The only problem, as I see it, with the upcoming production I Need More Time. Thanks! is that Room 28 in the University of Akron’s Guzzetta Hall, with a seating capacity of 45, won’t be large enough for everyone who wants to be there for this free and potentially lifesaving event.Hopefully they will find a bigger space before the show goes on — 7 p.m. Oct. 21; 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 22; and 4 p.m. Oct. 23. It’s too important of a message to be restricted for lack of space.The breast cancer play was written by Russian native and UA theater major Yulia Gray about a close friend diagnosed with the disease. It grew out of an assignment for a playwriting class at Hollins University in Roanoke, Va., where she’s also a graduate student. As fate would have it, Gray met Akron’s Caorl Eutsey, a sophomore theater major at UA who started Truth Be Told Theatrical Company to give more minorities a place on the stage.Eutsey, who is African-American, said she read the play in one sitting. “I couldn’t put it down. It seemed like it was about my experience,” the 51-year-old grandmother and breast cancer survivor shared.“It speaks to all breast cancer patients and their caregivers. It especially spoke to me.”Eutsey said Gray’s play resurrected her own battle and that of a dear friend and Akron resident, Sandra Terry, a nurse and an Army major who was a veteran of Desert Storm. She died in 2005 at the age of 49.Terry was an amazing and spiritual woman who despite a grave diagnosis set out to help other women by setting up programs to promote awareness and a support system, lobbied for breast cancer license plates and more.“I met Sandra while I was going through chemotherapy,” Eutsey said. “I had convinced myself to discontinue treatment, that I didn’t want to do it anymore. But she encouraged me to continue.“She didn’t even know me. But she overheard my conversation with the nurse and she said to me ‘If I can do this, you can too. I have inflammatory breast cancer, too. I promise we have to get through this; if not for ourselves then for our loved ones.’ ”While Eutsey is forever saddened by the loss of her friend and Gray of hers, both women know that so many more battles are being won.That’s what I Need More Time. Thanks! — a 50-minute, two-woman, one-act play, directed by Eutsey with Gray as the set designer — is all about. It stars theater major Diana Perez and Akron resident Camilla Warren.“I’ve only known Caorl since April,” Gray noted. “But she is the most incredible, dedicated person ever.“I’ve attended some of the later rehearsals, and I’m learning more things about my own play from Caorl.”Plan to come. Bring a friend or two. Although this is a free education, donations are encouraged. Please be generous.And don’t forget to make your reservation early as seating is still limited. Please RSVP to betold47@yahoo.comBreast cancer survivorJane Hecht is on top of the mountain with joy. Her daughter Laura Riddle, an Akron occupational therapist, is not only finished with treatment for Stage 2 breast cancer, she’s also being honored for her advocacy on behalf of other women battling breast cancer.The 32-year-old Akron woman was diagnosed April 1, 2010, just before her 31st birthday.It was the worst of days and the best of days for Hecht, who said she learned about her daughter’s diagnosis the same day her youngest granddaughter was born. “It was extreme emotions,” Hecht said.However, after a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and several reconstructive surgeries, the sun is brightly shining once more.“She’s such an advocate for young women,” Hecht said. “She started a Facebook page called BreastCancerRollerCoasterRide to give other women a forum to say something. Sometimes there’s a question of the day, contests where she gives away stuff. She just tries to do fun things. All vehicles for people to talk.”Two weeks ago Riddle was invited to a luncheon in Michigan sponsored by the Pink Fund in honor of her work.On Oct. 22, Riddle will be among 10 breast cancer survivors under 45 being honored by the JD Breast Cancer Foundation at its inaugural Pink Carpet Gala in Cleveland.Each of the honorees is being treated to a special outfit, hairdo and makeup application before she walks the runway that evening.Laura’s place in the spotlight for that honor was cemented by an essay her mother submitted. “I nominated her because I know what she went through and all she’s doing to make a difference for other women,” Hecht said.Say it with flowersSavoir-Faire, a local event planner and flower boutique, is rolling out the pink carpet, promoting a special Sweetest Day campaign now through Saturday in conjunction with the Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from the flowers will go to the foundation to help area cancer patients and their families with day-to-day financial assistance and other programs.“Savoir-faire, by definition, is the ability to act appropriately in any situation,” writes Marisa Hoffmann, spokeswoman for the foundation. “And the team at Savoir-Faire Event Planning felt that with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it was more than appropriate to help a local charity that focuses on caring for local individuals who are battling cancer.”Savoir-Faire, which began seven years ago, is at 2309 W. Market St., Akron.For information, please visit www.SFeventplanning.net. To learn about the Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation, please visit www.stephencomunale.org.Jewell Cardwell can be reached at 330-996-3567 or emailed at jcardwell@thebeaconjournal.com