On Friday, April 27, 2012, Pantene & Seventeen Magazine will be holding the first ‘National Donate Your Hair Day’. Together, these two companies will be teaming together in collecting hair for use in wigs donated to cancer patients, free of charge. The program, Pantene Beautiful Lengths, is run year-round and always collecting donations. Donors must send a minimum of eight inches of hair to be able to style it into a fashionable wig. The wigs will be crafted and made by HairUWear® and then sent to the American Cancer Society, adding to the 18,000 hairpieces that have been given away since the program began in 2006. Seventeen Magazine is now joining the cause to help spread awareness as well as helping in the call for nationwide donations for this great day. So find your nearest salon, sit in that seat, and make the cut!

Please send your donations to:

Pantene Beautiful Lengths
Attn:192-123
20770 Westwood Drive
Strongsville, OH 44149

(For a donation guide with requirements and a complete list of instructions, click the link below)

http://www.pantene.com/en-us/beautiful-lengths-cause/Pages/donation-guide.aspx

The Pink Ribbon Diet

Dr. Mary Flynn researched the effects of an olive-oil-and-plant-based diet on women who had previously undergone treatment for invasive breast cancer.  In her book, The Pink Ribbon Diet, she reveals how this diet has been effective in helping women who have had breast cancer and those at risk of getting it to avoid unhealthy weight gain and safeguard their health.  It features 150 recipes that naturally emphasize Mediterranean foods with nutrients thought to lower breast-cancer risk and foods that improve biomarkers, indicators of risk.

Betty Crocker’s Living with Cancer Cookbook

General Mills’s Pink Together initiative is a supportive online community that links 500,000 cancer survivors and their supporters, letting them share photos, personal stories, and recipes. Now, in partnership with Pink Together, this inspiring special edition of the Living with Cancer Cookbook has been updated and revised to include the inspirational stories of Pink Together community members.  It includes 130 recipes that are specially designed for those undergoing cancer treatments and the loved ones who care for them.

The Cancer Fighting Kitchen

The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen features 150 science-based, nutrient-rich recipes that are easy to prepare and designed to give patients a much-needed boost.  Not only are recipes designed to stimulate appetite, but they also address treatment side effects including fatigue, nausea, dehydration, mouth and throat soreness, tastebud changes, and weight loss. A step-by-step guide helps patients nutritionally prepare for all phases of treatment, and a full nutritional analysis accompanies each recipe. This remarkable resource teaches patients and caregivers how to use readily available ingredients to build a culinary toolkit.

What to Eat During Cancer Treatment

Author and food columnist Besser teams up with three registered dieticians to create this handy reference guide for cancer patients and caregivers. More than 100 recipes are included, classified by the side effects they help abate-nausea, weight loss, taste alterations, digestive issues, difficultly swallowing, and more.  The book emphasizes familiar and comforting foods while offering dozens of new suggestions for each symptom. Each recipe is written clearly, with nutritional information as well as suggestions for substitutions and leftovers.  It also includes ideas for a portable survival kit, including drinks, crave-busting snacks and tips for dining out!

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The official International Women’s Day website explains the history of the day. It goes into detail on how recent years have witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality. It explains that although women have made great strides in the boardroom, legislative rights, visibility, and are seen as role models in every aspect of life, unfortunately there is still great work to be done in terms of women’s issues and their position in society.

However, the tone of International Women’s Day for the past few years has shifted from a reminder of the shortfalls of women’s equality to a celebration of the positives! This year the theme is “Connecting girls, Inspiring Futures.”  While the theme changes every year, it was hoped that this year the thousands of events held globally would also include young women.  These young women, a part of the next influential generation, would then be inspired globally.

International Women’s Day has a special place in the heart of THE Breast Cancer Fundraiser. Breast Cancer survivors and advocates for the cause are a constant inspiration and the theme of connecting a younger generation to a good cause is truly important to us.

As we celebrate the progress that has been made for women in society, we’d also like to take an opportunity to examine how health issues are affecting women around the world.  Currently breast cancer is one of the top cancers in the developed and developing world.  So on this day of celebration of women’s lives and achievements, we encourage you to continue to educate yourselves on women’s health issues and spreading breast cancer awareness.  You can make a difference by thinking globally and acting locally to continue on the fight against breast cancer!

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The organization was created to prompt philanthropic involvement amongst a generation of young professionals. THE Breast Cancer Fundraiser is going to reach their goal by:

• Organizing annual fundraising events in each market where young professionals can afford to give and participate in philanthropic outreach
• Advocating the importance of value added services to newly diagnosed and young breast cancer patients and families
• Joining corporate partners whose passion for young professionals match THE Breast Cancer Fundraiser’s mission

Annually, THE Breast Cancer Fundraiser holds funky and festive cocktail parties to raise money for local charity organizations, empowerment of women, and honor local breast cancer survivors and fighters.  Also, the organization has THE Ambassador Program which is an opportunity for young individuals who are passionate about breast cancer awareness and research. These individuals are the ambassadors for their cities, and help with the coordination of networking for THE Breast Cancer Fundraiser in the local area.  This program gives the chance to many young professionals to give back and be a part of a thriving organization.

