B9: Berger's Birthday Bash Benefiting BCRF

THANK YOU!

2009-09-30T18:37:00.001-07:00

THANK YOU so much for all of the help and donations to the 09.09.09 B9- Birthday Bash Benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation!

In this current state of recession, it truly warms my heart that you have selflessly given to this wonderful cause. I am glad to report that this event was fun for all those who attended, but most importantly, that it raised over $2,300 (and a few donations are still expected)! I believe it was also a special tribute to the two honored survivors and showed the attendees why donating to breast cancer research is so important.

This event was about supporting the fight to find a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime as well as Jane and Peggy’s story, their struggle, but ultimately their survival. Hopefully it helped people realize that the money they gave to research is crucial so that maybe one day we can realize a reality where women won’t have to experience the struggles that Jane and Peggy went through. From the bottom of my heart, thank you again for your participation!

To view EVENT PHOTOS, please visit:
http://newyork.joonbug.com/photos/yl8cNPDW9bK

Photography- Joonbug

2009-08-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

www.joonbug.com

To view EVENT PHOTOS, please visit:
http://newyork.joonbug.com/photos/yl8cNPDW9bK

B9 Invitation

2009-01-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

Logo and Invitation Design by: Christine Caldwell

- Every person who attends the B9 benefit at Wicked Willy's and makes the cover charge donation gets a FREE PITCHER OF BEER!
- First 50 people to purchase tickets to the B9 benefit receive a FREE GIFT BAG (pre-purchase your ticket today while there are still a few bags left)!
- First 100 people to arrive at the B9 benefit receive a FREE ABSOLUT DRINK!
- Experience complimentary sweet and savory delights catered by NYU School of Law Office of Conferencing and Special Events and Made with Love Cupcakes!
- Hear great music!
- Have your picture taken by Joonbug!
- Get some great FREE SWAG, win great raffle prizes & bid on special silent auction prizes!

Event Details

2009-01-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

WHO:
You, your friends, your family, your co-workers, the person you just met on the street, all are invited! (you must be at least 21 years of age with a valid form of identification to enter bar)

WHAT:
B9: Berger's Birthday Bash Benefiting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

WHEN:
Wednesday, 09.09.09
6:30-9:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Wicked Willy's
149 Bleecker Street (at LaGuardia Street)
New York, NY 10012

WHY:
- To raise money for a great cause: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (http://bcrfcure.org/)
- To honor survivors: Peggy Simpson & Jane Brinker
- To celebrate Anna Berger's 30th Birthday
- To achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime
- To meet new people and hang out with old friends
- TO HAVE FUN!

Buy your B9 Benefit ticket today and help the BCRF continue its work to find a cure for breast cancer! Event includes a free pitcher of beer, dj, band, photographer, gift bags, raffle prizes, and silent auction items!

What does B9 mean?

2009-01-11T23:00:00.000-08:00

The event title is derived from a play on the letter B, the date, and the definition of benign:

* Letter B- Berger’s Birthday Bash Benefitting The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

* #9- the event date is 09.09.09

* Definition of benign- adjective
1: of a gentle disposition : gracious
2 a: showing kindness and gentleness b: favorable, wholesome
3: of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life; especially: not becoming
cancerous

Clever, huh?

Tickets/Ways to Donate

2009-01-10T22:59:00.000-08:00

Buy your B9 Bash ticket today and help the BCRF continue its work to find a cure for breast cancer!

COVER CHARGE (must be 21 with valid ID to enter bar):

$15 donation- online (by September 8, 2009)

$20 donation- at the door

Event includes a free pitcher of beer, free Absolut Vodka drink, free food, bands, photographer, gift bags, raffle prizes, and silent auction items!

*The first 50 people to purchase tickets will receive a gift bag at the event.

RAFFLE TICKETS:

$5 donation- for 2 tickets

$10 donation- for 5 tickets

Donate/Purchase Tickets Here!

