PENSIEVE

I Pink, I Can

Think "pink" and what is your mental default? 

• An ice cream parlor (studies suggest pink stimulates sweet cravings)?

• Little girls in ribbons and lace?

• Valentine hearts & roses?

...or breasts?

During the month of October, I suppose many of you are like me--thinking about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  E.V.E.R.Y.where you turn, retailers and corporate America turn shades of pink themselves, so unless you're living under a rock, you already know this.

My long-time blog friend, Kathy (aka the Swampwitch) is hosting a month-long tribute to those who've battled cancer.  She's celebrating survivors and honoring those who lost the fight.  If you or loved ones fall into either category, you're invited to join her. Here are the reasons I most despise cancer, and why I want to encourage you to "do something"--

My daughter and I joined a group from our school, and for the second year in a row, walked in our local Race for the Cure.  If you've never participated, I wish you'd consider doing so--the affirming atmosphere will overwhelm you.  Another FANTASTIC way to give to others is to click this every day!  Bookmark it, then just click it!  Sponsors, in turn, will donate mammograms to those in need.   

Below you'll find a running list of personal weblog postings and businesses who support research for breast cancer. If you've written an applicable post or know of a company I can include in this listing, will you leave your/their URL in comments (thanks!)  Wouldn't it be cool if it was a mile long???

• Swampy's Stomp Through Blogville Against Breast Cancer
• National Breast Cancer Foundation
• Yoplait Yogurt (donates 10 cents/lid to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, up to $1.5 million)
• Susan's Snaps & the Susan Carver Foundation (whom I discovered at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Atlanta)
• yours?

Save the Ta-Ta's

Saturday, Rachel and I walked in our local "Race for the Cure".  Because it was the first time I've ever participated in this event, I had no idea what to expect.

I certainly didn't expect to be overwhelmed.

Overwhelmed, is precisely what I was.

The atmosphere was one of the most positively electric- charged rallys I've ever attended.  What caught me most off guard was the number of MEN attending...the number of children attending.  This was NOT a chick event--it was a FAMILY affair.

Seeing that was the first time I got a lump in my throat.  The second time was when I called my sister to tell her what I was doing (she's a TEN-year survivor!!  Breast cancer robbed us of our mother when we were children, who in turn was robbed of her mother when she was just a baby).  The third time was when the runners took off.  The fourth time was when they photographed the survivors, spotlighting six-month...one-year...five-year...ten-year...25-year+ survivors!  The fifth time was when I saw Rachel had pinned on an "I race in memory of my grandmother" tag.  The sixth time...you get the drift.

It was a time of celebration--of life and progress in the fight against breast cancer.  I heard later our local event was chaired by a male breast cancer survivor, the first time that has taken place (here, anyway).

Next year, I won't wait til the last minute to decide to take part; I'm hopeful our entire family will be walking--or running--in honor of, and in celebration of, women who were responsible for MY life, and those who continue to be a part of it :).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

More ta-ta-talk-and-then-some.....

Don't they look ready to walk?

I didn't know these ladies, but their team tee shirts were my favorite.  I wonder if they care that I've posted their picture? They sure were quick to strike a pose for a complete stranger without asking any questions, lol.

I really don't care if retailers are making money off the Cause; at least they're bringing attention to Breast Cancer Awareness AND the packaging looks much prettier, yes?

My favorite tee shirt of the day bore this message from the imaginative minds at "Save the Ta-Tas":

Of course, because my blog is all about honesty (and apparently waaaay TMI), this is the version I'd be sportin':

Mercy me, I think I've about worn this TOPic out, so I'm closing with a little more pink...I'll be keeping this in my sidebar for the rest of October for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Additional links:

Susan G.Koman Foundation
I-hate-this-sitename-but-it-has-good-information-anyway;)
HT:  Mert, for pointing me in the direction of a lot of this 4-1-1