New Pink CD featuring Hawaiis popular artists will benefit breast cancer education and awareness

Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation, Island Soul Entertainment and a group of Hawaii’s most talented artists debuted the first-of-its-kind Pink CD on May 27, 2008. One year later, the CD was nominated for the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts’ 2009 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Proceeds from the sale of this Pink CD will benefit Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, for breast education programs and to fund mammograms for women who do not have health insurance or are underinsured.

The Pink CD features a collection of 12 entertaining and inspirational songs by various Hawaii artists and music industry contributors. Featured artists include: Willie K, Ikaika Brown, Kaena Brown, Dani Girl, Paula Fuga, Lehua Kalima Heine, Nina Kealiiwahamana, Melveen Leed, Namahana, Na Waihooluu O Ke Anuenue, Love Pacheco, Alakai Paleka, Lahela Rapozo, The Girlas and Pomai Williams.

This Pink CD is truly a labor of love dedicated to the women and men in Hawaii whose lives have been touched by breast cancer, said Ululani Correa, executive director of the Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

According to the American Cancer Society, one out of every eight American women will develop breast cancer - a womans lifetime risk of breast cancer has tripled over the last fifty years - and for every one hundred thousand women in Hawaii, over eight hundred will contract the disease, resulting in over one hundred deaths. And Hawaiian women, along with Caucasians and African-Americans, have the highest incidence of this disease. For unknown reasons, theres a rise of cases among men as well.

As part of our mission to care for the health and wellness of our island community, our Foundation established a number of initiatives to educate our residents and visitors about one of the greatest health threats of our lifetime - breast cancer, said Correa. To date, the Foundations efforts have included community outreach programs, educational seminars, and a website page with facts on breast cancer and breast health - www.MauiHospitalFoundation.org. Until a cure arrives, we will fight breast cancer and reduce its growing threat by enlightening and educating our community, because we believe ... life is precious.

Every one of us knows someone who has either fought or loss the battle to cancer, said Luisa Finau of Na Waihooluu O Ke Anuenue. Cancer affects not just those who have it, but all those who are connected to that person. Holding the hand of someone, whispering words of hope or encouragement, or just lending a listening ear. The most precious gifts we can give to all those who have been affected by this disease is unrelenting love and unconditional support.

This Pink CD, which took nearly one year to create, was truly a collaborative effort, said Karey Oura, president of Island Soul Entertainment who spearheaded this project. Our heartfelt thanks go to the talented artists featured on this CD, our islands music industry, and our corporate sponsors who rallied to support this very worth cause of spreading the message of early detection, breast cancer screenings, and hope to the people of Hawaii.

The Pink CD is sponsored by: Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Pacific Radio Group, A&B Foundation, Digital Audio Vision, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Honda, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, Ruths Chris Steak House, The Yokouchi Foundation, and Island Soul Entertainment

The Pink CD, which is beautifully packaged in a sleeve designed by the award-winning graphic firm of Sae Design, features a simple pink ribbon on the front of the CD - a symbol of our nations fight against breast cancer.

The Pink CD is available at Borders Books & Music or order online at www.MauiHospitalFoundation.org.

Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the health and wellness of our community by ensuring Maui Memorial Medical Center has the resources needed to provide the highest level of medical care.