Mini Honeymoon at the Brown Palace

We have been keeping this a secret until we had a chance to surprise Erika and Michael but the cat is finally out of the bag. The historic Brown Palace hotel in downtown Denver has generously donated a fabulous mini-honeymoon package for the two of them.

The highlights of their stay include two nights lodging and Ellyngton's renowned champagne brunch which boasts lavish buffet tables featuring their culinarian's best, including artful and delicious offerings from the hotel's own bakery.

brown-palace-hotel-denverErika and Michael's mini-honeymoon surprise

brown-palace-denverThe historic Brown Palace hotel

Brown Palace hotel room


ellyngtons-champagne-brunchEllyngton's champagne brunch

 

 

 


Dress Shopping Surprise

The Wedding Pink Dress Surprise from Cheryl Ungar on Vimeo.

Our lovely bride Erika is dress shopping at Anna Bé Bridal Boutique, who graciously donated a dress, and little does she know that her fiancé, Mike, has arranged for her two best friends to fly into town to surprise her.



Huge thank you to Nicole at All Digital Photo and Video for producing this video.

 

Amazing Couple Days With Erika & Michael

Last week was a whirlwind trip for Erika and Michael. They were in Denver to begin the journey of planning their wedding. We had wonderful meetings with Cloud 9 Weddings, A Design Resource Florals, Pink Monkey Solutions, Crooked Willow Farms and Biscuits & Berries Catering. Also a fabulous engagement shoot with Van Buren Photography and dress shopping at Anna-Be! You can only imagine the excitement and love that Erika and Michael experienced.

Even I am in awe of the generosity of the vendors. Each and everyone is going above and beyond to make Erika and Michael's wedding dreams come true.

Here are a few pics from the meetings. Wedding dress photos and video coming soon.

cloud-9-weddings-denverChatting about wedding design ideas with Cloud 9 Weddings, A Design Resource Florals and Pink Monkey Solutions.

crooked-willow-farms-weddingTouring the spectacular wedding venue site at Crooked Willow Farms.

biscuits-berries-catering-denver-coloradoTalking reception menus with Laura at Biscuits & Berries Catering.

van-buren-photography-denver-coloradoThe talented Katie Van Buren taking engagement photos of Erika and Michael.

 

 

Wedding Planning Begins

We are all so excited to meet Erika and Michael this week and officially kick off their wedding planning in preparation for the big day on May 15. We have meetings lined up with Cloud 9 Weddings, A Design Resource, Crooked Willow Farms, Van Buren Photography and Biscuits & Berries Catering. Erika will also be picking out a wedding dress at Anna-Be Bridal Boutique. 

Stay tuned, we will be posting photos over the next couple weeks!

 

 

Thrilled to Introduce Erika and Michael!

Erika and Michael have been selected as the recipients of The Wedding Pink 2014. Please take a moment and read their journey of finding love in the midst of battling breast cancer.

 

wedding-pink-2014-recipients

 

How has your life been impacted by breast cancer?

At age 30, I have just come out of over a year of intense treatment for an aggressive, non-genetic and more-than unexpected cancer. 

Growing up, I was always told that I had fibrocystic breast syndrome or, as I called it, "lumpy boobs," and I had essentially decided that checking for breast lumps was futile. I was told by my gynecologist and others, they could not tell what was what, so how could I? When I found a lump in my right armpit around Thanksgiving 2011, I reluctantly, at the advice of my physician, made an appointment with a radiologist. After being in their office for four hours, I was suddenly spurned out into the churning, frenetic nature of Manhattan with beguiling news. I had cancer. And pretty bad, too.

I fought Stage III "B-cancer" (as I like to call it) through 6 rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy, 25 rounds of radiation, continued Herceptin treatments for a year and a reconstructive breast surgery.

Since then, I have become a writer, speaker and advocate for young adults fighting cancer. I publish on the Huffington Post and have done many radio shows to raise awareness about young adult cancer, but also to simply let others that are dealing with cancer know that they are not alone.

Breast cancer was my worst nightmare, but I try to make the experience something that I can learn and move forward from in a positive way.

How did you meet?

I was single when I got sick. Most people would ask what would possibly compel someone to even want to date (especially online) or have the energy to do so in the middle of cancer treatments. That is the question I have been trying to sort out myself ever since I did (but: spoiler alert! super glad I did).

I was in the middle of chemotherapy, which I had been doing for almost four months. It was spring in New York and I was getting bored and restless with the monotony of a cycle of going to work, then the hospital, then my couch. I was spending a lot of time with friends and family during treatments and then, in between, most of my time alone feeling fine. Everyone around me knew that I had cancer and it became all-consuming. When you get cancer, it is like literally all you talk about for a good number of months, and that can get pretty stale after a while.

