Circle 1000 Committee to Celebrate 25 Years of Generosity and Compassion at Annual 'Celebration Brunch'

Online, March 22, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Over the past 25 years, the Circle 1000 volunteer committee has raised millions of dollars for Hoag Family Cancer Institute, giving thousands of men, women and children hope and support in their fight against cancer. To celebrate their accomplishments to date and those to come, along with the lives their efforts have touched, committee members will host the 25th Annual Founders' Celebration Brunch on Wednesday, April 25 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach.

Through their ongoing fundraising for cancer research, technology and education, Circle 1000 committee members help cancer patients "climb back" after their diagnosis and treatment. In keeping with the climbing back theme, the guest speaker for this year's Celebration Brunch is Alan Hobson, a long-term cancer survivor, noted adventure speaker, Mt. Everest summiteer and co-creator of "The Climb Back From Cancer Program."

"Since Circle 1000 was established in 1987, our work has been inspired and guided by a single goal: to support Hoag Family Cancer Institute's vitally important efforts to help the brave men, women and children facing cancer," said Circle 1000 Chair Pame Schmider.

"Each year, our Celebration Brunch serves as a forum for inspiration and interaction on a very meaningful level," Schmider added. "Just as important, it's a wonderful opportunity for Institute staff, oncologists, cancer survivors and other supporters to connect and celebrate the strides made in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. As a cancer survivor himself, Alan Hobson has a powerful and inspiring story of hope, and we're honored to welcome him as our guest speaker."

The Circle 1000 Annual Founders' Celebration Brunch takes place from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 25 at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach. For more information on Circle 1000 or to receive an invitation for the brunch, contact Heather Harwell at 949/764-7215 or [email protected].
About Circle 1000

Circle 1000 was founded in 1987 by Sandy Sewell, a Newport Beach resident and breast cancer survivor. Her idea was to gather a group of friends who would contribute at least $1,000 annually; each was tasked with asking their own circle of friends to participate. From those simple beginnings Circle 1000 expanded to more than 1,000 friends who have raised a cumulative $12.4 million. Funds raised by committee members enable the Hoag Family Cancer Institute to purchase new technology, provide scholarships for nurses and conduct clinical research.

In 2011 alone, the committee raised $1 million that was used to support oncology nursing education, nursing scholarship endowments, and equipment and education for Tomosynthesis, a procedure that produces 3D images of the breast using x-rays.

About Guest Speaker Alan Hobson
Alan Hobson is a renowned adventurer, writer, coach and long-term cancer survivor. Three years after summiting Mt. Everest in 1997, Hobson was diagnosed with acute leukemia; 90 percent of the cells in his bone marrow were cancerous and he was given less than a year to live. But after enduring more than 500 hours of chemotherapy and a successful blood stem cell transplant from his brother, Hobson "climbed back" from the disease. He is less than one of a few dozen people to regain an elite level of fitness after such a transplant. Hobson is an international bestselling author of six books, including "Climb Back from Cancer." He is regarded as one of the best adventure speakers in the world, due to his ability to personalize each presentation to the audience by seamlessly integrating their key challenges and opportunities into his remarks.