Divas For a Cure take to the street to raise money for breast cancer research.
Divas kick off motorbike expo with well-heeled ride
Friday, October 09, 2009
The Mercury
Published: Thursday, October 8, 2009
By Jesse Reilly, Journal Register News Service
In conjunction with the Philadelphia Motorcycle Show, professional motorcycle racer Peggy Llewellyn will lead a bevy of 50 to 100 other riders on a motorcycle ride from New Jersey to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks this weekend to promote the nonprofit organization Divas for a Cure.
With the Keystone State ranking fourth in the nation for new motorcycles sold and home to 800,000 registered riders, David Mockus believes it’s about time to end the several-year hiatus and bring a show to the bikers.
“For the past few years they’ve had shows in New York and Washington, D.C., but none here,” the show’s producer said.
After a few bumps in the road during previous shows, Philadelphia was taken off the map. Mockus left his job and created D&D Expositions with his mother to bring one back
“During previous shows, thousands of people came out,” he said. “We know there is an interest.”
To kick off what he is hoping will be an annual event, Mockus is bringing in some unlikely riders. Wearing a leather jacket and high heels, professional motorcycle racer Peggy Llewellyn and 50 to 100 other divas will ride from New Jersey to the Greater Philadelphia Expo at Oaks to promote the nonprofit organization Divas for a Cure.
“It’s not every day that you see women on bikes in heels,” she said with a laugh. “But if we’re called divas, I am going to make sure I look like one.”
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to “promoting early detection, education, screenings and supporting research organizations to continue the quest to one day find a cure and eradicate cancer of all kinds,” its Web site said. Proceeds from rides go toward educational material, health fairs, wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy, as well as mobile breast exams, according to the site.
Recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Llewellyn said the opportunity to combine her passion for riding and her goal of spreading awareness to her community was something she couldn’t pass up.
“I live by the rule that knowledge is power and the numbers show that breast cancer affects a large percentage of the Hispanic and black communities,” she said. She said that as a woman of Jamaican and Mexican descent, the cause is close to her heart.
“If women know about early detection, they can protect themselves,” she said. “If they have the information, they won’t become the statistic.”
Even though she’s dolling up for the event, Llewellyn said once she’s done the ride, she can kick off her heels and tell the estimated 10,000 bike lovers what it’s like to go 190 mph around a track.
The divas will also stick around to talk to convention-goers and sign autographs.
After welcoming the women, thousands of bikes will be set up in the center’s three halls, which are set to host the largest collection of motorcycles, ATVs and power sports vehicles in the area in years.
“There will be all different types of bikes,” Mockus said, adding that anyone can register their bike.
With numerous categories including antique and best in show, those who register their motorcycles will have the opportunity to receive cash prizes.
After perusing the bikes, people can make their way over to the rod and customs carnival.
The carnival will feature an auto-rama of select old school, hot rod, Rat Rod, Kustom and specialty show cars and bikes from around the tri-state area and, according to the press release, the event is all about “fun, kool cars and wild ideas.”
Amazing oddities including rubber girls, a two-headed duck, a Fiji mermaid, mummies and shrunken heads are also sure to draw a crowd, Mockus promised.
Professional BMX stunt bicyclists by Dialed Action Sports Team will wow and shock audiences with their death-defying feats, and booths featuring local tattoo artists and custom-made bikes will also be at the show.
Parts and products will be sold for those who are hoping to start, or finish, their own bike project.
The event will also include a toy run for St. Christopher’s Hospital. All show-goers are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy with them to receive $3 off admission on Sunday.
Saturday night will be a special treat, with Biker Brawl’s presentation of R.I.E’s Mixed Martial Arts at 8 p.m. There is a separate admission and the cost is discounted for motorcycle show attendees.
“The fights are always broadcast, and when you watch, there is a huge Harley-Davidson ad in the middle of the ring,” Mockus said. “They are a huge sponsor of the event so we thought the combination fit.”
With the weekend full of exciting activities, Mockus said the convention center will definitely be revving with things to do.
“It hasn’t been here in so many years,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be exciting.”
If You Go …
Philadelphia Motorcycle Show, presented by D&D Expositions, will take place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA 19456, Friday – Sunday, Oct. 9 – 11. Admission: $10, adults; $5, 6-11, free, age 5 and under. For more information, call 856-626-3226 or visit www.phillyexpos.com.
Published: Thursday, October 8, 2009
By Jesse Reilly, Journal Register News Service
In conjunction with the Philadelphia Motorcycle Show, professional motorcycle racer Peggy Llewellyn will lead a bevy of 50 to 100 other riders on a motorcycle ride from New Jersey to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks this weekend to promote the nonprofit organization Divas for a Cure.