A couple of things, therefore, were appealing about online dating. One was the idea of The Stranger -- someone that could give me, if even only for a night, a break from cancer. Someone who would not know me at all and to whom I could present a varied number of carefully curated facts about myself. What I wanted to disclose was up to me. My intent was not to manipulate, but to simply enjoy myself. I was basically hijacked by my illness and I needed a break. I had never been on a blind date, let alone an online blind date, in my life, but I thought this was the best way.

For me, cancer felt like a strange mask. While mostly an unwelcome one, it was a mask that at times made me feel empowered: under cancer’s guise, there was nothing left to lose. Cancer could be the excuse if the date didn't work out. If I acted awkwardly, I could blame the cancer. If he didn't like me, it could be cancer's fault. It may sound weird, but it made me feel less scared of the dating world.

Creating an online dating profile is awkward. Creating one when you have cancer? That is just another level of strange. How does one answer the loads of questions about future, love, kids and the like? (I sort of skirted them.) Do I put pictures of myself in my wig only -- current photos -- or ones from Erika before cancer? (I did both!)

What about stuff like, "What does a normal day consist of for you?" Do I answer "Heading over to the cancer center, hooking up to some IVs and muchin' some toast," or do I represent the person that is deep down in there, with interests beyond cancer and medicalia? (I did the latter.) When I came to questions like, "Regardless of future plans, what's more interesting to you right now? Sex or True Love" I laughed. Regardless of future plans? My whole world revolves around that idea right now!

I started cruising the site. I had been texting with a doctor (irony!) and some French guy and then one Sunday I favorited a cute guy named Mike_Kiwi (or something) and he quickly responded. "It seems we have more in common than just our good looks," he said, referring to the fact that I study food at NYU and he is a chef. He wanted to go out that night for a drink. I decided to say yes -- to just dive in. He lived two blocks from me, so we agreed to meet at a bar on the block that was between our addresses.

I almost did not go at the last second, when my nerves, and probably my grasp on reality, took hold of me. What was I doing? I had cancer! I was being deceptive and misleading. I called a friend and he told me to go -- "Just go! Go for 30 minutes. Have a drink! Just go!" So I did.

Mike, from New Zealand, was standing outside the bar waiting for me when I arrived. "Are you Mike?" I said and took a deep breath. He was handsome with the kindest eyes I had ever seen. I almost immediately felt bad, but then we sat down and started talking. And kept talking. And kept drinking and talking and then he invited me out for a super late dinner to his favorite restaurant. It was amazing! Like I was a regular person again! Having a great time! On a date!

At the end of the night, he walked me back to my door and kissed me on the cheek. The entire night, I had not disclosed my illness, though I saw him eyeing up my Livestrong bracelet once or twice.

I knew he was a bit taken with me when I got a text five minutes after I got in my apartment. And then more the next day and even more the following. We hung out one more time and then I told him I could not see him for a week because my mom was coming to town. Truthfully, she was, but she was coming to take care of me during my next round of chemo, which always left me completely couch-ridden and sick for days on end.

He was texting me a lot, all the while I was going through chemo and illness. "What are you and your mom doing today? There's a great exhibit at MoMA you guys should check out," he would write. I would write back, "Err yeah that sounds great, thanks." This went on for a couple days when finally, I was feeling so physically ill and terribly guilty that I wrote back to him the truth:

"Hi, this is probably the worst text you'll ever receive in your life, but I feel like I need to tell you, because I think you might actually like me. I have cancer and the real reason I can't see you this week is because I am doing chemotherapy. My mom is here, but not to have fun. She's taking care of me. I'm so sorry. Please don't feel obligated to even respond!"

He responded swiftly and strongly. It did not matter to him, he wrote, and he was so sorry for what I was going through. He wanted to know how he could help and if he could see me sooner than a week.

To say that I was shocked is an incredible understatement.

An hour later a knock came on my door. I was too weak to get up, so my mom answered and she brought back flowers to me in the living room. They were stunning, from a small artisanal flower shop in our neighborhood. I opened the card: "Doesn't change a thing. XOXO, Mike."

The next week I was in his arms, without my mask, without any secrets. He still loved me. He still loves me. When you start off like that, it leaves a crazy tight bond, a weird connection and a hell of a lot to look forward to. Now we are engaged and looking forward to all the great things to come in our future together.

 

Submission Period Is Officially Closed

Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to submit their heartfelt stories for next year's wedding. Our submission period has officially closed and our judges are in the process of reviewing the stories.

