Dorothy Gibbons, Co-Founder of The Rose, lost her mother to cervical cancer that was discovered too late. At 22, Gibbons didn’t know how to be her mother’s advocate, nor did her mother know how to advocate for herself. As a result, even though the disease could have been detected early on and treated, it wasn’t. This October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Rose welcomes greater Houston residents to Sip, Shop and See with local businesses to provide funds for diagnostic services and prevent more women from experiencing what Gibbons and her mother faced.
Local organizations including restaurants, gyms and more have joined The Rose in their fight against breast cancer to offer communities in Pasadena, Houston, Webster, Richmond, the Woodlands and beyond, the opportunity to advocate, celebrate and donate to quality breast healthcare access. They believe that no woman should die because she was diagnosed too late.
“Since that moment when my mother passed away so needlessly and all that have followed, my life has revolved around providing women with quality care. Every time I meet another woman who has waited too long –because she didn’t have insurance or money or a doctor – I’m more resolved and outraged. The difference now is that I am no longer powerless,” said Gibbons.
Upon her mother’s death, a devastated Dorothy was left alone and responsible for her siblings. A little over ten years later, Dorothy changed the course of her life and the lives of thousands of women when she and Dr. Dixie Melillo vowed to listen, learn, advocate and celebrate women’s breast healthcare.
Dorothy and Dr. Melillo started The Rose and fought for mammograms when others thought they were a frivolous expense. They fought for the uninsured when others never gave them a thought. They fought for women to be awakened, to be told they had cancer and given a choice about next steps rather than a biopsy becoming the first step to an automatic mastectomy. They fought for women of color, women in poverty and women for whom English is a second language. They fought and they are still fighting with the help of Texans and local businesses.
Gibbons reminds us, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about making visible the realities of
breast cancer and who can and cannot have screening or treatment. It’s about learning, fighting
and saying what needs to be said. The past is shocking and horrifying. The future will be equally
frightening if we don’t take action.”
Supporters can take action close to home by engaging in any of the Sip, Shop and See events detailed below or go to www.therose.org/calendar:
Sip – Fun events for educating yourself and your friends
- 3rd Annual Hats & High Tea “Roaring 20s” Masquerade, September 29 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, The Bougainvilleas Ballroom, 12126 Westheimer Road, Houston
- Hats & Henna High Tea 2018, September 30 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, Hotel Granduca, 1080 Uptown Park Blvd, Houston
- Check Yourself, Treat Yourself Pancake Breakfast, October 2 @ 7:30 am – 10:00 am, Decode Digital, 3815 Montrose Boulevard, Ste. 210, Houston
- Spirit Night @ Chick-fil-A 45 & Almeda, October 4 @ 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, 10225 Almeda Genoa Road, Houston
- Bratober – Montgomery, October 11 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Bareback Bar, 19940 Kuykendahl Road, Spring
- Bayou City Wings Breast Cancer Awareness, October 1 – October 31, 5003 Garth Road, Baytown
- Willie’s Grill & Icehouse, October 1 – October 31, various locations
- Rudy’s Pink Cup 2018, October 1 – October 31, various Rudy’s BBQ locations
- Chick-fil-A @ Northwest Crossing, October 1 – October 31, 13240 Northwest Freeway, Houston
Shop – As you enjoy local businesses, they pass the benefits on to others
- L’Affaire Du Monde Couture For A Cause, October 12 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, The Ballroom At Bayou Place, 500 Texas Avenue, Houston
- Ladies Night Bling Fling, October 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Our Lady La Salette Catholic Church, 1901 S Margaret Avenue, Kirbyville
- Brighton Collectibles – POWER of PINK, September 28 – October 31
- Legacy Fitness, October 1 – October 31, Legacy Fitness, 7002 Riverbrook Drive, #200, Sugar Land
- Akoya Spa Facials for The Rose, October 1 – October 31, 505 E Nasa Parkway, Webster
- On Wednesdays We Wear Pink, October 3 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, B52 Brewery, 12470 Milroy Lane, Conroe
- Kendra Scott Gives Back Party, November 7 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Kendra Scott @ Baybrook Mall, 700 Baybrook Mall Road, Ste. F100, Houston
See – Support The Rose while supporting our ongoing and new advocates
- The Rose Takes Center Stage, October 7 @ 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm, The Ensemble Theatre, 3535 S Main St, Houston
- 4xFOR HOPE, October 13 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Three Acres Food Truck Park, 10648 FM 1764, Santa Fe
- Jump for The Rose, October 13 – October 14, Skydive Spaceland, 16111 FM 521, Rosharon
- This is How We Roll Pink Shoe Stroll, October 18 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Volkswagen Of The Woodlands, 16785 I-45 South, The Woodlands
- Ghouls Night Out, October 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Integrated Aesthetics, 5061 FM 2920, Spring
- Serve Up a Cure Gala, October 19 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Life Time Fitness Galleria, 5015 Westheimer Road, Houston
- Serve Up a Cure Tournament, October 20 @ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm, Life Time Fitness Galleria, 5015 Westheimer Road, Houston
- Pecan Grove “Play for the Pink” Golf Tournament, October 27 @ 7:00 am – 1:00 pm, Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club, 3000 Plantation Drive, Richmond
- Fall Festival Golf Tournament, October 27 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm, The Golf Trails Of The Woodlands, 2311 North Millbend Drive, The Woodlands
- 30 for Ana 2018, November 4 @ 4:00 am – 12:00 pm, Houston
To get more information on The Rose visit www.therose.org. If you are interested in scheduling an interview with Stewart Worrell, please contact Mageida Sopon at 832-310-5124 or email mageida@medley-inc.com.
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided high quality breast healthcare to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Their mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, The Rose is one of only 14 Breast Centers in the greater Houston area to receive this designation. Led by Fellowship trained physicians, The Rose’s advanced digital technology includes 3-D tomosynthesis mammography, diagnostic work-ups including biopsies and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As the leading nonprofit breast health organization in Texas, The Rose is a strong advocate for quality breast healthcare, a major part of the Healthcare Safety Net and serves 40,000 insured and uninsured women annually. Two Houston based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 40 counties in Southeast Texas.
