Breast cancer fundraiser set for Saturday

"Pretty in Pink," the first breast cancer fundraiser held at Style Stop Lifestyles, will be held Saturday to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Style Stop Lifestyles, 3812 E. Jackson Blvd., in Jackson, has worked the color associated with breast cancer -- pink -- into every aspect of its fundraising agenda. You can make a donation for a chance to win a pink adult tricycle, have a picture taken with a local show truck, the "Pink Panther," or meet the Pink Panther himself. A handmade pink afghan will also be raffled to promote breast cancer awareness.

Style Stop will donate all the proceeds from the fundraiser to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists working to fight the disease.

Owner Aleda Phillips said the two biggest reasons she chose to sponsor the event were to honor the memory of Brenda Sabourin, a master cosmetologist who worked at Style Stop for 30 years, and to support Jeanette Beck of Chaffee, Mo., who has been battling cancer for two years.

"As one of Brenda's many close friends, I know she would have valued positive support in breast cancer research, the opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy the festivities," Phillips said.

Phillips said she was most impressed by the way Sabourin continued to be strong for the people praying for her and helping her during her battle with breast cancer.

Jane Tipton, event organizer and Style Stop customer, said it's hard to walk through the shop with all the pink balloons floating around. The Jackson salon wants to get the message out that breast cancer awareness is important.

Paying attention to the risk factors for breast cancer is important in reducing the chances of developing the disease or at least detecting it in its earlier, most treatable stages. In American women, breast cancer is the second most common cancer, with an estimated 178,480 new cases in 2007, according to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Web site.

Style Stop's scheduled fund-raising events include a relaxation session at 10 a.m., hair stylists performing blindfolded haircuts in three minutes at 1 p.m., "glamour styles" created in three minutes at 1:30 p.m., a relaxation session at 2 p.m. and a balloon release at 3 p.m. Balloons will have the names of loved ones inside. Events, including hourly giveaways, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music by Saxy Jazz, a silent auction and booths will also be part of the event.

"We've even created a kid's booth where they'll be making pink ribbon Christmas ornaments and decorating a green four wheeler in pink," Tipton said.

More information about breast cancer awareness is available at the NBCAM Web site, www.nbcam.org. For more information about the event, contact the Style Stop at 243-1070.