We look forward to announcing our newest bride and groom-to-be. Stay tuned, we will have this announcement sometime in September.

 

 

 

Few More Days for Submissions

This is always an exciting time for The Wedding Pink. We sincerely love reading all of the heartfelt stories we are receiving from around the country. If you have already submitted your story, please know that our panel of judges are already reading every single written word and we are touched by your journeys.

We look forward to selecting our couple and awarding them their dream wedding. This always comes with mixed blessings though as unfortunately we can only give away one wedding per year. In our minds everyone is deserving and in a perfect world we wish we could accommodate everyone's wishes.

Please don't forget that our submission period for next year's wedding will close this Sunday. If you still plan on submitting your story, we encourage you to do so sooner rather than waiting until the weekend.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Pink Time Out

This is an amazing opportunity from my colleague Jean at No Boobs About It for someone who has recently completed active treatment for breast cancer. Please see the details below.

 

Christmas in New York City will be a 3-day NYC getaway for a woman who has

recently completed active treatment for breast cancer and a companion. The

getaway will include a stay at a luxury hotel in mid-Manhattan, tickets to

Radio City Holiday Show, breakfasts, and dinners at elegant restaurants.



This "Pink Time Out" getaway is being sponsored by my former students at

the Allen School for Health Sciences, Brooklyn, NY. Please read all about

it at www.noboobsaboutit.org



The Christmas in NYC recipient will be chosen through a lottery drawing.

The lottery will be open for enrollment October 1st and close October

31st. The lottery drawing will be on November 1. Any woman who has

completed, or will complete active treatment between October 1, 2012 and

October 31, 2013 may enroll in the lottery. For more information, visit

http://noboobsaboutit.org/pink-time-outs/.



Why a "Pink Time Out"? It’s about getting away from all things breast

cancer, putting closure on months of active treatment, and easing the

transition to life in survivorship!

 

 

Submissions Open Soon

In a little more than 2 weeks the submission period opens up for next year's Wedding Pink. One deserving couple will be awarded a dream wedding nearly cost free. 

Have you checked out our team of vendors yet? We have the most incredible group coming together. The most current list of vendors can be found here:

/submissions/

Please don't forget to pass along the information to anyone you know who may qualify to submit their story!

 

 

How I Dodged A Bullet

I don't often share my personal life on this blog but in light of recent events I feel compelled to update my story. My hope in doing so is that other women may learn from my experiences.


As you all know I had breast cancer at a young age, 22 years ago. I have always felt that I was lucky, knowing that I would survive a single mastectomy and chemo while there are so many people suffering through a whole lot more.

Given what I went through I have been diligent through the years of making sure doctor appointments and mammograms were never missed, often scheduling them exactly a year apart. This past April I went in for a routine mammogram and much to my surprise there were a few calcifications which apparently are fairly normal as we age. As I suspected the radiologist called me back in for an expanded view. I was quite relieved when he, Dr. S., said all is fine, let's keep an eye on it and come back in 6 months.

However, there was something still nagging at me. It just didn't seem right that I was seeing these changes on my mammogram after 22 years of consistently clean readings. I distinctly remember sitting in the darkened room with the radiologist and saying, "I am not going to be one of those women who come back in 6 months and then have a real problem." Dr. S. was still confident that all was fine and said that if it bothered me, we could have the calcifications removed.

A few weeks later I was back for a simple biopsy, no big deal. It wasn't until the next day when Dr. S. called with the news. He said, "It's a good thing we did the biopsy. The pathology indicates some atypical cells near the calcifications." Then, what scared me the most, is when he said, "we need to go back in and make sure this isn't the tip of the iceberg."  I thought to myself, holy cow, what did he mean by that?

Well a week later and after the MRI, which thankfully didn't reveal anything else, my husband and I were sitting in my oncologist's office making plans for a mastectomy and reconstruction. We left the oncologist's office nearly ecstatic that we have had the best possible outcome of a potentially horrible situation.

Fortunately I had an incredible team of doctors and the surgery went well. During my post-op appointment with my surgeon she gave me a copy of my pathology report. You can only imagine the shock I felt when I found out that I had ductal carcinoma in situ, which is stage 0 breast cancer. Fortunately it was early and non-invasive, but if left untreated, it more than likely would have eventually spread beyond that. The rest of the good news is that the prescribed treatment for me would have been a mastectomy which is what I just had. No further treatment is needed, thank goodness!

I still wonder what would have happened if I listened to Dr. S. that all was well and took his nonchalant wait and see attitude. In hind site I made all of the right decisions. So, my advice to anyone who feels uncomfortable or unsure of what the doctors are telling you, please get a second opinion or insist on further testing. It is true, we all need to be our own health advocates.

