-fundraiser

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