Out & About: Excela Brush of Hope mixes painting, education
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When Dana Rizzo went through breast cancer treatment at Excela Health during 2013, she had no idea that she’d end up as the television and radio voice of the health care system. But a year later, there she was.
The New Alexandria voice-over artist told her story during Excela’s Brush of Hope: Second Coat breast cancer awareness and painting event, held Oct. 29 at Greensburg Country Club.
A sellout crowd of 250 also learned the technical side of treatment from members of Excela’s breast care team, including doctors Sharon Goldstein, Becky Hwang and Amy Kreutel and registered nurses Sheila Farina and Carrie Horner.
Following a “What Do You Know About Mammo?” quiz, women who hadn’t had a recent mammogram were encouraged to schedule one soon.
In between presentations, attendees were guided through the process of creating watercolor pumpkins, suitable for framing and displaying for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Excela even supplied the frames — along with heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine in a complimentary glass, door prizes and basket raffle opportunities.
Last year’s inaugural event was so successful, said Dr. Carol Fox, Excela’s chief medical officer, that this year’s edition included the Oct. 29 public session and an employees-only session the following evening.
“That’s nearly 500 women making their health and well-being a priority during Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” she told the crowd, many of whom wore the month’s signature pink.
Proceeds will benefit state-of-the-art technology to advance Excela’s breast care programs.
Seen: Alicia Gribbin, Hannah Jahnke, Yvonne Hall, Carlotta Paige, Samantha Gouldner, Jamie Varsafsky, Angela Thomas, Lucille Varsafsky, Jacki Maxson, Sherri Gewax, Elaine Maxson, Glenda Pochciol, Linda Czekanski, Barbara Anderson, Michelle Meisner, Cheryl Kubasky, Karen Hudec, Darlene Nagrosky, Sara Tyler, LaRue Gray, Rachel Pisarek, Christie Smouse, Shirley Exline, Connie Yelinek, Mimi Booker and Michaelene McWhinney.