October 2016 Events – THANKS!

October Madness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a perfect time for our group to be visible, and for other organizations and businesses to get involved in a cause that they believe in.

October 2016 was amazing; we had groups and businesses coming to us and asking to run events and donate!! All we had to do was show up! The photos below only begin to tell the story of the hard work and dedication these groups put in on behalf of Solano Midnight Sun. We can’t thank you all enough! The beneficiaries are the clients we serve all year long.

Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser

Texas Roadhouse – Fairfield

Texas Roadhouse - Stand up to Cancer!
Texas Roadhouse donates to many charitable causes that benefit the community. The Fairfield restaurant has chosen to bless Solano Midnight Sun with it’s cancer fighting fundraising efforts in October.

All monies donated to Breast Cancer Awareness from October 1 – October 31 will be converted to Texas Roadhouse Gift Cards. Those cards will be given to SMSF to distribute as needed to families and individuals in need of a meal, a break from routine, or just a little something extra.

Thank you, Texas Roadhouse! And thank you to all who will visit and donate!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Kickoff Event

Kyle Barraza Breast Cancer FundraiserKyle Barraza, The Napa Deli, GV Cellars, and Napa Food and Vine blog, and Vezer Family Vineyards are teaming up on October 1 to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month with a fundraiser at GV Cellars.

Kyle has chosen Solano Midnight Sun as a beneficiary of his fundraising efforts, at this event.  We will be there to support his efforts on our behalf!

Tickets are $15, in advance or at GV Cellars when you get there.  The event is from 4pm to 7pm.  We hope to see you there!

Kyle’s story:

When I was 12 years old, my aunt, Norma, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. That year I started my support and fundraising for Susan G. Komen. My aunt fought for 14 years until cancer took her from us. During these 14 years she was dedicated to the organization and we walked side by side in many cancer walks in Northern Nevada and California. First we started with the 5K walks and in 2012 we got involved in our first 3 Day 60 mile walk. While fighting cancer she continued to walk! After her death, my cousins and I have continued this tradition in her memory.
We walk in hope that you or somebody you know does not have to go through the pain she did. Since 1990, because of foundations like Susan G. Komen, mortality rates have decreased by 37%. This year our goal is to raise $10,000. $5,000 for the Komen 3 day and $5,000 to stay here in Solano County for The Solano Midnight Sun Foundation! Please help us find a cure and donate!

Kyle will be completing a 60 mile, 3 day walk in San Diego, California on November 18-20. We hope you can join us in support.

2014 – Under the Valley Moon

2014 Under the Valley Moon Event
11th Annual Benefit for Solano Midnight Sun Breast Cancer Foundation
was Saturday, August 16th, 6:00-12:00

An Evening Under the Valley Moon is the SMSF’s signature fundraising event.  The 2014 event featured an amazing Napa-Style Lobster boil, a Live performance by Used Blues Band and Live Auction. This year’s raffle included a one-of-a-kind custom design designed pendant and two additional pieces donated by Thornton & Sons Jewelers.
About Solano Midnight Sun Breast Cancer Foundation:
The Solano Midnight Sun Foundation (SMSF) works to promote breast health and early detection of breast cancer in women.  Our mission is to provide assistance and resources to women in our local community affected by cancer.  We offer temporary financial assistance to women who have experienced a financial hardship during their cancer treatments and need help paying for basic living expenses and we also provide mammogram sponsorships to under-insured women.

Established in 2004, the Solano Midnight Sun Foundation is a volunteer-driven, local nonprofit organization, serving Solano County.

 

Survivors continue battle against breast cancer

The Reporter – Saturday, September 25, 2004

By Patricia Valenzuela – Staff Writer

Elizabeth Fry and Debbie Wood spent weeks successfully fighting breast cancer with the help and support of family and friends.
The two Vacaville women, who fought the cancer recently but at different times, are keenly aware that they were fortunate to have resources and support during one of the most difficult times in their lives. They also are aware that early detection allowed them to undergo the most noninvasive treatments.

Now, both women say they feel driven to do something for other Solano County women and men who face the disease.
They’ve formed the Solano Midnight Sun Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to assist Solano County men and women fighting breast cancer, and are partnering with NorthBay Healthcare foundation to provide free mammograms to low-income Solano County residents. The women view the partnership as creating an additional resource important in early detection.

According to the American Cancer Society, 230 Solano women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Fry and Wood were diagnosed in the early stages of breast cancer, which allowed each to undergo a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. Early detection also is associated with women’s survival rates. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for women is more than 95 percent of the cancer is confined to the breast.

Wood had her first mammogram at the age of 30 after being told she was susceptible to breast cancer due to her family history. She returned each year for the procedure and always had negative results until a year and a half ago. Wood received a letter on Christmas Eve 2002 stating she had breast cancer, and she completed treatment in March 2003.

Fry had her first mammogram a year ago, at age 42. Although she should have begun having annual mammograms earlier in life, the timing was right. Fry was diagnosed a few weeks later.

“I thought. ‘I have no family history and have no reason to think I could have breast cancer.’ ” Fry said. Fry completed treatment in February 2004. “The hardest thing for me was to feel as though I was making the right decision. For the first time in my life, I felt like I couldn’t make a good decision….It was scary,” she said.

Both women want to alleviate any fears related to breast cancer by creating a database with information on other breast cancer survivors along with information about procedures and doctors in the area.

Donations from fundraisers also will assist local men and women experiencing financial hardships due to breast cancer. Wood said she met numerous women too exhausted to return to work as bills increased. The women plan to receive referrals from breast cancer counselors and ultimately will make the decisions as to who receives funding.

One hundred percent of donations will be used to help others. The ladies do not plan on hiring administrative staff and have said anyone who wants to help the foundation will donate their time.

“We are going to be very accountable to all of our supporters.” Fry said.