Silence Won't #FinishTheFight Sponsored Video #ad

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the American Cancer Society.


Are you one of those people who dread your birthday?  I'll be honest, last year I turned 35 and I was depressed by my birthday.  Thirty five sounded very grown up and although I am a mom of three, and I am reminded daily by my responsibilities that I AM a grown up, there are a lot of things in life that fall a little short of what I would have imagined for myself at this age.  But, as with all things in life, it's all about perspective.  Life shouldn't be about worrying about the things you haven't done.  We need to focus on the things we HAVE done and the things we still want to do.  And that's what the American Cancer Society is doing this week as the celebrate their 100th birthday.  A hundred years is a long time but ACS has done many great things.  As someone who's lost more people than I care to count to cancer, its easy to think that we're not winning this fight.  But we HAVE come along way.  Research and treatments are improving! The American Cancer Society has contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the US since the early 1990s. That means they have helped save nearly 1.2 million lives during that time.  All thanks to 15 determined physicians and business leaders who wanted to raise awareness of cancer back in 1913.  But the American Cancer Society also offers so much more than that.  If you've ever attended one of their Relay For Life events you know that they offer hope to families and cancer survivors.  They offer assistance to those in treatment by providing rides to treatment and they have amazing programs to help woman undergoing treatment feel and look their best.  I know first hand how much the American Cancer Society means to those in the battle with cancer.  So I hope you'll take part in their year long celebration of 100 years of great work by being a part of the ways they continue the fight...

This year and the years to come American Cancer Society wants to continue to ensure lifesaving cancer research gets funded.  They will undertake a historic research study called the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) that will help us understand how to prevent cancer and save lives. The goal is to enroll at least 300,000 adults from various racial/ethnic backgrounds from across the US by the end of this year.  With your help they can make sure that people facing cancer have the help they need, like a free place to stay during treatment and a ride to get there.  And keep fighting for everyone to have access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air and more.

A lot of great things have happened in the fight against cancer in the last 100 years.  Like a 50 percent drop in smoking since the 1960s, which has contributed to a drop in overall lung cancer death rates.  But there is much left to be done.  Silence won't finish this fight...so stand up and celebrate 100 years of great work by helping to continue the fight!

This post is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

#Pinktober Week 1 Photos

I don't know, it may seem silly to some. I know it's not changing the world or anything.  But this year I looked into my closet and realized I own a lot of pink (mostly dark pinks but still) and decided that I was going to wear pink every day of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness and in memory of my mom, whom I lost 3 years ago this month. 

Here's my first week in photos:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Football Fever

 This weekend was the first game that my son's team wore their pink socks in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I'd say his grandma was smiling down on him, even though he was benched for the first quarter because of issues at school and attitude with me.  But he and the rest of the defense rocked, completely shutting out the other team 0-20.  Pretty impressive considering their opponent held the possession for almost the entire first quarter. And at one point in the fourth quarter they were at the 9 yard line with a first down.  In four attempts they weren't able to get past the 1/2 yard mark!!!  Timmy had several really good tackles. 

 And my littlest buddy is turning into a great cheering partner.  For a little guy, he has some good lungs.  I can't imagine where he gets it. (I may have thought I'd be losing my voice for the second time this season.)

But would it be wrong to say that possibly the best part of the game was that it was played in a town an hour away from us where they are lucky enough to have a Sonic?  Celebratory Sonic was pretty darn tasty even if it was a little chilly out!

The Strength of 1

Get ready, get set, get checked! 

Now through the end of October, 2012, the makers of Freschetta® pizza are helping to promote breast cancer awareness through their new The Strength of 1™ campaign, which includes sponsoring Bright Pink, the only national non-profit organization focusing on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women, while providing support to high-risk individuals. The mission of this The Strength of 1™ initiative is to inspire everyone to realize they can make a difference in some way in the fight against breast cancer. 

I'm sort of embarrassed to admit it but I'm a little late on my annual exam.  I am usually vigilant. I HATE Dr (almost as much as dentists)and I am in general horrible about making time to take care of myself or spend money on myself.  But I'm simply too afraid not to take care of my female health because of our family history.  However, life has been a little extra busy lately.  So I am thankful for The Strength of 1's reminder to get an appointment scheduled.  Even if taking care of YOUR health is the only thing you can commit to doing this October, its enough to make a difference not only for you but for your family who depends on you. 

 Won't you head over to Take The Pledge?  

I occasionally receive compensation in the form of products for posts. However, the opinions I share are solely my own.”

PMS and Cancer SUCK!!!!

So last week I noticed several times that I felt a little over emotional.  There was also some stuff going on that added to that but I could tell the PMS beast was lurking.

But then Saturday I had some where to be with the boys.  I thought nothing about this location as I punched it into the GPS on my phone.  Then almost an hour from home I exited the highway and it took only seconds to feel the tightening in my chest.  At first I was too busy merging and navigating construction to understand why.  Then it hit me...the chipper voice of the GPS was guiding me within blocks of the building I visited many times during what has been the darkest time in my life...the last days of my mom's life.  I have never really shared much of her last days but when her round the clock care became too much for the family, she was moved to hospice care in a fabulous facility.  They were wonderful to our family.  They were kind and gentle with my mother.  They did their best to give her the dignity that cancer was viciously stealing away from her.  But no matter how many good things I can say about the people who cared for her, for us, there...that building, God anywhere down that street, it quickens my heart and puts a lump in my throat.  It is really the only PLACE where I can instantly be taken back to those horrible days.  I am thankful that it is almost an hour away and not a place we pass frequently.

