The Race is On

Dear Blogger Family & Friends,

Welcome to the Pink Crusader blog spot where all visitors are one degree closer to the warmest hugs in town. Now that you are here, we invite you to come in and take the tour. Who knows, you may like what you see and decide to stay awhile...which is fine by us!

"The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep."

- Robert Frost

Time passes much too quickly, especially when "keeping busy" seems to be a way of life and not just a method of killing time. As we work our way through the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, we are reminded hour by hour, day by day, of how important it is to stay committed to promises made to ourselves and to each other.

Living in the Houston area, we are blessed with an incredible and resourceful cancer community which demonstrates that no-one has to "go it alone" in the Lone Star State. Saturday's turn-out for the 2007 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was a magnificent and overwhelming example of the greatness of this city and its people. Thousands of rain-soaked individuals lined up along the crowded streets of downtown with their sneakers and hearts pointed in the right direction. It was a joyful sight to behold as a participant and as an observer.

Of course, there is always room for improvement...but random acts of kindness can turn one's tragedies of life into lasting moments of subliminal joy. The willingness to share not only leaves us with a pleasant feeling, but may help us see things more clearly. It's the ongoing exchange of dialogue and ideas that can bridge the distance between ourselves and others. I learn from you and you learn from me. Pretty simple concept....yet humbling and powerful at the same time.

So, where do we go from here? Pick a direction...any direction, and you will be off to a good start. See you at the finish line!
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SURVIVOR UPDATE

From Julia Kerner:

Josie, my surgery went well. I am now recovering. Had surgery on both hands and now I am having therapy twice a week. Will see you at the meeting in Oct. We send our LOVE JULIA AND MRS. JOSIE

From Marcia Williamson:

Hello Friends:Just wanted to let you know the results of my checkup. There was no sign of cancer in the lymph node so no chemo needed, PTL! They were able to get clean margins, so NO more surgery needed. I will begin Radiation for 6 weeks in a few weeks. We are very thankful. Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Love, Marcia

From Beverly Slaughter:

Dear Friends and Family: I have accepted the challenge and am participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, 2 DAY WALK! We must raise $1800 to walk but my goal is $2500. I can make this goal with your help!

I am eager to get started with my fundraising and I need your support! Your contribution will help to support medical research into the possible causes of and cure for breast cancer, education and early detection programs, and clinical care and support services for women with breast cancer in communities across the country. There is a special focus on helping medically underserved women, the poor, minorities, the elderly, or those with inadequate health insurance. And much of the money granted by the Foundation goes back to the communities where it was raised, supporting everything from local grassroots programs to national organizations.

It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make a donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message. Whatever you can give will help! I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you for your support; you really do make a difference. To learn more and visit my personal page, go to: http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk2008/Houston?px=3462490&pg=personal&fr_id=1420&s_tafId=232528 - Beverly
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FYI
From Donna Fong:

This article is from an e-mail from Elyse Caplan, Edu. Dir. of Living Beyond Breast Cancer site . I found this small article in the overall lengthy piece and thought you may find it of interest.

Monitoring Metastatic Disease

If you are living with advanced breast cancer, you have multiple treatment options, but your doctors often have to wait months before knowing whether a selected treatment is working. CellSearch could change that.

The test uses a blood sample to count the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), which detach from some solid tumors and enter the bloodstream. If the cancer has CTCs, detecting the presence and number of these cells can help predict a treatment’s effectiveness while also providing information about prognosis, some studies suggest. For example, a blood sample that contains fewer than five CTCs may indicate a cancer that will be slower to progress; a blood sample with five or more CTCs may suggest a cancer more likely to progress quickly.

Based on CellSearch results, a doctor could potentially tell sooner whether a treatment is making a difference, instead of having to wait until symptoms appear during a physical exam or imaging test.

