Breast Cancer

It is a somber day in Wordville. Word came to the newsroom yesterday that Mary Corey, The Baltimore Sun 's director of content (read: editor) had died of the breast cancer that she had gallantly fought for years. I have known Mary throughout her entire career at The Sun , from her early days in the features department, through her development as a journalist on the news side, and most recently as the boss. She was eager, energetic, and enthusiastic in all her pursuits.

Eileen B. Graeff, a retired Verizon marketing and sales associate, died Feb. 18 from breast cancer at her Ellicott City home. She was 66. The former Eileen Buss was born and raised in Hagerstown, where she graduated in 1964 from North Hagerstown High School. Mrs. Graeff earned a nursing degree in 1967 from the Sinai Hospital School of Nursing, and after nursing briefly, decided on a career change. "She went to work for the Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Co. and the only job open was for a nurse.

Under Armour founder Kevin Plank tried to think of his perfect dinner party. There'd have to be a Beatle, he said, along with Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth and Mother Teresa. But the No. 1 guest, he said, would be Muhammad Ali. Plank and Ali were among those honored by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation at a downtown gala and fundraiser at the Waterfront Marriott on Friday evening. But Plank was not able to have his dinner with "The Greatest. " Ali was unable to travel from his home in Arizona because he is recovering from a recent surgery.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Over the next two weeks, Orioles reliever Adam Russell will get a visit from two of his biggest fans. Fiona Galvin, 6, and her three-year-old brother Tommy will light up at the first sight of their "Uncle Bubba. " In the offseason, he's the one who takes them to the park back home in Cleveland. He will take Tommy to baseball practice. He will dress up like Bigfoot to make them laugh. The kids will climb onto Russell and make him their personal 6-foot-7 jungle gym. Russell, 29, is fighting for a job in the Orioles' spring training camp.

After undergoing treatment for breast cancer , Lillie Shockney, the administrative director of the Johns Hopkins Breast Center, had nipple reconstruction - twice. Despite the many shades of patients' skin tone, "The color choices for doing it in the hospital setting were beige, dark brown and the most common color, called 'salmon,' " Shockney said. She chose salmon and the result, she said, "looked like two pancakes. " Then she saw the work of Vinnie Myers on one of her own patients and went to him. When the procedure was finished, she looked in the mirror and burst into tears.

Brides-to-be can browse hundreds of designer and gently worn wedding gowns at the Brides Against Breast Cancer "Tour of Gowns" this Valentine's Day weekend at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel. "These brides are really progressive because they can buy their dresses anywhere, but they choose Brides Against Breast Cancer because it supports a great cause," says Amy Paulishak, vice president of business development for Brides Against Breast Cancer. "Every time a bride finds her gown, we ring a bell and the DJ makes an announcement.

Wedding date: Dec. 29, 2012 Her story: Annie Balczerak, 31, grew up near Hunt Valley. She is a real estate agent at Prudential Home Sale WGC Realty in Baltimore. Her father, Edwin, is a retired pharmacist. Her mother, Patricia, is a retired schoolteacher. His story: Tom Molloy, 31, grew up in Baltimore. He is an emergency room physician's assistant at Franklin Square Medical Center in Baltimore. His father, Patrick, owns a contracting business. His mother, Agnes, owns an after-school program.

When Alissa Harrington was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, she did what she's accustomed to doing when she needs answers. She reached for her smartphone. The Stevenson University technology professional says mobile apps helped her overcome one of the biggest burdens for anyone confronting a life-threatening illness: Managing the deluge of medical records and appointments and communicating what comes out of those to friends and family. "Mobile apps have really eliminated that," said Harrington, who as an instructional designer builds online courses and trains faculty how to apply technology to learning.

Annapolis Area Christian School will hold its 5th Annual Pink Out basketball night on Feb. 1 when the varsity girls take on Glenelg Country School and the boys host Severn. The Pink Out, started by Grace Mercer, has raised more than $43,000 in four years for breast cancer awareness and research. Mercer, whose mother, Annie, is a breast cancer survivor, worked on the Pink Out as part of her senior practicum in 2008. Eagles fans can buy T-shirts at the game, sponsor players for a free-throw-a-thon or make donations.

Editor: Kudos to Dr. Meghan Milburn and the Upper Chesapeake Multa-Disciplinary Breast Cancer Team! Gals—self check "is" the answer to safety plus!!!! If you want "the" best care and attention you can get—go to Upper Chesapeake and their awesome team!! A "self-check" in October led to the swiftness and best of professional care to breast cancer surgery by the end of December with roller coaster speed and a huge "Whew" with the post surgery follow up appointment from myself and my wonderful family and friends!