SINCE this month is Breast Cancer Awareness month, pink seems to be everywhere, from the pink running shoes and accessories on NFL players to pink cowboy hats and pink cocktails, from pink hair on men at fundraising events to pink pet clothing.
When the Hadassah chapter of Colorado Springs thinks about pink, it helps highlight one of the significant research areas of the Hadassah Medical Organization.
Hadassah developed a new test that predicts the presence of the BRCA mutation with 95% accuracy. The BRCA mutation triggers breast cancer.
What does green have to do with pink? Green is the environmental awareness color, the theme of conservation of energy, the color of frogs, grass and trees, and the neon clothes worn by teenagers.
What does green have to do with Hadassah? Green is woven into the programs and philosophy of the local chapter of Hadassah in Colorado Springs, the national Hadassah organization and the facilities, programs, goals and gardens of Hadassah in Israel.
Colorado Springs Hadassah has more than 300 members in the form of Hadassah associates, life members and child members.
Sue Mullin is chapter president.
The chapter is known for meeting or exceeding the fundraising goals, membership growth, board and committee professionalism and inspiring programming.
The chapter has received many awards over the years from the Hadassah region as well as Hadassah nationally.
IN celebration of Hadassahs entrée into its next 100 years, this years chapter theme is A new century, a new Hadassah, a new you! The chapter creates a variety of local events targeted to personalize Hadassahs good works to the different facets of an individuals interests.
The board strives to create programs which foster Jewish continuity through a sense of community as well as empowering members with opportunities for personal growth.
In addition, each event has a theme to reinforce the work of Hadassah in the US and Israel.
Since Hadassahs event year aligns with the secular calendar, the chapters programs opened in January with a sneak peak gathering to enjoy a free event on a weekday afternoon.
Following a potluck hosted in a members home, the guests and members were treated to a personal presentation of Fanny Brice, a professional monologue presented by Betty Comora.
Later in the month, an evening dinner marked the installation of the board.
The next event supported the theme of the creative you with Art in the Afternoon. This fundraiser celebrated Hadassahs support of art in the new Hadassah Hospital.
Each participant created her own large acrylic work at a local recreational art venue.
IN the spring, another colorful program celebrated The Green You, along with more transitions to increase the use of of e-mail, E-vites for events, Facebook and the expanded chapter website.
Next, a celebration revolved around The Healthy You with Put Your Best Face Forward.
The program featured free skin cancer screenings, tied into Melanoma Month and the melanoma vaccine research at Hadassah Hospital.
The evening included makeup tips, ideas and suggestions for women to take good care of themselves, as well as educational and informative updates on Hadassah medical, research and educational programs.
Although the chapters summer plans were impacted by the Black Forest fire, exciting events are planned in October to continue the theme of The Inspired You.
On Sunday, October 20 at 3 p.m., Dr. Nancy Saltzman, author of Radical Survivor: One Womans Path Through Life, Love, and Uncharted Tragedy, will speak.
A resident of Colorado Springs, Saltzman is two-time cancer survivor who lost her entire family in a small-plane crash many years ago.
She will share her struggles as she overcame despair through a deep sense of purpose focusing on learning that through time, friendship, and love, the heart can make room for both loved ones lost and happiness found.
The event is free and open to the public at Temple Shalom.
The annual Chanukah program will be Friday, Nov. 15. In celebrating The Giving You, admission will be a donation to Hadassah and canned goods for the local Care and Share.
Potluck dishes will feature participants sharing both Chanukah and Thanksgiving sides, given the unique timing in 5774/2013.
At that time, the chapter will conduct its annual meeting and introduce Hadassahs new Chai Society program.
Copyright © 2013 by the Intermountain Jewish News
