Dish-Houston

Janet Slocum loves a challenge.

Currently working in MD Anderson’s new Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy, she readily touts the advantages to the new thoughts behind looking at mutations, genes, and one’s own body science to personalize cancer therapy.

But before MD Anderson there was St. Luke’s and before hospitals she spent time as a nail technician, at Southwest Airlines, as a clerk in felony court, and as a manager at a retirement community. And while she’s currently talking cancer from 9 to 5 p.m., afterwards and on the weekends, she’s co-owner of the Second Chance Saloon and La Porte Towing.

“I’m a girl that will do anything!” she acknowledged.

One role she would have easily said “no” to however, is breast cancer patient.

But even that obstacle turned into an opportunity as she now adds “survivor” and “philanthropist” to her ever growing list of “been there, done that.”

Before she was even 50 years old, she discovered she had the disease. Diagnosed in October of 2006 with treatment in 2006-2007, she now lives cancer-free and supports organizations like The Rose.

“Before being diagnosed, I was a supporter of breast cancer causes,” she shared. “Always in the back of my mind was the awareness that I or someone close to me would get it. Then I ended up getting cancer and after that I was an even bigger supporter.”

Previously, she committed her time to breast cancer walks, but she longed to get closer to the action. When she and her husband Bobby took over the Second Chance Saloon in Pasadena, she knew she had a ready-made fundraising venue. She called on her friend Brahana Howard, who serves as the Centers Director at The Rose, a nonprofit breast health organization, and asked for guidance.

Brahana, a committee member of Bikers Against Breast Cancer since its launch five years ago, suggested the BABC would make a great match.

“My goal was $5,000,” Janet said of the October 2012 event she sponsored at the bar which raised $15.000. “After doing that, I said, ‘Ok, I’m doing this every year!’”

The donation puts Janet and Bobby in a fundraising category created just for them – Leaders of the Pack. Other giving levels for the BABC range from “Start Your Engines” at $250 to “Full Throttle” at $5,000. Sponsors are currently being accepted for the May 11^th ride as well as auction items. To find out more, call 281.464.5165, email events@TheRose.org or visit www.TheRose.org and click on the Events tab.  

“I felt it was a way I could give back,” said the La Porte native who grew up in the Pasadena area and had been aware of The Rose for years. “I was fortunate in having insurance. The Rose is there to take care of women in their time of need – if they are able to pay or not. They help guide people through a process that is so scary, uncertain … Some women are doing it on their own – no spouse or close friend and I think The Rose does a world of good.”

Janet now joins other professionals from city planning, real estate, plant management, health care, large corporations, small businesses, and a retired, full-time volunteer – on the Bikers Against Breast Cancer planning committee that is currently focused on the 5^th Annual Ride, May 11^th.

And if these planners have anything to say about it, the 5^th ride will be the best yet.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with San Jacinto Harley Davidson for The Rose’s 5^th Annual Bikers Against Breast Cancer ride,” said D’Etta Casto DeLeon, an assistant vice president at Grandbridge Real Estate Capital and the founder and committee chair for BABC. “They have supported us from the beginning and with the selection of the BABC ride as a feature of their annual open house, we could see more than double the attendance we’ve had in years past.”

Other “firsts” in this fifth year of organizing the event benefitting The Rose, a nonprofit breast health organization serving the Houston area and more than 24 counties via their mobile units, include: an online opportunity for riders and “ghost riders” (registered participants who enjoy the festivities but do not ride) to raise funds as teams or individuals, the Slocum’s “Leader of the Pack” $15,000 level of sponsorship, a Public Service Announcement produced by the City of Pasadena, and additional live entertainment on May 11^th with The Slags performing from the SJHD-provided stage and emceed by popular radio personalities Dean & Rog.

 “The committee always helps to ensure the BABC ride is profitable, safe and fun. Given that each member volunteers their time – including monthly meetings beginning in December and the before dawn set up on the day of the ride – I can’t thank each of them – past and present – enough,” said Casto-DeLeon.

The Rose’s Co-Founder and CEO Dorothy Gibbons says the community support is one of the reasons The Rose can continue its mission of meeting the breast health care needs of not only insured women but those who often fall between the cracks – women who don’t qualify for programs based on poverty levels but are still unable to afford insurance.

“After 27 years of being there for all women – regardless of their ability to pay – The Rose continues to rely on our patients, friends, and supporters to be our ambassadors. They tell our story in ways we never could and then they add their gifts of time and money. They are truly people committed to taking care of their community. I am so appreciative of the monumental contributions of leaders like D’Etta and her team,” said Gibbons.

Current ride sponsors joining the Second Chance Saloon are San Jacinto Harley-Davidson, The Greensheet, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, Grayco Communications, Pipefitters Local Union 211, IBEW LU 66, Buffalo Flange, Inc., La Porte Towing, Inc., MDN Enterprises, Novus Wood Group, and Waltech Co., Inc.

The 5^th Annual Bikers Against Breast Cancer is scheduled for May 11^th at (San Jacinto Harley Davidson 3636 E. Sam Houston Parkway South Pasadena) with registration open at 8:30 a.m. and Kickstands Up at 10:30 a.m. Participants can register online and create a fundraising page at www.TheRose.org. Cost to register before March 31^st is $25 Rider; $35 Rider + Passenger and $25 Ghost Rider. After early registration, the cost increases by $5.

When Janet and Bobby Slocum took the over the Second Chance Saloon in Pasadena, Janet, a breast cancer survivor, knew that she had a ready-made venue for fundraising. A Saturday afternoon last October exceeded all her expectations when a standing room only crowd gathered and raised $15,000 for Bikers Against Breast Cancer in support of The Rose. Sponsors and auction items are now being accepted for the May 11th ride.