Patricia Sands

Author

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Canadians Give Thanks

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WARM WISHES TO ALL CANADIANS CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING!

The unique beauty of autumn adds to the magic of this special holiday.

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We are celebrating my favourite holiday in Canada this weekend – Thanksgiving. No shopping for anything but Thanksgiving dinner ingredients. No lists of gifts. Bags of food being filled for the Food Banks. Volunteers serving turkey dinners at homeless shelters. Quality time spent as families and friends gather to share memories, love and laughter. An attitude of gratitude prevails. I am so thankful for the life I have. I hope you feel the same about yours.

As we consider our individual blessings, let’s remember those who struggle with hunger, illness, poverty, war and a multitude of other challenges around the globe. Let’s try to make the sentiments of Thanksgiving a part of every single day.

What a good feeling to see the food donation bins overflowing today. If you can’t get out to help, here’s a way you can play a part without leaving home! Click right here.

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I’ve written about these sites before, but they are always worth mentioning from time to time.  All you have to do is go to TheHungerSite.com  once a day and click on the button — sponsors give free food. You are not put on any list or bombarded with spam. There are other links to click where sponsors donate for appropriate benefits: Breast Cancer ~ remember it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; Child Health; Literacy; Rainforest; Animal Rescue and a few others. All of this has been verified as legit by Snopes years ago. I pop in every day. Why not?

While we are at it, have you ever played FREERICE.COM? ~ A great way to increase your vocabulary and donate rice. Play it with your children as there are 60 levels. It’s a great place to learn new words for Words With Friends … ahem, my addiction!

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Support The Girls!

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mail1Watch here on October 14th for an exciting new fundraising campaign for CBCSF

Ten Things

Ten things we want you to know about the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund.

We are building a community of support for breast cancer patients facing

a financial crisis.

We feel that every donor has the right to know that his or her donation makes

an impact.

We believe that Canadians should be informed about the financial crisis that often

accompanies a breast cancer diagnosis.

We acknowledge the science that informs us about the links between breast cancer

and the environment.

We demand that public policy protect all Canadians from environmental toxins.

We think differently about raising money for breast cancer.313281_300555023292053_159476780733212_1399781_779817079_n1

We are sure if shopping could cure breast cancer—we would have found

a cure by now.

We will never ask you to buy anything pink…. EVER.

We think differently about breast cancer.

We know a lot of other people do too.

39 Old Mill Rd. #1002 Toronto, ON, M8X 1G6 416.233.7410 Reg.# 83661 2804 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Earlier this week I shared information about Erin Arbabha’s memoir and self-help book, I Have Survived.  Please read on …

SYNOPSIS
Erin’s memoir of her journey is very personal, fascinating and life changing. She finds herself stuck between two cultures and believes when her core femininity are challenged after losing her hair and breasts. Unknown
In “I have Survived”, Erin walks you through her first warning signs that she neglected for 6 months and then later when she learned about her diagnosis ending up with multiple surgeries followed by 6 months of aggressive chemotherapy. It is when she is at at the darkest and lowest point of her life that she finds beautiful side of herself that transcends her beyond the physical world. She finds peace, beauty and tranquility that she had never experienced before.
Erin shares valuable section at the end of the book where she gives advise to patients, friends and family members, caregivers, medical community and employers.

I Have Survived is endorsed by Nancy Brinker, chief founder of Susan G Komen Foundation, Race for the Cure.

Erin, why did you write this book?

Unknown-2My intention in writing this book is to share the thoughts I collected while journaling during this period, so that others can find solace in my hardships and triumphs. If I can help only even a handful of women, then it is worth it.

What do you do for fun?

I love speeding time with my dog, Jelly Bean. I enjoy fitness and art. I row 2-3 times a week and try to participate in pairing workshop as much as i can.

To read more about Erin and download her inspirational and helpful memoir, click here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Today marks the beginning of National Breast Cancer Month and this link has an excellent supply of information. Our family and so many friends have battled against this pervasive disease and I’m sure many of you would say the same. Great strides have been made in the treatment of this and other cancers but much is left to do.

Let’s show our support in whatever way possible. Three cheers to all the people (and their pets) who were running, walking, rolling, in the CIBC Run For The Cure yesterday in so many communities!

In September, the dynamic Weekend To End Women’s Cancer walk was held in Toronto. If you’ve never participated in this inspiring challenge, perhaps next year will be your turn! Call your besties and get organized!

I was proud to host The Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund here a few months ago. Here’s the link to that post. They have an innovative approach to raising funds that provide short-term financial assistance to breast cancer patients who are facing financial difficulties while they are undergoing treatment.  Every donation, small and large, helps us to provide financial support for breast cancer patients for food, shelter, medication, prosthetics, childcare, various treatments and restorative therapies.

Think Pink Live Green

When you think of breast cancer, we want you to think pink and live green.

Think Pink Live Green

What a great logo! Founder Donna Sheehan recently let me know their new “GREEN” online store, Holly & Ivy, is up and running. 50% of all profits go directly into the cancer support fund. Pop over and take a look. There’s nothing better than paying it forward.

 

 

I want to send an enormous shout-out to Cynthia O’Neill, the founder and organizer of the Power of The Purse. This women’s conference  (mentioned here last week) was an enormous success last Thursday. It was a privilege to be invited to speak there and the women of London, Ontario could not have been a more enthusiastic and involved audience. The energy in that conference centre was quite astounding! But then… that’s what women do so well … 

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO WAS THERE!

Here’s how the White House kicked off the month …