Press Release

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For release May 31, 2005

In what has become one of the most joyous events of the year in the East Bay, breast cancer survivors and their families will gather this weekend in Walnut Creek for the seventh annual Rose's Day picnic. This year's event is expected to attract hundreds of East Bay residents for the event 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 5 at Castle Rock Park, 1700 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek.

The event is free to all breast cancer survivors and family members who order tickets by calling Mt. Diablo and John Muir Breast Health Centers (925-674-2001, 925-947-3322), American Cancer Society (925-934-7640), The Wellness Community (925-933-0107), Anna's Program (925-887-5675), Kaiser Permanente (925-295-4318), Sister's Three (510-272-4436), Doctors Medical Center (510-970-5237), or Contra Costa Health Services' Women's Health Partnership (925-313-6764). It is co-sponsored by those organizations along with The Picnic People.

Rose's Day was created by Tressa Chapman of Antioch in honor of her late mother, Rose Johnsen of Brentwood, who died three days after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998.

"My mother would be thrilled that so many breast cancer survivors come together year after year to celebrate life with their loved ones at an event named after her," said Chapman, manager at Castle Rock Park for The Picnic People.

Breast cancer survivor and advocate Pamela Harris will be the featured speaker and will talk about her experiences as an African-American woman battling the disease.

"As a survivor and advocate for the Sister's Three Breast Cancer Education and support group in East County (one of the event's sponsors), I strongly believe in programs that reach out to women throughout Contra Costa," Harris said. "This picnic is a way to engage women of color in activities that promote increased awareness of breast cancer and provides support for those going through the treatment and post treatment phases of the disease."

The free, all-day event features a barbecue, music, dancing, swimming, bingo, inflatable play equipment and face painting.

For more information about the event, call the Women's Health Partnership at 925-313-6764.

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