The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AN evening of fun, entertainment, shopping and pampering all the while raising funds for breast cancer is what organisers of the Pretty in Pink Party are offering attendees.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Inner Wheel Club of East Nassau is gearing up for their sixth annual Pretty In Pink Party to be held this evening from 6 - 8 pm at John Bull's main store on Bay Street. John Bull is closed exclusively to party guests for two hours as attendees enjoy pampering, a raffle, live music, champagne and hors d'oeuvres and shopping.

The very popular event was launched to celebrate and support members who have been affected by breast cancer.

Six years ago, several of its members were directly affected by the disease - they themselves, family members, or a friend touched by breast cancer.

"Personally, my aunt died at 59 of breast cancer and seven years ago my sister, Tracy Cartwright, died at 39 after battling the disease for four years," said Kelly Cartwright Meister, former president of the club.

"It was a year after her death and I was President of the Inner Wheel Club of East Nassau that we decided to host an event to raise funds for the Cancer Society to help with awareness and support of their Family Island outreach. My sister always talked about events held in New York City where she underwent treatment that were held by Estee Lauder for all women undergoing chemo and radiation and their families and friends.

"Most people understand that undergoing chemo means, in most cases, that you lose your hair, but in reality it also means you can also lose your eyebrows, eyelashes, nose hair - all hair. It can really be depressing. She loved the events that helped women look better and feel better - that focused on a fun night of pampering. I remembered those events and together with our executive board, asked John Bull if they would join us in hosting a night of pampering, shopping and fun all to raise funds for the Cancer Society," she said.

The event first started at the Cosmetic Boutique and was such a success so it had to be relocated to the main John Bull store to host more attendees.

Guests are asked to show support by dressing in pink and to purchase raffle tickets to raise funds to assist the Cancer Society of the Bahamas with their ongoing cancer screenings for breast and prostate cancer in the Family Islands and with research.

Inner Wheel of East Nassau is a non-profit women's charitable organization that is affiliated with Rotary.

Their events raise funds for several non-profit organization that assists children and women causes.