If you received a bag from My Hope Bag, it was no doubt delivered by lovely women we affectionately refer to as Hope Sisters. These ladies train to share hope and wisdom with warriors recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  They spend time with the bag recipient and let them share what they are experiencing.

The Hope Sister is able to give hope through her own experience, the items in the bag, and the Resource Guide that former recipients were able to combine abilities to produce, which is a part of the bag.

If you are interested in learning more about this special program including training to become a Hope Sister, please contact sarah@myhopebag.org or info@myhopebag.org.

By Angie Jones

My Hope Bag supplied backpacks to Hope Bag recipient families in need of school supplies, on July 14, 2023. My Hope Bag partnered with East Valley Injury Law who assisted in packing and distributing the backpacks. 15 Children from 7 former bag recipients were able to “shop” for their own backpacks and lunch boxes which made the event more fun!!

Cheryl, front desk employee for East Valley Injury Law, had a great time passing out goodies to the children as they entered the building. A huge thank you to the companies who participated in this event: East Valley Injury Law, Evans Garrey, and Amazon. Without their support, this event would not have been possible!!

Thank you to everyone else who donated and to the volunteers who helped make this event happen! If you are interested in volunteering with My Hope Bag, please contact the Volunteer Team at www.myhopebag.org/volunteer.

By Sarah Ellery

We lost the most amazing man, Brian Ellery, on March 7 this year. Brian would affectionately introduce himself to people as “The Man Behind the Woman”. My loving husband was chatting with me one minute, and the next minute he

wasn’t. Life is so fragile. Brian was always there for My Hope Bag right by my side. He loved meeting new people and always enjoyed talking with anyone associated with breast cancer.

He was friends with everyone he met. And he loved all of the My Hope Bag events and watching me get so excited about how many more warriors we were going to serve. But more than all of that was his devotion to his family. He was a loving husband and an amazing father to three wonderful children and one incredible grandson. To say he is missed is an understatement.

We know he is sharing Dad jokes in Heaven and asking God all of those questions of why life happens as it does that he referenced so many times. Hug your loved ones and let them know how much you love them. Don’t take a day for granted, you never know how many you have. We appreciate and thank you for your notes, thoughtful gifts, and being there to help us carry on without Brian.

We love and miss him very much.

Thank you for your participation with My Hope Bag during the year 2022. As we come up to the end of the year, we want to reflect on this year.

January – Good friend and My Hope Bag Board member, Alissa Serignese, received her angel wings in January 2022. Alissa was very devoted to My Hope Bag as she was in any area of her life. She has been missed by her family and her many friends.

February – Kim Palmer ran a Facebook birthday fundraiser. In lieu of birthday gifts, Kim requested friends and family to donate to the Facebook fundraiser for My Hope Bag. She raised $600. Way to go Kim. My Hope Bag thanks you for your support and donation.

March – Julie Reid started a campaign for 2022 to collect non-slip fuzzy socks in memory of her friend Anna, to be donated to My Hope Bag. As of March, Julie received 133 pairs of socks. She has been collecting throughout the year and will be donating another crop of socks this week. Thank you, Julie. Anna’s memory will continue on through your Anna’s Army Non-Slip Fuzzy Socks Campaign. If you would like to donate to the campaign, please contact Julie, juliareid1988@gmail.com.

April – First Bingo for Boobies in the West Valley. It was held at Mirage Elementary, Phoenix. It was fun meeting people from the West Valley and introducing many of them to My Hope Bag. We look forward to Bingo for Boobies in the West Valley in the coming year.

May – Close friend and My Hope Bag Board member, Robyn Zepeda, gently received her angel wings after such a strong fight against cancer. Robyn had a huge heart which cancer was unable to penetrate. She is loved by many and will continue to be a very important part of My Hope Bag.

Phillips Law Group encourages its employees to wear pink on Wednesdays and donated to My Hope Bag on behalf of those who participate. Phillips presented a generous donation of $500. Keep that pink going, PLG!!

