The Power of One

Dear Blogger Family and Friends,

Happy Sunday, and every day thereafter! As always, the Pink Crusader welcomes you with a fist full of smiles and a pocketful of hugs! May your week sparkle as bright as the fireworks on the 4th of July!

"Though government has an important role to play in meeting the many challenges that remain before us, we are coming to understand that no organization, including government, will fully succeed without the active participation of each of us. Volunteers are vital to enabling this country
to live up to the true promise of its heritage."

-President Bill Clinton

In preparation for Independence Day and all the joyful celebrations and traditions that mark this unique holiday, we cannot forget the individual contributions of the original founding fathers that came together and brought forth this nation.

The cancer community is not unlike the nation (or world) in which we live. The components needed to keep things balanced and moving forward are very much the same. The spirit and determination of one person can bring amazing results in obtaining and keeping anything of value; yet, when you have many individuals coming together in a common spirit combining efforts and trying to reach similar goals, the end results are all the more amazing!

Whenever possible, I try to volunteer my services to various cancer groups in support of a cause, fund-raiser or special event. The more I volunteer, the more I become entrenched. The more I become entrenched, the more I am inspired. The more I am inspired, the more I want to volunteer. One act perpetuates into another and the end result is tremendous self-satisfaction from doing something positive for someone else.

I admit that being a volunteer does take time, effort and personal commitment. And, there really is no fame or fortune for the glory-seekers. However, if you have ever thought about lending your time in support of a particular cause, but felt some hesitancy about the expectations, I hope you will reconsider.

The very nature of being a volunteer implies that you give freely of yourself...within your comfort level and within your time constraints. Don't over think the process. Anything and everything is greatly appreciated. The more you give, the more you will get in return. It's a great way to meet people of varying backgrounds and have a hand in making a difference within the community. Never underestimate the value of your personal contribution. Never underestimate the power of one.

The Optimist Creed
by Christian D. Larsen

Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

Make all your friends feel there is something in them.

Look at the sunny side of everything.

Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

Give everyone a smile.

Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.

Be too big for worry and too noble for anger

Personal Note:
Thanks to Robyn Stein for this week's contribution, The Optimist Creed.

Good friend and fellow Rosebud, Rosemary Barr writes:
Dear Pink Crusader,

Though the 4th of July, Independence Day, has passed I want to share an
e-mail that I received from a school friend. It was sent to my
Brookline High School Class of 1957 list-serve by our Class President.
I went all through school with Fred, kindergarten though 8th grade
(elementary school) and 4 years of high school. I might add that Fred
was also President of our high school graduating class. I followed his
suggestion and I will reread the Declaration of Independence again
several times.

I had the good fortune to grow up in Massachusetts amidst many of the
historical locations and memorabilia from this vital time in our
history. When I visit "home" and revisit many of these places in
Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts and throughout the City of Boston,
I am still overwhelmed by the thoughts and feelings I experience when I
visualize and consider what took place on what I think of as "hallowed
ground".

I join Fred in suggesting that we all take the time to reread the
Declaration of Independence and pause and remember what this Declaration
gave to us. Unfortunately the true meaning and significance of July
4th, Independence Day, has been lost by so many of us as we think of it
as a day off from work to attend barbecues, parties and go shopping.

Peace and Blessings,
Rosemary Barr

P.S. I delight in my ongoing connection with many of my high school
friends and acquaintances after all these years. For the first time in
several years I will not participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the
Cure® on October 6, 2007 inasmuch as while you are walking/running in it
I will be in Massachusetts attending my 50th high school reunion with
many other members of Brookline High School Class of 1957. Really
looking forward to it. It's been 5 years since I have been "home" in
Massachusetts!

Subject: [BHS57] I offer you an important experience
I would like to offer all an opportunity for an important life moment.
This July 4th, on that day, read the Declaration of Independence. Don't
scan it, read it all the way through. Then just be quiet for a few
minutes and savor it and realize what those folks did, the odds they
faced in doing it, and the decency with which they went about it.
( "...pledge their lives, ... and sacred honor..") Unbelievable!
I do it every year and it actually moves me to tears. If only we could
recapture some of the sincere sentiment expressed in that document and
that event!
Happy 4th of July to all.
Fred Wilcon

Personal Note: Thank you Rosemary, for sharing your personal story as well as helping to raise the level of appreciation, signigicance and understanding of Independence Day and Old Glory. Every now and then it is good to be reminded that freedom is a precious gift which we should not take for granted. And, please have a wonderful time at your 50th high school reunion. Travel and enjoy in good health!

