By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

Michelle McMullen attended her first Key to the Cure celebration in October 2007, it was the same day as her last chemotherapy treatment. Today, McMullen is a stage four breast cancer survivor, and will be attending her eighth consecutive Key to the Cure Pink Party on Thursday, Oct. 15.

“I think it’s important that we’re talking about the key to the cure and finding a cure for breast cancer,” McMullen said. “I’m looking forward to another great year. It’s a way to celebrate milestones (and) it’s a way to give back and serve.”

McMullen now not only attends the Key to the Cure, she also is on the planning committee for the event.

Hosted by Saks Fifth Avenue Birmingham and the St. Vincent’s Foundation from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Key to the Cure Pink Party benefits the Bruno Cancer Center.

Join members of the St. Vincent’s One Nineteen and larger St. Vincent’s community at the Saks Fifth Avenue location at the Summit for an evening of music, food, shopping, photos and a fashion show.

Saks Fifth Avenue will donate 2 percent of the evening’s sales and 100 percent of sales of the specially-designed Key to the Cure shirt to the St. Vincent’s Bruno Cancer Center.

“This is the second year that we’ve called it the Pink Party, (but) it helps more than breast cancer,” St. Vincent’s Foundation Corporate and Community Relations Manager Scott Goggins said.

The Key to the Cure Pink Party is one of the St. Vincent’s Foundation’s largest fundraisers. Money raised from the event supports the foundation’s many initiatives at the Bruno Cancer Center, including funding transportation and lodging for financially limited patients, sponsoring cancer support groups and employing an oncology counselor.

Fighting cancer and supporting St. Vincent’s are two causes close to McMullen’s heart.

“St. Vincent’s chose me when I was diagnosed. I had gone to different places and ended up where I was meant to be with them,” McMullen said. “I am cancer free, I adore my doctors and my nurses… I don’t feel like I’m a number, I’m a person (at St. Vincent’s).”

McMullen said she hopes to see a strong turnout at this year’s event, and encouraged fellow survivors and those fighting cancer to attend.

“Of course we would always love to have more survivors there and people still going through treatment… the door is open to everyone who wants (to attend),” McMullen said. “My purpose is to help where I can. I am inspired, and people tell me I’ve inspired them.”

Tickets for the Key to the Cure Pink Party are $50 each and include a $15 gift card to Saks Fifth Avenue. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 838-6151 or visit Stvhs.com/pinkparty.