Patricia Sands

Author

breast cancer

October = Breast Cancer Awareness

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness month but really every day we need to keep our thoughts focused on battling this disease that affects so many of us, in so many different ways.

UnknownMeet my friend Erin Arbabha, a lively, lovely, energetic and engaging woman.

Her book, I Have Survived: One Woman’s Ten-Year Journey As A Breast Cancer Survivor,  is a powerful resource that contains helpful guidelines for cancer patients, caregivers, family, friends, and employers.

 

As Erin battled breast cancer she had the foresight to record the details of her journey, never thinking she would ever use the information for anything more than her own needs. As time passed, she became aware of how her story might benefit others.

Endorsed by The Komen Foundation, this book is part memoir and part helpful guide518yhqJY8OL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-v3-big,TopRight,0,-55_SX278_SY278_PIkin4,BottomRight,1,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_ for family, friends, employers as well as patients and healthcare providers. With the help of meticulous notes kept throughout the hills and valleys of her battle, Erin has been able to provide readers with a comprehensive guide as well as a touching, inspiring story of resilience, strength and promise.

To connect with Erin, click below:

Website

ANOTHER SITE NOT TO BE MISSED IS THE FABULOUS BLOGGER/AUTHOR SUSIE LINDAU’S WILD RIDE WEBSITE ~ BOOB REPORTS ~ Her candid chronicles about her battle with breast cancer are laced with wit and humor as well as poignant moments and valuable information. Susie shared her journey online in real time and took all of her followers along for an experience none of us will ever forget. The good news is she also has a heartfelt story of survival.

Unknown-2 For answers to many questions you may have about breast cancer, please click on this link to the NationalBreastCancer.org. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection is vital!

I’ll be sharing other breast cancer websites I believe will be of interest, as the month progresses. Stay tuned and be informed!

 

The best tattoo I have ever seen.

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I discovered this on my Facebook page with the message that Facebook had been deeming the photo unacceptable and removing it. I couldn’t figure out why.It just looked like a beautiful tattoo.

When I read on, tears came to my eyes. Bravo to this woman.

Ps3ZBEL

The text that accompanied the picture was this: “This is the photo that Facebook keeps taking down and keeps disappearing from all pages including comments. See if we can keep it going.This woman has this tattoo to cover mastectomy scars. I think it is beautiful and brave. What is so offensive Facebook”

I think it is beautiful and brave too. If it turns out not to be true, I still think it is a brilliant idea.

In vain, I have googled and searched in an attempt to find the source of this photograph.

This is the only link I could find. If any of you  know more about it, please let me know.

Since it was on Facebook, I figure it will be fine to post here. If it isn’t, I imagine I will hear about it.

If you are as touched as I am by this, pleasemail1 pass it on and pause for a moment to honour every single woman whose life has been touched by breast cancer. Then, please drop by the Facebook page for the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund and give it a “like”. It feels appropriate. Thanks!

March 8 is International Women’s Day

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Let’s hear it for the ladies! International Women’s Day (8th of March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. For more information go to http://www.internationalwomensday.com.

Events are planned around the globe with the U.K. leading the way, followed by the U.S.A., Canada, Belize (!), and Australia and many others listed on the website.

We’re going to get a headstart here this week by turning the spotlight on a few extraordinarily ordinary women who had an idea, took on a challenge, and made good things happen. I just know you all know many other women who have done the same and I encourage you to show them some blog love this week … or any week for that matter! SHOUT IT OUT, LADIES!

The CANADIAN BREAST CANCER SUPPORT FUND is a new charitable organization. Its vision is to ease the burden of breast cancer patients who are facing financial difficulties. In fact, it’s so new you may not have heard of it yet … but you will! Their innovative approach is definitely going to attract a lot of attention, beginning with their motto: Green is the new pink.

Toronto native Donna Sheehan was the manager of a peer support program at Willow, a national charity that provides support and information about breast cancer. As she became more aware of the financial pressures that create hardship for many breast cancer patients and their families, she decided to focus on doing something to help alleviate those monetary challenges.

It’s one thing to cope with accepting a breast cancer diagnosis and the required treatment, but often we neglect to think of how the basic needs of an individual or family will be affected.

The cost of food, shelter, restorative therapies and treatments, childcare and even something as seemingly unimportant as parking can add up quickly, not to mention the strain of being off work for 8 to 10 months. Government benefits only provide support for 15 weeks and not everyone has access to private insurance coverage for short-term disability.

Although the funding arm for cancer research is well established, the funding arm for support is seriously lacking.  Donna, along with a very informed advisory committee as well as a board of directors, is doing her part to give this important issue a voice and a solution. Approved for status as a charitable organization, the past year has been spent establishing the framework necessary to allow CBCSF to swing into action very soon.

The “green” in their motto, Green is the new pink™, represents their intention to raise awareness about the links between breast cancer and the environment.

In one month’s time, Donna will be launching a new website called Holly and Ivy.The social enterprise will offer natural and organic skincare, cosmetics and personal care products all entirely free of toxic chemicals.

Keeping  toxic chemicals and carcinogens out of the environment by purchasing low-impact, earth-friendly products is another way we can all contribute to lessening their effect on our health.

Fifty percent of the profits from Holly and Ivy will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund. The hope is that this contribution will cover the administrative costs and in time 100% of your donation will go directly to providing short-term financial support to needy breast cancer patients.  This is the dream.

 Look for the Holly and Ivy on-line store to go live March 31st or you can reach it by going to the “Think pink Live Green” page on the Support Fund web site.

Be sure to take time to read their excellent website. It provides a wealth of vital information and suggestions for your support and there’s a Facebook page for you to  *like* too!

In the spirit of paying it forward consider giving up your grande Caramel Frappacino or Expresso Macchiato or your regular coffee (double, double) on Fridays and instead make a $5.00 donation to Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund. Five Dollar Fridays Rock!

 

So three cheers to Donna for being a woman with a vision and making good things happen. Well done!

I’m adding here a link to a powerful movie, “Pink Ribbons, Inc” , featured at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and recently released and still available at some selected theatres.  It addresses the highly controversial subject of “cause marketing” and informs us about “pinkwashing” and the involvement of corporations in fundraising and the impact this has had on charities.

Tell me about a woman you know who is making a difference. We can do our bit by spreading the word. Celebrate International Women’s Day on Thursday … and every day after that! Why not?