Bimmer, I told Oprah

Bren-2007

Twink - you tickle me! 

livesstrong

Well it certainly looks like we have some interest!!! I'm going to post on some of the other threads also.

Looks like June is going to be the month.  If I remember correctly, Lance Armstrong does his gathering in April. I think black is perfect also.

Valerie

Bimmer, I hope you don't mind but I'm going to us your words. 

Bren-2007

Valerie,

I think Black and Pink are good colors.  Pink is identifiable with bc and black is good for the memorial.  June is looking like the month.

Suzy,  I tried to copy the application form, but it's a PDF file and it wouldn't let me copy it over here.  It has all the info about the Mall and the area in front of the WH.  So, I've just copied the link.  If everybody takes a look at it, we'll all be on the same page about what's going on with that part of the process.  I need to call them as well tomorrow and find out about the availability of dates in June. 

I'll keep you guys posted.

http://www.nps.gov/nama/planyourvisit/upload/Public Gathering Application & Attachments - Expiration 2010.pdf

Bren-2007

As for shirts, possibly a black t, with simply "In Memory Of 40,910," written in pink with the pink ribbon.  Something simple, but striking, that will raise questions.  I think we can set this up through cafepress.com.  I'll look into it tomorrow.

Gotta get back to work. 

I'm totally knocked over by the response.

love you all ... Bimmer you and Diane are close in my heart tonight.

love,

Brenda

PS - Valerie or Tender ... will one of you guys figure out where to start a thread about the memorial so we can keep all the info and updates in one place.  Thanks.

PPS - I FOUND IT!!!  Thanks Valerie!

livesstrong

Bren,

I posted all over the boards.  I'm hoping to get a great response.

Bimmer, let Diane know thanks to her great hubby we're going to Washington!!!

Valerie

geeta75

Mom, thanks for contacting Oprah. I sure as hell hope she listens.

Bimmer--I'm in. I'm way in. Let me know what needs to be done, I'm there. I stay home with the kids, so any paper pushing, phone calls, organization.....I'm yours!

Look out, DC, we are COMING!!!!!!

Hugs,

Geeta

Iza

I would start by contacting the moderators...

jansdaughter

My mother died of breast cancer.  This despicable disease has caused all of us great heartache.  I will do whatever needs to be done.  Like Twink, I take orders really well.  Dianne

Bren-2007

I sent msgs to the moderators just now regarding setting up a completely separate thread for this project.  I hope they received them.  We'll see what happens.

Brenda

Bren-2007

Hi Suzy,

If you scroll down to the very bottom of this page where it turns purple, you'll see in tiny letters "contact us."  Click on that.  Under the categories of "Tech Support" and "Suggestions" is where I sent my msgs to the moderators.  I don't know of any other way to send them a msg. 

Haven't heard back yet, but will let you know as soon as I do.

Thanks

Brenda

Bren-2007

Hi All,

I'm communicating with Melissa.  I'll let you know as soon as we get something figured out!!

Bren-2007

The parks permits are all filled through 2008 due to the elections.

But ... 

I just did some checking ... there is a little bit of wiggle room in the regulations!  If under 25 people we don't need a permit and if we don't call it a memorial.  We might be able to get away with it if we just wear the t-shirts, happen to show up in the same general vicinity or maybe in a couple of different locations in the park.  We could have groups of 25 spread out all over the park!!!!

What do you think?

RobinWendy

COUNT ME IN.... I LIVE IN NY BUT AM WILLING TO TRAVEL IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE!!!  THESE NEEDLESS DEATHS HAVE GOT TO STOP!!!

Robin

WendyV

Count me in too - DC is only 2 hours from me!

Wendy

Bimmer

I am thrilled, even tho I feel like a pile of sh#@!

Let's not lose momentum. I will really go from Washington State to Washinton DC in June if there is substancial support to the cause.

I will finally get back some vacation time in June.

After what just happened, I only care about certain things now.

This is one! By then, I'll be able to talk without crying (much).

Anybody wants to talk about it can email me at crsnipes@juno.com

Bren-2007

Bimmer,

I think of you everyday ....

I just posted this on the "moving on" thread in response to lots of ideas and questions about the memorial.  Hope this clears up some of the questions over here too.

