{#MotivationMonday} @TheMoms @Ford @WarriorsinPink @KChenoweth #MoreGoodDays Luncheon @TheCarlyleHotel

Although I am not a parent I am a long time member of The Moms Network and in October 2012 they hosted an event for Breast Cancer Awareness where Martini Rossi gave $10,000 to actress/singer Kristen Chenoweth's Foundation Maddie's Corner, to be allocated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Right Action for Women. You can see my coverage of the first event HERE.

Things came full circle when they hosted the event again, this time hosted by Ford at The Carlyle Hotel in New York City, where current Cancer Warriors including this time Denise Albert, co-founder of The Moms Network, who is herself now battling Breast Cancer.

Instead of just describing events I thought I would share the video taken at the event instead:

This also saves me days of trying to edit, optimize and watermark my own photos which feels like hours of hell considering the FLU has knocked me on my butt for the past two weeks! So thank goodness for venue photographers right? You can see The MOMS coverage with more photos from the #MoreGoodDays Mamarazzi event HERE.

Here are a select few of my own photos that sum up the range of emotions:

Now I've got a ton of 'ugly cry' photos that I will spare you of, the video is enough to give you the feels, but if you really want to see those let me know and I will try to make a pinterest board for this event when my fever goes somewhere below boiling.

MY TAKE:

I think the one thing readers appreciate about me is my 'good, bad and ugly' approach to everything, when it comes to the truth you will definitely find it here!

As even handed as possible, here is my rundown and personal feelings:

GOOD: You already know my mom is a Survivor which is why I attended the first event with her, and you know what I have been going through personally when it comes to Cancer (although my cancer color would be teal not pink for what I went through which I actually didn't know until very recently). So I take the cause seriously and brands that support it. Ford has supported Warriors In Pink for 22 years now. The courageous women who shared their cancer battles/journeys were definitely an inspiration. Denise catching her Cancer early and using the media as a platform to share her story with others is also an inspiration, and I am glad she is courageously sharing her story.

BAD: Sorry but there were things I can't exactly gloss over. While the Carlyle is certainly a prestigious venue, it was a very small room for the amount of people, and when folks butts are rubbing across your back for an hour it felt a bit more confining than it did 'intimate'. I think the first venue, while also intimate, gave a bit more breathing room.

UGLY: And my last but not least sorry not sorry is that I usually feature the gift bags when I attend an event, and on the outside they were lovely but the contents were all a size small. I did reach out to the PR firm and ask to swap the items but they refused to do so. UM, color me confused, but wouldn't you want two cancer survivors wearing the clothes in their own size and talking about "More Good Days"? We were happy to send the items back to exchange them. But that was a no go. I also wish Kristen Chenoweth's new CD had been in there. The PR firm was lovely enough to tell me where I could buy all of them. (As if I didn't know. ahem. let's just leave that there.)

Besides this specific event, here are my feelings when October rolls around as a Cancer Warrior Myself:

I take on very few Editorials during October for Breast Cancer Awareness, everyone slaps something pink on their site and then think when they reach out to survivors that we are required to give them a free product placement. Warriors have bills people and we can't pay our mortgages, car note or buy food with a picture of your pink product.

Sorry Not Sorry, but the legit reporter in me has questions the moment your emails hit my inbox:

• How much of the proceeds are being donated to the cause?
• What do you do throughout the year, not just October?

And of course who gets labeled the "B" of Blogging"? Me! Maybe I should change my blog's name (or is that name already taken?), I was considering a re-branding anyway. Sorry darlings while I like Wool during these long, cold North East Winters, I certainly don't like Wool over my eyes.

Now back to the event, I loved hearing other survivor's share their journey, there is a vein of similarity in so many stories, humor and music is what got so many people through their battles and chemo/radiation, and I loved that this event combined both, yes there were moments with 'the feels', and 'ugly tears' (thug tears folks!) too, but being given one more good day really is a gift.

And the reminder that having a 'bad day', and having one more 'good day' really isn't the same thing, put your perceived problems into perspective and on this Motivation Monday let's take a moment to send Good Vibes to both MEN and WOMEN everywhere battling Cancer and hoping for One More Good Day.

Giveaway Alert:

Ford Warriors in Pink is giving away a FORD FUSION, so don't forget to take a moment to ENTER. And Ford Warriors in Pink Gear that Gives can be purchased HERE.

Happy Motivation Monday Butterflies!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Compensated Post, (while perhaps it should be), all thoughts and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. Things that lure Ascending Butterfly out of her hermit hive: Electronics, Jewelry, Appliances, Bubbly/Spirits, Foodie/Restaurants and Travel. And remember Ascending Butterfly does NOT have children, please do not pitch her toys. If a campaign doesn't pay, this butterfly probably won't want to play. Smile if you got this far, twirl around twice and sing Mariah Carey Butterfly. Still here? Now go make someone happy today.

MARTINI, The Moms, & Kristin Chenoweth 'Toast to Survivors' Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon #BCAM #martiniminis

On Monday, October 15th I got the opportunity to attend a very special event. The 'Toast to Survivors' Luncheon which was held in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Alison Eighteen Restaurant in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, New York City. The event celebrated strong and beautiful women and toasted them with MARTINI Sparkling Rose. Television personalities Denise Albert and Melissa Gerstein, known collectively as 'The Moms', along with speakers Elizabeth Chabner Thompson, MD, MPH, Debbi Musen, Dee Dee Ricks and celebrity guest actress Kristen Chenoweth all shared their personal stories, and MARTINI donated $10,000 to Kristin Chenoweth's Charity, Maddie's Corner, to be allocated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Right Action for Women.

Here are some event highlights:

Debbi Musen, Breast Cancer Survivor and mom of 'The Moms', Melissa Gerstein speaks about her battle with Breast Cancer.

