Patricia Sands

Author

Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund

Causemetics ~ Breast Cancer support

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Last week I spoke a bit about the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund. This week I’m happy to share the news of their latest collaboration in order to raise funds to bring support to women with breast cancer.                                  

                                            OUR MANTRA

We want to help women with breast cancer.
Not someday. Today.
Because the rent is due. Groceries need to be bought. Car payments. Hospital parking. Lost wages during treatment and recovery. Even beauty products add to the cost of living. Despite billions raised to find a cure, many of the 23,000 Canadians diagnosed this year need financial help right now. That’s why we’ve partnered with the cosmetics industry to assist those who can’t afford to be sick. We give the proceeds of our sales to help breast cancer patients through the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund. And we only work with products that are 100% natural and free of toxic chemicals and carcinogens, so they’ll do you some good too.

 

PRESS RELEASE :

Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund launches Causemetics, Canada’s first collaborative fundraising brand to help relieve financial pressure of breast cancer

Support Fund says financial toll of breast cancer is often more stressful than the disease itself

Toronto, ON – The cost of breast cancer is anything but benign. The toll of lost wages associated with treatment and other costs are often overlooked.

This October, the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund (CBCSF) makes it part of the conversation. The CBCSF, in collaboration with 11 of Canada’s leading all-natural, non-toxic skincare and cosmetic companies, introduces Causemetics.

Canada’s first collaborative fundraising brand launches on October 14 at www.cbcsf.ca through online retail partner www.well.ca and at Green Beauty Spa in Toronto, followed by www.causemetics.ca. Causemetics helps relieve the financial toll of breast cancer – today. For each product sold, a portion of the proceeds ($4 to $10 as marked on the package) will be donated to the CBCSF.

Causemetics line up_originalDonna Sheehan, CBCSF Executive Director and breast cancer survivor says, ““In313281_300555023292053_159476780733212_1399781_779817079_n1 my seven years of work providing psychosocial support to those affected by breast cancer, it became very clear that the financial cost was often more stressful than the diagnosis and treatment, which is why I started the Canadian Breast Cancer Support Fund,” says Donna Sheehan, .

“Despite tens of millions raised to find a cure, many of the 23,000 Canadians diagnosed this year need financial help today. We donate the lion’s share of funds raised to helping women fight the disease, and Causemetics represents a long-term fundraising revenue stream. Prevention is a key mandate and we believe minimizing exposure to harmful toxins is part of the solution, so working with cosmetics industry partners who create natural products is perfectly in alignment.”

For more information on this great initiative, click here.  

 

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.

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!

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 …