With the Keystone State ranking fourth in the nation for new motorcycles sold and home to 800,000 registered riders, David Mockus believes it’s about time to end the several-year hiatus and bring a show to the bikers.
“For the past few years they’ve had shows in New York and Washington, D.C., but none here,” the show’s producer said.
After a few bumps in the road during previous shows, Philadelphia was taken off the map. Mockus left his job and created D&D Expositions with his mother to bring one back
“During previous shows, thousands of people came out,” he said. “We know there is an interest.”
To kick off what he is hoping will be an annual event, Mockus is bringing in some unlikely riders. Wearing a leather jacket and high heels, professional motorcycle racer Peggy Llewellyn and 50 to 100 other divas will ride from New Jersey to the Greater Philadelphia Expo at Oaks to promote the nonprofit organization Divas for a Cure.
“It’s not every day that you see women on bikes in heels,” she said with a laugh. “But if we’re called divas, I am going to make sure I look like one.”
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to “promoting early detection, education, screenings and supporting research organizations to continue the quest to one day find a cure and eradicate cancer of all kinds,” its Web site said. Proceeds from rides go toward educational material, health fairs, wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy, as well as mobile breast exams, according to the site.
Recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Llewellyn said the opportunity to combine her passion for riding and her goal of spreading awareness to her community was something she couldn’t pass up.
“I live by the rule that knowledge is power and the numbers show that breast cancer affects a large percentage of the Hispanic and black communities,” she said. She said that as a woman of Jamaican and Mexican descent, the cause is close to her heart.
“If women know about early detection, they can protect themselves,” she said. “If they have the information, they won’t become the statistic.”
Even though she’s dolling up for the event, Llewellyn said once she’s done the ride, she can kick off her heels and tell the estimated 10,000 bike lovers what it’s like to go 190 mph around a track.
The divas will also stick around to talk to convention-goers and sign autographs.
After welcoming the women, thousands of bikes will be set up in the center’s three halls, which are set to host the largest collection of motorcycles, ATVs and power sports vehicles in the area in years.
“There will be all different types of bikes,” Mockus said, adding that anyone can register their bike.
With numerous categories including antique and best in show, those who register their motorcycles will have the opportunity to receive cash prizes.
After perusing the bikes, people can make their way over to the rod and customs carnival.
The carnival will feature an auto-rama of select old school, hot rod, Rat Rod, Kustom and specialty show cars and bikes from around the tri-state area and, according to the press release, the event is all about “fun, kool cars and wild ideas.”
Amazing oddities including rubber girls, a two-headed duck, a Fiji mermaid, mummies and shrunken heads are also sure to draw a crowd, Mockus promised.
Professional BMX stunt bicyclists by Dialed Action Sports Team will wow and shock audiences with their death-defying feats, and booths featuring local tattoo artists and custom-made bikes will also be at the show.
Parts and products will be sold for those who are hoping to start, or finish, their own bike project.
The event will also include a toy run for St. Christopher’s Hospital. All show-goers are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy with them to receive $3 off admission on Sunday.
Saturday night will be a special treat, with Biker Brawl’s presentation of R.I.E’s Mixed Martial Arts at 8 p.m. There is a separate admission and the cost is discounted for motorcycle show attendees.
“The fights are always broadcast, and when you watch, there is a huge Harley-Davidson ad in the middle of the ring,” Mockus said. “They are a huge sponsor of the event so we thought the combination fit.”
With the weekend full of exciting activities, Mockus said the convention center will definitely be revving with things to do.
“It hasn’t been here in so many years,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be exciting.”
If You Go …
Philadelphia Motorcycle Show, presented by D&D Expositions, will take place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA 19456, Friday – Sunday, Oct. 9 – 11. Admission: $10, adults; $5, 6-11, free, age 5 and under. For more information, call 856-626-3226 or visit www.phillyexpos.com.
Breast cancer survivor rides to spread disease awareness
Thursday, October 08, 2009
URL: NJ.com
Breast cancer survivor rides to spread disease awareness
By Carly Romalino
October 05, 2009, 3:52PM
Breast cancer has affected families across the country, and Gloucester County is no exception.
Although the disease never discriminates and is one of the leading causes of death in women, the founder of Divas for the Cure said minority groups are still less educated about their risks, treatments and the importance of early detection of breast lumps.
