Follow your garments at Pacific Heights Cleaners going through the ECO Dry Clean process. See how we handle your garments from start to fininsh using a non toxic dry cleaning system. This system is reconized by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) as being safe for both you the consumer and the enviornment.

Benefits of solvent free dry cleaning.

Ten years of honoring community’s healers

The 2009 Francine Levien Activist is Karl Huie, owner of Pacific Heights Cleaners of Sausalito and San Francisco.

Karl Huie is being recognized for taking a leadership role in promoting the health of the community. Pacific Heights Cleaners is Marin’s first and only certified green dry cleaner, an official desgination by the county of Marin.  In addition, Pacific Heights Cleaners is a demonstration site for a statewide program.

Huie grew up in the garment cleaning business. His parents started Pacific Heights Cleaners in 1969 and later bought Sunshine Cleaners in Sausalito(Pacific Heights Cleaners, Sausalito). He took over the familiy business in 1986.  Huie began researching nontoxic alternatives to perchloroethylene, known as perc, a chemical cleaning solvent used by most dry cleaners. The chlorine-based solvent has been linked to a number of health risks, including breast cancer. In 2007, Huie made the switch to a nontoxic wet cleaning procedure and purchased computer-controlled washers and dryers. The investment in new garment cleaning equipment was substantial, but it was offset by the savings associated with hazardous waste removal and regulatory fees. More important, he made the switch for the health of his employees and customers and for the environment.

Reported in the Marin Scope, Mill Valley Herald, Ross Valley Reporter, San Rafael/Terra Linda News Point, Twin Cities Times -marinscope.com-April 15-21, 2009

Zero Breast Cancer 10th Annual Honor Thy Healer Award Ceremony. Fern Orenstein’s introduction of the Francine Levien Activist Award Honoree Pacific Heights Cleaners Sausalito and San Francisco.

The 2009 Healing Partner honoree is Walt Spicer, a supportive husband and volunteer who helped design the Marin Cancer Institute.

            Walt Spicer’s association with Marin General Hospital began in 1992 as the cancer center was being built. He was encouraged by the Marin General Hospital Foundation to direct gifts made to the hospital in memory of his late wife, Susie Spicer, to the new cancer care center. MGHF also suggested that Walt get involved in the project, which he did with a great passion. He joined the Building Committee and later, the Humanities Advisory Committer.

            Through the design and building of the cancer center, Spicer assumed the “get it done” role. Having experienced firsthand what a cancer patient goes through, Spicer knew what was needed. Many creative ideas became a reality in the new cancer center, including the healing art displayed throughout the building, the healing and meditation gardens, the large backlit photo murals in the ceilings of the radiation therapy rooms, and the resource library. The original Susie Spicer Circle Library has evolved to the present Cancer Resource and Recovery Center.

            That recent remodel of the cancer center, now called the Marin Cancer Institute, retained Spicer’s vision of a place to bring comfort to patients undergoing cancer treatment.

Reported in the Marin Scope, Mill Valley Herald, Ross Valley Reporter, San Rafael/Terra Linda News Pointer, Twin Cities Times – marinscope.com – April 15-21, 2009

The 2009 Community Breast Cancer Researcher is Kathie Delassandri, M.D., a breast cancer researcher working on ways to predict breast cancer.

                        Eleven years ago, Zero Breast Cancer partnered with Doctor Margaret Wrensch of UCSF to conduct the first breast cancer research study in Marin County, the Adolescent Study and the Development of Breast Cancer. This five-year research study (1998-2003) provided data for several additional studies that took a closer look at such things as breast cancer risk factors, geographic variability, tumor histology and adolescent stress. All of these studies have yielded valuable clues in understanding the breast cancer puzzle in Marin County and the Bay Area.

                        One of the primary goals in breast cancer research is finding ways to predict each woman’s individual risk of breast cancer. Working with InterGenetics, the company that developed OncoVue, a genetic-based breast cancer risk test, Dalessandri used Zero Breast Cancer’s ARFS data to develop a new study to evaluate breast cancer risk. The Gail model, developed over 20 years ago, is currently used by scientists and clinicians to predict risk. Factors include age and family-menstrual-reproductive histories. The new tests aim to predict breast cancer risk more accurately using genetics. The results of Dalessandri’s study using the OncoVue model, presented at the end of 2008, show a statistically significant improvement over the Gail model. The importance of this research is that adding a genetic component to the assessment tools may enhance our ability to predict breast cancer risk.

Reported in the Marin Scope, Mill Valley Herald, Ross Valley Reporter, San Rafael/Terra Linda News Pointer, Twin Cities Times – marinscope.com – April 15-21, 2009

The 2009 Shining Star is Larree Renda and the Safeway Foundation, a major funder of breast cancer research.

        Larree Renda oversees retail strategy, labor relations, public affairs, government relations, health initiatives, human resources, industrial engineering, re-engineering and communications for one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America and on of the largest employers in California. Renda serves as chairwoman of the board for the Safeway Foundation, which contributed more than $248 million in 2008 to import causes, including hunger relief, education, cancer research and people with disabilities.

            In 2008, thanks to the leadership and support of Renda, the Safeway Foundation raised more than $18.6 million for breast cancer research and prevention programs during its annual October fundraising campaign at its stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. The foundation donated the funds to more than a dozen cancer centers with reputations for conducting leading-edge breast cancer research.

            Understanding that breast cancer is a major health threat to women, Renda has inspired Safeway and all its employees to work together t fund the research that will ultimately find a cure or ways to prevent the disease. The business experience and dedication that Renda brings to Safeway’s fundraising campaign inspires Safeway employees and vendor partners to exceed their goals.

The 2009 Healing Professional is Edward W. Banks, M.D., a Kaiser Permanente surgeon at the San Rafael Medical Center with a special interest in breast cancer.

Dr. Edward Banks has been treating women with breast cancer for nearly 30 years. He has been a steadfast proponent of the team approach to medical diagnosis and treatment, and uses all the resources at his disposal t benefit his patients. More than a decade ago he created the first breast-care coordinator position at the Kaiser

Banks was chief of surgery at san Rafael Medical Center for many years. Under his leadership, the surgery department developed a greater sense of compassion and humanity, and continues to bear his imprint. Not only is he a superb physician and a highly skilled surgeon, he finds a way to connect with each patient. His gentle touch and deep concern convey to his patients that he cares about each of them as a whole person.

Reported in the Marin Scope, Mill Valley Herald, Ross Valley Reporter, San Rafael/Terra Linda News Pointer, Twin Cities Times – marinscope.com – April 15-21, 2009