Charity trail ride raises more than $7,500

Charity trail ride raises more than $7,500
by LeeAnn Sharpe

Participants in the first ever “Ride for the Walk” charity trail ride raised more than $7,500 for breast cancer research.

The trail ride at Granite Mountain on Oct. 21 was a living tribute to Robin Hilditch who died of cancer on April 6. Proceeds from the ride will benefit the upcoming 3-Day 60-mile walk for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Arizona Team Corazon will be walking those miles Nov. 3-5.

“This started as a tribute to my friend Robin and then everyone came to me with stories about their loved ones who have battled cancer,” said Cortland Parks, the ride’s organizer.



“My good friend Holly Restifo was already planning to participate in the 3-Day Walk in support of her sister Kathy who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. That’s when we decided to work together and donate the funds from the Ride to her team pledges.”

Team Corazon, which includes Holly Restifo, Vincent Cibrian, Martha Ochoa and Liz Smithhart as walkers and crew, came out to volunteer as check-in crew and lunch servers for the charity ride.

“When I started out doing the 3-Day, I wanted to make a difference in somebody’s life–anybody’s, it didn't matter, as long as I was helping,” said Restifo. “Well, I’ve just recently learned that one of my sisters has breast cancer. I’m not shocked, knowing the facts that I know. But I’m still saddened. I pray that she will make it through this, and with the strength of our family and the prayers of all our friends, I know she will.”

More than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year and more than 40,000 American women and men will die of the disease, according to the Susan G. Komen Web site.

Everything for the charity ride was donated. Cave Creek Outfitters provided use of their ranch, Famous Dave’s BBQ provided the food, and numerous other contributors donated dozens of items for the event’s silent auction.

“The only thing we had to buy were the T-shirts,” Parks said. “So all we collected went to the cause.”

Miss Rodeo Arizona 2006 Elizabeth Scott participated in the ride and spoke to the crowds at the luncheon. She told them of her reign as Miss Rodeo Arizona and her journey to the Miss Rodeo America pageant in November.

Cowgirl Historical Foundation members, wearing pink, bejeweled Western shirts, also rode in the event.


Members of the Scottsdale Jaycees Comancheros and about a dozen cowboys and cowgirls from Mounted Shooters of America lent their support.

The upcoming Breast Cancer 3-Day event is for those who want to join the fight against the disease through fundraising, training, and dedicating an entire weekend to the cause. Participants walk an average of 20 miles per day, starting Nov. 3 at Freestone Park in Gilbert and finish up at Hance Park in Phoenix.

Organizers expect the event will raise millions of dollars which, in addition to medical research, also pays for community outreach programs.

Those who wish to make a pledge through Team Corazon can do so by visiting: www.the3day.org. Click on the donate link and enter Holly Restifo’s name.

Tina’s Treasure’s can bring a little light, relief and joy into their lives.

"Overwhelmed with happiness"
by LeeAnn Sharpe

SCOTTSDALE–A diagnosis of breast cancer can be about the most traumatic event many women will ever face. For those women, Helaine Markowitz and the staff at Tina’s Treasure’s can bring a little light, relief and joy into their lives.

A cosmetologist wig stylist and certified prosthetic fitter, Markowitz works daily with women undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Tina’s Treasures is a specialized boutique catering to cancer patients in the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare. Named after survivor Tina Johnson, Tina’s Treasures Boutiques, at both Osborn and Shea Scottsdale Healthcare campuses, offer specialized shopping for cancer patients, survivors and their families.

“Recently a woman who had never been properly fitted came in and was overwhelmed with happiness when she realized how good she looked and felt in a properly fitted bra,” said Markowitz. “And many women don’t realize how comfortable they can be in mastectomy swimwear. It makes all the difference.”

“Just learning how to wrap a scarf correctly really can help,” Markowitz said.Certified professionals at the boutique help to fit breast prosthetics, bras, camisoles, mastectomy swimwear, wigs, hairpieces, hats, scarves, turbans, sleep hats, sun protective clothing, and lymphedema products. The boutiques also carry specialized products to assist with dry mouth care, nutritional supplements, aromatherapy, bath and body products, relaxation CDs, books, journals, jewelry, gift items and inspirational cards.

Women who have undergone lumpectomies and breast reconstruction require transitional bras and those bras need to be fitted, she said.“They need to wear a prosthesis and they need a new bra about every four to five months because they wear out faster than a regular bra. If it’s not fitted right they will be very uncomfortable. They will get back pain and their shoulders stoop if not fitted right. Most insurance will cover their prosthesis and bras.”

The boutique provides wigs for those who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy as well.

“We also do synthetic wigs. You get a wig for the short term. Your hair will grow back. Looking good is important for psychological recovery. Dealing with the cancer and treatment is bad enough. Put on a wig and some make‑up so you feel better about how you look,” she said.

