Men With Heart is an all-volunteer team dedicated to eradicating breast cancer by raising awareness and funds and motivating men in the fight.
We are husbands who are doing something constructive rather than resigning ourselves to helplessness. We are sons who have seen our mothers courageously fight an insidious disease. We are brothers who want to stand beside our sisters in this battle. We are relatives, friends, lovers, colleagues, neighbors, and admirers of the women who are struggling with, often beating, and, regrettably, sometimes losing the fight with breast cancer.Time to get back in the game!
Men With Heart,
We’re looking to bring back some of you guys who we haven’t seen in the last couple of years. How does help with your fundraising sound? How does free travel and hotel sound?
How much easier can we make it for you?
Men With Heart and Komen have a couple of incentive programs to get you reengaged. Breast cancer hasn’t been wiped out since you last walked. We need you back in the game!
Here are some of the details on the programs:
Men With Heart
MWH will help you fundraise for the 2016 Avon Boston and/or Komen Philly walks.
- If you raise at least half the fundraising minimum through your MWH link, MWH will cover the other half! (Of course, we hope you raise more!)
- If you recruit a new member to MWH who walks in either the 2016 Boston or Philly walk, MWH will contribute $1,000 toward your walk fundraising!
Komen
If previously walked the Komen Boston, but haven’t walked since Komen left town, Komen will pay your round trip airfare plus two hotel nights for you to participate in the Komen Philly walk!
There are, of course, a few stipulations, which can be found here: http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_promotions_reunion . The most important condition is that you’ve got to register by March 1st!
The upshot is, if you have been thinking about getting re-involved with the cause, these incentives from MWH and Komen should make it a no-brainer. So how about joining us again for another walk? Isn’t it time we put the “HEART†back into Men With Heart?
Please contact Frank McSorley at fmcsorley@comcast.net or call his cell @ 617-285-0233 for more details.
Great Beer, Greater Cause!
Men With Heart’s own Frank McSorley will again walk 100 miles for the cause this year. Doing so isn’t easy or cheap – the fundraising minimum for his two breast cancer walks tops $4K.
Help Frank meet his goal while at the same time welcome spring, reconnect with friends, sample exceptional ale, and reengage with a worthy cause – eradicating breast cancer!
BEER FOR BOOBS
American Fresh Assembly Row Beer Garden
Sunday, April 12 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
The event will include free appetizers, cash bar, and great raffle prizes, including:
· Hot Air Balloon Ride
· Sox/Yankees Tickets
· Gift Basket of Assorted beers including Yankee Swap 2014 and Heady Topper
· Slumbrew Gift Basket
· 4 Dozen Freshly Baked Cookies
· Assorted Gift Cards
All proceeds will go to the fight against breast cancer.
Follow this link for more information, to RSVP, and to purchase event tickets.
Join MWH at the Avon “Great Start” party!
Winter doldrums got you down? Dying to break that cabin fever? Then join Men With Heart at the Avon Great Start Party on Saturday, February 7!
We attended this event last year, and it was a blast!
- Band together with hundreds of other breast cancer warriors who stepped up to tackle the challenge
- Enjoy food, music, and a cash bar
- Become a fundraising powerhouse through Avon’s Fast Track Fundraising
- Meet walker coaches — Avon staff who can help you with everything you need to complete your walk
- Learn the ropes from other Avon walkers and meet the beneficiaries you’ll help when you fundraise
- Step up to the AVON challenge, and register at the event (if you haven’t already)
Need another reason to attend? Special registration opportunities:
- Not registered for the Avon Walk yet? Register for just $39 and receive a $50 fundraising reward.
- Already registered? Bring a friend to register to walk for $39 and you’ll each receive a $50 fundraising reward.
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2015
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Market restaurant
Address: 21 Broad Street, Boston, MA
RSVP: Click here
Cost: Free!
Support neighbors in need — Join Pam’s Run!
Pam’s Run is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Pam Manikas Washek, founder of Neighbor Brigade and a tireless champion for families facing sudden crisis. She founded Neighbor Brigade to help to support their neighbors when serious illness or other tragedy strikes, with services provided by fellow community members.
The 5 and 10K run (runner’s option), with proceeds to benefit Neighbor Brigade, takes place on Saturday, October 18th in Wayland, Mass.
Pam’s Run will feature:
• 5K and 10K chip-timed races
• Cash Awards
• Age Group Awards
• Pre-race bag pickup
• Kids’ Activities
• Food Trucks
• Raffle
• Live music and fun for all!
More info here.
Register here.
Donate here.
About Pam
After suffering her first bout with cancer in 2002, Pam Washek decided to turn her pain into purpose by helping others experiencing similar crises. She and her friend Jean Seiden first conceived of Wayland Angels after each of them received caring acts of kindness from their own neighbors as they faced long treatments, while valiantly keeping their families strong and together. In 2010, Pam turned Wayland Angels into Neighbor Brigade to give people in communities beyond her hometown a way to support their fellow neighbors when serious illness or other tragedy strikes.
