October 1, 2009

Flickr photo by Abby Lanes

Just in case you've forgotten or haven't already seen the masses of pink products popping up in retail stores, today kicks off National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). This year marks the 25th year that October has been designated as NBCAM.

Wikipedia describes NBCAM as an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its' cause, prevention and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast-aware for earlier detection.

For those of you that were reading us last October, you know that Susan G. Komen for the Cure is one of my favorite charities. I've been participating in the Race for the Cure for several years now and it's always such a great event. There's something about the story of Susan G. Komen and her sister, Nancy Brinker that has always been close to my heart. What Nancy Brinker has accomplished with the Susan G. Komen Foundation never ceases to amaze me. I talked recently about Nancy Brinker receiving the Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor.

Our family has been very fortunate so far, not to have been effected personally by this disease, but with the staggering number of women diagnosed with breast cancer every day, it could happen to any one of us, whether genetic or not. I hate to admit it, but since BigSis and I are both in peri-menopause, there are a lot of factors that can contribute to increased odds of getting breast cancer.

I go to my gynecologist every January for my annual check up just so that it's easy to remember when it's time to go. And, I've always followed up and scheduled my mammogram right after that appointment. With so much happening in our lives these past two and a half years, I've gotten off track and missed my mammogram.

There's just no excuse for that! I've been so mad at myself for letting ‘life' get in the way of making a simple phone call to set up an appointment. I found my doctor's order in my planner from January, so I picked up the phone this morning and scheduled my mammogram.

We'll be talking more about NBCAM throughout this month, but I would like for today to be a reminder to anyone who's procrastinated, like I have, to pick up the phone and schedule your mammogram.

Oh, and if you're a football fan, don't be surprised this Sunday when you see some of the NFL players sporting some hot pink gloves, sweatbands, towels, and even cleats! The idea for the cleats came from Carolina Panthers running back, DeAngelo Williams. Williams has a personal interest in breast cancer, as his mother was diagnosed in 2004. His mother is now in remission, but she lost all three of her sisters to breast cancer.

It really is true that each individual can make a difference in their own special way. For anyone with a blog or Twitter account, you can help spread awareness by going Pink for October. Check out my Twitter @lilsisca.

~LilSis

October 27, 2008

Do Something Good for the Cure!

Order yourself one of these cute insulated designer lunch bags from Lean Cuisine. Quantities are limited, so order now! $5.00 from the sale of each bag is going to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Lean Cuisine has already raised over $404,000 in donations!

Adorable Insulated Lunch Bags!

I ordered one with the Floral Swirl pattern and one with the Zebra pattern.  I'll give one to a friend!

~LilSis

October 27, 2008

I love “Cure”.  She's a very, very cute pink Ty Beanie Bear wearing a pink ribbon to support breast cancer. 100% of Ty's profit from the sale of “Cure” will be donated to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. I was surprised to find “Cure” at a local retail store because she is “officially” retired.  Now, I wish that I had purchased more than one.  I'm happy to announce that I will be doing our first “giveaway” and “Cure” will go to one lucky person that leaves a comment on this post. That's all you have to do to enter; just leave a comment on this post.  It will be a totally random drawing.  Let's make it more fun and say that your name will be entered into the “hat” for each comment you leave on this post.

Cure

Her tag reads:

To those we've lost and those we love

Our promise is to rise above

We know we'll beat this, that's for sure

Support this cause, help find a cure!

The majority of women know at least one person who has battled this disease and most of us know more than one.  It's time to find a cure!

I'll do the drawing on November 2, 2008.  That's the day of my San Diego Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, so it seems like a good date to do the drawing. It won't be Breast Cancer Awareness Month any more but we need to keep talking about this throughout the year!

~LilSis

October 1, 2008

You're so right, LilSis.  October is a very important month for women.  Breast cancer touches just about everyone in one way or another, and this month it's getting some attention.  If we all did just one thing – participate in a race, organize an event, or just buy a product that benefits breast cancer research – then it would be a beautiful thing.

