By Jen Horton
posted Jul 2, 2008 - 2:35:23pm
More than 180,000 women and 1,900 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2008. And, according to the National Cancer Institute, 40,000 of those women and 450 of those men will die from the disease.
Randy Felix, owner of The Mix building and The Mix SalonSpa, 142 S. Woodland Blvd. in Downtown DeLand, wants to help change those numbers, one pink light bulb at a time.
"For the month of October, we want the Victorian street lamps to be pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month," Felix said.
His goal is to have every bulb in every decorative streetlight replaced with a pink bulb for the month, bathing Woodland Boulevard, from Howry to Wisconsin avenues, in pink light and a heightened awareness about breast cancer.
The pinking of Downtown DeLand is an outgrowth of Felix's commitment to give back to his community through his business.
"We do two fundraisers each year," he said. "Earth Day and breast-health awareness."
The pink-light campaign will compliment fund raising at The Mix.
"All of the money we raise is going to go to the Susan G. Komen foundation," he said.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation was founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker. Brinker made a promise to her dying sister, Susan Komen, that she would never stop looking for a way to cure breast cancer. According to the Komen foundation Web site, the organization is the largest nonprofit foundation in the world devoted to fighting breast cancer.
Last year, Felix sold pink-hair swatches at his salon, which were woven into customers' hair.
"Last year we raised over $3,000 with the pink swatches," Felix said. "It's not about how much money you make; it's about the support and the awareness."
Each piece of pink hair had the potential of educating everyone who saw it.
Now Felix wants to broaden that reach. He wants to see the entire nation look toward DeLand and see a strip of pink in the darkness.
"We're trying to make DeLand first in the nation to do this," Felix said.
If all goes as planned, Felix hopes to have a street-lighting and breast-cancer awareness ceremony Oct. 1 at Pioneer Park on the corner of Rich Avenue and Woodland Boulevard.
"As long as we raise the money," he said.
They're already busy at The Mix SalonSpa, getting the hair-swatches ready for this year. In addition to the pink hair, there will also be T-shirts for sale.
"For me it's important. Cancer, in general, affects everybody," Felix said.
He also has to raise money for the lights.
"I have to raise $3,600 for this to happen," he said. "It's not in the city's budget."
MainStreet DeLand Executive Director Jack Becker likes the idea.
"Anything that brings awareness to No. 1, the cause and, No. 2, DeLand, is good," Becker said.
MainStreet DeLand Association President Janet Bollum agrees. The owner of Downtown DeLand's Muse Book Shop, said the concept could be positive.
"I think it helps to raise awareness for women's breast cancer," she said.
There is a prototype pink light on the corner of Woodland Boulevard and Howry Avenue. So far, according to Public Works Director Marvin Williams, there haven't been any complaints about seeing pink in the night.
"I haven't received any phone calls," Williams said. "I don't know if they've received any in City Hall, but I haven't had a single complaint."
Williams said the $3,600 price tag isn't just for colored bulbs.
"It's actually going to have to be done by a master electrician and his journeyman assistant," Williams said. "The labor, equipment and materials are estimated at $3,600."
So, if Felix is successful in raising the money, not a dime will come from taxpayer pockets.
Williams said the city is currently working with the Department of Transportation to coordinate pink lights. Woodland Boulevard, aka U.S. Highway 17-92, is a state road.
"They want notice before we change out [the bulbs]," Williams said.
Felix has set up a nonprofit organization called "Light the Way," which is dedicated to breast-cancer awareness.
To make a donation to Light the Way, mail checks to 142 S. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32720. Contact Felix at The MIx by calling (386) 775-8121, or e-mail themix@earthlink.net.
Comment on this article
Commenting is closed for this article.
If you would like to contribute a letter to the editor, please click here.
Did you find this story interesting or informative? Subscribe to The DeLand-Deltona Beacon to read more stories by Jen Horton, along with others from our award-winning writers. Subscribe now!
Photos - Real Estate - Newcomer's Guide - Beacon Magazines - Advertise - Local Web Sites - About Us - Beacon Archives