September – Bingo for Boobies on September 2 at Encanterra Community Clubhouse in Queen Creek. Plans for a Respite center were revealed and it will be named Robyn’s Nest. Donations for the Center were over $7000. Over $10,000 was raised from this event with over 200 attendees.

8^th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale. 131 golfers turned out for this signature event including 8 Green Queens (one of which was a male), who are men and women who are active in their breast cancer journey. This year’s proceeds were just over $25,000. My Hope Bag is looking forward to its 9^th tournament in 2023.

October was a busy month.  My Hope Bag participated in many activities and received many donations.

• Vino Bella’s presented $150 to My Hope Bag through Dianne von Borstel. Thank you, Dianne and the Vino Bella’s.
• Paul’s Ace Hardware through their “Round Up” program and 8 stores, presented $9968 to My Hope Bag. Thank you Paul’s Ace Hardware for your passion for charity.

• Mesa Police Department through its Pink Patch Project presented $4750 to My Hope Bag. As well, several officers and administrative employees gathered with My Hope Bag volunteers to assemble the bags to be given to breast cancer men and women. Nick Ciletti, Channel 15 News, spoke with men and women at the Mesa Police Department who were assembling Hope Bags with My Hope Bag volunteers. Thank you, Mesa Police Department, for your service to men and women with breast cancer.

• Bodi Gym in Scottsdale through their monthly donations program presented My Hope Bag with $600. We are so thankful for your participation in My Hope Bag’s Pinktober donations.

• My Hope Bag also participated in a bag assembly event with Aviate Academy in Goodyear. “At United Aviate Academy, your dreams of becoming a pilot for United have never been more possible. Join our flight training academy, and be part of the next generation of highly qualified, talented, and diverse United pilots.” We all assembled 50 bags and the participants were wanting more. They suggested when we come again, to bring 200 bags to assemble! It was great to get to know them and learn about their programs.

• Intel Winnow Breast Cancer Fair was held in October. My Hope Bag was present to tell employees about our programs. A few of the attendees want to volunteer with My Hope Bag. Others were amazed by how much My Hope Bag helps men and women with breast cancer. We all learned a lot about each other.
• Thank you to all the supporters throughout the year who generously donated to My Hope Bag to keep our programs going strong. We are helpless without you.

220 contacts have been received for bags this year. That means that 220 families have been served through My Hope Bag’s Hope Sister program. Hope Sisters deliver a bag to a recipient who has requested us to meet with them. This is the recipient’s first meeting with My Hope Bag and future meetings and services stem from this meeting. We learn what some of the recipient’s needs are and see where we can help. My Hope Bag has a need for Hope Sisters in the East Valley and the West Valley. Please contact sarah@myhopebag.org, or donna@myhopebag.org if you would like to learn more about My Hope Bag’s Hope Sister program and when the next training class is.

14 mammogram requests were made in 2020. That is 14 lives that may have been saved because of being able to get a mammogram when they have no insurance.

10 benevolence gifts. This can include medical co-pays, groceries, help with small bills, and any other need that may arise as a result of breast cancer.

If you would like to volunteer for this wonderful organization, please contact us at info@myhopebag.org.

By Sarah Ellery

My Hope Bag received 42 bag requests during these three months. Along with the requests were many events where the My Hope Bag experience was shared with many more men and women.

September 2 – Bingo for Boobies at Encanterra Resort Community, Queen Creek.  There were nearly 200 men, women, and a few children in attendance.  It was such a fun event with lots of B-I-N-G-O’s and lots of prizes.  Approximately $10,000 net was received $7,100 of which was donated to Robyn’s Nest, a future planned respite center for breast cancer women in memory of Robyn Zepeda. Watch for future Bingo events in 2023.

September 16 – 8^th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Talking Stick Golf Club, Scottsdale. 131 golfers turned out for this signature event including 8 Green Queens. The Queens (which included one male “Queen”) are selected from men and women we know who are active in their breast cancer journey.  They come and have a fun day and get to know others who are also active in their journey. This year’s sponsors included TDIndustries, Phillips Law Group, Environ, Adobe Drywall, ASU Alumni, Insurist, Karber Mechanical, Edward Jones, and Swift Transportation. We thank these wonderful sponsors without whom the golf tournament would not be possible. Please view our donors on our website. This year’s net proceeds were just over $25,000.  Huge thank you to all who attended and all who volunteered to make this a fabulous event.