FYI:

Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act Update

From the NBCC (National Breast Cancer Coalition)
The environment and breast cancer: what to do about it? Help us make the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act (BCERA) law! This bill will authorize the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to make peer-reviewed grants to collaborative centers to study environmental factors that may be related to breast cancer. If the environment has any connection to the cause of breast cancer, we need to know. Let's get the country behind this national approach to the issue. Because of NBCC grassroots advocates? hard work, BCERA has, in addition to its two lead sponsors, 63 cosponsors in the Senate and 250 in the House. That's great, but we need to take it to the next level.
NBCC is asking Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Sen. Mike Enzi (D-WY) to schedule BCERA (S. 579) for markup in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. There are then a number of options to consider in order to achieve passage. With the bipartisan support of the majority of both houses of Congress, as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) public commitment to pass it this year, one thing is sure - BCERA is moving forward, thanks to the hard work of NBCC and our grassroots breast cancer advocates.

Reprinted From Newsletter dated June, 2007

Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation: Attention Action Network

As of now, we have 65 Senators and 251 House cosponsors of the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act (S.579/H.R. 1157). Thank you for all your calls and faxes that have resulted in all these cosponsors. There are two key Texas Representatives who have not signed on as cosponsors that we need to target. Representative Michael Burgess office staff during a May 1st lobby day visit said the Congressman would sign on as a cosponsor which has not happened. The National Breast Cancer Coalition is also targeting all members of the Women’s Caucus that have not cosponsored. Representative Kay Granger is the only woman in Texas who has not cosponsored. So these are the two targets.

Thanks,
Dale Eastman, Vice-President
Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation
Texas Field Coordinator National Breast Cancer Coalition
3715 Hunters Point
San Antonio, Texas 78230
Phone: 210-492-2554
Fax: 210-492-3318
HELPLINE: 210-692-9535
Website: www.alamobreastcancer.org

Groundbreaking Research

Y-ME Advocacy wants you to know your options when it comes to breast cancer.

Clinical trials, also known as research studies, are an important treatment option for breast cancer patients and are vital to continuing progress in the fight against breast cancer. The goal of clinical trials is to discover improved treatments that help cancer patients. Clinical trials provide newfound knowledge on cancer and make way for groundbreaking treatments and discoveries.

If you or someone you know is affected by breast cancer, Y-ME Advocacy encourages you to consider participating in a clinical trial. At the very least, clinical trials provide you with the current standard of treatment or a new, and possibly more effective treatment.

A few facts about people participating in clinical trials:

97% felt they were fully informed on risks and benefits
96% felt they were treated with dignity and respect
92% had a positive experience
91% would recommend a trial to others
Statistics from the 2005 "The Need to Know" survey, Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups

Visit http://www.y-me.org/information/clinical_trials/ and find out if a clinical trial is right for you! Contact our 24/7 hotline and speak with a Y-ME peer counselor and breast cancer survivor. Our peer counselors are ready to answer any questions you may have about breast cancer and clinical trials. Call 1-800-221-2141 (English) or 1-800-986-9505 (Spanish).

The Sister Study

If you have not experienced breast cancer, but your sister has, you may qualify to participate in the Sister Study. The Sister Study is the only long-term study of women aged 35 to 74 whose sister had breast cancer. It is a national study to learn how environment and genes affect the chances of getting breast cancer. In the next 3 years, 50,000 women whose sister had breast cancer, and who do not have breast cancer themselves will be asked to join the study.

Current enrollment for the Sister Study has risen to more than 35,000, but that is still short of the 50,000 needed. Check out their site to see a video and find out if you or someone you know qualifies. http://www.sisterstudy.org/

Reprinted from the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization online newsletter. Y-ME Advocacy is dedicated to influencing legislation and increasing awareness, research and treatment options for breast cancer. www.y-me.org/events

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!

ROSEBUDS MEETINGS
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
JULY 3 & 17 AUGUST 7 & 21 SEPTEMBER 4 & 18

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.
JULY 12 & 26 AUGUST 9 & 23
SEPTEMBER 13 & 27 www.RosebudsSupport.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 July 17th, September 18 and November 20th. For further information call 281-546-6438.

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

"The Faces behind Breast Cancer" Launch Party
Sunday August 26, at 1:00 pm.
Marriott Westchase, Houston
Details posted in May 27th blog and web site www.pinkcrusader.org

Living Fully with and Beyond Cancer
M.D. Anderson Network's 19th Annual Patient and Caregiver Conference
September 6-8 2007 Registration begins June 11
Marriott Westchase - Houston, Texas
For more info call 1-800-345-6324 or visit www.mdanderson.org/patientconference

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

2007 Breast Health Summit
The 2007 Breast Health Summit will 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. If your mailing address has changed, please be sure to forward the updated information to Pat Dames at pdames@the-rose.org
The Rose
12700 North Featherwood
Houston, TX 77034
281-464-5150
Fax 281-484-7083
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.

"I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live.

Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to the future generations."

- George Bernard Shaw

Until next week, stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing under the dawn's early light.

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com