We encourage you to take a look at past events and can’t wait to see you at the next cocktail party!

At THE Breast Cancer Fundraiser we are always impressed by the incredible stories of how people turn their passion for breast cancer awareness into movements that are making a real impact. Today we would like to recognize the 26.2 with Donna Foundation.  They are dedicated to creating events that will help raise funds for breast cancer research and help empower women affected by it.  The founder of this organization is an amazing woman, Donna Deegan.  After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she reached out to women who couldn’t make ends meet while they were undergoing treatment. Donna decided to use her love of running as a way to support the fight against breast cancer and as a result she established The Donna Foundation.  Since Donna is an avid marathon runner, she chose to start her own. Since then, 26.2 with Donna is the only marathon in the country that sends 100% of the proceeds to breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic and to women living with breast cancer through The Donna Foundation.

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As most of us know, chemotherapy can have damaging effects on our mind and body.  Chemotherapy not only kills cancer cells, but also our healthy cells because it cannot tell the difference between the two.   During treatment uncomfortable side effects do occur, but often it is the best option for a successful outcome.  Patients will experience weight loss, a possible change in taste buds, and weakness.   It’s important to understand that taking care of yourself is extremely important when you are putting your body through this kind of trauma to minimize the side effects.  Here are five amazing tips on how to help you get through chemotherapy:

1.  Taste Bud Changes-

It’s not uncommon to experience changes in your taste buds.  The nerves in your tongue give you the ability to perceive taste differently and you may have cravings for salty or sweet foods or no appetite at all.  This is nothing to worry about, when the treatments are over the changes in taste go away.  Mean while, try experimenting with other foods.  You may find something you like that you can add to your new diet.  In fact, in order to work with these changes you WILL have to modify your diet and create a meal plan.

2.  A new Diet Plan For Treatments-

Creating a new diet and meal plan for your new lifestyle will not be easy, but it may help with side effects from the chemotherapy.  Eliminating and adding new foods will seem over whelming, but with the right support and professional advice you will be able to achieve a successful plan.  Knowing what to eat and how much before your next appointment will help your treatments go more smoothly.

3.  A workout Plan-

Yes, I konw this may seem like the last thing you want to do, but studies show that increasing your activity level will help you eat and in return give you more energy.  Exercise is always the best healing for the body and soul.  Of course, before you engage in any kind of strenuous exercise, make sure to consult your oncologist as he may be able to give you some tips before hand.

4.  Ginger-

Yes, that’s right, I said ginger!  Studies have shown that ginger helps reduce nausea effects, which is one of the main side effects caused by chemotherapy.  Nausea causes vomitting, which in turn causes weightloss and fatigue.  Ginger supplements are offered over-the-counter, but it’s important to consult your oncologist before taking them because they can interfere with blood clotting.

5.  Keep Hydrated-

It’s so important to keep yourself hydrated during chemotherapy because you lose so much fluid during these treatments.  On top of the nausea, taste changes and loss of appetite make it difficult to keep yourself nourished.  Click here for some amazing tips to help you maintain your fluid intake, which is extremely important to your health during these treatments.

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From fleeing Nazi controlled Austria when she was young, to meeting her future husband Leonard Lauder on a blind date, Evelyn Hausner had a far from ordinary life. Shortly after her marriage to Leonard, Evelyn came to work for her mother-in-law’s then small cosmetic company Estée Lauder. Throughout the years she moved up within the company, eventually becoming Senior Corporate Vice President, and creating Clinique. She loved working with her husband, and his family, especially Estée, whom she had the utmost respect for.

It was in 1989, however, that Mrs. Lauder was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was from then on that she became an ardent supporter of breast cancer awareness and research. Starting in the early nineties, Evelyn Lauder became one of the most important supporters in breast cancer awareness when she created the Pink Ribbon Campaign, which to this day is a worldwide symbol of breast cancer awareness. She also established the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which has raised approximately $350 million since its start.

This past November, we lost this amazing woman to ovarian cancer. Mrs. Lauder was 75, and is survived by her husband, two sons William and Gary, and five grandchildren. Her legacy as one of the most influential advocates for breast cancer awareness will not be forgotten.

