By Kathy L. Collins
Help “Knock Out” Breast Cancer at Plaza Bella’s 6th Annual “Plaza Bella Goes Pink” on Saturday, October 19. Choose either the “Diva Strut” which runs from Plaza Bella to the Bloomingdale Library and back or 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 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. Registered walkers will receive a t-shirt and goodie bag while supplies last.
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.
Several things are new this year. As always, the 6th Annual “Plaza Bella Goes Pink” is 100% underwritten by The Green Boutique. Walkers can choose to have their funds donated to either the American Cancer Society or the Brandon Outreach Clinic.
Also new is a partnership with the Campo Y and the FishHawk Y. Both facilities offer “LIVESTRONG” is a free 12-week program for adult cancer survivors.
Roz Creager, owner of The Green Boutique said, “I am excited about the new partnerships with the Brandon Outreach Clinic and the Y. The Brandon Outreach Clinic is a local organization that provides primary and diagnostic health care to those who cannot afford it. The Y’s “LIVESTRONG” is a wonderful program.”
Creager added, “I am often asked why I hold this event. When you see people come to the event in a wheelchair, you know it is important to them. I also see women every day who are obviously undergoing treatment for cancer. When you see this, how could you not do it?”
Following the walks, the festivities will continue with entertainment, raffle drawings and more. Brighton is on board with the event. According to Creager, “Brighton has made a significant donation of product which will be used in the raffle baskets.”
Over the past five years. “Plaza Bell Goes Pink” has raised over $80,000 to help fight breast cancer.
Plaza Bella and The Green Boutique are located at 1078 Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. For more information on this event, please call 685-9494.