Directions after linking to https://www.firstgiving.com/b9 :
- Click on "Give Now"
- Enter "Your Name" (for guest list entry purposes)
- Enter "Amount" (EVENT TICKETS: $15= 1 ticket, $30= 2 tickets, etc.; RAFFLE TICKETS $5 = 2 tickets, $10 = 5 tickets, etc.; you can also include additional donation amounts to go to BCRF)
- Enter the number of event tickets and raffle tickets you wish to purchase in "Your Comment"
- Enter the remaining required fields
- Click continue

CAN'T COME TO THE EVENT BUT YOU (or know someone who) WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO BCRF:

* You can make your donation immediately online via the link below.

* If you would like to pay by check (made out to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, write B9 in the memo) please let me know how much you would like to donate by sending an email to am_berger@yahoo.com including the following information:
1. Your name and whether you would like it posted (donation amounts are not posted)
2. The name of the person you are honoring/remembering, if any
3. Donation amount

*Forward an email to your friends and family with a link to this website (http://b9benefit.blogspot.com).

No donation amount is too small, every little bit counts!

Make your donation immediately by clicking the online link below or go to http://www.firstgiving.com/b9.

Event Location

2009-01-09T22:59:00.000-08:00

Wicked Willy’s

149 Bleeker Street (at Laguardia Street)
New York, NY 10012
212-254-8592

http://www.myspace.com/wickedwillysnyc

http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/44707490/new_york_ny/wicked_willy_s.html

Directions:
Map:
http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/44707490/new_york_ny/wicked_willy_s.html#profileTab-maps

Subway:
http://www.hopstop.com/?city=newyork

Entertainment

2009-01-08T22:30:00.000-08:00

MILLION YEAR ECHO
http://www.myspace.com/millionyearecho
Million Year Echo are comprised of Orlando musicians:
* Levi
* Alan
* Jon
* Shawn

A hit from the Orlando scene, the guys play frequently for local fans in popular venues and have become well known for Levi’s lilting vocals and Alan’s varied guitar effects.

Reviews have praised the unique vocal stylings of Levi as well as the energy the band brings each time they play. Million Year Echo has played at the House of Blues and other major venues and has opened for a number of national touring acts. The band was recently signed to a major record label, and they are likely on the verge of becoming nationally famous.

MAGGIE CLIFFORD
http://www.myspace.com/maggieclifford
With the vocal range and lyrical influence of Joni Mitchell, the power and heart of Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi, and the soul of Aretha Franklin, Maggie Clifford's voice can simultaneously soothe, excite, and inspire the careful listener. Her songwriting influences come from early childhood exposure to motown, to Jewel and No Doubt, to Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and The Band, and she is more recently influenced by Wilco and artists of the fReaK FoLK movement. Maggie Clifford's style is as eclectic as her taste in music. This passed winter she spent studying classical Indian vocal technique with one of India's greatest masters, Pashupathi Mishra, and hopes to return to continue her studies. Until then, she will be booking gigs and playing around the Northeastern United States to continue to hone her musical craft.

DJ MANO
http://www.djmano.com/
The most entertaining, and exhilarating DJ, DJ Mano began seriously developing his skills as a deejay at the tender age of eleven. “I’ve always had a connection with music, it moved me. It is my life.” DJ Mano is originally from Brooklyn, but also spent a lot of time in Greensboro, North Carolina. During high school, DJ Mano was known for wreaking havoc on the turntables for area block parties and events. His mix tapes were hot around Greensboro and this landed him a mix-show for a local college radio station. “It was then that I met T-Luv (formerly Timbaland's deejay). He took me under his wing and helped me improve my skills.” DJ Mano went on to attend Shaw University in Raleigh, NC where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Communications. His freshman year of college, he deejayed with DJ Lord Jazz and the Lords of the Underground. He continued to rock college parties and corporate benefits. While at Shaw University, DJ Mano took television production classes and had the brilliant idea of incorporating his mixes with video, creating his own music videos. From here “Barnett Entertainment” was formed, which DJ Mano owns and operates. This new venture allowed DJ Mano to not only become an entrepreneur, but more independent—spinning hip-hop, reggae, house, and R&B for the masses. He was a part of the lengendary Mix Show WNAA 90.1 MASSIVE HOUSE MIX. Barnett Entertainment also opened up the door for video production jobs throughout the country. DJ Mano’s Most recent ventures includes an Aids Benefit Show with Queen Latifah and some Def Poets, to being the DJ for the Tony Award winning Def Poetry Jam at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Also doing many comedy shows at Carolines on Broadway with nationally known Comedian Shang. Making the first of many BET’s RAP CITY appearances in 2005. Also on Scratch Academy’s roster of Great DJ’s doing many events for them. DJ Mano has a dangerous touch for rocking diverse crowds. He is a performer, no stranger to ambition. From his uncanny ability to choose a crowd-pleasing sound to his unique style. DJ Mano is a genius on the turntables and exemplifies nothing but true, pure talent.

