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On October 1^st the Dallas Chapter of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) held a tabletop competition as their month program. The theme of this competition was “Think Pink” as October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Individuals and Dallas Area Associations were asked to design a table that would be a good representation of someone they wanted to honor who has survived Breast Cancer. ISES Dallas was one of the associations who gladly participated in this friendly competition.

The honoree we chose is the mother of a friend of mine, and who has since become a friend as well. Her name is Karen Arthur and she is a 55 year old “Grandmommy” to four, two girls and two boys, with another girl due in January. She and her husband, Mike, have been married for 36 years and they have three children, two daughters and one son, who just returned home from Iraq. She was diagnosed on October 9, 2008 and two days later her second grandson was born. Here is the rest of her story in her own words:

“I have had my share of health issues, diabetes being one. Last year my worst fear came true when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As it turns out, that call saved my life. I was preparing for a lumpectomy when my brac analysis came back positive for the BRCA-2 gene mutation. Due to my family history I chose to have a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. The cancer was small, treatable, and had not spread to the lymph nodes. I did not require chemo or radiation therapy which was such a blessing. Early diagnosis was the key to my success. In the process, testing revealed a pre-malignant mucinous cystadenoma on my pancreas. My dad and cousin died of pancreas cancer but because of the breast cancer, they found the cyst before it turned into something worse. I am so blessed.”

The ISES Dallas team worked hard and diligently to come up with a great design for our table. We designed our table with a “Tree of Life” theme. In everything we read on her blog (www.caringbridge.org/visit/karenarthur) we saw how much she surrounded herself with the people she loves the most (her family and friends) and with the different activities she enjoys accomplishing. The table was decorated with pictures of her family in silver frames. Inside each of the folded napkins we placed a copy of one of the poems she wrote and from the branches of the white tree, we tied on orchids and hung jewelry which she had made and was planning on selling in Canton that week. Karen came to the event with me and I have to tell you…she was very surprised and felt extremely honored that we would do that for her.

NACE and their judges (including our own Sassy Steve Kemble) walked around the room and looked at each table prior to the start of the event. There was to be no collateral on the tables to show who’s they were. Near the end of the evening the judges came out and gave out four awards. I am happy to say that ISES Dallas won the award for Most Practical Table. Not only did ISES Dallas win, but our own Honoree, Karen, won the casino raffle. I have heard that she is still talking about that night to her friends.

Way to go ISES Dallas and here’s to ALL Breast Cancer Survivors.