Phyllis Macchio, actor and MC Ralph Macchio and The Maurer Foundation Founder Dr. Virginia Maurer at the 2011 Pink Diamond Dinner.

Ralph Macchio, Long Islander and acclaimed actor, will be performing the honor of Master of Ceremonies at this year’s Maurer Foundation Pink Diamond Dinner. Macchio is best known for his lead role in The Karate Kid (1984) and his role in My Cousin Vinny (1992). He recently appeared in Dancing With the Stars.

The Pink Diamond Dinner is The Maurer Foundation’s annual fundraiser dedicated to raising money for breast health education. This year’s honorees are Maurer Foundation supporters ITC Services Inc and Keith H. Archer, Esq. of Harras, Bloom & Archer, LLP. The Dinner’s theme is “A Night at the Casino” and will feature cocktails, fine Italian dining, popular casino games, a designer jewelry auction, 50/50 raffle and prizes. To purchase tickets and/or become a sponsor of the Pink Diamond Dinner, to be held on June 16th at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook, visit www.MaurerFoundation.org/Diamond.

The Maurer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit based in Hauppauge, NY. The Foundation’s mission is to save lives through breast health education that focuses on breast cancer prevention, early detection, risk reduction and healthy lifestyle choices.

All mothers deserve a healthy lunch that’s made with lots of love, no fuss. Here at The Maurer Foundation, we believe that the healthiest recipes are the easiest to make!

Take a look at a the following chop salad recipe. Just chop up your mother’s favorite salad ingredients and toss on a whole wheat flatbread. It can be made in minutes so you have more quality time to spend with Mom.

Fresh romaine lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, parsley and scallions add cancer-fighting anti-oxidants and are all natural, low-calorie and low-fat foods that add the most nutrition to this flatbread pizza. This recipe includes healthy monounsaturated fats from the walnuts and canola oil, which protect your overall health. The cranberries and cheese help enhance the taste of this sweet and savory flatbread pizza.

Chop Salad Whole Wheat Flatbread Pizza Recipe

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2  Cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1  Cup warm water
• 1  teaspoon instant yeast
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

For Salad Toppings:

• romaine lettuce
• tomatoes
• scallions
• 1 carrot
• mozzarella cheese
• blue cheese
• parsley
• walnuts
• dried cranberries

How to Make Chop Salad Flatbread - Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. Combine all ingredients for the dough in the bowl of your mixer, or in a large mixing bowl if mixing by hand. Knead and continue until you form a ball.
3. Knead dough for a 5 more minutes. Dough will be smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap while you shred mozzarella cheese.
5. Chop up fresh ingredients.
6. Sprinkle baking sheets with flour. Roll dough into a rectangle and place on baking sheet.
7. Layer the dough with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, carrots, and nuts. Top with lettuce and blue cheese.
8. Let bake for 10 minutes or until crust is at desired texture.

Without a cure, we must all focus on reducing the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.  Since obesity is one of the risk factors for breast cancer, eating the most nutritious foods and utilizing that energy to exercise will decrease your body weight the best.

Check out some of our other great healthy and cancer-fighting recipes for more ideas!

Linda with her mother Isabella, a Maurer Foundation volunteer.

It’s so hard to put my mother Isabella into “just words.” My mom is at the core of the foundation of me as a person. She dedicated her life to raising three daughters to have the confidence to believe we could do anything. She sacrificed her own needs and desires and invested in me and my sisters’ future and success. She insisted we get an education and demanded we always give back and be good to others.

It’s really my Mom who influenced my thoughts and approach to raising my own children. Unconditional love, support and encouragement are just a few words that come to mind—that and some fantastic Italian cooking. I pray I am half the mother to my children as she has been to me.

She was so young and my older sister was about to get married [when she was diagnosed with breast cancer]. It forced us to come together as a family and be strong for her when she was usually the strong one for all of us. Because of her diagnosis, my mother has become an advocate for healthy living and early detection. She insists that her friends and family are aware and also disciplined about their checkups. She also volunteers to help spread the word.

My parents have always prioritized helping others. Our family has been very blessed, and it is an honor to be able to share the gifts of time, energy and support to the community for important organizations like The Maurer Foundation. My mom’s enthusiasm to help The Maurer Foundation has been inspiring. She is a tremendous “go-getter” and seeks support from anyone who will listen and be able to offer time or donations. She is a contagious advocate.

And one more thing I would like to add, my mom grew up in a generation when women did not have all the opportunities they have today. She dedicated her life to make sure her three daughters and now her four grandchildren have unlimited opportunities to be great people and succeed. She is an inspiration and I can speak on behalf of my two sisters—we couldn’t be more proud or love her more. And as her granddaughter Christian says, “Isabel Yaccarino rocks!”

Share Your Own Memory

Tell us how much that special woman in your life means to you! When you make a donation in the month of May to support the Foundation’s breast health education programs, we’ll post your tribute on our website and send a copy to the special woman in your life. To make a donation and share your memory, or read our collection of Maurer Memories, visit our Maurer Memories page.