Sponsors & In-Kind Donors

2009-01-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

Would you or do you know someone who would like to become a B9 sponsor by making a silent auction, raffle, and/or gift bag donation? Email Anna at am_berger@yahoo.com.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR KIND SPONSORS AND DONORS!

Venue, Food & Beverage, Posters:
* Absolut Vodka

* Made With Love Cupcakes

* NYU School of Law Office of Conferencing and Special Events

* popchips

* Wicked Willy's

Entertainment:
* Band- Million Year Echo

* DJ- DJ Mano

Logo and Invitation Design:

* Christine Caldwell

Silent Auction, Raffle Prizes, Gift Bags:
* Al Hedayati, Esq.

* Anonymous Alcohol Silent Auction Prize Donation

* Art by Astrik

* Catskill Lodge

* Club H Fitness

* Columbia Business School Social Enterprise Program

* Comedy Cellar

* Comedy Central

* Fetch Bar and Gril l

* Flavor by Bistro Ten 18

* Greyston Bakery

* J.Crew

* Jessica & Edward

* Journey

* Katy's Face Spa, Inc.

* Koplow Art & Phot ography

* Late Show with David Letterman

* Lindy Promotions

* Lynn Chou Art

* Meet Market Adventures

* MTV Networks

* New York Marriott Downtown

* New York Sports Clubs

* Nycmoviescreenings.com

* Peeled Snacks

* Salud Restaurant

* Town Tavern

* Tiffany May

* Zak Clark

Photography:
* Joonbug

Media:
YOUnited TV

About BCRF

2009-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

http://bcrfcure.org/

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is an independent 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, and increasing public awareness about good breast health.

It is estimated by the American Cancer Society that in 2009 about 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. At this time there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

In 2009, ACS estimates that about 40,170 women will die from breast cancer in the United States. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer.

In men, 1,910 new cases were projected in 2008, with 440 deaths.

For more statistical information on breast cancer, please visit our FAQs.

Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $237 million - $39.5 million in fiscal year 2007/08 alone - to support clinical and translational research at medical institutions across the globe conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will help lead to prevention and a cure in our lifetime. New grants are announced in October each year. In October, 2008, BCRF awarded $34.5 million in new research grants to 166 scientists from top universities and academic medical centers across the globe. A minimum of 85% of all funds raised goes to breast cancer research grants and awareness programs.

BCRF support for promising yet untried ideas is crucial at this time of reduced federal research support, when only 11% of meritorious, peer-reviewed applications receive funding from the National Institutes of Health.

BCRF has received exceptional recognition from several organizations that monitor and provide comprehensive, unbiased information on charities. Most notably: in 2009, the Foundation has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, four stars, for the eighth consecutive year, which means BCRF has outperformed 99.8% of more than 5,400 evaluated charities in efficiently managing its finances! In addition, the American Institute of Philanthropy has re-evaluated BCRF's "A" rating since 2002, and awarded BCRF an "A+" rating. This is the highest possible rating by AIP. BCRF is recognized by AIP as one of the "Top Rated" cancer organizations, and is the only breast cancer organization to appear on its "Top Rated Charities".

The Foundation welcomes and depends on contributions from all those concerned with women's health. Working together, we know we can find a cure in our lifetime.

