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2004, age 34 — this is my story
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$8 to Help Crush Cancer

Posted on 1/18/2013 By

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It’s been years since I’ve done any cancer-cause fundraising — I collected so many thousands of dollars over the course of a few Making Strides Against Breast Cancer seasons that I thought it was only fair to give my family and friends a break from forking over funds on my behalf. But now, I am back, and I’m requesting that you donate a one-time, small contribution of $8 to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Why $8? Because I have survived cancer for 8 years, and that’s $1 per year of survival, and it’s a fairly small amount to contribute, and if a bunch of people donate, this could really add up.

Why Relay for Life? Because Joey’s middle school has a team, and I want to support the OVMS Panthers as they do their part to help crush cancer. Plus, Sharon Sailor, a very sweet friend of mine who has known Joey since he was a  little Pre-K guy, is heading up the team, and that really makes me want to back this worthy endeavor.

So, if you are in the position to share 8 of your dollars (they are tax deductible, by the way), just head on over Sharon’s page, click on Donate, and complete all required fields. Then, accept my sincere thank you for your kindness, and don’t forget that every one of your pennies counts toward saving lives that may otherwise be lost to cancer.

Raw October — Day 23 (How it All Started)

Posted on 10/23/2012 By

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Raw October: raising breast cancer awareness — one fact, figure, feeling, and photograph at a time.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) was started in 1985 by the American Cancer Society with funds from a chemical company and a drug company for the purpose of filling an information gap and empowering women to take charge of their breast health. The Breast Cancer Consortium details the almost 30-year evolution of NBCAM and highlights a few of the criticisms that surround the awareness campaign. Here’s the rundown — RIGHT HERE.

Now, vote in the poll below and share your thoughts on NBCAM — is it a worthy cause or a whole bunch of pink nothing? Take your pick, then share a comment to explain your position.

Pink Ribbon Blues: You Got ‘Em?

Posted on 10/29/2010 By

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www.amazon.com

You might think all the pink products, all the donations, all the charitable giving that takes place during months like October means important life-saving work is being done on the breast cancer front.

You’d be wrong, according to sociologist Gayle A. Sulik, author of  ”Pink Ribbon Blues.”

In the time since the war on cancer began 40 years ago, things have gotten worse, not better, says Sulik.

In fact, a woman now has a 1-in-8 chance of getting breast cancer in her lifetime. Used to be 1 in 11 — in 1975.

And the risk of dying from the disease, upon diagnosis, decreased only .05 percent from 1990 to 2005.

Pretty sobering stats, huh?

Sulik has more to say on the topic: She weighs in on Susan G. Komen for the Cure, she believes Breast Cancer Awareness Month is too heavy on the cured, not the terminal, and did you know drug companies make loads of money from breast cancer? Oh, and by the way, the month was established by the American Cancer Society with funding from the pharmaceutical powerhouse Zeneca.

Seem a little fishy?

Could be.

Pink Ribbon Blues. You got ‘em?

Write a Letter to Cancer

Posted on 10/7/2010 By

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dear-cancer2-400jd100710

http://www.varian.com/dearcancer/

I love the idea of writing a letter to cancer, and I’m going to do it. Right after I write this post.

Here’s the deal: For every letter you write to cancer before December 31, 2010, $50 goes to the American Cancer Society. How easy is that? You get to vent, and money makes its way to the mission of conquering cancer.

Thanks go to Varian Medical Systems for forking over the funds. Varian is the world’s leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy.

So far, 3,458 letters have been written (you can read them here), and already, $89,550 has been raised. The goal: $100,000.

OK, you ready? Write your own letter to cancer now (you can remain anonymous if you wish).

Made it to 40!

Posted on 6/20/2010 By

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Photo: Temari 09, Flickr

Photo: Temari 09, Flickr

The American Cancer Society folks claim to be the official sponsor of birthdays. Well, if they are, I thank them for sending another one my way.

Today, I get to face 40 candles — well, I’m not sure anyone is really going to top my strawberry shortcake with that much wax and fire, but somehow, with some configuration of candles, I’m going to be closing my eyes, wishing hard, and blowing out little flickers of light.

And my wish?

Simple.

I want to see be around to see 41 candles next year. That’s all.

Ellen Pompeo Says: Choose You!

