California Blooms Supports Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and OCRF


‘CALIFORNIA BLOOMS,’ THE PREMIER INTERNET RETAILER OF FRESH BOUTIQUE-GROWN ROSES FROM CALIFORNIA, HELPS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST OVARIAN CANCER THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

EVERY PURCHASE OF SPECIAL 18-ROSE BOUQUET RESULTS IN A DONATION TO OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH FUND

BURLINGAME, CA – AUGUST 31, 2010 – California Blooms (www.californiablooms.com), the premier internet retailer of fresh eco-friendly, boutique-grown roses from the central coast of California, will offer consumers a special 18-rose white bouquet throughout the month of September in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.   With the purchase of the benefit bouquet, 15 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF), an organization dedicated to the fight against ovarian cancer.

“We are honored to partner with OCRF and to help in their efforts to prevent ovarian cancer,” commented Mark Skorlich, CEO of California Blooms.  “This is a worthy cause that has affected so many people, and we’re excited to offer our customers an easy way to contribute with this month-long campaign.”

“We are so grateful to California Blooms for their support,” said Audra Moran, CEO, OCRF. “It’s important relationships like these that enable OCRF to continue funding the most cutting-edge research in our quest to find an early detection method and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.”

According to OCRF, ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in the United States and is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women.  The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague and subtle, making it difficult to diagnose. However, when ovarian cancer is detected and treated early on, the five-year survival rate is greater than 92%. Supporting ovarian cancer research makes it possible to develop new early testing techniques as well as new treatments.

California Blooms proudly supports the search for a cure in honor of the late Gerre Skorlich, mother of CEO Mark Skorlich, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 1994.


About Ovarian Cancer Research Fund:
The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) is the largest private non-profit organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to funding ovarian cancer research.  Our mission is to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.
Each year there will be approximately 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States, and about 15,500 women will die of the disease.  Currently there is no effective means of early detection. Since 1998, OCRF has given almost $40 million for ovarian cancer research. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, OCRF sponsored researchers are developing innovative strategies for early detection; exploring the genetics that increase risk for ovarian cancer; understanding the underlying molecular biology of the disease; identifying new and better targets for treatment; and deciphering how and why ovarian cancer spreads, and how to stop it.

For more information or to join us in our fight, please visit OCRF’s website at www.ocrf.org

About California Blooms:
Launched in 2009, California Blooms (www.californiablooms.com), is the premier internet retailer of the freshest, boutique-grown and eco-friendly roses from the central coast of California for any occasion.  California Blooms roses are delivered direct from the grower to anywhere in the U.S. within 24 hours of being hand-selected and cut, resulting in the superior quality and freshness of every bloom as compared to delivery times of upwards of 3-7 days for many of the larger floral retailers and florists.

Get up-to-the-minute California Blooms info and special offers at www.twitter.com/calblooms or www.facebook.com/californiablooms.

Queen of Hearts Foundation Raises $30,000 For Ovarian Cancer Research

OVER $1 MILLION RAISED FOR OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH

Queen of Hearts Nets $30,000 at “Set A Course To Save A Life” Event Putting Them Over the $1 Million Mark of Funds Raised Since They Started in 2000.



Dr. Krish Tewari and Grateful Patient - Elizabeth Courtney
Queen of Hearts Board Members

Guest having fun!
Entering the party under the baloon arch!

The Queen of Hearts Founders with Chair Sandi Hanscom

After walking under the balloon arch to enter the Queen of Hearts “Set A Course To Save A Life” event, 150 guests dined, danced and bid on auction items at Newport Harbor Yacht Club. The event netted $30,000 which raised enough funds for ovarian cancer research at UC Irvine - Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center to put Queen of Hearts over the $1 million dollar range for the total amount raised since the foundation started in 2000. The nautical-themed party was held on Saturday, May 16.

After Queen of Hearts Foundation Founder Kim Beaudette introduced Dr. Krish Tewari, a doctor at UCI Chao Comprehensive Cancer Center, who spoke about the women’s programs at the hospital, one of his patients, Elizabeth Courtney, took the microphone to deliver an amazing, heartfelt speech about her cancer struggle and recovery. There was not a dry eye in the house, including the men. Her speech also served as an inspiring message, confirming why Queen of Hearts efforts are important to all women.

Event Chair Sandi Hanscom says “When I learned that each year approximately 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and approximately 15,000 die from the disease, I was shocked. I’m thrilled to assist in planning a fun event which will help raise funds to save and extend the lives of the women we love.”

“Queen of Hearts Foundations is dedicated to helping raise funds for research projects working to find an early detection for this disease. With events like Set A Course to Save a Life we can work to not only raise money but help inform others about the severity of ovarian cancer and what little there is out there to prevent it,” says co-founder Lori Hunter.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to help develop the Queen of Hearts Ovarian Cancer Laboratory at Sprague Hall part of Chao Family Cancer Center at University of California, Irvine. The Queen of Hearts Ovarian Cancer Laboratory will support research on the “whispering killer”. Currently, there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer.

Donna Bunce of the Orange County Register and Coast Magazine, recently ran a story about the event. Click here to read it: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/philharmonic-cancer-kidsingers-2428948-through-one