The New Year is here and I am hoping this will be a healthy and happy year for my wonderful Pink Wings customers.

Please make a New Year’s resolution to schedule your mammograms and other screenings, as early detection is the best prevention. I had my first colonoscopy in December (2 years earlier than recommended) as my grandmother died of colon cancer and my mom is currently just finishing up her chemo treatments for colon cancer. I am glad I did this early, as I had to have 1 polyp removed. I now have to go in every 5 years instead of every 10- but that is a lot better than waiting and getting a diagnosis of cancer.

December was slow for Pink Wings, but I did have fun doing a radio show with my sister in Salem, Oregon about being a young survivor. My sister talked about being a Previvor, having had both her breasts removed without having a cancer diagnosis due to her BRCA2 status and my diagnosis.  We were also able to talk about the wonderful organization FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered- www.facingourrisk.org )

On a sad note- I lost my wonderful friend, Edna, to breast cancer in December.  She had just turned 40 on November 6th.  I met her at the Young Breast Cancer Survivor Conference about 10 years ago when she was first diagnosed. After 8 years cancer free, Edna was diagnosed again in September of 2010.  She fought long and hard. Edna was a black belt in Karate & the Karate Girl Pink Ribbon pin was designed from a photo of her. I donated the proceeds of the sales of the pin to help with Edna’s expenses and over $1,000 was raised in just 36 hours. I was touched to find out that an image of the Karate Girl Pink Ribbon Pin will be etched on Edna’s tombstone. Here is a photo of Edna with a little friend.

Pink Wings Specials:

To start off 2012 with a good deal, Pink Wings is again offering a buy one get one free special for RETAIL orders.  Please type in BOGO in the shipping comments at check out to get this special.

Buy a pin, key chain, bracelet, tote bag, pair of socks, cell phone bling, pink ribbon scarf, gloves or hat and glove set and get your second one for free. Second item will be exactly the same as the first item ordered. For example: you pay for a Bling Pink Ribbon Pin- you will get another Bling Pink Ribbon Pin for free,  (unless you write in the order comments at check out that there is a different item you want -for example: you would rather get a motorcycle pink ribbon pin for your free one).  If you pay for 4 pins, you will receive 8 (getting 4 free.) Please do not pay for the extra 4 pins. If you have any questions about this special- please feel free to call or email me first, before placing your order.

Email is info@pinkwings.com and phone is 310-663-0482.  Make sure to type in BOGO in the shipping comments at check out or you will not receive your free items.

I am also offering 20% off your RETAIL order until January 30th. Please write in JAN20 for your Coupon Code at check out.  As we are giving you 20% off, we will NOT send 20% to your walk or event as a donation. If you would rather have the 20% go to your event instead of as a discount to your order- please mention that in the shipping comments.

Please note- you can get both the BOGO and 20% off on your orders, as long as you type in JAN20 in the Coupon Code and type BOGO in the shipping comments at check out. There is no limit to the amount of items you can order- but this is for RETAIL orders only and is not available for our wholesale and fundraising customers.

I am also continuing to sell through the last of the 4 Ribbon Hoodies.

I have the pink pullover hoodie available in size small only…and there are just a few left. I have the Periwinkle Blue 4 Ribbon pullover hoodie available in sizes XL and 3XL only.  The Periwinkle hoodie runs big. With the purchase of the Pink or Periwinkle Blue 4 Ribbon pullover hoodie,
you will get a free Retro Pink Ribbon Pin, Stretch Bracelet with earrings, Spinner Pink Ribbon Key Chain, pink ribbon scarf, pink ribbon Find the Cure lanyard, pink ribbon low cut socks and a pink ribbon bandana for free. This is $40 worth of free pink ribbon items with a $45 purchase!  This special is good while supplies last, as I will not be restocking these hoodies. Once they are gone- the special is over. These hoodies are great for training during the winter months for your 3-Day or Avon Walks for Breast Cancer. They are also great to keep you warm during your Relay for Life.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner!

