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The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy to Benefit From Annual Fundraiser Saturday, October 13th

BreastFest 2007, an event to raise awareness about breast cancer, will be held on Saturday, October 13th, 3-8 p.m. at Nick’s Fish House, 2600 Insulator Drive in Baltimore (21230). The event will benefit The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy Medical Center and their programs in breast cancer awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Started in 1999 as a tribute by the family of Tyanna O’Brien, a New Jersey mother who died of breast cancer in 1990 at age 48, BreastFest is a celebration of life designed to promote a greater understanding of breast cancer throughout the Baltimore area. The event is held in October in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Presented by Under Armour, BreastFest includes great food from Nick’s Fish House, Kooper’s Tavern and One Eyed Mike’s in Fells Point; beer, Red Bull Energy Drink a silent auction and music from The Real Geniuses and Sara O’Brien.

According to Anne O’Brien, Sara O’Brien’s sister and Tyanna’s eldest daughter and resident of Baltimore, BreastFest 2007 is for everyone, “but we especially want target women in the 25-to-35 age group, who believe their age makes them invulnerable to breast cancer. We want the 20-and-30somethings to get the message—the importance of regular breast self-exams, early detection, and leading a healthy lifestyle,” Ms. O’Brien said.

Anne O’Brien is one of five sisters, each of whom hold similar awareness-and-fundraising events. BreastFest began in Athens, Georgia after Sara O'Brien read the journal her mother had written while sick with cancer. Today, BreastFest has been embraced by all of the O'Brien sisters and is held in their cities of residence: Clemson, South Carolina; New York, New York; Westmont, New Jersey, and Baltimore, MD.

Though BreastFest remains a tribute to Tyanna, it is also a dedication to all those who have been affected by the disease. Anne O’Brien works closely with Marsha Oakley, RN, of the Hoffberger Breast Center. Marsha is a breast cancer survivor, recognized by the Reach To Recovery Program of the American Cancer Society; by Hadassah for her work with the CHECK IT OUT program; and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Marsha, who was recognized in 2004 at The White House for her outreach efforts, also orchestrates Mercy’s annual observance of National Cancer Survivors’ Day.

Tickets for this year’s BreastFest are $40 in advance, $50 at the door, or 10 tickets for $350 and will be available from the Mercy Development Office, 2910 On the Square in Canton, The Healing Path in Federal Hill and Su Casa in Fells Point. All proceeds from ticket sales and other event fundraising will benefit patient care at The Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy. Tax-deductible cash contributions and gifts in kind are being sought. Call 410-332-9728 or visit the BreastFest website at www.breastfest.org for more information.

For more information, visit www.mdmercy.com or call 1-800-M.D.-Mercy.