October is especially important for me because it’s a time when I see so many people come together for a cause that has personally impacted me so deeply. People have been recognizing National Breast Cancer Awarenss Month for nearly 20 years but in recent years the outpouring of support for raising breast cancer awareness during October has been truly amazing!

As an Ambassador and co-chair of Circle of Promise, a Susan G. Komen for the Cure campaign, I travel to different events throughout the month and get to see up close how women from every generation have made breast cancer their cause of choice. This makes me positively reflect on the fact that a cure for breast cancer is possible in our lifetime. Programs like Komen for the Cure’s Passionately Pink for the Cure® engage millions in October who choose a day to wear pink, fundraise for Komen and spread life-saving messages of early detection.

It’s that awareness that enabled me to make the best choice when it came to safeguarding my own breast health. After seeing both my parents experience and survive breast cancer, I made a courageous decision to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy, the removal of both breasts, to help reduce my personal risk.

Komen’s Circle of Promise, which launched last year, is raising awareness of the need to fight breast cancer in the African American community. This is important because cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among African American women. The program encourages women to become ambassadors within their local communities, helping Komen to rewrite the story on African Americans and breast cancer.

Whether you’re a survivor or co-survivor, young or old, anyone can join the fight to end breast cancer forever. During October and beyond, I want to encourage everyone to do their part to save lives from breast cancer. Here are some things you can do to show your support during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

• Grab seven friends and join the Circle of Promise!

• Go Passionately Pink for the Cure
• Participate in a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
• Visit the Promise Shop and help fund breast cancer research through your purchase of gifts for friends and family

But don’t stop there! Educate yourself on breast health and breast cancer at www.komen.org.

Until next time,

René

(Image: René Syler)

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ABOUT RENE SYLER

René is a professional woman, mother of two, wife, TV personality, and breast cancer educator. She is also a Circle of Promise ambassador.

Post from: Blisstree

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month … A Guest Post by Rene Syler

Check out the 2008 schedule and register at one of the following locations:

1. Chicago (August 8-10)

2. Boston (August 15-15)
3. Cleveland (August 22-24)
4. San Francisco Bay Area (September 5-7)
5. Seattle (September 12-14)
6. Twin Cities (September 19-21)
7. Detroit, Michigan (September 26-28)
8. Washington, DC (October4 17-19)
9. Philadelphia (October 17-19)
10. Atlanta (October 24-26)
11. Tampa Bay (October 31 – November 2)
12. Dallas/Fort Worth (November 7-9)
13. Phoenix, Arizona (November 14 – 16)
14. San Diego (November 21-23)

Are you able to participate in one of these? I know, there are so many events … walks, run, one days, two days, three days … if you participate in any of them, tell me, which one and why is that your choice?

FYI, I’ve edited this post: Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the primary beneficiary of this event, but the event itself is called the Breast Cancer 3-Day. Get it?

P.S. Don’t forget the Autoglam Car Sticker Giveaway, going on now.

P.P.S. Check out the poll in the sidebar of this blog and let me know … at what stage were you diagnosed?

(Image: Komen)

Post from: Blisstree

Coming soon to a city near you: A Breast Cancer 3-Day Event

Back in May I announced the affiliation between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and American Airlines — their Miles for the Cure program — do you remember? (If not, here’s the link to that original post.)

Today it was announced that:

Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R), the
world’s largest breast cancer organization, has received more than $600,000
in donations from American Airlines’ “Miles for the Cure” campaign.

They also announced they are continuing the campaign this year until $1 million is raised. Sweet.

I’ve always liked American Airlines. I’ve liked their consistency, their prestigiousness, their reward program … to me, this is one more reason to choose them. How do you select an airline?

(And tell me the truth … does this little plane remind you of Lost?)

(Image: Karen Lynch)

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Airline Miles Donated for the Cure

(Source: Komen)

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A Breast Cancer Statistic

But unless the kid in the next bunk also has a parent with cancer, camp might not be what the doctor ordered. That’s what makes camps with professionals trained to meet their delicate needs and kids who have shared experiences all the more appealing. And fortunately, there are camps with their specific and particular needs in mind.

So where do you start your research?

Check out Kids Konnected camps (formerly Komen Kids); they “provide an atmosphere that encourages children to have fun, smile and be a kid! We also provide an environment that allows kids to share their feelings with other peers and adults who understand what they are dealing with.” The camps run for kids 7-13 and 14-18. Kids Konnected has model programs throughout the nation.

Also, take a look at Camp Kesem, a college student run, one-week sleep away camps at a college for kids ages 6-13. Since 2000, it has been the mission of Camp Kesem:

• To provide kids whose parents have or have had cancer with a summer camp experience that gives them a chance to be kids
• To allow college students to channel their passion for making a difference, while developing critical leadership skills for long term social impact

Here’s a schedule of Camp Keseem dates and locations for the rest of the summer.

Camp Lightheart is a free sleepover camp in Rhinebeck, New York for kids from 8-15 who have a parent with breast cancer.

Finally, perhaps your child already suffered a loss … and you’re reading this from a caregiver perspective, comforting a child who lost a parent to breast cancer. Well, for you there’s Camp Comfort Zone: “a fun and safe place for grieving children” ages 7-17 across the country who have experienced the death of a loved one. Camp Comfort is held primarily in Richmond, Virginia with a satellite program in New York/New Jersey area. The program is free and some travel scholarships are available.

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Summer Camps for Children of Parents with Breast Cancer

(Source: Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

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A Breast Cancer Statistic

The most proven and significant risk factors for getting breast cancer are being female and getting older.

(Source: Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

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A Breast Cancer Statistic

Have you not heard of the book by Elizabeth Kahn and Victoria Kahn? Well, here’s a synposis:

“Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe — a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. But when her hue goest too far, can Pinkalicious figure out a way to get out of this predicament?”

After being tickled pink by the cast of the smash Off Broadway production, my daughter met the cast, got their autographs, ate a pink cupcake (just one!), got her nails painted pink, made a pink cupcake craft and left with a Pinkalicous goody bag.

Today’s event benefitted Susan G. Komen for the Cure Connecticut and was sponsored by Pepperidge Farm (thank you!).

If you’re in the New York area and have time before May 25th — and you have a daughter (or a son!) that is crazy for pink — check out this show.

Meanwhile, enjoy this Pinkalicious picture of me and my Pinkalicious girl!

(Image: Tim Lynch)

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Pinkalicious The Musical is a Pink Ribbon Performance