I have some adorable pink ribbon with heart lapel pins that are great for the month of February.  One is a pink ribbon with glitter hearts, another is a heart with wings and the word Courage and lastly is a ribbon with red heart and wings and the word “Co-Survivor”. I also have a “Peace Heart Cure” pin with an adorable glitter red heart in the center. The “What is in your Heart?”  necklace, as well as the “What is in your Soul” necklace make beautiful gifts.  The pink ribbon toggle bracelet has a heart on it as well as one of the pairs of the pink ribbon knee socks. These all make great gifts for the survivor or supporter in your life!

Pink Ribbon Fundraising:

Remember to check out our great fundraising kits.

Ask about bulk pricing for your fundraisers on our pins and key chains. Sign up for a fundraising account today!

Not just a pink ribbon website!

Pink Wings is now carrying many of our popular pins in colors other than pink. We have blue, teal, orange, grey, white, yellow, gold, etc.  We can also make any of our ribbons into whatever color you need for your run, fundraiser, event, business or organization.  The minimum amount to make a new pin is 50 (I cannot bring in just 1 or 2 of a new pin).

Custom items:

Check out the info for Custom Items.  Go to www.pinkwings.com and click on the link on the left that says Custom Items.  We can make custom pins, key chains, silicone bracelets and lanyards for your team or organization.  These items can be any color ribbon. If you see a pin on the Pink Wings website that you like, but would like to add a name, date, or logo, we can do that.  We can also take your team or business logo and make a pin or key chain. If you have an idea for a pin- we can do that too. Minimum order for pins is 50. There is a mold fee for each different design. Minimum order for lanyards or silicone bracelets is 1,000. There is no mold fee or set up fee for lanyards or bracelets.

Upcoming Events:

I am very excited about upcoming events.  My first booth will be in New Orleans at the Conference for Young Woman with Breast Cancer. I am flying out a bit early as I have never been to New Orleans before and I can’t wait to explore the city.  I will be meeting my girlfriend Lexi, from Australia, who is also a young survivor.  The conference will be from February 24-26, 2012.  Here is a link to the conference website for more information: http://www.c4yw.org/

The following weekend I will be in Las Vegas for the Power Symposium and the weekend after that, I will travel to Orlando, Florida for the Essentially Women Trade Show. I love getting the chance to fly around and meet my customers.  It is also nice to get out of the rain here in Oregon.

I have signed up to walk in the Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in August of 2012. It will be my 13th walk.  There is a possibility that I may go on a Safari to Africa this summer- if I do that- I may need to pass on doing a 3-Day Walk this year.  Going to Africa has been on my “List of things to do before I die” since my first diagnosis with breast cancer in 1996. I think it is about time that I make this dream a reality! If any of my fantastic customers have info on a great Safari, or decent pricing for a Safari- please contact me at Courtney@pinkwings.com

On a closing note:

I love that they have Make A Wish Foundation for children with terminal illnesses, however, I feel that it is important to make wishes come true every year for your children and yourself.  It is a fact- we will all die someday, and many of us will pass away suddenly. Life is precious and we should make the most of our time here on Earth.  I ask my children- “What is a wish that you have?” and then I try to make it happen. 2 years ago, my girls wanted to be in a parade and my son wanted to ride on a Ferris Wheel.  Within the month of them telling me this, I got an email from AYSO saying they were looking for kids from the soccer teams to ride on the AYSO float in an upcoming parade…and after the parade- there was a festival with a Ferris Wheel. I made their wishes come true on the same day. The next wish the girls had was to go to Maui. We have been over twice now. My oldest daughter wished to go to the University of San Diego. She is starting her 2nd semester there this week. This wish will cost me a lot over the next 4 years J  One of my 9 year olds told me that her next wish is to eat a crepe at the top of the Eiffle Tower in Paris.  We just took her passport photos and I will try to make this happen in the next year or two. My wishes over the years have included buying a house, adopting children, quitting my teaching job, building a big Pink Wings Team for a 3-Day walk and going to Africa. It takes time (and money) to make these wishes come true- but it feels great! Take the time to have a conversation with your kids, your spouse, your parents, yourself…and make a wish come true in 2012!

Happy New Year,

Courtney

www.pinkwings.com