A Toast to Survivors, A Breast Cancer Luncheon

Yesterday I was invited to a special luncheon hosted by The Moms, Martini and the beautiful actress Kristin Chenoweth. It was a "Toast to Survivors", a breast cancer awareness celebration.
Pink was the color of choice for our hostesses. Martini served their sparkling mini Rose's with a straw! We were served a healthy & delicious lunch by the chefs at Alison & Eighteen.

It was a very heartfelt event. All the guest speakers are breast cancer survivors with stories of courage. The Moms Melissa Gerstein's own mother Debbi Musen is a 16 year survivor. Since her diagnosis, she has since become an advocate in raising money for the cause.
Dr. Elizabeth Chabner Thompson has a family history of breast cancer. Though she was never tested positive for the disease, she chose to have a mastectomy. From her experience she developed
BFFL Co., Best Friends for Life. They assist in creating a warmer patient experience through their BFFL bags and accessories.
Another story of survival was heard by Dee Dee Ricks. She currently has a documentary,
The Education of Dee Dee Ricks that follows her on her journey of a high powered Wall Street exec to breast cancer survivor and advocate. From the profound words of a Harlem physician "Poverty should not be an offense punishable by death" it empowered Dee Dee.
Finally as if these women weren't enough, we also heard from the awesome Kristin Chenoweth. She may be petite but she holds a powerful voice. She spoke of being adopted into a loving family and her mother's bouts of cancer not once, twice but four times. She looks at her mother as strength. Don't ask why me, ask "why not me" as her mother would say. Kristin's charity Maddie's Corner  was given a $10,000 donation from Martini which will be allocated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Right Action for Women.

This event was one of my favorites. To hear their personal stories of triumph after despair, is encouraging. Its a testament that women are powerful and we can survive anything. For that this is a toast to them!

I want to thank The Moms, Denise Albert & Melissa Gerstein, Martini, and Alison & Eighteen  for such an amazing afternoon.

Disclosure: I was not compensated. This is 100% my own.