October (All Month)– Paul’s Ace Hardware supported My Hope Bag through their Round Up program.  When customers pay for their items, Paul’s Ace Hardware asks if they would like to Round Up their total for My Hope Bag. Paul’s Ace Hardware has 8 stores and My Hope Bag participated in all 8. We are overwhelmed to accept a donation of $9,967.83 from the Round Up efforts!!

October 19 – Intel Winnow Breast Cancer Fair, Chandler. A great fair was held at the Intel complex allowing employees to ask questions of the participants. My Hope Bag met many people enquiring of the participants how they help breast cancer patients. We have three new volunteers and a support group associate to help increase awareness at Intel.

October 24 – My Hope Bag traveled to United Aviate Academy in Goodyear to meet with some of their staff and students. United Aviate Academy trains future pilots with United Airlines. We had a delightful time with them while they assembled 50 bags for our future use. They also bagged the bracelets for the bags, bagged thank you cards, and assembled Thrive Causemetics into Thrive Causemetics cosmetic bags which also went into the bags.  A big thank you to Sherri who coordinated the event. Thank you also to staff members Carmen and Pam as well as students DeAnna, Isabelle, Brittney, and Jinhua. The ladies assembled the bags with all contents in a little over an hour.  One suggested we bring 200 bags next time. I said, “Done!”  Their generosity saved My Hope Bag hours of assembling bags on an as-needed basis. Thank you again, lovely ladies. We had a great time and sure look forward to future events with you.

October 31 – Keetra Bippus featured My Hope Bag in the Queen Creek Sun Times. Read the full article here.

October (All Month) – Mesa Police Department held its Pink Patch Project to sponsor My Hope Bag for the month of October.  Profits from the sale of pink patches, pink patch t-shirts, PP lapel pins, and PP coins, were presented to My Hope Bag at the MPD Pink Patch Breakfast on November 14 for $4,750!!! As well, several officers and administrative employees gathered with My Hope Bag volunteers to assemble the bags to be given to breast cancer men and women. Thank you Mesa Police Department for your service to men and women with breast cancer.

October 31 – Nick Ciletti, Channel 15 News, spoke with men and women at the Mesa Police Department who were assembling Hope Bags with My Hope Bag volunteers. Read the full story here.

Thank you to each and every one of you who were a part of our exciting September, October, and November! We can’t do what we do, without you!

By Sarah Ellery

Monday, October 24, My Hope Bag traveled to United Aviate Academy in Goodyear to meet with some of their staff and students. United Aviate Academy trains future pilots with United Airlines. We had a delightful time with them while they assembled 50 bags for our future use. They also bagged the bracelets for the bags, bagged thank you cards, and assembled Thrive Causemetics into Thrive Causemetics cosmetic bags which also went into the bags.

A big thank you to Sherri who coordinated the event. Thank you also to staff members Carmen and Pam as well as students DeAnna, Isabelle, Brittney, and Jinhua. The ladies assembled the bags with all contents in a little over an hour.  One suggested we bring 200 bags next time. I said, “Done!”

Their generosity saved My Hope Bag hours of assembling bags on an as-needed basis. Thank you again, lovely ladies. We had a great time and sure look forward to future events with you.

Our Hope Sisters are an integral part of My Hope Bag. Every single one has a different story. A few of our Hope Sisters share: How it started Vs How it’s going, and what they’ve learned about themselves along the journey!

Kim McCauley:

During Chemo and current wrote in vacation in  New Orleans.  What I learned about myself?  That I am stronger than I ever thought possible. And I am thankful that I truly believed it would get better. Cause I did!!!

