By Kathy L Collins
Plaza Bella will host the Fifth Annual “Plaza Bella Goes Pink” on Saturday, October 20. Back by popular demand are the “Diva Strut” which runs from Plaza Bella to the Bloomingdale Library and back and the 5k Challenge run which goes from Plaza Bella to Nature’s Way and back. Both the walk and the run are led by cancer survivors and both begin at 9 a.m.
The cost to participate in this event is $40 for individuals or $35 per person for a team of five or more. You can pre-register at The Green Boutique or at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. The first 300 registered walkers will receive a T-shirt and goodie bag.
For those who wish to honor family and friends who have been afflicted with breast cancer, you can donate $5 for a pink ribbon which will line the plaza entrance and part of Bloomingdale Ave. There will be a special area to honor cancer survivors who will also receive a special gift. A special memorial for Antionette Cuellar, who was the survivor speaker for the past two years, is being planned. Cuellar lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.
The Fifth Annual “Plaza Bella Goes Pink” is 100 percent underwritten by The Green Boutique. This ensures that all funds raised go to either the American Cancer Society or The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Walkers can choose which of the two organizations will receive their donated money.
Roz Creager, owner of The Green Boutique, said, “I am like every other woman who has the fear that she will hear the words, ‘you have breast cancer.’ No woman should have to undergo losing a part of her body or fearing for her life because of breast cancer.”
Last year’s event had 300 participants and raised $22,000. Creager said, “It is so wonderful to see so many people come out and give their support for this cause. I am so touched by the personal stories that I hear as a result of holding this event.”
Plaza Bella and The Green Boutique are located at 1078 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. For more information on this event, please call 685-9494.