Debbi Musen, Breast Cancer Survivor and mom of 'The Moms', Melissa Gerstein speaks about her battle with Breast Cancer.

Debbi Musen, Breast Cancer Survivor and mom of 'The Moms', Melissa Gerstein speaks about her battle with Breast Cancer, her daughter Melissa is standing on the right hand side of the shot.

Debbi Musen, Breast Cancer Survivor and mom of 'The Moms', Melissa Gerstein speaks about her battle with Breast Cancer, her daughter Melissa is standing on the right hand side of the shot. I don't know how Melissa was able to hear her mom recount her story without breaking down herself! She remained incredibly composed. I for one was trying very hard to hold back tears during the entire luncheon!

Above: Debbi Musen concludes and her daughter Melissa is on hand with a hug!

Above: Speaker Dee Dee Ricks, a Patient Advocate and  Survivor, named among Wall Street's Most Powerful Women!

Above: When Dee Dee Ricks quoted Harold P. Freeman of the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute of which Ricks is chairman, by saying "Poverty should not be an offense punishable by death" There was applause throughout the entire room!

Above: The Moms thank speaker Dee Dee Ricks

Above: The daughter of a breast cancer survivor and a patient herself, Elizabeth Chabner Thompson, MD, MPH, as a Radiation Oncologist she learned the most about the Battle when she went through it herself, it's not so easy when someone who is normally on the other side of things experiences it first hand. Her organization, Best Friends for Life, has a mission to improve the patient experience and the BFFL bags that are distributed to patients (directly now from various hospitals) is packed full of everything a breast cancer patient needs during treatments.

Above: Right before Kristen Chenoweth was about to take the stage!

Above: Kristen Chenoweth takes the stage and greets Melissa Gerstein with a Kiss, to the right  Denise Albert

Kristin was in a bad accident this past summer, she cried to her mother, "Why Me?" Her mother gave her excellent advice. She said, "Why not you? Don't say why me, say why not me and deal with it."

Earlier one of the speakers asked if there were survivors in the room, by number of years, my mom raised her hand when they asked if there were any survivors over 10 years in the room, Kristen remembered that my mom had raised her hand, and she was pointing to her when this shot was taken, which is why this picture is particularly special to me!

Kristen Chenoweth thanks event sponsors MARTINI Wines who sponsored the 'Toast to Survivors' Luncheon and provided Sparkling Rose!

Tony and Emmy award winning actress Kristen Chenoweth took time off years ago to care for her mother as her mother battled Breast Cancer she shared her story with warmth, openness and an endearing grace and humor!

 

MARTINI Wines presented Kristen Chenoweth with a check for $10,000 for her charity, Maddie's Corner!

Kristen Chenoweth receives a check for $10,000 for her charity Maddie's Corner,  as you can see she was genuinely touched and very grateful for the support for her cause!

Above: Left: Melissa Gerstein, Center: Kristen Chenoweth, Right: Denise Albert all wearing lovely pink  dresses and bracelets in support of Breast Cancer Awareness during the Questions and Answers Session at the "Toast to Survivors" Luncheon held at Alison Eighteen in New York City.

Above: Left: Melissa Gerstein, Center: Kristen Chenoweth, Right: Denise Albert all wearing lovely pink  dresses and bracelets in support of Breast Cancer Awareness during Questions and Answers Session at the "Toast to Survivors" Luncheon held at Alison Eighteen in New York City.

Above: Left: Melissa Gerstein, Center: Kristen Chenoweth, Right: Denise Albert all wearing lovely pink  dresses and bracelets in support of Breast Cancer Awareness during Questions and Answers Session at the "Toast to Survivors" Luncheon held at Alison Eighteen in New York City.

Left: Denise Albert, Right: Melissa Gerstein collectively known as 'The Moms' wrap up another amazing Mamarazzi event in New York City!

Above: Kristen Chenoweth poses for pictures during MARTINI and The Moms Mamarazzi 'Toast to Survivors' Luncheon in New York City

Left: Denise Albert, Dee Dee Ricks, Center: Elizabeth Chabner Thompson, Debbi Musen, Far Right: Melissa Gerstein, Pro Image Used WITH Permission. 'Toast To Survivors' Luncheon, New York City.

Left: Denise Albert, Center: Kristen Chenoweth, Right: Melissa Gerstein

Above: 'Toast to Survivors' Luncheon Sponsor, MARTINI, provided their Sparkling Rose to attendees

These lovely ladies kept the MARTINI Sparkling Rose flowing !

Right: Denise Albert and her lovely mom!

Left: Melissa Gerstein and her lovely mom, Right: Debbi Musen, Survivor and event speaker at the 'Toast to Survivors' luncheon in New York City!

Above: Left: Ascending Butterfly, Right: Mama Butterfly

It was an amazingly emotional but wonderful event and I'm honored to have been invited. All the speakers were amazing. It's not easy to be that honest and raw about an experience that is so harrowing. I know full well just how vulnerable hospitals make you feel. All of the speakers faced their battles with humor and grace, and if during the battle of their lives they could remain inspired, so can YOU. My mom is my inspiration and example, she is a survivor too, and I loved that she was able to share this day with me! As you know I'm not prone to featuring Celebrities on Ascending Butterfly, my exception is when they are involved in giving back. I don't care where celebs eat or shop. I don't care what they wear. But when they are doing something for the greater good, I am more than happy to share that! Anyone who is willing to stand up and share their story to make things easier for the next person is someone who will always have my admiration and respect! As always, The Moms pulled off another incredible event. I don't know how they do it!

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC: Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post. No monetary compensation has been received to share my recap coverage of this event. And before other PR firms and brands get excited, Ascending Butterfly will only post about or recap events we have attended personally. If we did NOT attend we will not post about it here!