OCTOBER BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2020
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in our industry, we all know someone that has gone through it or is going through it. Breast Cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among women in the United States. Each year in the United States, about 25,000 breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women and about 2,300 in men. About 42,000 women and 510 men die each year from breast cancer.
Recently our Mast-Jägermeister US family lost an individual very near and dear to us who made a significant impact on the spirits industry throughout her impressive career. Florence Pramberger, who we affectionately referred to as “FloMeister”, lost her battle with liver cancer in September. Florence was our Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Mast Jägermeister US and an inspiration to our U.S. and Global team. She also held senior positions and made significant contributions to our industry as a part of the Seagram and Beam Suntory organizations during her career.
In honor of Florence’s lifetime contributions to the spirits industry, Mast Jägermeister US is making a donation of $5,000 to the Helen David Relief Fund in her name. We love you and miss you Florence.
Please read below more about the Helen David Relief Fund as this fund directly helps Bartenders and their Families dealing with cancer.
https://www.usbgfoundation.org/hdrf
https://www.facebook.com/thehdrf/
https://www.instagram.com/thehdrf/
https://www.usbgfoundation.org/team-negroni
Meet Tony Abuganum
Tony, could you tell us about the “Helen David Relief Fund” and what it means to you?
“I try and be a little better today than I was yesterday!”
October 2020-Breast Cancer Awareness Month- The Helen David Relief Fund at the USBG National Charity Foundation
I established The Helen David Relief Fund (HDRF) in 2010 in memory of my cousin Helen David to assist bartenders and their families coping with breast cancer. Helen, who ran a bar in Port Huron, Michigan for nearly 70 years, survived breast cancer twice in her life and was committed to helping those less fortunate through her philanthropic efforts. She instilled in me the importance of giving back, and it was through that vision that I, in conjunction with the USBG Foundation, formed the HDRF. To date, the HDRF has assisted nearly 40 bartenders and their family members struggling in their battle with breast cancer and other forms of this nefarious disease.
Today, with the additional ramifications brought on by the effects of COVID-19 on all of us, especially those working in the hospitality industry, the HDRF needs your support more than ever. As applications for HDRF grants continue to come in and our ability to fundraise due to COVID-19 has been severely limited, I reach out to you today to support my fundraising commitment during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Tell us about Ride 1,000 Miles for Helen and how can we participate?
My goal is to ride 1,000 miles and raise $100,000 during October for Helen and the HDRF. I ask of you, my friends, family, colleagues, brothers & sisters to assist me in my efforts. If you ride a bike, please join me for all or part of the 1,000 miles I will ride during the month. If you work in this beautiful industry, or love someone who does, or love a bar, a bartender, or know someone going through cancer treatment and you ride a bike, please join me. We will assist you with your own fundraising goals, and collectively we can crush my personal goal of raising $100,000! Click here for more details on joining me.
What if you don’t ride a bike?
If you don’t ride (yet), I appeal to you to donate my quest to “Ride 1,000 Miles for Helen” and raise $100,000 for the HDRF! You can donate whatever you are comfortable with. If you give $0.10 a mile, that’s $100 towards my goal, if you can manage $1.00, that’s $1,000, and if you can pledge more, you will put fire into each pedal stroke I take. I will be ready. I will ride the miles, and now I need you to join me on this journey.
The USBG Foundation (who oversees the HDRF) is a registered 501c3 charitable organization, and your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
I am putting my own money where my mouth is pledging the first donation of $1.00 per mile, now only $99,000 to go! To support me and make a tax-deductible donation go to https://bit.ly/3hyFi6c.
When did you start, and how do we follow?
My first ride was scheduled for October 1st
Follow my rides on Strava even if you don’t ride, download the free app.
Follow me on Instagram @Mdrnmixologist #HDRF #HelenDavidReliefFund for updates and donation goals.
Meet Mr. Pink
http://mrpinkink.com/
@mrpinkink
Tell us about yourself, and what is MR Pink?
Hi! My name is Brock Steven, also known as Mr. Pink! As Mr. Pink, my specialty is the three-dimensional nipple and areola micro-pigmentation restoration, or simply put, 3D nipple and areola tattooing. Mr. Pink was created with the idea to cosmetically help those who have suffered from mastectomy and breast altering procedures that have left scarring or disfigured breast appearances.
Why is it important to you, and how does it help?
I have always been a humanitarian, not just an artist. Helping people is something that has always been near and dear to my heart. I’ve seen tattoos be a healing tool in so many ways throughout the years. Creating 3D realistic nipple tattoos requires the right tones, dimensions, and unique touch, which are talents I have. Soulfully, it’s gratifying to me to use these talents in a way that can make someone feel whole and complete. Nothing beats my client’s faces looking in the mirror with that feeling of normalcy again.
How can we follow you and your work?
Suppose you’d like to check out what I do, read a little more about me, or just be supportive. In that case, you can visit my website or follow me on Facebook at Mr. Pink Ink and Instagram @mrpinkink. I don’t currently have anything set up for donations, but maybe working on something in the future that could help those with inadequate health care or funds.