Posted on 5/4/2010 By

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Ellen Pompeo (left) / LiGado em Série, Flickr

Ellen Pompeo (left) / Photo: LiGado em Série, Flickr

“Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo has teamed up with the American Cancer Society, and she’s spreading a very important message: Choose You. Here’s what she wants you to do:

Eat right.
Get active.
Quit smoking.
Get regular health checks.
Protect your skin.

Some pretty good advice, eh?

May 12 is National Choose You Day, but why wait until then — get started now! Here are some resources to help you get the ball rolling.

Can a Bra Cause Breast Cancer?

Posted on 11/8/2009 By

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bra

Tomás Fano, Flickr

I once had big boobs – really big boobs. So big I had them reduced and lost 4 whole pounds of tissue. Had I not had a breast reduction, my tumor might have been buried deep inside all that stuff, never to be found by me. But I did find the cancerous mass, because it was right on the surface, and so I’m very thankful that my small-ish boobs may have saved my life.

But that’s another story.

This story is about the bras I wore with those big breasts, because they were underwire bras, meant to heave those two things up and place them right in their intended spots, and there’s a doctor out there claiming that this very type of bra can cause breast cancer. Essentially, those contraptions I wore for my big boobs might have caused the cancer I found after they weren’t so big anymore.

Huh?

Sure enough, says medical anthropologist Dr. Sydney Singer, author of the book “Dressed To Kill: The Link between Breast Cancer and Bras.”

“Basically we are impairing our circulation of blood flow,” Singer says. And if the flow of both blood and lymph is constricted within the breasts, this will cause the buildup of toxins, which can cause disease. Of course, family history, bad genes, poor diets, obesity and more play a role, but bras — well, they are apparently pretty dangerous all on their own.

Not so fast, says the American Cancer Society — they refute the claim that bras are a risk factor for breast cancer. Although Ken Smith, an American Cancer Society Breast Health Facilitator, does agree that more research is necessary on this topic. Probably won’t happen, though, he says, because many hospitals and breast cancer research centers are supported by undergarment sales profit. Hmmm. Good point. There are more good talking points in this article, which is all about the bra-breast cancer connection. Take a look for yourself, and tell me what you think:

Are bras to blame? Or not?

Get Fit and Get Your Mammogram

Posted on 8/7/2009 By

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We don’t know what causes breast cancer, but we can take steps to decrease our risk. Here are two.


Dr. Gail Lebovic, Prevent Getting Breast Cancer? on Howcast

Simple enough, right? OK, maybe the getting fit part is easier said than done. But you can find some great inspiration for slimming down and working up a sweat over at That’s Fit — I’m an editor and writer there, so I’m partial to the place. And to make good on that mammogram (yes, it might hurt, but I promise it’s not as painful as breast cancer), check out these American Cancer Society recommendations for who should get a mammo and when. Self-exams are important too. Here, how to do them.

Look Good … Feel Better

Posted on 5/22/2009 By

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nancy_both

The toughest part of my dance with breast cancer was losing my hair. Seems crazy, doesn’t it, that a tumor was living in my body, threatening to take my entire life away, and I was worried about my hair. Yea, crazy. I know that now that I’m alive, probably because the same drugs that left me bald also wiped out a treacherous disease. Still, it’s heartbreaking to lose a headful of hair. Even Farrah Fawcett, who is courageously fighting her own cancer battle, hung onto her famous hair for as long as she could, only succumbing recently to the toxic hair-stealing chemotherapy drugs.

The reality of cancer treatment is that many people will lose their hair. And lots of them, like me, will determine it a tragedy. That’s why the Look Good … Feel Better (LGFB) program exists — to help women face the challenge of a lifetime. LGFB (organized by the American Cancer Society) offers workshops to help cancer survivors feel better. I attended one, and I learned how to draw on eyebrows (yes, chemo takes those too), apply make-up on blotchy skin and cover my head with wigs and scarves. I went home with my very own cosmetic kit, matched to my skin tone, and I met a whole bunch of women walking in shoes that were much like mine. LGFB also offers one-on-one consultations, self-help materials and a 24/7 toll free information and help line — 1-800-395-LOOK.

Take advantage of LGFB if you can. And suggest it to any loved ones who might need it. And do you know of any survivors who deserve to win a trip to NYC (you, maybe)? Check out this contest. LGFB is celebrating its 20th anniversary by searching for five Women of Hope they can pamper with a complimentary make-over and a trip to the annual DreamBall, a black-tie gala and the program’s largest annual fundraiser.

By the way, that’s Nancy up top. She’s a LGFB participant. Doesn’t she look good?