You're also right that I LOVE me some pink!  I don't think I know of anyone who likes the color as much as I do, except for the lady on Dog Whisperer whose whole apartment was pink, all her clothes were pink, even her dog was dyed pink.  I have to admit she had me beat.  BTW, do you love Cesar Milan?  He SO makes me think that I could adopt a German Shepherd and not have it boss me around.  Anyway, I digress.  Back to the pink and the cause.

I adore the “Cook for the Cure” series of pink KichenAid appliances!  Did I say I adore it?  I meant I ADORE it!!!!  I have the stand mixer and the food processor, all of the gadgets, mixing bowls, measuring spoons and cups.

The coffee pot and toaster aren't KitchenAid but I lurve them anyway.  The Cook's brand comes from JC Penney, but I don't think they offer the pink color any more.  I'm just hoping my old white Oster blender will go to appliance heaven soon so I can get the pink blender!  Is that wrong?  To wish demise on a loyal appliance who has stuck with me through smoothie after smoothie for more than 25 years?  I think not; not if it means a donation to an incredible cause.

So get out there people, and buy something pink!  Do it for the women who aren't with us any longer, the women who have survived this disease, and the women who will face it in the future.  We can make a difference!

~BigSis

October 1, 2008

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I'm sure most women know this. I am doing this post just as a reminder to anyone who may have forgotten.  This month the retail stores and websites are loaded with pink products that when purchased; a portion of the profits, and sometimes 100% of the profits, benefit either the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure is an organization that is close to my heart.  This organization was started by Nancy G. Brinker after making a promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen. If there is anyone who has never read the story about this promise between two sisters, it is worth taking the time to read. It's an amazing story.  I just can't imagine losing my sister. Fortunately, our family has not been directly effected by this disease, but that doesn't mean that we don't all have to worry about it.

I've decided to captain a team again this year for the annual Race for the Cure.  My team will  be participating in the San Diego Race for the Cure on November 2, 2008.  It's not too late to form a team of your own.  Go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and check out the dates for the Race in your area.

Here are a few fun products I found that I just can't live without. I have always wanted a pair of yoga sandals, but I've never ordered myself a pair. Now that I've seen these pink ones, I must have them. I found out about the pink yoga sandals in my latest FitYoga issue. A portion of the sales will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

This next item may be more for us “more mature” women; not yet needed by the twenty-somethings or the thirty-somethings . I just think these pink ribbon readers are so darn cute! The elegant pink ribbon subtly sparkles in Czech crystals at your temples. They come in four styles and three color variations. They also come with a microfiber pouch complete with a pink ribbon. The mini pocket reader is adorable, too. $2 from the sale of each pair of glasses benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Coldwater Creek is giving 100% of the profits of this set of two pink quartz bracelets to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  These adorable bracelets have a silver “promise” charm dangling from the bracelet. Keep one for yourself and give one to a friend!

Here are a few more websites that have so many pink products available; I couldn't begin to list them all. This Parade of Pink site is unbelievable! It lists over 70 companies that are participating in donating to fight this disease. It lists exactly how much each company donates to the cause. I think I need to go test drive a new BMW! They will donate $1 for each mile that you test drive a BMW on participating dates.

Check out Red Envelope for their wide variety of pink items. When you purchase any of these items this month, they will donate 10% of the sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. BigSis is going to go CRAZY when she sees all these pink products.  She's even more of a pink freak than I am! I love these rings.

One last item that I think I really need. Amazon is offering a Special Edition Pink 6GB Pocket Drive. BigSis and I both have a little bit of a fetish about office supplies. It's a strange thing, but we could both spend hours in an office supply store.  I just love this little pocket drive.

So, whether or not you have been directly effected by breast cancer, I think it is our responsibility as women to help fight this disease. Odds are that someday we could hear the news that either ourselves, a sister, a mother, an aunt or a friend has breast cancer.  Whether you choose to participate in a Race, donate directly or purchase products from companies donating to this cause, we can all contribute in some way.

“Don't put off til tomorrow what you can do today”. I don't know who said that originally, but I like it.

~LilSis