From the
Executive Director

Dear Friends,

For months, the power of nature has grabbed headlines. For 60 years, our Red Door has symbolized the power of hope and help for people experiencing personal storms of cancer, which are just as devastating. Not all storms brew in the sky or come from ocean depths. Not all storms are bound to a season. The storms we see each day come from within, when cancer looms heavy on the horizon of thousands who do not have the financial means or insurance to combat the disease.

In addition to providing services, education and screening, we try to do something else. Replace fear with hope. Last year 15,500 people were served by your Little Red Door. They are fathers, mothers, spouses, partners, grandparents, neighbors, children and friends. As long as there is cancer, Little Red Door will be here to provide hope and help to those who need it most. We can only do that because of you. Your support makes all of the difference. It always has. Thanks for helping us quell the storms of cancer.

John Aleshire
Executive Director
Little Red Door Cancer Agency


Rock the Roof with
The Manhattan Transfer

Join us for an unforgettable night with Grammy Award Winning The Manhattan Transfer on Wednesday, October 19th. This special evening at the Indiana Roof Ballroom will include dinner at 6:15 p.m., followed by the presentation of the Lawrence H. Einhorn Award to this year’s recipient, Bruce Hetrick. Then, The Manhattan Transfer will take the stage for a roof-rocking performance! A special VIP reception with the performers, sponsored by Regions Bank, will follow at 9:30 p.m. (special tickets required)

This event supports Little Red Door Cancer Agency's Mammography Assistance Program, which provides free mammograms and related diagnostic services to women without income or insurance. For ticket and table reservations, please contact John Aleshire, 317.925.5595 ext 310.


Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There is much going on, and many ways to get involved during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

October Highlights

October 3 - Illumination:
The month was kicked off on October 3rd by lighting up the Artsgarden in pink at Illumination: Lighting the Way to Breast Cancer Awareness. Hundreds of people attended the memorable evening, many of whom were ladies dressed in pink. Jane Ambro, Dr. Robert Goulet, and the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization™, Indiana Affiliate all received awards for their achievements in breast cancer. Barbara Boyd, Dr. Kathy Miller, and Dr. Robert Goulet all spoke at what was a very moving evening.

October 21 – National Mammography Day:
Make an appointment for yourself, and encourage friends, family, and others to have a mammogram done. The best defense against breast cancer is early detection! Contact the National Cancer Institute (1-800-4-CANCER) to find a facility in your area.


About Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer develops when abnormal breast cells grow out of control. These cells can band together to form a mass called a tumor. A tumor can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer, and when removed, seldom grow back. Malignant tumors are cancer, and can spread and invade nearby tissue, and eventually metastasize, or spread to other organs in the body.

The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, though there are preventative measures you can take to reduce some of the risk factors.

Preventative Measures:

• Eat a low-fat diet
• Exercise regularly
• Drugs are available to help prevent breast cancer in women at high risk

Other Risk factors include:

• Age above 50 years old.
• Personal or Family history of breast cancer
• Inherited abnormal genes
• Obesity and/or sedentary lifestyle
• Reproductive and menstrual history
• Radiation therapy to the chest
• Alcoholic beverage consumption

Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

• A lump, mass or thickening in the breast
• Change in size or shape of the breast
• Nipple pain, tenderness or discharge, including bleeding
• Nipple that is turning inward, or inverted
• Change in skin color and texture: dimpling, puckering
• Breast that feels warm or swollen and looks red

Early Detection is the best prevention:

• Beginning at age 20, perform breast self-exams (BSE) once a month.
• In your 20s and 30s, have breast exams by a health care professional every three years.
• Beginning at age 40, have annual breast exams by a health care professional.
• At age 40, begin annual screening mammography (a breast X-ray).
• Women at high risk should talk to their health care professional about beginning screening mammograms at a younger age.
• Women at very high risk may also have yearly MRI exams (magnetic resonance imaging).

Treatment:
Therapy depends on the type of cancer and whether the cancer has spread beyond the breast.

• Surgery – mastectomy (breast removal) or a lumpectomy (removal of the tumor).
• Chemotherapy and/or radiation and/or hormone therapy before or after surgery.

IMPORTANT FACTS: Most women who develop breast cancer have no history of the disease in their family. In fact, except for growing older, most women with breast cancer have no strong risk factors. A woman who thinks she may be at risk of breast cancer should discuss this concern with her health care provider. The health care provider may suggest ways to reduce the risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.

For more information about breast cancer, risk factors, symptoms, and prevention, visit this site and download this fact sheet. (Both links were sources for this section)


Stained Glass for Life

These magnificent stained-glass pieces have been beautifully crafted by Karen Ellis-Langefeld, creator and owner of Glass Delights. Proceeds from these pieces go to support Little Red Door Cancer Agency’s Mammography Assistance Program.



Breast Cancer Angel (left)
Little Red Door Holiday Ornament (center)
Framed Breast Cancer Ribbon (right)
[click for more info]

We extend our sincerest thanks to Karen for using her skills to help make the most of life and the least of cancer in Central Indiana.

How to Order:
Contact Angela Holliday, aholliday@littlereddoor.org or 317.925.5595 ext 320.


Bill Hunter Pool Tournament

Join us, Saturday, October 22, for the 4th Annual Bill Hunter Pool Tournament at the Greenwood Moose Lodge 2079, 813 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood with special guest appearance by Jeanette Lee, world-class billiard player. The $10 admission fee, silent auction and lunch all benefit Little Red Door. Register with the Greenwood Moose Lodge at 317.881.9668 to participate.


Dinner and Silent Auction

On Sunday, October 23, Skin Revelation is hosting “Opening the Door to Awareness", a fundraiser at the Boulder Creek Restaurant in Brownsburg from 6:00-9:00pm with dinner and silent auction items. Contact Jill Werlinger at Skin Revelation at 317.209.9514 for reservations.


Saks Fifth Avenue “Key to the Cure”
Join us for a kick-off party at the Saks Fifth Avenue store at Keystone at the Crossing on Thursday, October 27, from 6:00-9:00pm. As part of their “Key To The Cure” campaign, Saks Fifth Avenue will be donating a percentage of store sales on October 28th and 29th, as well as a percentage of sales for a limited edition T-shirt crystallized with SWAROVSKI® designed by Diane von Furstenberg in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation.


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Feel free to forward this e-newsletter to family, friends and colleagues. To refer someone, reply to jjarvis@littlereddoor.org with the words “new subscription” in the subject line, and the person’s name, organization (if applicable) and e-mail address in the body of the e-mail.

For more information on how you can help prevent, treat and
fight cancer here in central Indiana, visit
www.littlereddoor.org

Little Red Door Cancer Agency
1801 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317.925.5595

~Celebrating 60 Years as a Door of Hope~