Pink in the Night Declares Winners

FOR: Marshall Foundation
P.O. Box 1996
Placerville, CA 95667

CONTACT: Karen Good
Executive Director
530-642-9984

DATE: November 3, 2014

RELEASE: Time Sensitive - Immediate

PINK IN THE NIGHT DECLARES WINNERS

Way out west most of our rough, tough Placerville forefathers would never have thought of wearing pink as they strolled downtown. However, their enlightenment would have surely caused them to approve of Placerville lit in Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In celebration, this year grown men proudly dressed in pink agreed to be Mammo Men to support the cause.

Pink in the Night originated as a grassroots effort organized by Marshall Cancer Program Director Wendy Goossen when she became passionate about raising needed funds for Images of Hope, an art therapy program for cancer patients, survivors and family members. “We were so pleased that everyone wanted to participate to raise awareness of breast cancer and funding for the new art therapy classes.”

The second annual “Mammo Man” competition announced its winners this week. Local attorney David Combellack raised the most for the cause during the month of October, and Rich Woodhead topped everyone’s one-night totals during Pink in the Night at the Arts and Wine Festival. The best decorated windows were awarded to: 1st Place - Placerville News Company; 2nd Place - Tree House; 3rd Place Tie - Combellacks and Renfros. Store-fronts decorated with strands of pink lights funded by Marshall Foundation for Community Health symbolized our community had united to fight against breast cancer, a powerful statement of hope for those who had been touched by cancer.

When asked why he decided to participate in the Mammo Man Contest this year, Woodhead resounded, “My wife and I both lost our mothers to breast cancer when we were in our teens. I’ve also lost some of my siblings to cancer. Most of all, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and now is a survivor. The staff at the Cancer Resource Center were fantastic in guiding us through the maze of feeling, concerns, and fears we were experiencing. Volunteering to be a Mammo Man was an opportunity to give back to such a fine organization.”

Combellack, no stranger to this life-changing disease, lost his mother to breast cancer in 1999, and his wife Susan, 2nd grade teacher at Camino School, is a cancer survivor since 2000. He is passionate about raising funds for Marshall’s Cancer Program, and shares in their goal to promote early detection of breast cancer. Continuing to grow and expand today’s services to meet the needs of tomorrow, Marshall’s Cancer Program is located in Cameron Park.

Plans are underway for next year’s celebrations as Off Broadway and Renfros prepare for a fashion show to support Images of Hope and breast cancer awareness. For more details about Images of Hope classes, call the Community Resource Center at 530-672-7050. Those seeking to support the art therapy programs may send donations to Marshall Foundation, P O Box 1996, Placerville, CA 95667 or online at www.marshallfound.org.