Nixon was diagnosed with breast cancer herself back in 2006, although did not announce it publicly till over a year later while doing an interview with Good Morning America. Nixon’s mother also battled breast cancer while she was a young girl so she was very aware of the likelihood that she one day could have it as well. Following a routine mammogram her doctor called her with the dreaded news. They had found a small lump in her right breast, requiring surgery immediately, combined with 6 weeks of radiation. Waiting until she was completely cancer free to make the announcement out of fear of the paparazzi hounding her at the hospital, she later became the official spokeswoman for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. If you didn’t love her as Carries hard-nosed lawyer friend, then you HAVE to love her now! Being in remission for almost 4 years, Cynthia wants to continually remind women of the old adage, “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” As she stresses the importance of routine checkups, she said “The only thing to really be afraid of, is if you don’t go get your mammograms, because there’s some part of you that doesn’t want to know, and that’s the thing that’s going to trip you up.”

Continuing on as a breast cancer advocate, a mother and again as a Broadway star, you can catch Nixon in this emotional yet funny play. Every big publication has given it two thumbs up and the Hollywood Reporter hailed it as, “powerfully moving experience.” So if you happen to find yourself in the city that never sleeps or you just need a great read before you’re ready to go to sleep, Wit is the golden ticket!! For more information on the show go to  http://www.broadway.com/shows/wit/

Photos curtousy of (clockwise): 1.) Open Library  2.) Pop Watch at Entertainment Weekly  3.) David Taylor at Smithsonian Journeys Blog 4.) San Fransisco Chronicle

Hearing the news:

All people with cancer react differently when they hear the news.  Some may want to discuss everything in detail with you, other may want to sit with you in complete silence, and other people’s moods might change everyday. One of the best things to ask a person with cancer is “ Would you like to talk about it”?  This takes out the guessing game of if you should talk about it or not, and allows them to tell you exactly what they want.

Ways of Coping:

People with cancer may suddenly want to vent with you and express their emotions.  Often times their emotions may be of anger or frustration.  Do not feel that you are the one they are angry at.  Instead, put yourself in their shoes, and try to imagine how anxious or scared you would feel.  Also, ask your friend or family member, “What are you feeling”?  This digs a little deeper than the average “How are you?”, but be prepared to hear anything.

Ways you can help:

Often you might feel like you are useless and cannot do anything to help your friend or family member.  Do not feel like that!  Here are some great ways to help:

-Do research on the disease so you will better understand the disease and be better prepared.

-If you do not know the answer to a question, do not answer.  Be honest, your friend or family member will appreciate it

- Silence is golden, just like what the movie theaters say before a film! Sometimes they may not want to talk, and a warm hug, or a loving look is just enough when you visit.

-Your friend is still the same person, so if you watched movies or played cards with them, you can still do those things!

Most importantly, remember this is not a cancer patient, this is your friend.

A picture is worth 1,000 words for most people, but for breast cancer patients a painting could mean inner thoughts and expressions that cannot be verbalized. Many treatment centers have brought in art therapy for patients to help express difficult emotions.  Art therapy allows the opportunity to exercise hand and eye coordination, and also can be beneficial to help relieve stress, anxiety, and emotional and mental problems. The patient’s work is their self-expressions of their life goals, needs, aspirations, and feelings.  Let some of these artists inspire you to try art therapy, and start creating work that will have more beauty and originality than you can imagine!

Pamela Crouch: An artist and an actress who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008.  While undergoing two surgeries and chemotherapy all she wanted was to live through to see her daughter graduate from the 8^th grade.  Soon after her chemotherapy treatments she began to feel the side effects of the therapy and started to feel sorry for
herself.  Crouch wanted to paint for others who were diagnosed recently or for those who have been going through treatments so she decided to pick up a paint brush and start painting bird houses with pink roofs. Soon after she started painting she found that you cannot feel sorry for yourself when you are doing something to make others feel better.

Meg Guttman:  A Breast-cancer survivor of almost 13 years, a dancer, singer, and an actress who wanted to find what made her happy throughout her cancer treatments.  She asked herself what would make her happy and all she wanted to do was have time to herself to reflect and be able to create projects with pictures and material.  Art therapy helped her mentally and emotionally get through her treatments.

Karen Austin:  Karen Austin is currently going through cancer treatments and she uses photography as an outlet.  Austin finds that taking photos can help her express her spiritual type of awakening.  She thinks art gives you something creative to do and offers a way to show a perspective of what you are going through.

Sue Lemmon:  A five year breast cancer survivor who found painting to be her outlet for emotions when being extremely ill during treatments.  She told herself day to day that, “while things can seem really bad, the sun is going to rise in the morning, and it’s going to be all right.” Lemmon urges others to go out and try art therapy, even if you don’t consider yourself an artist. She says, “You may not be a Picasso.  You may not be a van Gogh, but if you paint a flower, and it looks like a flower, and you’re happy with the flower? Hey. It’s good.”

If you want to see more breast cancer patients’ art work and stories go to http://www.livingproofexhibit.org/.  These ladies are proof that everyone can be artist!

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