Ribbon of Hope Press Release

MAY 16, 2007, WARREN, MICHIGAN – Against a backdrop of Italian culture, dozens of metro Detroiters gathered to support the nonprofit organization, The Ribbon of Hope Foundation. The May 5th performance of the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan was in honor of the local foundation dedicated to lightening the financial burdens of families coping with cancer.

The evening’s participants enjoyed a wine tasting, experienced a moving performance of Italian opera, and listened to a brief historical presentation. John Zaretti, president of the Verdi Opera Theatre, walked the audience through an engaging timeline from the first Italian opera performed in the U.S. to the current popularity of Italian opera.

“Throughout the fast moving presentation, we learned amazing details about the rise of opera in America,” touted Ribbon of Hope founder Dr. Katherine Boyd. “The stories were amazing. Wild West audiences were required to check their shotguns at the door. Live snakes were sometimes thrown on stages. Women attending the opera were required to wear corsets. It was truly a memorable discussion.”

The musical program included popular arias from Rossini’s Barbiere di Siviglia, Puccini’s La Boheme and Verdi’s La Traviata. This sampling of different operas was accompanied by a similarly enjoyable sampling of Italian foods provided by Main Street Catering of Canton. Wine of Distinction coordinated wines to accompany the different foods – beginning the evening with a Prosecco (an Italian sparkling wine) and concluding the evening with a dessert wine.

“The hand-picked wines beautifully complimented our evening’s theme,” Dr. Boyd noted. “In particular, we served a white wine from California’s Mt. Vernon Winery that donates 12.5% of each bottle to ‘Cure Breast Cancer, Inc.’”

“My deepest thanks go to our host, Giuliano Zuccato, who opened his home for this worthwhile event, and Verdi Opera Theater for its much appreciated presentation,” Dr. Boyd continued. “The evening was a special collaboration between the Foundation’s supporters and opera lovers. Everyone attending enjoyed the opportunity to share laughter and create memories with like-minded individuals.”

The metro Detroit-based Ribbon of Hope offers emergency financial assistance and scholarships to local families battling breast cancer. Applications are currently being accepted and the Foundation’s first scholarship recipients will soon be announced.

JUNE 16, 2006, WARREN, MI — Participants came by the bus-load to carry the Ribbon of Hope for its debut at the 2006 Race for the Cure ®at Detroit’s Comerica Park. The Ribbon of Hope is a series of fabric panels, individually created then sewn together, to honor cancer survivors and those who have fallen to the disease.

Spanning 164 feet in total length, the Ribbon needed the 200 Team Boyd participants to carry it through the sea of pink at the June 10 th event. The Macomb County-based non-profit organization, The Ribbon of Hope Foundation, sponsored the Ribbon, which will become part of an on-going display.

“Our team members held the Ribbon high throughout the 5K walk,” explained the group’s leader and organizer, Dr. Katherine Boyd. “We took immense pride in carrying panels that represent women who have been impacted by breast cancer.”

Team Boyd received official Race for the Cure recognition by garnering both the Visions Spa Salon “Spirit” Award and the Johnson & Johnson “Grow Getter” Award for groups over 100 members, as well as an overwhelming popular support from the crowds participating and watching the Race.

The Ribbon now becomes part of a permanent and ever-growing display with panels being accepted continuously. “We invite and encourage anyone wishing to honor a person impacted by breast cancer to submit a panel and take part in the legacy” said Dr. Boyd. “There is absolutely no charge for inclusion in this one-of-a-kind tribute. The Ribbon is envisioned as a creative outlet for healing, remembrance, increasing awareness and, importantly, providing support.”

Contributors are encouraged to photograph their panels before delivery to the foundation, as they will not be returned. Completed, labeled panels should be mailed or delivered to: Ribbon of Hope, c/o Katherine Boyd M.D., P.C., 28755 Schoenherr, Suite #200, Warren, Michigan 48088. For more information and specific details on panel requirements, click on the Submitting a Panel button.

The Ribbon of Hope Foundation strives to be a source of support to survivors, a place of encouragement to those who are continuing in their fight and a core of strength to families who have lost a loved one. In addition to creating the on-going Ribbon display, the Foundation is establishing a scholarship fund for children whose mothers have lost their battle with breast cancer.

10^th ANNUAL WINDMILL POINTE TRIATHLON RAISES $5,000 FOR RIBBON OF HOPE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

SEPTEMBER 18, 2006, GROSSE POINTE, MICHIGAN – The pavement was dampened, but spirits were soaring during the 10^th Annual Windmill Pointe Triathlon, held Sunday, September 10. More than 100 participants braved storm clouds and intermittent rain to compete in the highly anticipated race, sponsored and organized by Bikes, Blades & Boards of Grosse Pointe.

The triathlon’s $5,000 in proceeds were donated to the local nonprofit organization, Ribbon of Hope Foundation. The group’s literal “Ribbon of Hope,” a 164-foot-long series of fabric panels honoring cancer survivors and casualties, was on-hand to provide inspiration to the competitors as they completed four miles of inline skating, nine miles of biking and two miles of running.

Topping the individual results, Dan Holley of Grosse Pointe Park was the overall men’s winner and Lindsey O’Donoghue of Grosse Pointe Park was the overall women’s winner. A complete listing of age-bracketed and team results is available on-line at www.bikesbladesandboards.com. Photos of the event can be viewed and ordered from the Ribbon of Hope website at www.ribbonofhopefoundation.org.

“We take pride in nurturing healthy, enjoyable and safe competition through our triathlon,” notes Bikes, Blades & Boards owner Phil Richards, “and that is only enhanced by the knowledge that we are assisting a worthy cause. We selected the Ribbon of Hope Foundation as the beneficiary of the event because of its outstanding work with area children.”

The metro Detroit-based The Ribbon of Hope Foundation offers scholarships to local children whose mothers have battled breast cancer. Foundation founder Dr. Katherine Boyd, an obstetrician/gynecologist on staff at St. John Health System, explains, “We understand that scholarships can’t ease emotional burdens, but Ribbon of Hope seeks to lighten financial ones.”

For more information about The Ribbon of Hope Foundation, please contact Dr. Katherine Boyd at 586.573.7222

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