Pam’s vision was to establish a chapter of neighbor-based volunteers in every town across Massachusetts, then New England and the nation. She believed it was an imperative not only for those who needed the assistance, but also for the volunteers themselves. Pam understood our shared human need for community and our need to care for and be cared by one another.
Pam lost her battle with cancer in 2012, but her legacy lives on in Neighbor Brigade. The organization has grown to 35 chapters and over 4,800 volunteers. Having given us the roadmap and pointed us in the right direction, our “angel†continues to urge us forward.
Fill your walking void
The 2014 Boston Avon Walk is long over. The 2014 Boston Komen Walk never happened, with Susan G. terminating her Boston 3-day the year before. All of which may leave dedicated breast cancer fighters feeling a void.
If this describes you, consider joining a couple of upcoming events:
- the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk on Sept. 21
- the Komen Race for the Cure on Sept. 28
The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk raises the most money of any single-day walk in the nation and has raised nearly $95 million for the fight against cancer since 1989. When you participate in the Walk, you fundraise for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission to conquer all forms of cancer in children and adults.
- The money you raise makes a difference in the fight to find cures.
- Learn more about Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund.
- Register today to walk one of four routes along the historic Boston Marathon course on Sunday, September 21.
- Join walkers, sponsors, and volunteers in the Jimmy Fund’s largest one-day fundraising event and support Dana-Farber’s compassionate patient care and groundbreaking research.
- Watch a video about the event.
- Get more information here.
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure series is the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer ever created. Thanks to events like the Race for the Cure, the Komen Foundation has invested over $2 billion to fulfill its promise, playing a critical role in virtually every major advance in breast cancer. But, there is still work to be done, and this race helps maintain critical momentum.
- Race information.
- Race FAQs.
- Donate.
- Register for the Komen Race for the Cure.
- Even better, join the Men With Heart team that will be walking the event! Click here to register, then select join a team and indicate Men With Heart.
We hope to see you on these walks!
In Memoriam: Joseph Strain
Joseph Strain lived an exceptional life. As noted in his recent eulogy, so rich and varied were his experiences, Joe lived the equivalent of three lifetimes.
Joseph died on May 17, 2014 at the age of 93.
As a Marine Corps Captain, Joe served as a dive-bomber pilot in the Marshall Islands during World War II, and fighter-bomber and helicopter pilot in the Korean War.
After the war, Joe earned a PhD in Educational Administration at Harvard. During a 43-year career at Suffolk University, he taught English and speech. At Suffolk, he held many leadership roles, ultimately becoming the associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Joe was known for his kindness, compassion, and tireless dedication to improving the world. He was a champion of the civil rights movement, worked to improve conditions for students and teachers, and helped his wife Marie organize the Committee for a National Day of Peace.
Joe was also a dedicated supporter of Men With Heart. At his and his family’s request, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to Men With Heart to support the battle against breast cancer.
To donate by credit card, click on the button below, which will take you to a secure PayPal page.
To donate via check, please send your donation to:
Men With Heart, A Non-Profit Corporation
733 Turnpike Street, #200
North Andover, MA 01845
Men With Heart Teams with Silent Spring in Breast Cancer Fight
In the latest volley in its battle against breast cancer, Men With Heart has awarded a grant to Silent Spring Institute to support its breast cancer research programs.
Men With Heart, a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to eradicating breast cancer, has contributed $5,000 to Silent Spring to further its work toward identifying and breaking the links between environmental chemicals and breast cancer.
“Genetics alone cannot account for the majority of cases of breast cancer, leaving a lot of room for prevention,” says Julia Brody, PhD, Senior Scientist and Executive Director of Silent Spring Institute, citing that only five to ten percent of breast cancers are attributable to high-risk inherited genes. “Every day we are exposed to hundreds of chemicals in consumer products and pollution that raise concern for breast cancer because they are either breast carcinogens or estrogen mimics. We are so grateful to Men With Heart for this grant, which will accelerate Silent Spring’s prevention research. This work includes the development of new technologies to quickly screen chemicals for effects on breast cancer and breast health, putting in sight the day that consumer products will be deemed safe before they are put on the market.”
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ABOUT MEN WITH HEART: Men With Heart is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to eradicating breast cancer by getting more men involved in the breast cancer fight; raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research, treatment, prevention, and cure; and serving as stewards on multiday breast cancer walks, helping our fellow walkers complete their walks in good spirits and shape. Men With Heart supports a number of organizations. Since 2002, we have awarded grants to the Avon Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Healing Garden, The Ellie Fund, The Lahey Clinic, Dana Farber Hospital, and many other organizations. More information may be found at www.menwithheart.org.
Contact: Jack Burlingame
Founding board member
jack@menwithheart.org
ABOUT SILENT SPRING INSTITUTE: Founded in 1994, Silent Spring Institute is the leading scientific research organization dedicated to understanding how we can help prevent breast cancer. The organization’s groundbreaking studies reveal connections between the chemicals in our everyday lives and the risk for breast cancer. Pursuing science for the public interest, Silent Spring’s researchers create new knowledge about the health risks associated with toxic chemicals where we live and work—areas that largely have been ignored in breast cancer research. More information is available at www.silentspring.org.
