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Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness

Saturday, October 11th, 2008 by Jen Thank you for visiting our blog! Please consider signing up for notifications of new posts to our blog via either email or your favorite newsreader using the links on the right. Take a moment to browse our store, as well, by clicking on one of the categories listed above. Thanks, and we hope you enjoy our blog!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a wonderful opportunity to promote Breast Cancer Awareness in your community and workplace.  Not sure how you can help?  Here’s some ideas that anyone can do:

• Make sure your employer takes Breast Cancer Awareness seriously.  Form a committee at work to evaluate your current health care plan to ensure that it allows adequate coverage.  Distribute life-saving information to every employee regarding the importance of self-exams and regular mammograms.  Many employers even work with a local clinic or mammogram facility to offer free mammograms to every employee on a certain date during October.
• Join a local Race for the Cure in your area.  See the Komen.org website for a complete list.  You don’t have to be in great shape or able to donate a lot of money.  Just a little time can make a big difference.
• Save one life at a time - your own!  Make sure you know the risk factors, and are getting regular mammograms as recommended by your physician.  For a list of mammogram facilities in your area, check out this site.
• Pass out free information at an event, local store or mall, or your office.  Get some friends together and have fun working for a great cause.  Check out this site for a list of free Breast Cancer Awareness materials.
• Become an advocate for Breast Cancer.  Write a letter to your local law makers or a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.  Check out the Cancer.org website for ways that you can become a cancer advocate.
• Every donation counts! Even if you don’t have a lot to give, making a donation will help a great cause and make you feel great, too.  You can donate to the National Breast Cancer Foundation online.  Also see if you employer offers matching donations!

So pick one idea and go for it!  Have other ideas?  We’d love to hear them!

For more great ideas on how you can help, visit the Breast Cancer Awareness Month website.

And in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, add a pink ribbon to your daily wardrobe!  Maybe it will start up a conversation with a stranger, or simply remind someone that she needs to schedule her yearly mammogram appointment.  Here’s some of my favorite budget-friendly pink ribbon jewelry:

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McCain and Obama’s Stance on Breast Cancer

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 by Jen

One of the few things that both Presidential candidates agree about during this election is that the battle against cancer needs to be stepped up.  Both Obama and McCain have personal experiences with the disease: McCain has survived multiple skin cancers and Obama lost his mother to Ovarian Cancer.

During difficult economic times, it is critical that you voice your concern for funding for cancer research.  1.5 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year…There’s simply no time to lose in our battle against cancer.  Sign the I Vote for the Cure petition to make your voice heard.

To read more about Obama and McCain’s stances on cancer research, click here.

Spread Awareness for Breast Cancer with some of my favorite Breast Cancer Awareness products below:

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Planning a Fundraiser Dinner to Benefit Breast Cancer

Friday, September 19th, 2008 by Jen

Breast Cancer Awareness month is less than two weeks away, and I know many of you are busy planning a variety of events to raise funds for and awareness of Breast Cancer.  One of the popular events is a fundraiser dinner, perhaps to spread knowledge about Breast Cancer or held in honor of someone whose life was touched by Breast Cancer.

If you are planning or would like to plan a fundraiser dinner, the key is early preparation.  Of course it’s not too late if you still wish to hold your event in October, but a fundraiser dinner can also be a success any month of the year.  To help you get organized, here’s a quick list of what you’ll need to do to get started:

1.  Set your goals and objectives: What is it you wish to accomplish with this fundraiser dinner?

2.  Who, what, when & where: Determine a date and time for the event. Then set deadlines for each step in the process such as dates by which tickets must be purchased or dates by which items must be donated for the silent auction. You may want to set a few variations and allow for a bit of  flexibility.  What kind of things will be happening at this event?  Where will the event take place?

3.  Get started early!  No need to wait, dive into the work right now!  The sooner you get started, the most successful your event can be.

And if you are looking for table favors for your fundraiser dinner, check out the pictures below for three beautiful and unique Breast Cancer Awareness favors:

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Vote For the Cure

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 by Jen

During this election, it is important for us to speak up to our political leaders regarding the need for Breast Cancer research funding, and availability of quality health care for every American.

Check out the Vote for the Cure website to sign a petition, register to vote and more.

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Join a Local Komen Race for the Cure

Saturday, August 16th, 2008 by Jen

This fall thousands of people just like you will be participating in a Komen Race for the Cure event in their local area. 2008 is the 25th Anniversary of the Komen Race for the Cure, which has had over 1 million participants since 2005.

Since the event is so large, most have heard of the event, for for a quick summary: The Komen Race for the Cure Series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease, according to the Komen.org website.

Check out the list below, or the complete list at Komen.org, for an Komen Race for the Cure date near you. Note these are the dates for Fall 2008 only, so check the Komen.org website for future/past dates.

