Doctor in dramatic South Pole rescue dies at 57

A truly courageous fighter...may she rest in peace.

Doctor in dramatic South Pole rescue dies at 57- msnbc.com

Pink Ribbon Candle

Get this great pink ribbon candle at Kickin's Kreations!

More Beautiful Pink!

Here's some more pink for your every need and desire! Head over to DJStoreroom to pick up this beauty!

My First Donation!

I would like to publicly thank Jill J. for being the very first to support my 3-Day fundraising this year! Jill is a breast cancer survivor and retired elementary school teacher. She's also walked in the 3-Day!

Thank you Jill!

I have changed my fundraising goal to $500. Anyone who donates $5 or more will receive a thank you gift from me.

Thanks for your generous support!

Make a donation, get a gift!

To express my appreciation to everyone who donates to my 3-Day account, I am offering a small token to everyone that goes to my 3-Day page and makes a donation of any amount. As a crew member my fundraising goal is at least $250. If 25 of my friends, family and loyal readers each donate $10, my goal will be reached and everyone will get a little something as a thank you. And, of course, your donation is tax deductible!

Just follow the link at the top of the page!

Thank you in advance for your continued support!

Spirit Jump Update

A few weeks ago I sent out some spirit jumps. One was a pink ribbon fleece blanket I had made. It went to a young lady in Nevada who is battling breast cancer a second time. I hoped she would like it and didn't expect anything else. Imagine my happiness when I received a lovely card from her thanking me and telling me she was using the blanket! I felt good enough sending the blanket on its way; I had no idea I would actually get to hear that it was enjoyed! I sincerely hope that the blanket continues to make her feel a little cozier as she fights her battle!

For more information on becoming a spirit jumper. Visit the Spirit Jump website or the founder's blog "I kicked cancer's @ss". The links are both on the left side of the page.

On another note, 3-Day season is officially underway! If you're a Michigan crew member make sure you get your crew assignment form filled out ASAP!

Happy New Year!

If you're looking for a simple way to make 2009 better than 2008, I have just the thing for you! Meaghan, a young cancer survivor and owner of I Kicked Cancer's @ss, has started a new project called "Spirit Jump". The concept is a simple one. Cancer patients or their support folks email Meaghan to let her know that someone could use a little pick-me-up. Meaghan then emails her list of Spirit Jumpers. If there is a story that touches you, Meaghan will send the person's contact information to you. From there, you send a card or a small gift. The person feels better, you feel better and the world is a happier place for us all!

If you're interested in becoming a Spirit Jumper, go visit Meaghan and Stacy at Spirit Jump.

Rest in Peace...

A long time friend of the Michigan Breast Cancer 3-Day has lost her long battle at last. Please join me in sending condolences and good thoughts to her family and friends.

Keep her beautiful, fighting spirit alive this holiday season. Consider making a donation to the Komen Foundation, or another cancer charity of your choice.

Etsy Seller: WhatsUpYourSleeve

We all love hot beverages this time of year! Be kind to the environment and show your support for breast cancer awareness with this beautiful, handmade coffee sleeve!

Etsy :: Whatsupyoursleeve :: Whats Up Your Sleeve Fabric coffee sleeve Hope

Etsy Seller: CoastersAndCards

Next in my series highlighting beautiful, handmade pink ribbon items is CoastersAndCards. Two years ago she lost her father to lung cancer and her mother is currently in remission from breast cancer, so she is painfully aware of the distress cancer causes. Her pink ribbon cards are gorgeous and for every one she sells at $1.25, $1 is donated to breast cancer research.

Etsy :: CoastersAndCards :: Boobies A Bloomin' Breast Cancer Awareness Greeting Card

Etsy Seller: Moodwax

Today I am beginning a holiday series featuring some absolutely beautiful, handmade pink ribbon items. I hope you will consider purchasing some of these items for holiday gifts, or for your own enjoyment. Let's keep the hope of a cure alive all year!


Etsy :: Moodwax :: Candles for the Cure - 4 Awareness Votives

Today's item is brought to you from Moodwax. Moodwax is a candlemaker on Etsy.com who, as a young adult, lived in Florida and helped her grandmother in her recovery from breast cancer. She says, "I admire the strength she had thru her treatments, and in a small way I honor her memory and others who have gone through the same thing with these candles".

If you're interested in using these as a fundraiser, contact her for larger quantities.

Please use the link above to visit Moodwax's store. This holiday let's support a cure AND talented artisans.

Good Luck Dayna!

My friend begins her 60 mile journey next Friday in San Diego! Please join me in wishing her luck and no blisters! Maybe she'll be so kind as to give us an update when she's done.

Lots of New Links

Today I added many new links over there on the left of the page. At first glance you may wonder why some of them appear on a page dedicated to breast cancer and breast cancer events. Well, it's simple. I truly believe that not only do we need to find a cure for breast cancer, but we also need to think about preventing breast cancer (and all the other diseases of western society) and I also believe that to do that a massive cultural shift will be necessary. More and more studies are coming out showing that a diet consisting of mainly whole foods is healthier for everyone and may help to prevent several types of cancer. Evidence shows that today's children are highly disconnected from nature and it's affecting their mental and physical health. And, of course, our highly urbanized and industrialized environment is full of things that are making us sick, including carcinogenic compounds by the boatload.

