Reality Rally

July 23rd 2000 is the anniversary marking a family tragedy losing their beloved daughter of 26 yrs old.

This tragedy ignited a flame of passion following her dying wish to help others and to date it most certainly has, helping over 100 thousand others. I am asked all the time why is Michelle’s Place the charity we support with our 3 day “Fun for Funds” event every April. Read on….this is why. Read on, this may save a life but does support those fighting for their lives.

Michelle’s Place was created by her parents, Bill and Marilyn Watson and family to fulfil that dying wish of Michelle Watson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS1IM41A2xY

Michelle was a 26-year-old victim of breast cancer. As a Temecula resident, Michelle was frustrated with the lack of local resources available to her while facing the challenges of cancer treatment. During her battle, Michelle felt she would have liked a place she could receive some emotional comfort, a listening ear, and an opportunity to talk with someone who was surviving breast cancer and learning to cope with the disease. This place would also provide the latest information regarding treatment options, coping strategies, up-to-date research and clinical developments so the person and their family can help in planning and be informed when making treatment decisions.

Sadly, Michelle succumbed to her disease on July 23, 2000. In the wake of Michelle’s passing came a mission of service to make it easier for others touched by this unrelenting disease. Family, friends, and the community have come together and created a mission to serve the local community. Her parents say more than once that they wish the treatment would have started sooner. But bitter disappointment was replaced with positive action. Since Michelle needed a resource center where she could go for help in coping with her challenges, her parents, family and friends started one in her memory so others will have an opportunity to get the help they need —it is called Michelle’s Place.

Michelle’s Place is a local resource center for women and their families who are dealing with breast cancer. Michelle’s Place is currently the only Breast Cancer Resource Center in the Southern Riverside County area. Nestled in the Temecula Valley on the Southern end of Riverside County, Michelle’s Place serves more than 70 clients a month and provides, on average, more than 700 services per month for both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Michelle’s Place is known for its supportive services provided to women and families in need. This giving philosophy is what drives Michelle’s Place to offer the best resources for its clients for free.

Here, we weave support and education into our daily programs, fulfilling real needs for each and every client. All of our programs and services embrace the teaching of early detection and prevention of breast cancer through educational seminars and community resources. The educational seminars are offered monthly and are free and open to the public. These seminars offer information on nutrition, breast health, breast cancer prevention, exercise, stress relief and methods to help in the healing process. Michelle’s Place recognizes that women who have the tools necessary to be their own health advocate have an advantage in preventing health issues in the future.

Our mission is to empower individuals and families impacted by breast cancer through education and support services. As changes continue in medical coverage, Michelle’s Place has experienced a shift in client needs. Patient Navigation has grown as more and more clients are in need of coordination services during the treatment process. Our patient navigators assist clients through the process – whether it be a listening ear, referrals to medical facilities, comfort items, or financial assistance.

Since 2001, Michelle’s Place has provided over 100,000 free resources to women and their families dealing with breast cancer. Michelle’s Place is also currently one of the only facilities in Riverside County offering free mammograms and other diagnostic services to women younger than 40 years old. The local County funded facilities use Michelle’s Place as their resource for these women to receive breast care. There is currently no State or local funding to provide uninsured women under 40 years old with breast health care. Michelle’s Place is filling that need.

Michelle’s Place offers all services free to the community – providing free wigs, prosthesis, bras, hats, scarves, support groups, and more. We also have a lending library and a survivor telephone support system. The survivor network provides newly diagnosed women and their families with a source to answer their questions, find comfort and provide insight into their new diagnosis. Michelle’s Place also provides free weekly yoga classes, a support group for children, a metastatic support group and temporary financial assistance to women going through treatment.

2015 Statistics:

• 900 New Clients – Over 900 new women diagnosed with breast cancer walked through our doors seeking support services.
• 12,360 Services Provided – 9,524 Wigs, prosthesis, bras, books, seminars, tool kits, and more given out FREE to our community.
• 47 Speaking Engagements – Kim, our Executive Director, spoke with 47 community groups and businesses wanting to learn more about Michelle’s Place and early detection.
• 112 Events – From t-shirts and sunglasses, to candles and auctions, 86 third party events raised money for Michelle’s Place.
• 16 Educational Seminars – 16 educational seminars were provided to our community.
• $45,000 Given in Pink Ribbon Assistance – Over $45,000 given in financial assistance to women going through active breast cancer treatment.
• 325 Children Helped – 325 children with mothers fighting breast cancer were helped this year with backpacks, school supplies and Christmas gifts.
• 6,600 Volunteer Hours – Over 75 volunteers worked a combined 6,600 hours in the center, at walks, health fairs, events, seminars and more.
• 175 Diagnostic Services – Over 150 screening and diagnostic mammograms, biopsies, surgical consults and ultrasounds were given to women with a symptom of breast cancer.
• 3,820 Encouragement Calls – Our volunteers provided over 3,500 calls to women lending their ears and offering advice.
• 42 Health Fairs – We participated in 42 health fairs in Southern California.

Ginger Koontz,on the left, a 10 year volunteer for Michelle's Place sadly passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. Her involvement in so many ways, her woderful disposition, smiles and good word for everyone will be sadly missed. RIP Ginger.

Reality Rally is honored to be able to support Michelle’s Place and we are eternally grateful to all who donate,raise funds and those who sponsor our event. Together we do make a difference.
Thank you.