Wonder Woman & breast cancer. {#writepink}

Oct

2010

Hi lovelies! Happy October :)

I’m sure you already know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month – there are pink ribbons and for-a-cure’s popping up all over the place. For some reason, this was always a cause that I donated to and supported since my teens – I never knew exactly why I felt so compassionate about it. I got my answer in 2006.

Mom has always been “wonder woman” – taking care of everyone in the family and being the glue that really holds us all together. When my dad had a heart attack, she was the calm voice of reassurance that everything would be fine. When my dad was diagnosed with Kidney cancer, she held it together in front of all of us. She’s our rock. Invincible. And she’s a breast cancer survivor.

It’s not nearly as easy as just a paragraph. There was surgery to remove the tumor, a doctor telling her she had a matter of months, a second opinion at Duke University, a lymphectomy, months of intense Chemo followed weeks of daily radiation. Words just can’t put the whole situation in to perspective.

Now I know why I’m such a supporter of Breast Cancer prevention & awareness. “Find a cure” is more to me than just a slogan. The pink ribbon isn’t just a marketing tool that I see on everything from m&m’s to nike’s – it’s a symbol of hope, survivorship and a memory of all those that lost the fight.

Today is Blog for Your Breasts Day. I took the pledge on armyofwomen.org

Remove Your Bra!

What is the Army of Women?

The Love/Avon Army of Women (AOW) is a unique program of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit breast cancer research organization. The program is funded through a grant from the Avon Foundation for Women. The AOW provides an opportunity for men and women to take part in breast cancer research studies aimed at determining the causes of breast cancer – and how to prevent it. The AOW is a groundbreaking initiative that connects breast cancer researchers via the internet with women who are willing to participate in a wide variety of research studies. The goal of the Army of Women is to recruit ONE MILLION MEN AND WOMEN of all ages and ethnicities, including breast cancer survivors and those who have never had breast cancer.

Deets:

Men are welcome to sign up for the Army of Women.

By signing up to be added to the Army of Women database you’ll just hear about research projects—signing up for the Army of Women does NOT sign you up for a study yet.

The Army of Women Research Studies are prevention based, not clinical trials.

Participants must be 18 and older— but ALL ethnicities are needed —ALL ages, healthy women, women with cancer and women who are survivors are needed.

There is absolutely NO COST to join and take part in something this important—AOW is not asking for donations, just for women to sign up and agree to hear about studies. Participation in any of our studies is ALWAYS, COMPLETELY voluntary.

Yous will be involved in important research to discover THE CAUSE of breast cancer—how to stop it before it starts.

You have the ability to participate only in those projects that interest you. You can opt to decline any study invitation, or accept any invitation of your choosing.

Type of commitment: Studies will require a variety of different things (you can be asked anything from filling out an online questionnaire to being asked for a blood sample). It all varies according to study.

Make sure you not only sign up for the AOW, but also recruit your friends and family by using the “invite a friend” link: https://www.armyofwomen.org/invitefriend

To those of you still in the fight; keep your head up and keep fighting. To the daughters, sisters, mothers, fathers, husbands, & friends who are traveling this road; keep YOUR head up, too… and keep fighting. Day by day, take a breathe and do whatever you can to be supportive. If you’re one of the lucky ones who hasn’t been closely affected by breast cancer, I truly hope it stays that way for you.

I hope you’ll sign up to participate in the Army of Women so that we can get one step closer to a cure.

Feel free to share your stories about breast cancer in the comments below.

Stephanie

Great post, Lindsey. I just left Mama Kat’s blog, which touched me as well. I’m heading to Army of Women and signing up now!
It’s so important to take care of and be tuned into our bodies, and most of all, fight like hell if needed – for ourselves, for a loved one, etc. No one is alone when it comes to BC cancer! Keeping a positive attitude is a must. I love how your blog is always positive! Have a great weekend!
http://www.designerwife.com/ Lindsay {Designer Wife}

Thanks so much, Stephanie! I completely agree, Mama Kat’s was very touching and I just absolutely adore her blog. Soooooo glad to hear that you’ll be joining the AOW! THANK YOU!!!

Enjoy the weekend, love!
Anonymous

Thanks for sharing and making me tear up. sheesh.
http://www.designerwife.com/ Lindsay {Designer Wife}

Don’t worry, I teared up writing it ;)

Thanks for stopping by :)
http://twitter.com/fiveminutediva DMG

I have friend who is a breast cancer survivor, and I am in awe of her strength. Thanks for stopping by my blog via SITS!
http://www.designerwife.com/ Lindsay {Designer Wife}

That’s fantastic to hear! Thanks for sharing :)
http://ranndomized.wordpress.com/ Ann

I haven’t been personally affected by breast cancer, but yesterday I participated in Montreal’s Run for the Cure by doing a 5K walk. it was my first year, and I plan to walk (or perhaps run!) every year. It’s such an important cause and you just don’t know who will be affected, or when. I posted some pics (and stats) on my blog yesterday :-)

http://ranndomized.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/running-for-the-cure/

I will check out Army of Women!