So, please, take a look at some of the resources over there. Join me in making some changes. Baby steps are encouraged and allowed! Go to your farmer's market and buy some local produce that only drove a few miles to get there. Spend an hour a week outside enjoying nature. Turn off your TV for a few hours a day. As you build upon your first steps you'll find that you feel better physically and mentally and you'll be helping to build a better world for all of our children.

If you find yourself wanting to learn more, there's some excellent books out there. I recommend "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan and "Last Child in the Woods:Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder" by Richard Louv.

Michigan 3-Day Video and Fundraiser

My friend and fellow crew captain, Melanie, is taking the plunge! After crewing six events she is going to be a walker in '09! The video is her awesome handy work. She is offering up her skills as a fundraiser. For $15 you send her 3 songs and up to 120 pictures (you can send more for additional $) and she will put together a montage for you. It doesn't have to be 3-Day pictures. Make a video for someone's birthday, anniversary, wedding or just for fun! Proceeds will go to Melanie's fundraising efforts. If you're interested, contact me by leaving a comment or emailing me through my profile and I will get you in contact with Melanie!

Since you asked...

The lapel pin pictured in the post below is available in my Etsy store (there is a link under "other stuff to read" or click the icon above). I also have pink ribbon cell phone charms in that store. I will have other pink ribbon items available both in that store and here on my blog very soon. All the profits from my pink ribbon items goes into my 3-Day accounts and shipping is free. Plus, everything is handmade, so no two items are exactly alike!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I'm sure you're probably already aware of that, since you can't go anywhere without seeing pink ribbon merchandise and companies promising to make a donation if you buy their product, but it's important to remember the reason. Early intervention is key in treating breast cancer.

So, spread the word! Buy a pink ribbon mug, make a donation or take a friend (or yourself) for a mammogram. Remember that awareness saves lives!

Michigan Crew Day Today!

The Michigan 3-Day officially kicks off today with Crew Day! Alot of people don't realize that the crew meets for about half the day on Thursday for last minute meetings and trainings to ensure the event runs smoothly. As a matter of fact, several teams (route marking, camp logistics) will be officially "on event" in about an hour; for those teams, it's more like the Breast Cancer 4-Day.

Less than 24 hours until the route opens!

Shorter Radiation for Breast Cancer?

Here's an article from MSNBC.com that could bring some welcome news for people fighting early stage breast cancer. A shorter (and less costly) course of radiation was as effective as traditional radiation therapy in the studies outlined in this article. Hopefully, the conclusions hold up. Shorter radiation courses, according to the article, could increase the rate of breast conservation by allowing more women the option of lumpectomy followed by radiation, rather than a mastectomy.

Until there is a cure, any progress that leads to more successful, less debilitating treatment is welcome news.

Article on ClevelandWomen.com

There's a nice article on ClevelandWomen.com about this year's Cleveland event. It's interesting because the author started her piece "not getting it". From reading the message boards over at the 3-Day site, I know we've all dealt with skeptics and that we all have a different way of reacting. Well, here's a woman that, despite her skepticism, came out and talked to walkers, explored a pit stop and visited with spectators. In the end-she got it.

Shameless plug: my husband and I are pictured with a spectator at a cheering station in the 9th picture. In another picture you can see my son and mother-in-law in the background.

Cleveland '08- Day 3

Ahh, day 3. Always a great day in 3-Day land. You set out with such a feeling of lightness; after all, your two-thirds of the way there. You're going to get to the holding area and collect your victory shirt. You're going to have a wonderful closing ceremony. It's easy to get motivated on day 3.

Day 3 in Cleveland was incredible! After walking through Little Italy, lunch was at the botanical gardens. What a beautiful setting! As I was eating my lunch under a tree, I noticed some music. There was a young lady playing her guitar and singing on the other side of the gardens. It really added a nice, relaxing touch.

After lunch we walked through another park area that was having a "Walk and Roll" Sunday. The road was closed to motor vehicles to allow walkers, bikers, bladers, etc to have the run of the place. In addition to some really kind vendors along the way, the place was filled with cultural gardens for dozens of different countries. I really hope I get back there some time to visit the gardens when I have a little more time to enjoy them.

After coming out of the park, the rest of the walk was along the shore of Lake Erie. It really was a majestic sight. After making our way past the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the stadium where the Cleveland Browns play, we entered the holding area. Since there was a chance of rain, the holding and closing had been moved indoors to the Convention Center.

I really don't think I can adequately describe holding and closing to people that have not been there before. It's such a mix of emotions. You're relieved to have made it, you're happy to see friends and family and you're a little sad to be leaving. I had the pleasure of seeing my friend and fearless leader, Jordan (my Crew and Volunteer Coordinator in Michigan) carry in the "My Hero" banner to closing. And, of course, the survivor circle was an incredibly emotional moment. My favorite part of the ceremony involved some of the banners, but I'm not going to spoil the moment for anyone that might be participating in an event later this season.



I want to thank everyone involved in the Cleveland event. I had a great time and can't wait for Michigan in just a couple short weeks.