About Jane Brinker - Survivor

2009-01-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

Jane Brinker was a very famous casting director in New York City for over 30 years. She worked for a large casting firm for a few years after college before deciding to set up her own independent casting company.

She ran the company out of her apartment, and quickly established herself as one of the premier casting and talent scouts in New York. Most notably, she cast Sarah Jessica Parker in her first major role, the role of Annie in the Broadway musical of the same title. She was also involved with the likes of many other notable actors and actresses over the years, including Dustin Hoffman and John Travolta. Over the years she helped many young casting directors also fulfill their dreams by taking them on as apprentices and allowing them to learn from her.

She is full of charm, good-humor, and quick wit and is delightful to be around. She is also a great friend, genuinely loving and caring for the people around her. It is no surprise she was well-respected both as a professional and a person by all who came in contact with her.

Her retirement five years ago came a bit earlier than expected, brought on by a sudden bout with breast cancer. She had to have a major procedure done to remove the cancerous cells immediately, and while she got through the operation, she still lives with some of the effects of it. She still has major pain in her right side and a number of other health issues, the biggest being a rapidly developing case of Alzheimer's. She has to deal with the physical pain as well as mental anguish of losing her mental abilities on a daily basis. She is a true survivor!

I have never seen someone deal with so much and yet still be able to laugh and smile so easily. It is on this note that we would like to honor her, for constantly fighting and keeping her good humor in the midst of constant distress. Please keep her in your prayers!

Submitted by Zak Clark

About Peggy Simpson - Survivor

2009-01-04T11:51:00.000-08:00

My name is Peggy Simpson and I am 67 years old. I love spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy cooking, fishing, gardening and competitive card playing—especially poker. Volunteering at the local Main Street Mission is my way of giving back to the community. My wonderful husband of 43 years was Phil Simpson. He passed away of leukemia in 2007. I have a son named Michael who lives in Banner Elk, NC; a daughter Ashley and her husband Nick and their newborn daughter Stella who live in New Orleans, LA.

My journey with the dreaded breast cancer began in 1966 when my mother found a large mass in her breast. A radical mastectomy with lymph node removal was performed. The standard of care for my mother at that time was cobalt treatments that did traumatic damage to other parts of her body. She fought a brave battle for almost two years. Shortly after her death chemotherapy became available.

Knowing my medical history concerning breast cancer I regularly had mammograms. In 2001 I went in for my routine mammogram, not expecting it to be anything but normal. You guessed it------the news was not good. Lumpectomy and lymph node removal was performed followed by 33 radiation treatments. Today, eight years later, I am cancer free! I owe my life to MAMMOGRAPHY, excellent medical care, and a lot of prayerful family and friends.

About Anna

2009-01-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Thank you for visiting my 09.09.09 B9- Berger’s Birthday Bash Benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation website.

In the past year, I have taken a step back to seriously evaluate my life. With each passing day and as people pass in and out of my life, I realize that it’s not just a cliché, that life truly is short and that we really should live life to its fullest. As my 30th birthday approached, I decided to celebrate by doing something big and special. Not only was I embracing the motto “live life to its fullest” by traveling 30 trips before 30 (between my 29th and 30th birthdays) to visit friends and family, but I decided that my actual birthday celebration should be dedicated to a good cause. Planning events as my career, I thought what better way than to plan a benefit for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation! This was also a special way to one: honor two special ladies and breast cancer survivors, Peggy Simpson and Jane Brinker, who my life has been blessed by our paths crossing and two, to help out my friend, Lucretia Gilbert, who works so hard and selflessly at this wonderful nonprofit organization, BCRF.

I hope that this event is fun for all those who attend, but most importantly, that it raises a lot of money for a great cause. Please check out the About Jane and About Peggy links to find out a little more about these two special survivors and to see why donating to breast cancer research is so important. This is about their story, their struggle, but ultimately their survival. This is to help people realize that the money you/they are giving to research is crucial so that maybe one day we can realize a reality where women won’t have to experience the struggles that Jane and Peggy went through.

