The BJ's Wholesale Club on Starling Drive teamed with VCU Massey Cancer Center October 5 to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a “Pink Picnic.” The celebration featured speakers such as cancer survivor Kim Newlen and Dr. Gilda Cardenosa (pictured at right, left to right, holding one of Newlen's "props"), director of breast imaging for radiology at VCU Massey Cancer Center. Newlen, creator of the post-surgical camisole Look Better Than You Feel, shared stories of her personal battle with breast cancer and Cardenosa discussed advances in breast cancer treatments and early detection methods.

At the event, BJ's also unveiled the “Pink Ribbon” club merchandise that the store will sell throughout the month of October. A portion of the money BJ's members spend on these “Pink Ribbon” club products will be donated to the BJ's Charitable Foundation, which then will distribute it to 13 National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers, including the VCU Massey Cancer Center. At a luncheon following the event, speakers gathered with BJ's staff members for a photo that included (above, left to right) Joyce E. Major, Ruth A. Zajur, Rosemary (Mimi) Stadie, Carlie Cross, Gilda Cardenosa, Kim Newlen, and Fred Kline.