The Ribbons of Life (RoL) Breast Cancer Foundation* is an organization committed to providing breast cancer education, advocacy, emotional and social support within Ventura County.
Ribbons of Life
Our vision is to maintain and extend our individual assistance to women with breast cancer and their caregivers in Ventura County. Our independent Breast Cancer Resource Center is located at 1500 Palma Drive, Suite 239, Ventura, CA. Individual assistance is available by appointment.
Call (805) 308-3456
welcome to ribbons of life
Our Purpose
The Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation (“Ribbons of Life” or “RoL”) was formed to meet a community need to have a non-institutional, independent grassroots organization to provide breast cancer education, advocacy, emotional, and social support to Ventura County. As a local 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, RoL is run by unpaid professional volunteers from various socio-economic and educational backgrounds welcoming people of all ages, gender and cultures to participate. RoL serves as a clearinghouse of information for those who want to:
Find resources to address specific needs
Making positive life choices
Learn about breast cancer and coping techniques
Become a health advocate
Exchange useful information
Include family and friends in need of support
Become an inspiration
Keep-the-Money-Local while making a difference in our community
What’s with the logo? Why is it red?
When the Ribbons of Life board discussed creating a logo, the genderized and marketed pink ribbon was a concern. Being a foundation that focuses on breast cancer education and advocacy, the board decided against having a pink ribbon in its logo. They chose to make a meaning-filled statement through its logo. That statement is “breast cancer goes beyond the color pink, as the topic of breast cancer goes to the heart of every woman, man, and child affected by it. The ribbon represents the private sphere of family that connects to the heart of its surrounding community–or public sphere”.
RoL believes it takes a lot of “heart” for a community to come together and provide an endless amount of voluntary support in the form of time and most importantly–love.
Check out the Fundraising & Donors page to see who continues to support Ribbons of Life during this unusual year. Here are a few: Ventura City Firefighters, Ventura Police Depart. Oxnard Police Community Foundation, OPOA, Oxnard Fire Depart., Ventura County Credit Union, CBC Federal Credit Union, Angie Senchack, Oxnard Starbucks, St. Paul Baptist Church Oxnard, St. Paul's Methodist Church Oxnard, Karyn 805, Stevens Detailing, Sarah Kelleher-Pub Crawl, Lookout Bar & Grill, Waterside, Sea Fresh, Channel Islands Yacht Club, The Rudder Room, Channel Island Gulls, Harley Davidson Heel's & Wheels, PHP-People Helping People, 100 Women Who Care, Joel Boyce-EPIC Wealth Partners, Kelly & Curtis Lambert, Ellessco LLC, Robin Hester-Ventura College, Lynn's Jewelry, Logix, North Ranch Women's Golf, Soroptimist Oxnard, Newbury Park H.S, St. Bonaventure H.S, Rio Mesa H.S, Albertsons Vons Foundation, G&H Moorpark, Las Posas Country Club, Tri-County Services, Ventura Women of the Moose
~~~~~ ANNOUNCEMENT ~~~~~
Our monthly in-person BreastFests meet on the second Saturday of the month at the Black Bear Diner in Ventura on 2401 Harbor Blvd, from 8:30 to 10:30. Although we are unable to offer Zoom for the BreastFest, we do have the Zoom option for our monthly Create4Life (C4L) meetings held the Thursday following the BreastFest from 10:00 to 11:30, for those that are unable to attend our in-person BreastFests .
Please contact us for the Zoom link or to RSVP for limited in-studio seating. Email Jo Ann Kirkby (kraftykirkby@gmail.com).
The "Zoom" Fests were successful, however, many RoL members have expressed the need to meet in person and we agree it's time. We have a wonderful year of programs planned for you and we hope to see you there. Please send an email or give us a call for any questions, concerns or comments. (RoL@RibbonsVentura.org) office number 805-308-3456.
Mark your calendar and save the second Saturday of every month for our BreastFest.
Create4Life meets monthly in our studio and on Zoom. Create4Life offers an opportunity to come together and create something with meaning from watercolor painting to jewelry making. Many projects are made which help us support our community of survivor-thrivers. The survivors-thrivers, caregivers and supporters of the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation wish to thank Ventura HOG Chapter #0366 HEELS & WHEELS, whose fundraising efforts made it possible for us to open the studio in 2019. Email Jo Ann Kirkby (kraftykirkby@gmail.com) to RSVP or to receive the link for Zoom.
CONVENIENT CONTACT
Please take comfort in knowing that we live in a resilient and caring community. If you need a compassionate ear and a loving heart we are here for you. Sylvia checks our phone every day, so call 805-308-3456, leave your number and let us know who you would like to call you back.
Know we are thinking of you, and send our love.
Sylvia Rosolek – Lisa Barreto - Karen L Brown
Beverly Schaeffer – Jo Ann Kirkby
RIBBONS OF LIFE WANTS TO SAY
Thank you for visiting!
~ Our Thrivers Share ~
Testimonials
“Just a quick note to thank you all for the warm welcome yesterday.
It was such a positive experience! Last night as I spoke to my
fiancee, he remarked at how upbeat I sounded and how happy he is
that I have found a group of people who will play an important
role in my ongoing mission to make a difference. Our passions
to volunteer our talents and experiences have led us to meet
marvelous individuals and contribute as we can to causes that
are and become dear to us.”
– Ginger W.
“Thank you for helping me to get back on track.”
– Donna I.
“Thank you so much for thinking of me. The bag and everything in it
is so beautiful and full of love. I was so looking for a bag for my radiation and there it was. So sorry I missed you, but I look forward toseeing your beautiful center. Without meeting you, I don’t know where I would be today. You are my rock and know that what you do is so wonderful, touching the lives of women so they can touch and be the voice for us.”
– Nancy M.
Thank you so very much for selecting me to receive a RoL scholarship. The award provided me with the financial and emotional impetus to go to Santa Fe, NM for a Feldenkrais training. This trip serves as a
reminder to take the time to nurture myself regardless of life’s circumstances. THANK YOU!.”
– Marsha M.
“Thank you so much for your support, inspiration and positive insight.
Thank you for making my dream possible with the opportunity to
shine for us all RoL thrivers.”
– Eliane W.
“Just a note of humble thanks for the honor at December RoL.
The certificate was such a surprise. I enjoyed and am glad there
is something I can give back to this amazing organization!”
– Lorraine S.
“I was there the day (Kat) came to a meeting and shared about
being diagnosed with breast cancer. She was really scared. She
felt so alone. I was there to see first hand the difference RoL had
made in her life. These women do not act like “cancer patients”.
Instead, they take what they have learned from their experiences
with cancer and use it to help others. It really is amazing.”
– Lori S.
“I am so thankful that I attended the meeting yesterday. Everyone
there was so kind and loving. There is a warmth inside of me that
I did not have before. I was so overwhelmed with emotion.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out to me.”
– Alison K.
“You made my day. I had my first Radiation Treatment Wednesday
night at Cedars. I realized I am not alone. With the care bag you
gave me, I walk with all women. You have given me the support
and love we all so need during this time.”
– Nancy M.
*Ribbons of Life (RoL) Breast Cancer Foundation was created and is handled solely by our volunteers. Please remember when you make a call or visit our website, we are doing everything we can to respond in a timely manner.