Albany, NY Saturday, October 04, 2008
Amarillo, TX Saturday, September 27, 2008
Austin, TX Sunday, November 02, 2008
Baltimore, MD Sunday, October 19, 2008
Bangor, ME Sunday, September 21, 2008
Birmingham, AL Saturday, October 11, 2008
Boston, MA Sunday, September 07, 2008
Charleston, SC Saturday, October 18, 2008
Charlotte, NC Saturday, October 04, 2008
Chattanooga, TN Sunday, September 28, 2008
Chicago, IL Saturday, September 27, 2008
Cincinnati, OH Sunday, September 14, 2008
Cleveland, OH Saturday, September 13, 2008
Coeur d Alene, ID Sunday, September 28, 2008
Colorado Springs, CO Sunday, September 07, 2008
Dallas, TX Saturday, October 18, 2008
Denver, CO Sunday, October 05, 2008
Des Moines, IA Saturday, October 25, 2008
Evansville, IN Sunday, September 21, 2008
Frankfurt, Sunday, September 28, 2008
Fresno, CA Saturday, October 25, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI Saturday, September 27, 2008
Greenville, SC Saturday, September 27, 2008
Hickory, NC Saturday, October 18, 2008
Honolulu, HI Sunday, October 19, 2008
Houston, TX Saturday, October 04, 200
Jackson, NJ Sunday, October 05, 2008
Jacksonville, FL Saturday, October 18, 2008
Kingsport, TN Sunday, October 26, 2008
Knoxville, TN Saturday, October 11, 2008
Lexington, KY Saturday, September 27, 2008
Little Rock, AR Saturday, October 11, 2008
Louisville, KY Saturday, October 11, 2008
Lubbock, TX Saturday, October 04, 2008
Macon, GA Saturday, October 25, 2008
Memphis, TN Saturday, October 25, 2008
Miami, FL Saturday, October 18, 2008
Milwaukee, WI Sunday, September 28, 2008
Nashville, TN Saturday, October 04, 2008
New Orleans, LA Sunday, October 19, 2008
New York City, NY Sunday, September 14, 2008
Oklahoma City, OK Saturday, October 04, 2008
Omaha, NE Sunday, October 05, 2008
Orange County, CA Sunday, September 28, 2008
Orlando, FL Sunday, October 05, 2008
Phoenix, AZ Sunday, October 12, 2008
Portland, OR Sunday, September 21, 2008
San Diego, CA Sunday, November 02, 2008
San Francisco, CA Sunday, September 21, 2008
San Juan, Sunday, September 28, 2008
Scranton, PA Saturday, September 13, 2008
Shreveport, LA Saturday, September 20, 2008
St. Petersburg, FL Saturday, October 04, 2008
Temecula Valley, CA Sunday, October 19, 2008
Terre Haute, IN Saturday, October 04, 2008
Texarkana, TX Saturday, October 18, 2008
Thibodaux, LA Saturday, October 18, 2008
Toledo, OH Sunday, September 28, 2008
Tulsa, OK Saturday, September 20, 2008
Tupelo, MS Saturday, October 25, 2008
Vermillion, SD Sunday, September 28, 2008
Virginia Beach, VA Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wichita, KS Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wichita Falls, TX Saturday, October 11, 2008

For complete details on how you can participate, sponsor, or get involved with your local Komen Race for the Cure race, please visit the Komen.org website.

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Foods that can reduce your risk of Breast Cancer

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 by Jen

Despite rapidly advancing research and treatments, breast cancer is still the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the industrialized world.

Research had shown that eating a diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables may contribute to a woman’s risk of breast cancer. A recent study has shown that eating the following foods can reduce a woman’s chance of breast cancer, whether or not she is genetically predisposed:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Low fat dairy products
• Fish
• Olive oil
• Sunflower seeds
• Avocado
• Foods high in Vitamin D
• Tofu

If you would like to read the entire article, entitled Nutrition and breast cancer among sporadic cases and gene mutation carriers: An overview, click here. You can also read more about the findings on the Susan G. Komen website.

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House of Reprensatives Passes Mother’s Day Coin Act

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 by Jen

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the “Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act” on June 10th, and now the bill is being considered by the Senate. This bill celebrates the Centennial anniversary of Mother’s Day in 2014, and authorizes the United States Mint to produce this special coin.

The best part about this bill is that the proceeds from this commemorative coin will go the National Osteoporosis Foundation and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to support osteoporosis and breast cancer research efforts. What a wonderful way to honor all of our Mother’s who have battled osteoporosis and breast cancer!

Want to urge your Senator to pass the Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act? Check out this link on the Susan G. Komen website to contact your legislators in support of this bill.

Read more about the bill at the Examiner.com

Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness with some of our cute pink ribbon jewelry and accessories, too! Check out some of my favorites below:

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Join the National Race for the Cure

Friday, June 6th, 2008 by Jen

This Saturday, more than 50,000 runners and walkers will participate in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C.  Even if you can’t make it to the race, you can help by urging your legistlators to make fighting Breast Cancer a high priority.

Every woman deserves the chance to receive treatment for Breast Cancer that could potentially save her life.  Depending on if very specific requirements are met, such as the specific location where a woman is screened, a legal loophole in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act has resulted in many uninsured women not being able afford life saving treatment. The advocates at Susan G. Komen have been working to lobby Congress to pass legislation to ensure that no woman ever has to experience not having access to such care.

Want to help?  Click here to email your legislators regarding upcoming legislation that could help provide every woman with the opportunity to receive Breast Cancer treatment.

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21st Annual National Cancer Survivors Day - June 1st

Saturday, May 31st, 2008 by Jen

Do you know a cancer survivor? In some way, we have all been impacted or know someone that has been impacted by this life-changing disease. June 1st marks the 21st Annual National Cancer Survivors Day - the perfect time to show a cancer Survivor that you care. It is a celebration of life and a way to show the world that surviving is a possibility - and a reality.

The non-profit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation supports hundreds of hospitals, support groups, and other cancer-related organizations that host National Cancer Survivors Day events in their communities by providing free guidance, education and networking. You can find an event in your local community or organize your own community event.

Whether or not you attend an event, this is a great time to show a friend or family member that is living with or has survived cancer that you support him or her. Whether you send a note with a small gift, or just give your Survivor a hug, your support can make a difference.

Looking for an inexpensive but meaningful gift for a cancer Survivor? Click the pictures below for some of my favorites:

Posted in Breast Cancer Awareness, Ovarian Cancer Awareness | No Comments »