 

Blessings,

Cheryl

 

 

 

Ben's Wedding Pink Adventure

The following was written by Ben, the groom of The Wedding Pink 2013. Since Erin recently shared her journey with us we felt it was appropriate for Ben to tell us his experience.


It was a beautiful fall day in early October when I received the call, a call that would alter everything.  Erin had cancer.  The most important person in the world to me had a potentially serious illness.  I remember sitting in my office, listening to her on the phone,  stunned by the news, my mind going numb as she spoke.   It was as if she were talking to me from the other side of a long, steel tube:   the words were there, but it was as if they had an echo to them that made them impossible to decipher.  My thoughts raced.  Erin was only 27.  How did this happen? How could it? Where did the cancer come from? Was it something in the water we drank, or something in the air in our apartment?  How would this change our relationship?   I knew that I couldn't stay at work at a time like this, and I raced home to be with Erin.  But what I saw in her eyes when I arrived home was not hopelessness or despair, but was instead a fiery resolve to defeat this illness, and from that moment on I was with her 100% of the way.  We were going to beat this.

For the next six months, my life became about helping to make her well again.  I organized her medication and made dosage charts to track when she was to take each of her pills.  We stayed in most nights and watched movies.  I cooked whatever sounded good to her at the time. I became a semi-professional nurse, and for six months we took the fight to her cancer.  And with every doctor’s appointment, and every chemotherapy infusion, I fell more in love with Erin, and admired her courage and her resiliency through it all.  I was better and stronger just being around her, and I gained a perspective that few men have at my age.  

A year and a half after her last Chemotherapy infusion, Erin came to me with an idea. She had heard about a non-profit in Colorado called the Wedding Pink,  which awarded a wedding each year to a couple impacted by breast cancer.  She was thrilled about the prospect, and though we were not even engaged at the time, I could see how much she wanted this.   I remember reluctantly agreeing to it at the time.  After all, there was no way that we were actually going to be the one’s selected for the wedding, I thought.  It was out in Colorado, we were here in Virginia.  I was sure our story was not as unique or interesting as many of the others that were applying.  But the more I looked into the venue and thought about the possibilities, the more excited I became.  I was still not confident that we would be selected, until we received a phone call from Cheryl asking us if we wanted to get married in Colorado in May.   We said yes, and the wedding planning was on. 

With the announcement, we began calling our family and friends, who almost couldn’t believe the news. This was understandable, seeing as how we could hardly believe it ourselves.   It didn’t really begin to sink in for me until we were driving from Denver to Palisade to meet Cheryl and our vendors.  Neither of us had ever been to Colorado, and the drive was spectacular, unlike anything we had ever seen before.  At times it was hard to focus on driving the car because around every turn in the road there was a vista more magnificent than the one before.  By the time we arrived in Palisade, we knew that this was going to be the perfect wedding.  The venue was fantastic, all of our vendors were very welcoming, and the setting couldn’t be more beautiful.  We couldn’t wait for all of our friends and family to get out to Western Colorado to enjoy it with us.

When the date of our wedding actually arrived, everything turned out better than we could have ever possibly imagined.   The team at the Wine Country Inn and our wedding planners bent over backwards to take care of our every need.  The setup, the decor and the food were all amazing, and we are so thankful for all of our generous vendors who donated their time and services to make sure that our special day was perfect.  Everyone loved the assorted candy, the cookies, the horse-drawn carriage rides, the music, the flowers and the photo booth!  As one of our dear friends and guests to our wedding put it:  “This is the best trip I have ever been on, and I have been to Tibet.”   We cannot thank enough everyone who worked so hard to make this event one to remember!

And to Cheryl Ungar, whose vision and initiative created The Wedding Pink,  a very special thank you for providing this unparallelled gift to us.  We can never truly thank you enough for what you have done for us, and we hope to help you expand and shape your vision for this worthwhile project in the future. 


Ben, groom of The Wedding Pink 2013

 

 

Submissions Open in 1 Month

Wow, it's hard to believe that our submission period for next year's Wedding Pink opens 1 month from today. 

If you know of anyone who is engaged or soon-to-be engaged and whose lives have been recently touched by breast cancer, please pass this info along. One couple will be awarded a dream wedding nearly cost free.

Next year's wedding promises to be spectacular. Crooked Willow Farms is one of the premier wedding venues in Colorado and conveniently located 30 minutes south of Denver and just north of Colorado Springs. We are in the process of wrapping up all of the vendors so check back to our website for updates.

breast-cancer-wedding-giveaway