The boutique donates some of its profits to the center’s patient assistance fund to help those who are uninsured or do not have the money for wigs, bras and prosthetics, said Bonnie Skochinski, coordinator for the boutique.

She said the boutique donates over $10,000 each year to the patient fund.

In addition, Tina’s Treasures accepts donated wigs, bras, and prosthetics and gives those donations to the American Cancer Society which provides assistance to those in need, she said.

Tina’s Treasurers is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is a virtual tour of Tina’s Treasurers at www.shc.org.

"RIDE FOR THE WALK"

PRESS RELEASE
Aug 4, 2005
For immediate release up to 10-20-06

Basic information:

Join Us For The
"RIDE FOR THE WALK"
A TRAIL RIDE AT GRANITE MOUNTAIN
Honoring Robin Hilditch
And Benefiting
The Breast Cancer 3- DAY 60 MILE WALK
(The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation)
THIS IS A FIRST TIME EVENT FOR THOSE OF US WHO SUPPORT
CANCER RESEARCH, BUT DON'T WANT TO WALK 60 MILES!
SATURDAY OCT 21st, 2006
CAVE CREEK OUTFITTERS
31313 N. 144th Street, Rio Verde, Arizona
(Dynamite Road to 144th St. Turn North)
Riders of Privately Owned Horses: Ride starts at 9:00 AM
Rental Horse Riders: 1st Ride starts at 10:00 AM
Lunch & Silent Auction Noon
Rental Horse Riders: 2nd Ride starts at 1:00 PM
for a Ride Donation of $25.00. you can be a
PARTICIPATING RIDER
Includes a beautiful 2-hour Trail Ride and all the water you can drink!
for a Ride Donation of $100.00 and above. you can be a
SPONSORING RIDER
Includes all of the above, PLUS a Great Lunch,
PLUS the Limited Edition commemorative T -SHIRT.
*PRE-REGISTRATION is highly recommended, so we don't run out of food or T -Shirts.
*RENTAL HORSES AVAILABLE. If renting, add $45 to Ride Donation amount above.
*PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR RENTERS BY OCT. 1st, 2006.
*LUNCH will be served at Base Camp at 12:00 NOON, between Rental Horse Rides.
*CELEBRITY RIDERS: We are hoping to have some Celebrities come out and join us.
*SILENT AUCTION: Bring lots of money for our SILENT AUCTION. Remember this is a
for charity event with all profits going to the Breast Cancer 3-DAY WALK.
Questions? Call Cortland Parks at 480-250-2703.

Article:
Cortland Parks is a Scottsdale/Rio Verde cowboy, well know in these parts as an active participant in charity projects for over 30 years. As a past Phoenix Jaycees Comancheros Rodeo Boss or any of the many other horse organizations he has been a part of over the years, Cort has a reputation for his “get it done right” ability to turn any endeavor into a great success. And he has been called on to head many projects. But to him, the project he tackles this fall has a very special meaning.

The “RIDE FOR THE WALK” a trail ride at Granite Mountain Saturday, October 21st,2006 is a living tribute to his beautiful partner Robin Hilditch who passed away with cancer April 6th 2006. The Ride proceeds will benefit The Breast Cancer 3-DAY 60 MILE WALK for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s touted as “A FIRST TIME EVENT FOR THOSE OF US WHO SUPPORT CANCER RESEARCH, BUT DON'T WANT TO WALK 60 MILES!”

CAVE CREEK OUTFITTERS at 31313 N. 144th Street, Rio Verde, Arizona, (Dynamite Road to 144th St. Turn North), will be the start and end point for the trail ride. Riders with their own horses start a beautiful 2-hour Trail Ride and “all the water you can drink” at 9:00AM. Entry donation is $25, and you are asked to collect donations from others with checks payable to “Breast Cancer 3-Day”.

You can rent a horse and start the ride at 10:00AM. Horses are rented at Cave Creek Outfitters for $45 (Reserved by Oct.1st, 2006), plus the Trail Ride “Participating Rider” $25 entry donation.

If you would like to enjoy a great lunch and a limited edition commemorative T-shirt, become a “Sponsoring Rider” for $100. At Noon lunch is served and a Silent Auction begins with lots of wonderful items up for grabs. Remember the money all goes to the charity, so be generous! An afternoon trail ride for those who have rented horses will begin at 1:00PM. PRE-REGISTRATION is highly recommended, so they don't run out of food or T -Shirts.

Rumors say they are going to have some exciting Celebrity Riders come out and join the “RIDE FOR THE WALK”. What a thrill to ride along with the famous, enjoy lunch and hob nob with fellow cowboys and cowgirls all out to help the cause.

The “SILENT AUCTION” will bring lots of money for the “Breast Cancer 3-DAY WALK”. They are actively seeking donations for the “Silent Auction” as well as participants.

If you have any questions about the “RIDE FOR THE WALK” call Cortland Parks at 480-250-2704.