On this particular day I was alone with the boys and minutes from a business meeting so I swallowed hard, wiped a few stray tears and said a silent 'I miss you' to my mom.

But that evening, I was catching up with my DVR and this commercial literally stole my breath away and the tears flowed...you really have to watch closely to get it.

Next week the PMS will be better...

But  CANCER WILL STILL SUCK!!!

Ford & The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation Celebrate 'Models of Courage'

We very excited to finally tell you this great news: The Ford Motor Company has chosen the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation (parent foundation to the Army of Women program) to be part of its new Ford Warriors in Pink^® campaign Models of Courage.

Ford joined the fight against breast cancer 18 years ago to raise awareness and funds. It’s new Models of Courage program was established to honor women and men from across the country who are inspirations to everyone involved in the fight against breast cancer.  And this year’s 11 Models of Courage aren’t just role models! As part of the Ford Warriors in Pink program, they are actually modeling the 2012 line of Warriors in Pink apparel and accessories, which includes everything from tank tops and yoga pants to ties, jackets, and sunhats. You can even design your own t-shirt!

We are especially pleased to let you know that 100 percent of the net proceeds of these sales go directly to the fight against breast cancer AND you can select the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation to be the organization you want to support! So start shopping today! And keep shopping throughout the year!

We are also encouraging everyone to go to the Ford Warriors in Pink Facebook page and let Ford know how happy they are that Ford is supporting the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and our mission to go beyond a cure and end this disease!

Sponsored Video: Here's to a world with less cancer and more birthdays

So thanks to Twitter, I was reminded this morning that this summer I will turn 35. I didn't love turning 30, I thought I should be more...something, by thirty. But for some reason 35 is more daunting to me. Each of these small milestones make me feel like I'm getting too old to not be the person I want to be. But I'm working on that, I'm making changes. But then I watch something like this video, and I remember, it's not about what I have or even so much what I've done, but appreciating each day I'm given. So this year, I'll be celebrating, not just for me but for all those, like my mom, who didn't get to celebrate ENOUGH birthday!

this post is sponsored by the ACS

Here's To More Birthdays!

Photo Source

 While most of the western world prepares for Christmas, our family is also in full birthday mode because all the boys birthdays are this time of year too.  And let's admit it, when you're working on hitting that TWO full hands age milestone, birthdays are SUPER special!  Trust me, I know.  My oldest just celebrated his last single digit birthday.  I LOVE birthdays, they were always a big deal in our house growing up.  But when a loved one gets that dreaded diagnosis, birthdays take on a whole new meaning!  
My mom was in her early 40s when she got her first diagnosis, so after her successful treatment, each birthday meant another year cancer free.  They were certainly victories for her, and for our entire family.  When my mom turned 50, I was beyond grateful and I felt the need to really celebrate it so we planned a great SURPRISE party for her.  It was a great time filled with lots of love and laughter!  And I think she was genuinely surprised which was a mega victory for me!
But despite that fabulous evening and many of my own memorable birthdays, the birthday that will forever be etched in my memory will be this one...

This was her last birthday.  She was very sick by this point and we were all aware the chances that this would be her last with us were very real.  I know people lose loved ones every day, but to walk through each celebration knowing that this is very likely your last with someone, is very surreal!  The mix of emotions that continually wave over you are confusing and overwhelming.  But you try to focus on the moment, to not LOSE that birthday while you mourn the ones you won't get to celebrate!


Much like the increased appreciation of these moments when you experience lost, is the increased appreciation for the work of American Cancer Society (ACS).  Some of their projects may seem inconsequential but to the cancer survivor (by ACS definition, someone becomes a survivor the moment they get their Dx) they can mean the world.  Being able to have some one to turn to who understands what you are going through, or to help you get to a treatment, or to help you feel good about the way you look THESE can greatly affect how a survivor feels mentally and emotionally and that makes a BIG difference in their ability to fight this horrible disease.


I truly believe in the work that ACS is doing, which is why I have participated in Relay For Life and raised a significant amount of money over the years.  So I was very moved to see the extensive list of celebrities who have given their voices to the Here's To More Birthdays campaign.


Watch the video below to learn more about the More Birthday's campaign and visit MoreBirthdays.com to send a Birthday eCard to a friend featuring artists from Biebs to Jack Black to Lady Antebellum. 



This post is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

Help Conquer Kids' Cancer with Spar Energy Chicago

Help Conquer Kids' Cancer by "Liking" Spark Energy Chicago on Facebook and Following on Twitter

 

Spark Energy Chicago to Raise Some Green for St. Baldrick's!  It's time to raise some "GREEN" for St. Baldrick's!  For every "Like" Spark Energy Chicago gets on Facebook and "Follow" on Twitter now through March, the company will donate $1 to The St. Baldrick's Foundation – to conquer kids' cancer.

•  www.Facebook.com/SparkEnergyChicago

•  www.Twitter.com/SparkEnergyChi

Make the Switch to Spark Energy and an Additional $25 Goes to St. Baldrick's

Want to raise more money for St. Baldrick's while saving 16% on your monthly electric bill?  Make the switch to Spark Energy (www.sparkenergy.com) and enter the code BALDRICKS and we will donate an additional $25.  Spread the word!

•  It’s simple to make the switch – just five quick steps!

•  Spark Energy will take care of the rest

•  www.SparkEnergy.com