Rays of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors’ Day Slated for May 13

SPRINGFIELD — Rhonda Kallman, breast cancer survivor and founder of Boston Beer Co., brewer of Samuel Adams, will be the keynote speaker at the 20th annual Rays of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors’ Day on Saturday, May 13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield.

After founding Boston Beer Co. at the age of 24, Kallman left the company in 2011 to purse her next challenge, founding New Century Brewing Co., where once again her unique contributions were recognized by her peers, and in 2014 she founded the Boston Harbor Distillery. An acclaimed professional speaker and breast-cancer survivor, Kallman delivers inspiration and motivation to audiences by focusing on entrepreneurial business, sales, and marketing, as well as women’s empowerment and overcoming adversity. During her talk, “Beer Battered: Overcoming Personal Adversity,” she will discusses what it takes to be a leader, how to accept the pitfalls of business and life, as well as having the courage to try again.

In addition to Kallman’s keynote address, participants can select two workshops to attend from, among “Fabulously Functional Fitness,” “Rolling the Dice: Chance, Fate, and Risk — What Would You Do?” “Project Life — Papercrafting with Pocket Pages,” “Treat Yourself — Make and Take,” “Thriving with Breast Reconstruction: Patient Perspectives and New Directions,” “The Healing Labyrinth,” “Updates in Breast Cancer: A Surgeon’s Perspective,” “What’s New (or Not So New) in Breast Prosthesis and Pocketed Lingerie,” and “Healthy Eating for Stronger Bones.”

There will also be two interactive stations from which those attending can choose to participate in during the day. In “Paint Social Art,” local artists will guide painters — no experience necessary — in creating their own mini-painting, which they can display at home. At the “Paper Craft Cafe,” the ladies of Life’s Memories and More will provide a choice of three kits to make on site. Additional kits may be available for purchase.

There will also be networking opportunities throughout the day and the chance to visit with several exhibitors who will sell a variety of breast-related products and more. A continental breakfast will be served, as well as a buffet luncheon.

Registration is required. The cost is $35 per person, with the remaining dollars underwritten by the Rays of Hope. For those unable to afford the fee, a limited number of scholarships are available for breast-cancer survivors by calling Sue-Ann Hilton at the Rays of Hope Outreach office at Baystate Medical Center at (413) 794-9556.

For more information, or to request a registration form, call (413) 794-9556. Also, for more information on Rays of Hope, visit www.baystatehealth.org/raysofhope.