Press Release

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May 19, 2003

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 again June 1 in Walnut Creek for the fifth annual Rose's Day picnic.

This year's event is expected to attract hundreds of East Bay residents to Castle Rock Park in Walnut Creek from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1.

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 (609-1848), Kaiser Permanente (925-295-4318) or Contra Costa Health Services' Women's Health Partnership (925-313-6764). It is co-sponsored by those six 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.

The free all-day event features a barbecue, music, dancing, swimming, bingo, inflatable play equipment and face painting, said Maria Barsa, health educator with the Women's Health Partnership.

"We want people to hear about Rose's Day and realize that women can and do survive breast cancer," said Barsa. "Family members - husbands, sons, daughters, sisters - can play a major role in the fight against breast cancer by encouraging women they love to get regular breast health checkups, including mammograms."

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

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