Dallas, TX, June 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, while the sewing industry is descending on San Francisco in preparation for BERNINA's annual dealer conference, one guest speaker is preparing a very different speech for convention goers in hopes to educate store owners about ovarian cancer and how their support could potentially save lives.
Diagnosed in 2009, Helen Gardner was the last person she would have ever expected to be diagnosed with cancer. She was healthy and fit, but at the age of 49, after not feeling quite right she got the news. Helen had Stage 3C Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer.
Over 22,000 women are diagnosed each year with ovarian cancer and more than 70% of these will die from the disease. Ovarian cancer is very difficult to detect because it often presents itself as a lesser, more common illness. And there is no reliable early detection test available. It is the deadliest of all other gynecological cancers combined. These facts are why Gardner and three other survivors, Jill Bach, Lynn Lentscher & Julie Shrell, formed the Be The Difference Foundation.
BTDF has found overwhelming support from leaders of the sewing, embroidery and quilting industries. BERNINA invited Gardner to speak at their annual BERNINA University convention in San Francisco to bring awareness for the cause and is grateful for, and excited about the opportunity. Gardner says, "We must talk louder and work harder to be the difference in the fight against ovarian cancer." Gardner believes she can do it with the industry's help.
BERNINA's support comes on the heels of the Be The Difference Foundation's announcement of its new Retail Member program. Members in the program receive cause-marketing essentials to help them bring awareness of the disease to their stores. In addition, members participate in social responsibility events like scarf drives and can offer BTDF products for sale in their stores that will bring much needed awareness to the disease and proceeds to fund programs for better treatment options for women fighting ovarian cancer and research dollars for a cure.
One product available now is an Embroider a Cure design pack created by Designs in Machine Embroidery with 100% of the net proceeds going to the Foundation. More design packs will launch in 2013 and other products are available now with more will follow.
Industry leaders of many brands are committed to supporting programs that benefit the Be The Difference Foundation including Brother(R), BrewerTM, Floriani Embroidery, Janome(R), Tacony Corporation, Baby Lock, Singer(R), Husqvarna Viking(R), Pfaff(R), and Universal Digitizing.
Join us and help be the difference in the fight against ovarian cancer! For information about becoming a Retail Member or for business product development contact Wayne Walker 918-456-1973 or waynewalker@waynewalker.com
*Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Campaign
More information on the Be The Difference Foundation and ovarian cancer can be found at www.BeTheDifferenceFoundation.org.