What's Your Story

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

Welcome to the Pink Crusader Blog Spot. As always, I greet you with a big smile and warm hug. You know how much I look forward to your weekly visits, so come on in and stay awhile!

"If you have anything really valuable to contribute to the world it will come through the expression of your own personality, that single spark of divinity that sets you off and makes you different from every other living creature."

-Bruce Barton

For the past five months, since the inception of The Pink Crusader in December 2006, I have shared my weekly story of survival with all of you, along with unsolicited opinions, wistful ponderings and amusing mis-adventures. I stumble through life trying to figure things out as I go along......and hope for a soft landing.

Overall, I'd say you have a pretty good idea of who I am and what I'm all about. Basically, I'm one of you. And, in my own small way, I'm just trying to raise cancer awareness, spread a little good will and promote a sense of well being through my humble blog spot. I work extra hard at keeping it upbeat, yet real. If you want something more clinical (or cynical).....better watch T.V. or grab a book. However, if you want "Sex in the City meets Cancer Girl," (the emphasis being less on sex and more on cancer) you've come to the right place.

Today, I would like to turn the table around and invite you to respond in kind. It is my pleasure to invite all of you to share your thoughts, opinions, stories and events with me. Who are you? Where are you? How are you? I want to get to know you better. Don't be shy. Everyone has a story regarding their own personal journey.

Whether you are the patient, caregiver, friend or volunteer, consider this space as an opportunity to speak your mind. Others will benefit by what you have to say and that in itself can make all the difference in the world. Submit your written contributions (approximately four paragraphs) to the Pink Crusader at: thepinkcrusader1@aol.com

PERSONAL NOTE: Thanks to the Pink Lemonade Guild for the delightful luncheon featuring author Beth Irvine, last Wednesday at Ouisie's Table. As always, it was a very enjoyable and informative event....plus my friend Rosemary Barr and I had the opportunity to meet many new faces, which is always a pleasure in itself. We also wish Beth good luck with her upcoming national book tour for "Healthy Mother Healthy Child."

DAILY REMINDER:
"Fund Free Mammograms"
Go to The Breast Cancer Site at http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/tpc/EEB_0115_BCSm
and help fund free mammograms for the homeless, working-poor, and un-insured women. It costs nothing to you, except one daily click on the pink "Fund Free Mammograms" button. You can even request automatic reminders via e-mail. Please make your free click now, and thanks for your continuing support! The Breast Cancer Site, One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 1000, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 1-888-811-5271

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure 2007 Pink Ribbon Reception
Honoring Affiliate Members & Volunteers
Thursday, April 26, 2007, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane
Free to Affiliate Members

Relay for Life of Cy Fair College
American Cancer Society Overnight Event
April 27 & 28, 2007, 7:00pm - 7:00am
www.acsevents.org/cyfair for info & registration

Breast Cancer: Its Effect on Spouses & Others
Saturday, April 28, 2007 8:30am - 1:00pm
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Cancer Prevention Bldg, 8th Floor
1155 Hermal Pressler RSVP by April 23 (713)792-8208
The Beth Sanders Moore Young Breast Cancer Survivor's Program
www.mdanderson.org/youngbreastsurvivor
Email: bsmp@mdanderson.org

Susan's Rally
Sunday, April 29
For info: 713-526-2747
www.susanrally.org

Rosebuds Meetings
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
MAY 1 & 15 JUNE 5 & 19

The 2nd Annual Cancer Patient & Caregiver Conference
Friday, May 4, 2007. Registration:9:00am
Program begins at 9:30am-2:30pm.
Dr Michael Keating from MD Anderson will be the keynote speaker.
Location: United Way Building 50 Waugh Drive.
To Register: 713-520-9873 Contact Person: Elizabeth Wilson
www.cancercouseling.info

Relay For Life of Angelina County
American Cancer Society
May 4th & 5th, 2007
Lufkin Middle School

Relay For Life® is a fun-filled overnight event designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer in our community. At the event, we celebrate survivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society in its mission to save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to fight back.
http://www.acsevents.org/angelina/positivepinkdynamite

Rosebuds II Meetings
(For those who have had or are at high risk
for recurrence and/or metastasis)
2nd and 4th Thursday of each month 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
MAY 10 & 24 JUNE 14 & 28
www.RosebudsSupport.org

Walk to Empower
3-Mile walk, Sunday, May 13, 2007
MacGregor Park, Houston, Tx 9:00am
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
No Fee Register online at www.y-me.org

The Alice Thomsen Lymphedema Awareness Group of Houston
Meetings are scheduled on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month at the American cancer Society Building,6301 Richmond (between Hillcroft and Fountainview) at 7:00pm. The 2007 dates are May 15th, July 17th, September 18 and November 20th.
For further information call 281-546-6438.

CanCare Survivors Day Luncheon
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2007
For More Info: patwh@cancare.org
As most of you know our Survivors Day Luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 31 at the Intercontinental Hotel. Our luncheon event is a wonderful way to honor friends, family and employees who are cancer survivors and the medical communities who treat them. Our keynote speaker is Scott Hamilton, who is considered to be the world's most celebrated figure skater. In addition to being a role model and humanitarian, Mr. Hamilton is also a ten-year testicular cancer survivor.

2007 Komen Survivor Party
August 22, at The Houstonian
Details to be announced in future posts.

"The Faces behind Breast Cancer" Launch Party
Save the date, Sunday August 26, at 1:00 pm.
Details will be announced in future posts.

Living Fully
M.D. Anderson Annual Conference
September 6-8 2007
Marriott Westchase - Houston, Texas
Additional information is not available at this time.

Tour De Pink 2007
Pink Ribbons Project
September 9, 2007
at Prairie View A&M University
www.tourdepink.org
Additional info in future posts.

2007 Breast Health Summit
"SAVE THE DATE" for the 2007 Breast Health Summit to be held on October 18, 2007 at the United Way in Houston. Please pass this information on to others who may be interested. Additional information will be sent out later by both e-mail and postal mail. And of course, if your mailing address has changed, please be sure to forward the updated information to me. I look forward to seeing you in October!
Pat Dames
The Rose-
12700 North Featherwood
Houston, TX 77034
281-464-5150
Fax 281-484-7083
pdames@the-rose.org
www.the-rose.org

"Sharing is Caring"
As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, and events. Posts are updated every Sunday. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com.

This concludes our weekly edition of the Pink Crusader. See you next week!

"Cute is when a person's personality shines through their looks, like in the way they walk. Every time you see them you just want to run up and hug them."

-Unknown

Until next week, stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing that cute little dance.

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com