Mandi Pokorney:

– I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 after going in for my first mammogram screening at age 40. I had elected to get the 3D mammogram screening which picked up some irregularities. My diagnosis required several rounds of chemo and I elected to have a double mastectomy. After 2 years of treatment, I beat breast cancer! I was absolutely overwhelmed and grateful for all of the support, love, and encouragement I received from family, friends & co-workers during my treatment.  My healthcare provider team was outstanding and helped me every step of the way. All of the support from friends, family, physicians, and co-workers allowed me to stay focused on my fight against breast cancer and overcome!

– Preventative screenings and early detection result in better outcomes and longer lives!  Don’t put off your preventative mammography screenings! For those survivors out there, please share your story whenever possible, it’s so beneficial for women going through treatment and fighting cancer to see survivors living with vitality and optimism!

 

Kay Sinclair:

Been fighting for almost four years and always will unless a miracle happens since I am stage 4 and systematic.  I have learned to let faith take over this journey and not to have fear!  And to enjoy one day at a time by exploring your buck list and going with the flow that days give you.  I give thanks and blessings for each day so am given.

By Lizzy Ellery, MHB Vice President

In the world today, we are overloaded with an exhausting list of options when it comes to our health. From the recommendations for which diet plan to follow, how many minutes a week to exercise, and the things we should do versus the things we shouldn’t do. It can just be very overwhelming. Especially when you have cancer on the mind.

According to American Cancer Society, “For most Americans who do not use tobacco, the most important cancer risk factors that can be changed are body weight, diet, and physical activity. At least 18% of all cancers diagnosed in the US are related to excess body weight, physical inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and/or poor nutrition, and thus could be prevented.” (Cancer.org, 2022)

At this point in time, there isn’t a way to fully ensure you prevent cancer from occurring. There are many, many factors that contribute to the development of cancer, not to mention the genetic aspect. Even though we may not know for sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that lifestyle will in fact help prevent cancer, it couldn’t hurt to at least adopt some of those lifestyle changes (just in case). There are many resources that indicate lifestyle changes can yield positive outcomes. Here are a few resources to review when you consider what you can do to make these changes in your own life if you choose.

Achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout life.

Keep your weight within the healthy range and avoid weight gain in adult life.

Be physically active.

Adults: Get 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week (or a combination of these). Getting to or exceeding the upper limit of 300 minutes is ideal.

Children and teens: Get at least 1 hour of moderate or vigorous intensity activity each day.

Limit sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching TV, and other forms of screen-based entertainment.

Follow a healthy eating pattern at all ages.

A healthy eating pattern includes:

Foods that are high in nutrients in amounts that help you get to and stay at a healthy body weight

A variety of vegetables – dark green, red, and orange, fiber-rich legumes (beans and peas), and others

Fruits, especially whole fruits in a variety of colors

Whole grains

A healthy eating pattern limits or does not include:

Red and processed meats

Sugar-sweetened beverages

Highly processed foods and refined grain products

It is best not to drink alcohol.

People who do choose to drink alcohol should have no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks per day for men.

We all fully support the idea of living your best life! Don’t dwell on the unknown, rather enjoy your life and adopt the healthy habits that are meaningful to you.

Additional resources to consider:

Breast Cancer Resource Foundation – Nutrition Care for Breast Cancer Patients

By Sarah Ellery

Bingo for Boobies is back in the East Valley.  It will be on September 2, 2022, at the Encanterra Community Clubhouse in Queen Creek.

Robyn Zepeda received her angel wings two months ago. When I shared a vision with Robyn about a respite center for breast cancer women to gather and share what they are going through, we both exclaimed how much hope and encouragement would flow among these women.  The first thing Robyn said was, “I want to help!”

This center will provide speakers who will share our warrior’s education, inspiration, resources, laughter, and most of all comradery. As well, there will be a garden from which breast cancer warriors can pick fresh produce or sit on a patio and enjoy the peacefulness. It will be part of Robyn’s legacy with My Hope Bag and will be appropriately named Robyn’s Nest.

When you join us on September 2, you will have a chance to participate in a raffle from which funds will lay the cornerstone for Robyn’s Nest. My Hope Bag has many programs to service the breast cancer community.  By attending Bingo for Boobies, you will be a part of continuing those programs.

To purchase tickets, https://www.myhopebag.org/bingo-new/