Atascocita Observer - News
In the know, In the Pink
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| Actress and breast cancer survivor Ann Jillian will be the special guest speaker at the first "In the Pink of Health" luncheon sponsored by Memorial Hermann Northeast Oct. 17. The luncheon will take the place of the annual gala. Joyce White of Project Mammogram will be recognized for her service. |
By JENNIFER SUMMER
When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, the first thing on Ann Jillian’s mind was how to treat the problem and life.
“I was shocked. Breast cancer runs in my family and my mother was a survivor so I had knowledge of what to do,” Jillian said.
Now a breast cancer survivor for more than 23 years, the well-known actress is excited to share her story and how to “survive and thrive” after breast cancer with luncheon guests at the first Northeast Hospital Foundation’s “In the Pink of Health” luncheon Oct. 17.
The three-time Emmy nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress and singer first started in show business after her mother discovered her natural talent for singing and performing.
“I remember it clearly. My mother was born in Lithuania and we were at a Lithuanian function where there were people playing pianos and performing on stage,” Jillian said.
“All of a sudden, the music stopped but I just kept on singing. This large man came and picked me up and took me off stage into the wings and that is when my mother knew I had talent.”
Soon after, the family packed up and moved to Hollywood and Jillian soon found work with “Art Linkletter's House Party” where she was featured singing, and from there, her acting career took off.
At a young age, Jillian had numerous television appearances in "The Restless Gun” and “Leave it to Beaver” and roles in films including Disney’s “Babes in Toyland.”
“I did a lot of television work and it was not until my teenage years when it slowed down. My teen years were a transition period for me because I looked too young to play an adult role but too mature to play the role of a child,” Jillian explained.
It was not until she was traveling around Chicago, paying bills with singing performances many years later, that she ran into Mickey Rooney, who was working on “Sugar Babies.” She joined the cast and made her Broadway debut.
“It was amazing. We traveled everywhere and this really thrust me into the Hollywood spotlight. I joined the casts of ‘It’s a Living’ and portrayed Mae West in a made-for-TV movie which earned me an Emmy award nomination,” Jillian said.
While working on several made-for-TV films, Jillian became ill and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Learning from her mom, who was a 40-year breast cancer survivor, Jillian beat breast cancer and now travels around the country, sharing her story and reaching out to other women who have experienced breast cancer and those affected by the disease.
“I remember as I was about to go into surgery, I received a call from Betty Ford and she said, ‘I am very sorry to hear you are going through this but remember it is OK to cry but not for too long,” Jillain said.
“That is when I understood what my mom went through and decided after that call and numerous others I could touch women through my presentations and performances.”
“The Ann Jillian Story” was Jillian’s next movie. She portrayed herself and her battle in the television movie, winning a Golden Globe for her performance.
“The NBC president said to me I could reach so many people with this movie. It was for the common good and to inspire other women to fight,” Jillian added.
As a breast cancer survivor, Jillian is honored to be a speaker at the “In the Pink of Health” luncheon and plans to share her story of diagnosis and survival.
Her speech will focus on “Surviving and Thriving” though Jillian will make sure to add her own personality to the presentation and has even been known to bust out in song during a presentation.
“Everyone should look forward to the luncheon being full of entertainment and fun for everyone. We are talking about a very serious topic but I add entertainment,” Jillian said.
“I share things I have learned in my years of survivorship and do not dwell on the negatives of breast cancer but rather focus on the positives. We will have fun while learning. The good people of this community can look forward to a fun afternoon.”
“In the Pink of Health” luncheon
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 17, doors open at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Houston Airport Marriott Hotel, 18700 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston
INFO: 281-540-7700, www.memorialhermann.org
For more information about Ann Jillian
Log on to http://www.annjillian.com.
“I was shocked. Breast cancer runs in my family and my mother was a survivor so I had knowledge of what to do,” Jillian said.
Now a breast cancer survivor for more than 23 years, the well-known actress is excited to share her story and how to “survive and thrive” after breast cancer with luncheon guests at the first Northeast Hospital Foundation’s “In the Pink of Health” luncheon Oct. 17.
The three-time Emmy nominated and Golden Globe-winning actress and singer first started in show business after her mother discovered her natural talent for singing and performing.
“I remember it clearly. My mother was born in Lithuania and we were at a Lithuanian function where there were people playing pianos and performing on stage,” Jillian said.
“All of a sudden, the music stopped but I just kept on singing. This large man came and picked me up and took me off stage into the wings and that is when my mother knew I had talent.”
Soon after, the family packed up and moved to Hollywood and Jillian soon found work with “Art Linkletter's House Party” where she was featured singing, and from there, her acting career took off.
At a young age, Jillian had numerous television appearances in "The Restless Gun” and “Leave it to Beaver” and roles in films including Disney’s “Babes in Toyland.”
“I did a lot of television work and it was not until my teenage years when it slowed down. My teen years were a transition period for me because I looked too young to play an adult role but too mature to play the role of a child,” Jillian explained.
It was not until she was traveling around Chicago, paying bills with singing performances many years later, that she ran into Mickey Rooney, who was working on “Sugar Babies.” She joined the cast and made her Broadway debut.
“It was amazing. We traveled everywhere and this really thrust me into the Hollywood spotlight. I joined the casts of ‘It’s a Living’ and portrayed Mae West in a made-for-TV movie which earned me an Emmy award nomination,” Jillian said.
While working on several made-for-TV films, Jillian became ill and was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Learning from her mom, who was a 40-year breast cancer survivor, Jillian beat breast cancer and now travels around the country, sharing her story and reaching out to other women who have experienced breast cancer and those affected by the disease.
“I remember as I was about to go into surgery, I received a call from Betty Ford and she said, ‘I am very sorry to hear you are going through this but remember it is OK to cry but not for too long,” Jillain said.
“That is when I understood what my mom went through and decided after that call and numerous others I could touch women through my presentations and performances.”
“The Ann Jillian Story” was Jillian’s next movie. She portrayed herself and her battle in the television movie, winning a Golden Globe for her performance.
“The NBC president said to me I could reach so many people with this movie. It was for the common good and to inspire other women to fight,” Jillian added.
As a breast cancer survivor, Jillian is honored to be a speaker at the “In the Pink of Health” luncheon and plans to share her story of diagnosis and survival.
Her speech will focus on “Surviving and Thriving” though Jillian will make sure to add her own personality to the presentation and has even been known to bust out in song during a presentation.
“Everyone should look forward to the luncheon being full of entertainment and fun for everyone. We are talking about a very serious topic but I add entertainment,” Jillian said.
“I share things I have learned in my years of survivorship and do not dwell on the negatives of breast cancer but rather focus on the positives. We will have fun while learning. The good people of this community can look forward to a fun afternoon.”
“In the Pink of Health” luncheon
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 17, doors open at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Houston Airport Marriott Hotel, 18700 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Houston
INFO: 281-540-7700, www.memorialhermann.org
For more information about Ann Jillian
Log on to http://www.annjillian.com.
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