Contact: Catherine M. Cotton
Development and Communications Associate
617-332-4288 ext. 215
cotton@silentspring.org
Announcing our Boston Avon Walk matching donation program!
For many Avon walkers, the most daunting challenge isn’t blisters, cramps, or dehydration. It’s the fund- raising requirement!
Let’s face it: $1,800 isn’t exactly spare change you can dig out of the couch cushions. Putting the ask on family, friends, and colleagues, whether it’s the first time or the tenth time, isn’t easy.
Recognizing this fact, Men With Heart has a plan to make it easier-—a matching donation program!
For the 2014 Boston Avon Walk, Men With Heart will subsidize up to one-half of our team members’ minimum fundraising requirement. That’s right: we’ll chip in up to $900 toward your Avon donation requirement!
There are a few stipulations, detailed below, but it’s an unbeatable deal. If you’ve been thinking about joining the fight against breast cancer, but were worried about raising the funds, now’s the time!
THE FINE PRINT
To qualify for this offer, you must:
1) Sign up for the 2014 Boston Avon Walk as a member of the Men With Heart team: This year’s walk takes place during the weekend of May 17-18. Click here to join now!
2) Conduct your fundraising through Men With Heart: We’ll set up a donation page for you on the Men With Heart website, which will allow you to take credit card donations. Around the time of the walk, MWH will write a check on your behalf to Avon, which will include the subsidy funds if needed to meet your minimum requirement.
3) Agree to be a fully participating MWH member: Our mission is to be stewards of the walks, helping our fellow walkers make it to the finish line in good spirits and shape. You’ll wear the signature MWH yellow t-shirt; carry a backpack filled with supplies (chocolate, blister packs, sunblock, etc.) for walkers in need; and join in sing-a-longs to serenade our fellow walkers. At the end of each day, we line up at the finish line to cheer in every single walker – it is a point of pride and duty that we continue cheering until the very last walker finishes.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, sign up right now and take advantage of this probably-never-to-be-repeated offer!
Contact us with any questions.
Avon captain: Jack Burlingame
Jack@menwithheart.org
Men With Heart is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) corporation (a fancy way of saying we’re a charity!). All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Chase away the winter blues with these breast cancer events
Snowy days and long nights haven’t driven us into hibernation this winter. Men With Heart and our sister organizations (we don’t seem to have any brother organizations!) are hard at work in the breast cancer fight. Here are a few activities to join and break the winter blues:
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden is running a vast array of programs, including support groups; acupressure; arts programs; Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong; mind-body therapy; strength training; dance classes; and more! Visit www.healinggarden.net for the full list.
Cape Cod Charitable Funraisers is sponsoring “Roll the Rock 2014,” a simply rollicking and fun event. Roll the Rock features many local businesses showcasing their bowling, fundraising, and team building skills. It’s a blast! Best of all, proceeds go to a variety of charitable organizations, including our friends at the Silent Spring Institute.
Roll the Rock 2014 takes place on Friday, March 28, 2014 at Ryan Family Amusements, 1067 Route 28, So. Yarmouth, MA 02664. Click here for more information.
Our longtime friends and partners in charity, The Ellie Fund, are hosting their 18th annual Red Carpet Gala. The event includes an exclusive viewing of the 86th Academy Awards Telecast live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Join hosts Kelley Tuthill and Susan Wornick of WCVB-TV Channel 5 for an exciting evening of film, food, fashion and fundraising with:
♦ Red Carpet Arrivals hosted by J.C. Monahan, WCVB-TV Channel 5
♦ Hosted Bars with delicious wines, beers and cocktails
♦ Gourmet Chef Stations hosted by BostonChefs.com, starring the city’s best restaurants and chefs
♦ “Best of the Best” Live and Silent Auctions featuring autographed memorabilia, deluxe vacation packages and more!
♦ Deluxe Swag Bags sponsored by The Street Chestnut Hill
For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
A snowstorm forced the postponement of the Healing Garden’s annual Wine Tasting & Tour — an extraordinary fundraising event where 100% of the proceeds benefit cancer care at The Healing Garden. Hosted by Nashoba Valley Winery, the event features culinary creations from Executive Chef Andy McWilliams of J’s Restaurant; wine and craft beer tastings; a behind-the-scenes tour; live Traditional Irish music by Laurel Martin (Fiddle) and Kathleen Guilday (Harp); as well numerous raffle items.
The Nashoba Valley Winery Benefit has been rescheduled to Thursday, February 27th, 2014 at 6:30 pm at Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton. Find more info here and purchase tickets here
2014: Our best year ever?
Although regrettable in many ways, the demise of the Komen Boston walk offers one silver lining: it allows the local breast cancer community to coalesce around a single multiday walk event — the 2-day Boston Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
Men With Heart will be consolidating its team for the May 17-18th event, and we hope you’ll join us! We expect to provide some modest financial incentives to our teammates; more to come on that topic soon.
In the meantime, if you’re inspired to act, follow this link to sign up now. Choose “Join a Team,” then select Men With Heart, and you are on your way!
2014 — our best year ever!