Here’s some of the great breast health programs we are presenting throughout Long Island and NYC this week.

Southside High School

Rockville Centre, New York
May 7, 2012

West Islip High School

West Islip, New York
May 7-8, 2012

Friends Academy

Locust Valley, New York
May 9, 2012

AVZ (Corporate program)

Hauppauge, New York
May 10, 2012

Long Island Breast Cancer Summit

Hauppauge, New York
May 11, 2012

For more info on this great event, visit www.breastcancersummit.com

Interested in having a breast health program at your school, campus, event, or workplace? Schedule one today! Or, check out the rest of our breast health programs and fundraising events.

Would you like us to present at your event or have a booth at your fair? Please fill out our online breast health program request form.

Dr. Virginia Maurer, Maurer Foundation Founder, with her daughters Kimberly and Tammy.

In honor of Mother’s Day and the Foundation’s Maurer Memories initiative, we thought it would be fun to hear about our founder, Dr. Virginia Maurer, through the eyes of her daughters, Kimberly and Tammy. Here are some of the Maurer Memories they shared about her.

Kimberly

When I was growing up people would always ask me if I was going to be a surgeon like my mother. But Mom never asked that or tried to influence what I was deciding to do. The only thing she told me with great sincerity is that she loved getting up every morning. She loved going to the office, being with her patients, and working with the Foundation.

She told me I needed to figure out what it was that made me as happy as her career made her and that is what I should be doing with my life. In her own subtle way she impressed upon my sister and me that it is not what we do with our lives but how we do it that is most important.

That piece of advice, the way my mom sees the world and the people around her is the best and really the only way I can describe who my mother is and how she has shaped the person that I am.

Tammy

Although my mom is the founder of The Maurer Foundation, her involvement extends past that. She makes The Maurer Foundation’s philosophy a daily practice. She believes that its mission is a vital part of education.

She is the most selfless person I know. She has always shown an extraordinary amount of compassion for others, whether it be in her professional or personal life. Growing up, this characteristic has been one that I have tried to emulate. My mom has continuously shown me what type of person I want to be.

She has shown me that being a mother is a gift. I continue to look forward to the day that I become a mother so that I can have the type of relationship my mother and I have. She has proven to me how influential a mother is to her daughter and the importance of teaching a child by example and not only by words.

Growing up with Dr. Maurer being your mother, it would be impossible to not understand the importance of philanthropy and volunteering. Because of my mother, I am constantly looking for ways to give of myself and to others, whether that is in my job as a teacher or volunteering during my free time.

Share Your Own Memory

Tell us how much that special woman in your life means to you! When you make a donation in the month of May to support the Foundation’s breast health education programs, we’ll post your tribute on our website and send a copy to the special woman in your life. To make a donation and share your memory, or read our collection of Maurer Memories, visit our Maurer Memories page.

Researchers found that just 1 drink per day made a 12% increase in the risk of developing breast cancer and two drinks a day increased one's risk to 24%. (Photo by Elisa Maser)

There is a definite link between drinking and breast cancer. Even just that one glass of wine with your evening meal has been shown to pose an increased risk. Here we look at how one of the major breast cancer risk factors can be easily prevented and why it’s so important.

What is the Link Between Breast Cancer and Alcohol?

Researchers are still investigating reasons for the link between alcohol and breast cancer:

• It could be that consistent alcohol intake acts as a catalyst, increasing the levels of estrogen in a woman’s body which is a known risk factor for breast cancer.
• Alcohol is a carcinogen (a cancer-causing substance) in its own right.
• There are also known to be correlations between alcohol and other risk factors for breast cancer such as obesity, smoking and being post-menopause. According to one study, these additional risk factors could affect how susceptible a woman is to the effects of alcohol, or vice versa.

But we don’t yet understand for sure why certain women who drink may be more susceptible to breast cancer than others or exactly how the physical process occurs where the alcohol triggers the growth and spread of cancer.

Alcohol & Breast Cancer Statistics

A number of research investigations worldwide have produced breast cancer statistics where alcohol is a contributing factor. Many of these studies involved large test groups over long periods of time so have been held as highly credible by leading cancer research organizations:

• One large 2009 British survey by the University of Oxford showed that breast cancer was greatly affected by drinking. Instances of all types of cancer were found to increase when women drank even low to moderate amounts, but breast cancer rose by a shocking “11 cases per 1,000 to age 75 with every additional drink.” (Source)
• The famous Million Women Study (supported by Cancer Research UK) followed 1.3 million middle-aged women attending UK breast cancer screening clinics from 1996-2001. One quarter of the women didn’t drink at all; of those that did, the average amount was one drink per day. Over the following 7 years, researchers found just 1 drink per day made a 12% increase in the risk of developing breast cancer. This seemingly doubled with each additional daily drink. For instance, a woman who consistently drank 2 alcoholic drinks per day would be likely to have a 24% risk of developing breast cancer. (Source)
• The 2008 AACR meeting heard data from the Western New York Exposure and the Breast Cancer Study. This study also confirmed increased breast cancer risk with even moderately increased drinking, but specifically amongst post-menopausal women with specific gene variations. This is particularly interesting for considerations into which drinkers are most at risk from breast cancer. (Source)

