|
|
| Gem Plumbing & Heating Joins in the Fight Against Breast Cancer! |
Gem Plumbing & Heating sponsored the Foundation’s 1st Annual Flames of Hope…A WaterFire For Life event on October 7, 2006. Nearly 200 torch bearers lit the night with Flames of Hope while Rhode Island’s Governor Don Carcieri, along with Providence, RI’s Mayor David Ciccilline and Senator Lincoln Chafee lit the Rhode Island State House in pink just before the first torch was lit. The torch bearers formed the first living ribbon of hope on the steps of the Rhode Island State House and were mostly breast cancer survivors, sponsors and members of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. One woman, her last chemo therapy treatment just the day before, marched proudly as the torch team proceeded to the basin of WaterFire. “This is such an incredible honor” she said as she leaned to light her torch…tears amid her face. “I have never seen anything so beautiful”! Another woman, with her husband and children by her side was celebrating her 11th year as a survivor. “This is better than the day the doctors told me I was cancer free” she said excitedly as she left the steps of the State House, proudly carrying her torch. And, then there was John who lost his 42 year old wife to breast cancer just 8 months ago. He and his 7 year old daughter Missy carried their torch in memory of her and spoke of her courageous fight. “We cannot be with her today, but we can certainly live in her legacy, just as the Gemma’s do” he said, as he walked down the steps of the State House, with Missy by his side. The torches reached the basin of WaterFire and the crowd stood and applauded with cheer as the bearers formed a circle around the fire braziers.
The evening was filled with stories of hope, determination and faith that someday, a cure for breast cancer will be found. Thousands of breast cancer survivors took part in the festivities which included the Shoppe For Hope booths featuring breast cancer merchandise, many events and raffles sponsored by local radio stations and many other company’s throughout Rhode Island.
An estimated 60,000 people attended the 1st Annual Flames of Hope…A WaterFire For Life event and many said they would be back again next year. “So many people have called and emailed us to let us know how much they appreciated this event” said Anthony Gemma, President of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation. “The emails and calls began coming in to our office the very next morning. Everyone was so touched and incredibly thankful to us for making this event so spectacular”!
###
Contact Information: Rebecca Gamage
Director of Marketing
Gem Plumbing & Heating
401-459-4819
rgamage@gemplumbing.com
www.gloriagemma.org – For more information about the Flames of Hope Event and to view photographs of the event. Please visit www.waterfire.org for more information on WaterFire Providence. This annual series of waterfire’s is sweeping the nation and has accredited Providence, RI as a must see vacation site.
|
|
|
Free 5-minute Needs Assessment
for Your Business |
 |
