You are invited to the 25th Anniversary
Saturday, April 10, 2027
Doors at four, program at five · Port Arthur Civic Center · 3401 Cultural Center Drive · $50 a seat, $400 a table of eight
On sale October 1
Our story
It began in a living room.
Winners For Life began in 2002, in Dr. Winifred "Winnie" Frelow's living room in Port Arthur. Her priest at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Father Larry Gutierrez, watched women in his parish face breast cancer alone, and he asked Winnie to help. She was a respected educator, trusted across the community, and she was walking the road herself. She said yes, and the first seminar followed in 2003. The founding members were Winifred Frelow, Claudia Bush, Tracey Gabriel, Willa McDaniel, Berlinda Mouton, Elvira Narcisse, Mary Polk, Cynthia Sinegal and Gloria Ray.
The need was real and quiet. Many older women avoided screening out of modesty, and some were lost because of it. Winners For Life set out to change that, with honest talk, plain information and a room full of women who understood.
Dr. Frelow gave her life to Port Arthur, beginning as one of the first African American teachers at Thomas Jefferson High School, then as a leader in its schools. She led Winners For Life until she passed in 2013. From 2014 until 2018, Elvira Narcisse led it as a committee of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Dr. Frelow's daughter, Tracey Young, brought it under Rilassati in 2018 as the flagship program.
2002 to 2027
Twenty-five years, one room at a time
- 2002Port ArthurIt begins
Father Larry Gutierrez asks Dr. Winifred Frelow to help the women of his parish. Winners For Life begins in her living room.
- 2003About 25 womenThe first seminar
A salad and sweets luncheon brings the first women together, with Dr. Frelow leading the room.
- Spring2004 to 2012The room keeps growing
The seminar returns nearly every spring, and the room keeps growing.
- 2013A legacy heldThe work carries on
Dr. Frelow passes. From 2014 to 2018, Elvira Narcisse leads Winners For Life as a committee of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
- 2018Mother to daughterHome at Rilassati
Her daughter, Tracey Young, brings Winners For Life under Rilassati Women's Retreats.
- TodayAbout 200 womenA full civic center
The seminar fills the Port Arthur Civic Center, pausing only for Hurricane Harvey and one other hard season. A portion of the funds supports mammograms through Gift of Life.
- 202725th anniversarySaturday, April 10
Tickets go on sale October 1.
See the evening
What Winners For Life does
Support and sisterhood
Connection with women who understand, before, during and after treatment. No one has to explain what the waiting, the appointments or the recovery feel like, because someone in the room has lived it.
Education and early detection
Plain, trustworthy information about screening and the questions to ask a doctor, shared in a room where it feels safe to ask. Finding breast cancer early gives women more options.
The annual seminar
A yearly gathering that honors survivors, remembers our founder and welcomes every woman who needs a hand. It is where many women first find us.
Mammograms close to home
The money we raise for mammograms goes to Gift of Life in Beaumont, which screens women right here in Southeast Texas. Winnie believed help should reach the neighbor next door.
Our biggest focus this year
Care Packages
We bring Care Packages to neighbors who are going through treatment. Inside are support materials, inspirational items, gas cards to help with the rising cost of the drive and often a gift card or restaurant card for a nutritious meal on the days when cooking is too much.
Treatment is lonely, frightening and uncertain. A Care Package says plainly that we stand with the neighbor carrying it, and it lightens the load a little, mentally, physically and financially. Our next commitment is mammograms, sponsored by Winners For Life.
The seminar
What began as a salad and sweets luncheon for about 25 women has grown into a gathering of roughly 200, now held at the Port Arthur Civic Center. For 25 years we have come together nearly every spring.
The seminar is for women facing a diagnosis, for survivors, for the daughters, sisters and friends who stand beside them and for anyone who wants to learn. You do not need to be a member, and you do not need to have had cancer to belong in the room.
In 2027 the seminar becomes the 25th Anniversary celebration, an evening on Saturday, April 10, with entertainment by Flava Band and a celebration of every woman who has carried this work.
Where to start
Know when to get screened
A plain guide to mammograms, what "found early" means and the questions to ask your doctor, with sources on the page.
Read the guideIf you were just diagnosed
A calm place to start, a few gentle next steps and a way to reach a real person.
Start hereShare your story
We are gathering stories and seminar memories for the 25th Anniversary, shared only with permission.
Share a storyHelp with the 25th
Join the committee, volunteer on the night or sponsor the celebration.
Ways to helpQuestions about Winners For Life
Who is Winners For Life for?
Women facing breast cancer, survivors and the families and friends who love them. Anyone who wants to learn about early detection is welcome.
Does it cost anything to get support?
Reaching out costs nothing. Some events, like the anniversary celebration, are ticketed to support the work, and ticket details are shared on the event page.
Is Winners For Life medical care?
No. We share education and support and point women to their doctors for medical advice and treatment.
How do I reach someone?
Use the Connect form or write to info@rilassatiwomensretreats.org. If you were just diagnosed, the just-diagnosed page is the gentlest place to start.
Reserve your place at the 25th
Saturday, April 10, 2027, at the Port Arthur Civic Center.