Mall is pretty in pink

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BY COLLEEN JANSSEN: An event to educate mall visitors about breast cancer was held recently at the Westminster Mall.

“This event is free,” said event organizer and mall Marketing Director Patrice Sklencar. “Our theme is Picture the Mall Pink. We have breast cancer awareness bags for the first 100 participants.”

BY COLLEEN JANSSEN: An event to educate mall visitors about breast cancer was held recently at the Westminster Mall.

“This event is free,” said event organizer and mall Marketing Director Patrice Sklencar. “Our theme is Picture the Mall Pink. We have breast cancer awareness bags for the first 100 participants.”

“I had breast cancer,” said survivor Heather Labow. “My kids are 18, 16, and 12, and the doctors only gave me a 40 percent chance of survival. I went through six rounds of chemo and 28 rounds of radiation. I was diagnosed on Sept. 12, 2012, and had to have a double mastectomy. On Feb. 15, 2013, I was declared cancer-free.  Recently, I was on The Price is Right as a survivor.”

Labow walked around picking up information and free gift items passed out by vendors.  Then, she stopped to have her picture taken at the AV PhotoBooth hosted by Ritchie Vong and posted it on the special board at the event. Everyone who posted a photo was entered into a drawing to win a prize.

Fountain Valley Regional Hospital was represented by Marketing Coordinator Christine Nguyen who was distributing information about their services. 

“It’s our 45th anniversary this year. We have completed a renovation, along with technology and other upgrades.”

One of the upgrades is the new Hybrid Suite. The brochure Nguyen provided outlined the hospital’s investment of $5 million to create an advanced operating room which combines superior imaging capabilities with traditional open heart and vascular procedures. This eliminates transferring patients between procedures, resulting in reduced risks.

“We are offering a mammogram special this month,” said Dori Haubner, from the Newhope Imaging Center. The center is located in a separate building for outpatients at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital. “The special is for patients who don’t have insurance. It is only $75 through the end of November.”

“We are a complete women’s care center,” Haubner added. “We offer digital mammograms with CAD, ultrasound, CAT scans, MRI and more.”

“In addition to the special for mammography, we want people to know about Great American Smoke Out month in November. For that month, we offer CT Lung Screening at a reduced rate. Both procedures require a doctor’s referral.”

In addition to the tables with medical information, other businesses from the mall participated. Payless provided a craft project for children, along with coupons for their store.

“We have breast cancer awareness products in the store for $1 to $2. Proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation,” said Payless employee Jennifer Meza.

Skyzone employees Julia Pascoe and Christian Rowland were passing out pink socks. They offered coupons and information about Glow Parties. They even had glow paint to try.

Most event visitors stopped to take a free photo at the AV PhotoBooth. Teens Jasmine Nguyen, Mai Vo, Van Chau and Theresa Tran took a group picture. Family members, Mart, Martinelle, 3, and Heidi Victorio took a costumed photo to commemorate their visit to the event.

“Our store has shirts, cups, perfume, candles, pillows and more,” said Rue 21 employee Alec Stelzer.  His table was bright and cheery, generating quite a bit of traffic from event visitors.

The final table was South Bay Health Insurance Services, staffed by Cathey Bishop.

“I help people with Medicare Advantage Plans,” said Bishop. “I help people over age 65.”

Sklencar is in charge of hosting an event at least once every month at the mall.  Check the mall website for information on upcoming events such as Mall-O-Ween on Oct. 31, Santa’s arrival and more.