The Pink Light District Returns to Scottsdale

Julie Robinson, President of Jani-King, Leads the Charge for a Cause Near to Her Heart and Shares Her Thoughts on How to Make a Difference

It's almost Breast Cancer Awareness month, which means that Julie Robinson, President of Jani-King Southwest, puts on another hat and becomes Board President of the Arizona Institute for Breast Health (AIBH). This non-profit organization provides education and support to newly diagnosed patients about their treatment options, completely free of charge. These second opinions are offered through a multi-disciplinary panel of breast cancer specialists and each patient that is seen through the program is supported and lovingly guided by a patient advocate, a breast cancer survivor herself. This organization relies solely on donations and fundraising events to continue its ongoing efforts each year.

AIBH's annual fundraiser is called The Pink Light District. Beginning August 1 through October 31, valley residents will once again be able to support AIBH by sponsoring pink light bulbs for only $20 each that will be placed on the Canal Bridge, which links the Scottsdale Waterfront to downtown Scottsdale.

These Pink Honor Lights will be illuminated on October 3 and will glow throughout October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Participants can sponsor a Pink Honor Light in honor of a brave survivor, in memory of a loved one, as a special thank you to a supporter, or even for themselves; for making a difference in the life of someone touched by breast cancer. All donors will be recognized on the AIBH website in their Pink Light District Honor Album and a personalized Tribute Card will be emailed to the honoree(s) designated.

For more information, please go to www.ThePinkLightDistrict.org and sponsor your light(s). AIBH accepts credit cards as well as checks. This purchase is tax-deductible and participants will receive a receipt for their donation.

Below, Julie Robinson shares her thoughts on investing in Arizona's future - and making a difference:

When did you begin volunteering? What drew you to the organization?

I started with Home Base Youth Services ... friends invited me to their annual Doorway of Hope dinner seven years ago and learning about the organization and the work they do with homeless youth made it impossible not to get involved. I was a dinner committee member the following year and ended up as Production Chair for the event through 2007.

In regard to the Arizona Institute for Breast Health ...my best friend is a 13 year Breast Cancer survivor. I watched her struggle through the early days of diagnosis, meeting with all the doctors, trying to gather the right information so she could make the best decision for her course of treatment. I was stunned at the amount of coordination it took, and at a time when she and her family were so sensitive and afraid. When I learned of the Arizona Institute for Breast Health (AIBH), and their mission to provide a true second opinion service to those recently diagnosed with breast cancer, completely free of charge ... I had to get involved. Everyone needed to know about this wonderful organization!

AIBH's multi-disciplinary panel of breast health physicians, experts in the breast cancer field, review each patients case, including a complete review of pathology, discuss the best course of treatment, and consult with the patient to give them the most up to date options for treatment...and it's FREE of charge! AIBH also provides a Patient Advocate, who is a breast cancer survivor herself to help guide the patient through the diagnosis and treatment period, answering questions and providing support.

When my best friend called and told me "I have breast cancer" ... I wish I could have told her about AIBH.

How do you contribute/volunteer to the organization?

I joined the board of AIBH in 2005 and am now serving my second year as Board President. My efforts consist of both spreading the word about the organization and its services as well as working on fundraising efforts like our annual event, The Pink Light District which turns Canal Bridge in Downtown Scottsdale ... PINK each October for breast cancer awareness month. Each year we place hundreds of pink honor lights on the bridge. These honor lights are sponsored by individuals and corporate sponsors in tribute to those they know and love who have been touched by breast cancer. Lights can be sponsored for as little as $20.00 and the donor's "honoree" can receive a personalized tribute card letting them know a light will be glowing for just for them, all month long.

What is the most compelling story you have heard about their work?

It's always heartwarming when we hear from a patient who has gone through the program, and she calls to say how empowered she feels with the information and support she received as she began treatment. The most compelling story though is one of a young woman, who came through our program, and after our Medical Board reviewed her case it was determined that she did NOT have breast cancer ... imagine if she hadn't sought a second opinion!

What has been your most rewarding time working with them?

Well it's difficult to think of times more rewarding than when we receive a letter from a patient and hear about how AIBH has made a difference in their life. Next to that it's very rewarding when I hear that someone who didn't know about AIBH hears about us and contacts us. My primary goal when I joined the board was to do whatever I could to break the silence, to stop AIBH from being the "best kept secret in breast cancer" and work to make it a commonly known "go-to" resource for patients when diagnosed.

As President of Jani-King Southwest, how do you find time for this important work?

I suppose it's like anything you feel is important...I make time. As an employer, a mom, a sister, a daughter, a friend ... who do you know that hasn't had someone in their family or friends touched by breast cancer? This service is something EVERYONE should be aware of.

Has being a parent influenced your decision to work with AIBH? How so?

I watched my friend go through treatment when her daughter was five. Breast cancer affects families ... not just the patient. Being a parent makes you so much more aware of the effect of illness on your family.

What is the primary reason you work with AIBH?

To this day, I'm still so surprised that a resource like AIBH exists and offers the quality of service it does...and yet not that many people know it's here. That's just not right ... I won't be satisfied until AIBH's number is listed in contacts on everyone's cell-phone!

Why do you feel it is important to give back to the community in this way?

I think most people have a lot more to offer than perhaps they think they do. The greatest efforts accomplished nearly always start small, one person working with another. We need to take care of each other ... and not expect some government agency to get around it.

What would you tell another person who might like to volunteer, but is concerned about time constraints?

Don't worry about time...volunteering can fit anyone's schedule, even an hour a week is wonderful and helps someone! Find a cause you care about, and check out the organizations that deal with that cause. You don't have to have special skills or be a large financial supporter to make a difference, just be you!

Jani-King Southwest, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, has been named the #1 janitorial company by Arizona Business Magazine and is rated as a top franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine. For more information, visit the web site at www.janikingaz.com, or call (602) 433-0550 (Phoenix office) or (520) 745-6555 (Tucson office).