The Truth About Wine and Breast Cancer

It has been rumored that red wine is a “safe” alcohol for breast cancer risk and that it can even help prevent breast cancer or have other health benefits (such as protecting against heart disease) if consumed in moderation. Many studies, however, including the Million Women study, have shown absolutely no difference in increased breast cancer risk for women who drank wine exclusively to those who drank other forms of alcohol. (Source)

In fact, the research discussed below of women participating in the Life After Cancer Epidemiology study, found that—more than other alcoholic beverages—wine has a stronger correlation to breast cancer recurrence and mortality rates.

Alcohol and Breast Cancer Recurrence

An 8 year study of 1900 women also found a 30% higher rate of recurrence in women who drink moderately and have already had breast cancer. (Source)

The study, published in The Journal of Clinical Oncology on August 30 2010, found that the threshold of 3 or 4 drinks per week was enough to increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence. 1897 women diagnosed with invasive early-stage breast cancer and participating in the Life After Cancer Epidemiology study were monitored through 1997-2000, noting which women drank alcohol and later following up who had seen a recurrence of breast cancer and, ultimately, died from the disease. The researchers concluded that there was a high possibility of correlation between alcohol and breast cancer recurrence, where 6g or more of alcohol per day (or 2 glasses of wine per week) were consumed regularly (Source)

Breast Cancer Prevention

The agreement between top researchers is so strong that even moderate levels of alcohol could significantly influence your risk of developing breast cancer, leading breast cancer organizations worldwide are now making important recommendations.

According to the American Cancer Society, “drinking alcohol in moderation is key to reducing the risk of alcohol-related cancers. The more someone drinks, the higher their risk of developing some kinds of cancer.”

The AICR (American Institute for Cancer Research) states, ”The evidence on cancer justifies a recommendation not to drink alcoholic drinks.” The institute even recommends giving up alcohol completely.

Although statistics do not yet prove definitively that alcohol causes breast cancer, there is such a high level of occurrence in so many different research studies involving large numbers of women that there is certainly enough to base precautionary recommendations on. The fact of the matter is that drinking alcohol is a breast cancer risk factor which is completely avoidable.

Mother’s Day is May 13th! What better way to show the women in your life you care than making a donation to The Maurer Foundation to support breast health?

During the month of May, donors can write a tribute or special memory and we’ll post it on our Maurer Memories page. We’ll also send a note to the special woman via mail or email including your tribute. Check out some of the great Maurer Memories already shared or share your memory.

Here’s some of the great breast health programs we are presenting throughout Long Island and NYC this week.

Elmont High School

Elmont, New York
April 30, 2012

East Suffolk BOCES School

Patchogue, New York
May 2, 2012

5 Towns Community Center Health Fair

Lawrence, New York
May 5, 2012

Freeport Cares Health Fair

Freeport, New York
May 5, 2012

Interested in having a breast health program at your school, campus, event, or workplace? Schedule one today! Or, check out the rest of our breast health programs and fundraising events.

Help reduce your risk of breast cancer on Mother's Day! Fiber-rich whole grain waffles or pancakes topped with anti-oxidant rich fresh fruit and nuts, and low fat yogurt are perfect for Mother's Day breakfast in bed. Photo courtesy of Meg Lessard via Flickr.

Breakfast in bed is a classic way to surprise your mother, grandmother, or wife for Mother’s Day, but the typical menu is often far from breast health friendly. Pancakes or waffles smothered in butter and syrup pack a lot of sugar, fat, and carbs but zero nutrition. Good news is that there’s some healthy options that not only taste great but support breast health. Try these impressive-looking (but deceptively easy-to-make) dishes for a Mother’s Day menu that’s sure to wow.

Spinach & Tomato Egg White Frittata

The spinach and tomatoes add a good dose of fiber and anti-oxidants. Fat-free feta cheese adds flavor without too many calories. And egg whites instead of regular eggs cuts cholestorol and calories without losing the protein.

Oatmeal & Berries

Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries are anti-oxidant powerhouses. Add that to fiber-rich oatmeal and maybe a spoonful of lightly sweetened yogurt, and you have a healthy winner.

Fruit Smoothie

Juice contains little fiber and often little nutrition. Try substituting with a fruit smoothie made from fresh fruit.

Fruit-Topped Pancakes or Waffles

Syrup and butter offers little nutrition and a lot of calories. Try making fiber-rich whole grain waffles or pancakes and then topping them with anti-oxidant rich fresh fruit and nuts and low fat yogurt, a great source of low-calorie protein.

These low calorie dishes help prevent obesity, one of the major risk factors for breast cancer. And studies have also shown that eating breakfast helps reduce your overall daily calorie intake. Just make sure you watch portion size and you’ll be one step closer to breast health on Mother’s Day morning.