Over the last few years, I've received an increasing number of disturbing phone calls - and frankly, I'd like them to stop. The calls are from friends and they all contain the same upsetting news: . . "Catherine, I've got breast cancer." From young and old, rich or poor - this disease knowns no boundaries and seems to be occurring more frequently than I ever remember it before. Happily, survival rates are at an all time high, but this can't happen without early detection. This was the strong message sent out last week as the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundaton held their annual Awareness Day luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. An impressive panel of VIPs and politicians signed a proclamation to the year 2020 and "a future without Breast Cancer". Then, an astute panel of experts delivered the biggest message of the day, which is - get an annual mammogram (even if you are under 40 years old). So far, I have been lucky. Up until this week, I honestly hadn't thought about doing it - but now I am. So it is with great humility that I dedicate this column to all women in battle, and to mark the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by challenging every female in Metro Vancouver to discuss this option with your doctor. It's a call you simply have to make - and one that just might save your life.
Also congrats go out this week to the good folks at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) and their Rockin' for Research gala at the Hyatt hotel. Looking to raise $1 million dollars - this group is getting closer and closer to a cure.
And lastly, Stanley Park Pavillion was possessed on a number of levels Halloween night as the Jet Set Crew took flight with their highly successful Monster Mash bash which attracted some of Vancouver's most boo-tiful people.
Catherine Barr, Vancouver's celebrity events reporter and photographer, is supported online by CLR Communications Ltd, westvancouver.com , northvancouver.com and vancouverview.com
Vancouver's best events and celebrity functions are all archived here. Vancouver pubs, clubs, nightclubs, gala events and fundraisers are included. Thanks for viewing.
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Premier Gordon Campell and board director Lenora Gates dedicate this Awareness Day luncheon to "2020 - a future without Breast Cancer". |
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Shortly after their marriage and honeymoon last year, rocker Bif Naked and hubby Ian Walker discovered Bif had breast cancer. Today she is bravely winning the battle. |
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Hosting the Awareness Day Breast Cancer luncheon are CTV's Dr. Rhonda Low and anchor Pamela Martin. |
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Riche Designs' Michelle Lau, left, and Sarah Szeto look fab in feathers at the Jet Set Halloween party. |
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Jet Set Halloween party organizer Craig Stowe plays the part of a bloodied test pilot alongside guest Jessica Olafson. |
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These birds of a feather flock together. Models Danielle Evangelista, left, Teagan Avolevo and Hallie Bird are pretty as peacocks at the Jet Set party. |
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Dressed in their Halloween best, Frances Hui, left, Craig Turner and Traci Myles party as a Grecian goddess, Ozzy Osbourne and a blonde bombshell baseballer. |
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Selling carnations to cure Juvenile Diabetes, volunteers Deborah Kelly, left, and Mani Sandhu work the crowd at Rockin' for Research. |
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Being honoured for all his work, and his coast-to-coast bicycle fundraser, is Kyle Balagno, the 2008 Gala Honoree. Seen here with wife Lesli, the couple fights for their daughter and all others with Juvenile Diabetes. |
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Greeting guests at the Rockin' for Research Juvenile Diabetes gala are volunteers Sarah Dalzell, left, and Jessica Musto. |
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