August 8th "Race for Choice"

SCHENECTADY, NY (07/23/2012)(readMedia)-- Planned Parenthood's The Race for Choice takes place Wednesday, August 8th at 11:30 a.m. with an elegant luncheon at Union Gables in Saratoga Springs. The event features a silent auction of chic hats donated by the Honorary Committee and friends of Planned Parenthood. Guests will enjoy lunch catered by Kim Klopstock's The Lily & the Rose, wine, champagne and a lively jazz trio.

This year, attendees will remember the late Martha Gerry who is being honored at the event for her significant contributions to Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson in Saratoga Springs. Mrs. Gerry, who bred and owned the Hall of Fame horse Forego, was the first woman designated an "Exemplar of Racing" by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. She deeply cared about the health of backstretch workers and their families.

Long time Planned Parenthood supporter Barbara Stevenson serves as 2012 Race for Choice event chair. She is joined by Honorary Committee members closely tied to the racing community and to Saratoga Springs.

"This is an important cause for backstretch workers' health care," Barbara Stevenson said. "Many women and men do not have access to health services so they schedule routine exams at Planned Parenthood while they are in Saratoga Springs for racing season. For many backstretch workers, this is the only health care they receive all year."

Services are available to women and men regardless of their insurance eligibility, and includes: breast, cervical and testicular cancer screening; birth control; emergency contraception; testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections; and HIV screening.

For more information on The Race for Choice, or to receive an invitation, please contact Barb Milano, Development Officer, at b.milano@ppmhchoices.org or 518.374.5353, ext. 236, or visit our website http://www.plannedparenthood.org/ppmh/. Reservations requested by August 6th.

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Saratoga Springs Planned Parenthood is part of Planned Parenthood Mohawk Hudson, Inc., a non-profit health care provider serving patients at 13 health centers in 12 counties throughout New York's Capital Region and the Mohawk Valley.