And in case you were interested, here is a little more about me…

As I look back on my first thirty years, this is how I view my life in a nutshell. I had spent most of my childhood in Virginia Beach before traveling to Orlando, FL. When I graduated from the University of Central Florida, I followed a dream and moved up to NYC. Two years of "making it there" led me to believe I could "make it anywhere", so I packed my bags and moved to Australia with a close friend from college. Working and having fun in the Land Down Under was an experience of a lifetime, but I soon returned to the real world in NYC.

After working and finishing my master's degree at NYU, I took a few months off and traveled all over the US. Traveling is my passion (studied in Spain, Ireland, England, Brazil, and 30 trips before 30 adventure). Now I have returned once again to the real world and begun working at Columbia University Business School helping with programming and events for the Social Enterprise Program (non-profit management, sustainability, etc.). I am just trying to live my life on a path with no regrets with family and good friends by my side- hoping to somehow make a difference even if it’s in the life of just one person and praying that happiness will follow me wherever I may go...

Thank you for reading and for your support!

Contact

2009-01-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

Questions, Comments, Sponsorship Suggestions, Just want to say hi...
Email Anna-
am_berger@yahoo.com

Inspirational Quotes

2009-01-01T23:41:00.000-08:00

Be the change you wish to see in the world. ~ Ghandi

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. ~Edward Everett Hale

Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up. ~ Jesse Jackson

The difference between a helping hand and an outstretched palm is a twist of the wrist. ~Laurence Leamer, King of the Night

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again. ~William Penn

How you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. And, so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. In the end, it all comes down to one word. Grace. It is how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light. ~Philosophy

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. ~Winston Churchill

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcomings, who knows the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the high achievement of triumph and who at worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows his place shall never be with those timid and cold souls who know neither victory or defeat. ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. ~Buddha

I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives. ~Tracy Chapman

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. ~Maya Angelou

Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope... and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. ~Robert F. Kennedy

Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Instead of counting your days, make your days count. ~Author Unknown

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off your bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain

Count your garden by the flowers,never by the leaves that fall.
Count your days by golden hours,don't remember clouds at all.
Count your nights by stars, not shadows.
Count your years with smiles, not tears.
Count your blessing, not your troubles.
Count your age by friends, not by years.
~Author Unknown

Some people come into our lives
and leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never ever the same.

Some people come into our lives
and quickly go... Some stay for awhile
and embrace our silent dreams.

They help us become aware
of the delicate winds of hope...
and we discover within every human spirit
there are wings yearning to fly.

They help our hearts to see that
the only stairway to the stars
is woven with dreams...
and we find ourselves
unafraid to reach high.

They celebrate the true essence
of who we are...
and have faith in all
that we may become.

Some people awaken us
to new and deeper realizations...
for we gain insight
from the passing whisper of their wisdom

Throughout our lives we are sent
precious souls...
meant to share our journey
however brief or lasting their stay
they remind us why we are here.

To learn... to teach... to nurture... to love

Some people come into our lives
to cast a steady light
upon our path and guide our every step
their shining belief in us
helps us to believe in ourselves.

Some people come into our
lives to teach us about love...
The love that rests within ourselves.

Let us reach out to others
and feel the bliss of giving
for love is far richer in action
that it ever is in words.

Some people come into our lives
and they move our souls to sing
and make our spirits dance.

They help us to see that everything on earth
is part of the incredibility of life...
and that it is always there
for us to take of its joy.

Some people come into our lives
and leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never ever the same.
~ Flavia Weedn

Dining to Donate- Applebees

2009-01-01T19:58:00.000-08:00

Can't make the 09.09.09 B9 Benefit?

Enjoy a meal that is filling and fulfilling!

Dine at Applebee's on 09.17.09 and 10% of your bill will be donated to B9 to Benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation!

Present the above flyer on Thursday, September 17th at:

Applebee’s
205 West 50th Street
212-262-2400

OR

Applebee’s
234 West 42nd Street
212-391-7414

*You must bring this flyer for your donation to be counted.