It’s that time of year again.\u00a0 \u00a0The air turns cool, the leaves turn beautiful autumn colors as they drift to the ground, the air is scented with the heady aroma of pumpkin spice, and ghosts and goblins prepare for their night of debauchery.\u00a0 \u00a0And inexplicably,\u00a0 everything is pink.<\/p>\n
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Yes, my friends, it is Pinktober.<\/p>\n
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We hold walks, bake pink cupcakes, and say we are supporting the fighters.\u00a0 For one month out of the year.\u00a0 But for those of us who have battled the disease, the awareness continues for the eleven months between Pinktobers.\u00a0 We need to do more.<\/p>\n
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Now, I have no complaints about the color pink.\u00a0 It’s actually my second favorite color.\u00a0 I don’t even have a problem with its association with breast cancer awareness.\u00a0 I love all my pink sisters.\u00a0 What I find irksome is that we need a month for awareness.\u00a0 After decades of the pink blitz, most people are aware that breast cancer is a horrible disease.\u00a0 I think we need to focus less on awareness, and more on practical support that reaches out to women directly.<\/p>\n
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Here is what I suggest if you want to support our fight:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1.\u00a0 Donate to a reputable research organization.\u00a0 \u00a0Find a group that will make the most use of your dollars.\u00a0 \u00a0There are wonderful research groups that are trying to make lifesaving discoveries.\u00a0 But please be aware that some organizations use donations in varying ways.\u00a0 \u00a0Look for one that is funding research, not excessive administrative expenses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And when it comes to research, we are failing our stage 4 warriors.\u00a0 Stage 4 breast cancer is never cured, it is only treated.\u00a0 But only a fraction of the research is focused on this group.\u00a0 Breast cancer does not kill – we die when it spreads to other parts of our body.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n **Not sure where to donate?\u00a0 Do some research on Charity Navigator<\/a>\u00a0or Consumer Reports<\/a>\u00a0.\u00a0 And please check out Metavivor<\/a> for more information on stage 4 research.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2.\u00a0 Give directly to someone in treatment.\u00a0 Make a care package, offer to drive her to treatments, take the kids for an afternoon, or chat about non-cancer life over a cup of tea.\u00a0 Give gas cards to your local cancer center.\u00a0 Crafty?\u00a0 Make shawls, blankets, and hats to donate.\u00a0 There are ladies in your neighborhood who need help.\u00a0 Contact your local hospital, cancer center, or support groups to find out how to find them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n **Many patients feel like they are abandoned by family, friends, and their local community.\u00a0 \u00a0The best thing you can do is make them feel loved!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 3.\u00a0 Celebrate a survivor in your life.\u00a0 Take them to lunch and a pedicure, send them a card, call them and ask how they are doing.\u00a0 They need TLC long past their treatment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n **Did you know many survivors suffer from anxiety, depression, and fear?\u00a0 Side effects last long past treatment.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4.\u00a0 If you are a survivor, share your stories, both the good and the bad.\u00a0 Let others know what you wish you had understood prior to your diagnosis and treatment.\u00a0 We know more than anyone how paralyzing it is to hear the words, “You have cancer”.\u00a0 Let’s pay it forward, and help the next ladies who come after us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Let’s re-invent Pinktober!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We need to change the focus of the conversation.\u00a0 \u00a0Let’s work together to provide support to those in treatment, and to survivors.\u00a0 Let’s fund meaningful research.\u00a0 At this point, we know what we need.\u00a0 Practical support.\u00a0 For all women.\u00a0 Let’s make pink positive again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"