A Pink Portrait

Finally I can upload this post! It's been waiting in the sidelines - because it involved some holiday surprises that I didn't want to reveal ahead of time.
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Melissa - the first recipient
of The Wedding Pink.

Melissa (a BC survivor I met through the Young Empowered Survivor group) and Jeff (her then-fiancé) received a wedding giveaway a couple of years ago. It was made possible via The Wedding Pink, a giveaway presented to a couple whose lives have been recently touched by breast cancer. It's a spectacular event held for one couple each year. Cheryl Ungar, the founder, is a 21-year breast cancer survivor herself. Although the focus of this blog post isn't about the weddings she orchestrates and photographs, I would like to promote this wonderful opportunity in case blog readers know of well-suited couples (now, or in the future) that may want to apply for this giveaway. Check out this informative page for submission guidelines, what the wedding includes, and additional information. The three 'biggie' submission guidelines are:

- Your life must have been recently touched by breast cancer. The experience is not limited to the bride, but could be with the bride or groom's extended family.
- You must be engaged or soon-to-be engaged at the time you submit your story.
- Submissions are open to legal residents of the United States.

Cheryl's philanthropy doesn't stop there. She also set up Pink Portraits - complimentary photo sessions for breast cancer survivors. I knew about this opportunity in late 2011. I checked her web site occasionally, looking for new portrait subjects and their stories. I loved the pictures. I laughed, nodded, and cried when I read their stories. Still, I wasn't sure about contacting her or doing it until the time felt right. I hoped that time would sneak up on me. And it did!

Cheryl (photographer), and Natosha Cooke (makeup artist) arrived at our home and for the next two hours I got to know them, they got to know me, Natosha made me up (not clown face, just me - enhanced!), and Cheryl worked hard at trying to get her subject to "work it."  :)  It was a positive experience full of meaning.

When I saw her photographs from our session, I was in awe. And I wondered: Was that me?! How did she manage to capture my micro-expressions that so clearly express who I am? What will I look like a year from now? and on...

These pictures were taken after all of my surgeries and treatments. My hair had grown in and I felt better than I had in >18 months. Choosing to have pictures taken when I did ended up having a lot more weight and meaning than I anticipated. I think I look strong, calm, and maybe even a little mischievous in some of the photos.

I am reminded of what I've gone through and how life has changed for me.

I am reminded of my own mortality.
I see a person eager to live life.
I see a fighting spirit.
I see a loving being.
I see life. And possibilities.

To read my story as written by Melissa (yes--it's the same gal that's pictured at the top of this post), check out "I Rocked the Bald Look!" on Cheryl's blog.

~  ~  ~  ~  ~   Fundraising Update   ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

Please continue to help me raise funds to support awareness of and support for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. I am a TNBC warrior myself! 

My goal is to raise $3,333 by March 3, 2013. 
As of today, some of you have helped me raise $1,074. 
There are 6 days left to raise funds. 
Please help and/or pass on the word! 

Hey, tax time is just around the corner. Need to help your numbers with a charitable donation line item? This is one way to do just that!  

To go to my personal fundraising page, find out more information,
or to donate, click HERE.

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Help Raise Awareness/Funds for TNBC

Now that's a day with which I can identify!

I'm putting out an APB for all you blog followers out there far and wide. Here's the deal: In June 2011, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Boy, that was a day that quite literally rocked my world. What? - Me? Cancer?! Throughout the initial diagnosis and further tests to gain information about what my exact nemesis was...I wanted to learn as much I could about this journey and the sub-type of cancer that was calling my body "home." One statistic I learned early on is that triple negative breast cancers account for about 15% of all breast cancers.

Fast-forward to late January of this year: I found out the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (TNBCF) is having its inaugural TNBC Day on March 3, 2013. I really wanted to be part of this special day - which I hope continues in future years. So I submitted information about conducting an online awareness/fundraising campaign and was approved a couple of days ago.

Will you please help me meet my goal of raising $3,333 to support this valuable foundation by March 3, 2013? If the answer is yes - or even maybe - please click on the following link to be taken to my official fundraising page: The Ta-ta Times' fundraiser for TNBC. It's a lofty goal and a quick turnaround time, but I'm confident I can make a dent in my goal with your help (and by putting some of our own money where my mouth is, too)!

If you know others that have been diagnosed with triple negative BC, the TNBCF can be a great resource for them - to find information, learn accurate statistics, seek others with the same diagnosis, etc.

A bit about the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation:
The TNBCF was founded in 2006 in honor of Nancy BlockZenna, who was diagnosed at the age of 35 with triple negative breast cancer before succumbing to the disease in 2007. In response to Nancy’s diagnosis, her friends identified a need to create a central source of information for this dangerous and aggressive form of breast cancer, about which little was known just a short time ago. It is the Foundation’s mission to raise awareness of triple negative breast cancer and to support scientists and researchers in their effort to determine the disease’s definitive causes, so that effective detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment can be pursued and achieved.

The TNBCF supports the triple negative breast cancer community in many ways:
• They host regular “think tanks” which are attended by the top doctors and researchers in the field, to create roadmaps for a cure for triple negative breast cancer.
• They offer research grant support to encourage the launch of projects aimed at finding targeted treatments for triple negative disease.
• They co-sponsor a $6.4 million Promise Grant with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is aimed at finding a targeted therapy for triple negative disease.
• They offer a financial assistance program to help women with triple negative breast cancer afford transportation, child care and other expenses associated with their treatment.
• They continuously expand their website, www.tnbcfoundation.org, and offer an ever-growing resources section and up-to-the-minute information about the disease.
• They host online forums which offer the TNBC community a central place to go for support and information about the disease.
• They offer a TNBC Helpline, where patients can call and speak with oncology social workers specifically trained to address the needs of the TNBC community.
• They work to educate patients about TNBC through teleconferences and webinars, and with printed and online materials that have proven to be essential resources for newly diagnosed patients.

My goal is to raise $3,333 

to support the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation 

by March 3, 2013.

To donate, click HERE.

A Name

Whatever I call mine - at least
they don't look like hers!

What's in a name?

Is that which we call breasts by any other name just as good as the real thing?

My take on this is: not really. But it's the best runners-up option I've got.

What do I call what's on my chest now?

Boobs? Boobies? My chest? Tits? Breasts? Lady lumps? Lady bumps? Foobs (fake boobs)? Jugs? Hooters? Bee stings? -ha! No way! 

Breasticles? Cans? Sweater puppies? Fun bags? The girls? Headlights? The twins? Naughty pillows? Rack? Sweater meat? -nope, probably not that one, either. 

Melons? Bazongas? Rib cushions?

What would you call them if they were yours? Or, if you don't want to think that way, what would you call mine? C'mon! Get creative. I know you're out there . . .