Beth and everybody,

Valerie and I really appreciate all your efforts in contacting Lance's organization.  However, the initial idea of the memorial was simply that, a memorial march to commemorate the 40,900 lost each year to breast cancer.  We were not seeking outside funding from any other organized breast cancer or other cancer foundation to pull this off.  We are not seeking donations to any particular organization.  We had no desire for celebrity association, nor were we seeking it, as the focus of the memorial was not to be switched to celebrities with cancer, but to stay focused on the 40,000+ who die each year.

The idea of the memorial started off as a simple one for me.  It has taken on a life of it's own.  It started with my checking into dates to get a permit to use the Mall in DC.  All the dates are full to use the Mall in DC through 2008.  Either we plan this for 2009 or seek a different location for 2008.

I like the idea of getting info from Lance's group, however, I have concerns about being funded through another cancer organization.  For obvious reasons ... this memorial is by and for breast cancer survivors only to show their love and support for all the sisters lost.  The spotlight for organizing this memorial will shine only on the sisters ... not a specific organization.

I also like all the ideas flowing in about t-shirt designs, logos, dates to march, etc.  It has taken on a life of it's own.  However, very basic decisions still need to be made.  Namely, a central organizing committee.  This has yet to be established.  Valerie and I have been involved since the inception of having a memorial was decided and have done the initial groundwork.  My feeling is that everything should be coordinated through us so that there is a central location for all the information.  I will be contacting Melissa and the techs again to find out how soon will we be getting our own forum set up for this.

I also agree that perhaps using the numbers from the Vietnam war may not be the way to go.  It's useful only for giving people an "actual" idea of the numbers they can wrap their head around to relate to the number of breast cancer deaths each year.  Maybe we can break the number down to 787 p/week. 

As far as scheduling the memorial when the NIH is before congress, that may be useful in calling attention to the issue of breast cancer deaths and needing a cure, but may be too late for actual funding in that year.  Their budget would have already been planned by that time and brought before congress.  However, I will look into the dates of when they go before congress for more funding. 

I agree ... we are angry ... we're outraged.  Whether we're diagnosed early stage initially or Stage IV ... THERE IS NO CURE!!

That is the only message a memorial carries ... THERE IS NO CURE!!

It will take some time to get organized, but we will do it and we will come together in DC to mourn our sisters and our message will be heard.

love,

Bren

twink

Hear hear Bren.

ForTheMoment

Count me in, too!  Whatever we can do.  Mad as hell doesn't even begin to express what I think we all feel.  Lets wake some people up!!

Bren-2007

I just posted this on the Moving Beyond Thread.  I'll try to keep this thread updated when I post info on the other thread. 

I think it's a wonderful thing for Beth to get ideas and input from Lance's group.  The big difference between what we are trying to do and your "typical" walk, relay or fund raising event by other cancer organizations, is that we are not collecting donations first, then getting together and being handed t-shirts with pre-printed slogans and then walking in a circle, and the money collected going to whatever organization sponsored the event.

We aren't fund raising.  We aren't a breast cancer organization. 

As far as t-shirts, caps, etc. go, if we set up a shop on cafepress.com for our own designs for these items, everyone can buy their t-shirts, or whatever there.  We can also find ways to help those who need airfare or t-shirts.  We're a very generous, creative group of gals. 

We already have volunteers working on logo designs and slogans.  We'll get these narrowed down over the next few months.  I'll continue investigating dates in DC.  I have a few more ideas to pursue.  After the first, I'll have a little bit of time to go through all the threads and get everyones ideas down on paper and send out all the information in one pkg.  I hope we'll have Beth's info from Lance's group to add to it.  Their advice will be invaluable. 

Above all, we need to keep in mind that as a Memorial, the family's of the fallen will be involved as well.  This is also a tribute to them.  They are the survivors of the disease in every sense of the word.  They know THERE IS NO CURE.  And I hope whatever we come up with will keep this in mind.  We honor them, as well as the angels we have lost. 

Beth ... you're one smart cookie and a go-getter ... just what this project needs!

I've got some family stuff I need to do in the next few days, but I'll hit this hard after the first.

love,

Bren

Bimmer

I am so proud of all of you! It actually brings tears to my eyes yet again.

I am sure that the 40,910, will make this thing fly!

I am at your disposal.

Feel free to use me and my words.

JulieAD

I'm there anytime in DC



Julie (in Maryland)

GEECH

I recently was diagnosed Stage 4 and mad as hell.  I will be with you

God willing.

Take care,

Geech