R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : Linda Ellerbee Finds a Circle of Support

Linda Ellerbee, a print and broadcast journalist known for her outspokenness, proved equally open about her battle with breast cancer when she spoke recently at the Circle 1000 Eighth Annual Founders Brunch.

Appearing before 425 people at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach, Ellerbee encouraged other women to “make a noise” about breast cancer and the importance of research and early detection.

The brunch was held for Circle 1000 members, who donate a minimum of $100 annually to belong to the group. Many, however, contributed much more, bringing the brunch’s net proceeds to $250,000 for the Patty & George Hoag Cancer Center of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach.

Making a Noise

In 1992, Ellerbee discovered what she called her “Achilles’ heel”--a lump in her left breast that was diagnosed as malignant.

“I was devastated,” Ellerbee said. “For years I was cast as a tough dame. That wasn’t how I felt.”

After doctors found another suspicious growth in her right breast, she underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy. In her no-nonsense style, Ellerbee described the painful effects of her treatment.

“Every morning I got up in the morning to see if my hair would stay in bed, and one morning it did,” she said.

Ellerbee said that maintaining her sense of humor helped her survive. One day, while she was playing fetch with her golden retriever, her prosthesis fell out and the dog grabbed it and ran down the street.

“I laughed,” she said, “until I cried.”

Other events weren’t the least bit humorous. Once an insensitive anchorman whom she declined to name came up to her at a party and said, “You look simply grand--I mean, considering . . . .”

Ellerbee now hosts, writes and produces Nickelodeon’s prime-time “Nick News.” She formed Lucky Duck Productions, which produces children’s and women’s programs for television, including last fall’s “The Other Epidemic,” an hourlong special on breast cancer.

“I’ve never felt so alive,” she said.

Joining the Circle

Circle 1000 chose Ellerbee to speak because “she’s so dynamic and outspoken in her belief in the early detection of breast cancer,” said Sandy Sewell, founder of Circle 1000.

Sewell founded Circle 1000 in 1987 for women who wanted to provide financial support to the Hoag cancer center. Since then, thanks to individual annual contributions that range from $100 to $5,000 or more, the group has raised more than $1.5 million--mostly from its annual brunch.

“We don’t have any meetings,” said Arden Flamson, event chairwoman. “We have wonderful, loyal supporters. This seems to be their baby.”

Part of the brunch’s proceeds will go to Hoag Hospital’s new Breast Cancer Services, which “guides women from diagnosis to treatment,” said Sue Winn, program coordinator.

Among the guests were Judy Steele, underwriting chairwoman; Robert Dillman, medical director of the Hoag Cancer Center; Judie Argyros; Susan Bartlett; Hyla Bertea; Sherry Cagle; Patricia Cox; Louise Ewing; Betty Grazer; Jodi Greenbaum; Marion and Lula Halfacre; Jerry and Maralou Harrington; Kellina Hayde; Charles and Nora Hester; Nora Jorgensen Johnson; Marcia Martyn; Pat McFarland; Sharon Pettis; Judith Swedlund; Lynn Thomas; Jill Johnson-Tucker; Ginny Ueberroth; Janet Curci Walsh, and Virginia Long Zenz.