“I think a lot of minorities think this is a white, female disease only, which is far from the truth,” said Jan Emanuel-Costley of Browns Mills, who started Divas for a Cure after surviving breast and other types of cancers.
According to Costley, more white women are diagnosed with breast cancer, but more minorities will die from the disease.
“The white community has more access to health care, higher income, and are better educated,” she said. “All of those factors contribute to people being proactive. I think, if you know better, you do better.”
Costley said for some families under financial strain, paying for health care costs often comes in last, well after utilities, rent and mortgages bills are paid.
“My first bout with cancer was at age 16,” Costley said. “If I hadn’t had the proper follow-up and treatment, I wouldn’t be 48.”
To raise awareness of breast cancer, early detection and treatment options, Costley will lead a motorcade on Oct. 10, from Barb’s Harley-Davidson in Haddon Township to the Philadelphia Motorcycle show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa.
“When we ride our motorcycles, people pay particular attention to a woman riding a bike,” said Costley, who has more than 100,000 miles of motorcycle riding under her belt. “Once I get your attention, I’ll talk to you. And once I talk to you, I leave you with a breast cancer brochure.”
Costley hopes several hundred riders will join the 40-mile trek to raise breast cancer awareness.
“We have to dispel those myths and educate women and say, ‘just like getting a cavity checked. A lot of people wait until they get a cavity to see the dentist,’” said Costley, adding that 95 percent of breast cancer cases are completely curable if detected at early stages. “A cavity is fillable. With breast cancer, you lose your life.”
The Philadelphia Motorcycle Show will host the “Revved Up for the Cause” motorcycle run on Oct. 10. The run will leave Barb’s Harley-Davidson & Buell at 926 Black Horse Pike in Haddon Township at noon and ride to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks in Oaks, Pa.
The run will benefit Divas for a Cure.
For more information visit the Web sites for the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center or Divas for a Cure.
----
South Jersey Healthcare will be hosting two free dinner seminars on breast health in October.
Seminars are from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 7 at SJH Regional Medical Center Education Department, Classrooms 1, 2 and 3, 1505 W. Sherman Ave., Vineland, and Oct. 22 at SJH Elmer Hospital, Community Room, 501 W. Front St., Elmer. Dinner is included.
Medical experts will present information about breast cancer risk and prevention, screening and follow-up of abnormalities, and promotion of healthy lifestyle and wellness. Register by calling (800) 770-7547.
Survivors Speak: Breast Cancer Awareness October 2009
Essence.comYulinda Lewis-Kelly
“In 1999 at the age of 34, I started having a bloody nipple discharge. Soon thereafter I was diagnosed with Stage Two breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and six months of brutal chemotherapy. Sometimes I wanted to just give up and die, but my faith kept me going. After eight years and being declared cancer-free, in 2007 I learned it was back. It was metastatic, and had spread to both sides of my lungs and hit my lymph nodes. I am on hormones to treat it, and will be for the rest of my life. I started my own business, The Celebration of Life-Cancer Awareness Organization, where I can encourage others to continue to fight.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Saturday, October 03, 2009
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for the fourth year in a row, Divas For A Cure (DFAC) is continuing to raise funds for breast cancer and since its inception in 2005, DFAC has donated over $110,000.00 to M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Hospital.
Why M.D. Anderson? For the past eight years, M. D. Anderson has ranked number one in cancer care in "Americas Best Hospitals" survey published by U.S. News & World Report. Nearly 85,000 people per year, including 29,000 new patients, seek the highest quality care that has made M. D. Anderson so widely respected.
Unlike other popular organizations that raise money for breast cancer awareness, DFAC does not have any paid staff... we are all volunteers. Our organizations' overhead is underwritten by Corporate Sponsors and/or donated In-Kind Services. Therefore $.90 of every dollar we raise actually goes to the Breast Cancer Research Fund.
Please consider donating to Divas For A Cure, your tax deductible donation could make a difference in someone’s life.
Why M.D. Anderson? For the past eight years, M. D. Anderson has ranked number one in cancer care in "Americas Best Hospitals" survey published by U.S. News & World Report. Nearly 85,000 people per year, including 29,000 new patients, seek the highest quality care that has made M. D. Anderson so widely respected.
Unlike other popular organizations that raise money for breast cancer awareness, DFAC does not have any paid staff... we are all volunteers. Our organizations' overhead is underwritten by Corporate Sponsors and/or donated In-Kind Services. Therefore $.90 of every dollar we raise actually goes to the Breast Cancer Research Fund.
Please consider donating to Divas For A Cure, your tax deductible donation could make a difference in someone’s life.
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