"The hope is that you would have this information well before you would normally do a CT scan or PET scan," Dr. Gralow says. "If the number of circulating cells goes down within a few weeks, this would be seen as an indication that the tumor would eventually respond. If not, then you might want to change therapy—but we don’t have the data yet that tells us whether changing sooner helps patients do better." \

A new clinical trial sponsored by the National Cancer Institute is designed to answer this very question. The Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) is now enrolling 500 women with advanced breast cancer in a trial that will evaluate whether those with elevated levels of CTCs after their first chemotherapy treatment can derive benefit from switching to a different chemotherapy regimen within just a couple of weeks, rather than waiting until the disease progresses.
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From the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC):
October is breast cancer awareness month. The time is now to tell the candidates that breast cancer issues matter to us -- and we vote on these issues.

Visit BreastCancerCaucus.org to watch the videos, read the responses and tell us which candidate you think has the best plan to eradicate breast cancer.

Cast your vote at BreastCancerCaucus.org before the end of breast cancer awareness month. And, stay tuned because later this month, we will be looking for your videos. So get your cameras and ideas ready!

Thanks for your continued support in the fight to eradicate breast cancer.
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From Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization:

Shopping for Pink: Does your purchase really make a difference?
Chicago, September 17, 2007 – This October, as stores fill with enticing pink products to benefit the breast cancer cause,
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization (Y-ME) is providing tips to shoppers so they can make thoughtful and meaningful consumer choices to ensure that their money really makes a difference.

“There are a few steps consumers can take to become informed about ‘pink’ promotions so they know how a contribution will can truly help those affected by breast cancer,” says Margaret C. Kirk, CEO of Y-ME:

1. Know where your money is going! If a product’s label is vague and only says "a portion of sales goes to support breast cancer" you may want to be wary. "A portion" isn't very specific--it could be $5 or it could be less than $ .01. Instead, look for labels that disclose how much of the purchase price is being contributed, to which organization it is going, and for what purpose.

2. Believe in the organization's mission. Y-ME’s mission is to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. Y-ME does not raise money for research; the organization is here today to help those who can’t wait for tomorrow’s cure.

3. Learn about the organization's finances and what percentage of the money raised goes to actual programs and services as opposed to overhead. You should be able to find its annual report and 990 form online. You can see Y-ME’s annual report at www.y-me.org in the “About Y-ME” section.

4. Find out what others say about the organization’s integrity. A leading Independent evaluator of non-profits, Charity Navigator, has awarded Y-ME its highest 4-star rating for sound fiscal management two years in a row. You can visit www.charitynavigator.org to see how the charity you're interested in is doing and even compare it to other organizations.

This October, Y-ME has teamed up with several generous partners who are committed to our mission to ensure no one faces breast cancer alone. Funds raised through these special retail programs this season will fund vital Y-ME programs and services such as Y-ME’s Hotline, the country’s only 24/7 Hotline, staffed by trained breast cancer survivors, with interpreters in 150 languages.

Boston Tea Company provides support to Y-ME through the sale of its Bentley’s Finest Teas “Tea Leaves for Life™.” One dollar of every tin sold will benefit Y-ME, with a minimum donation of $30,000. Available online at www.tealeavesforlife.com or at all Linens-N-Things.

Chicken Soup for the Woman Golfer’s Soul and Chicken Soup for the New Mom’s Soul will donate 2.5 cents per book sold to Y-ME through November 1, 2007. For more information on purchasing these books please visit http://www.chickensoup.com.

Dial Corporation Purchase Soft & Dri® anti-perspirant deodorant, specially marked pink edition Renuzit® Raspberry Adjustable, and Dial® Soy & Almond Milk Body Wash, and The Dial Corporation will donate $.10 per product to Y-ME. The promotion runs September 1 through October 31, with a maximum donation of $150,000.

Frankie B. and artist Maya Hayuk have a series of limited edition jeans and T-shirts for Y-ME. Jeans retail for $196 with a $40 donation to Y-ME; tees are available for $62 with $10 going to Y-ME. For more information and stores, visit www.y-me.org/october.

FTD.com is the Official Florist of Y-ME and and will donate 10 percent of the purchase price of six “Pink Ribbon Collection” bouquets from October 1-May 31, 2007. Flowers can be purchased at www.ftd.com beginning in October.

Golf Pride ® has partnered with Y-ME Eaton’s Golf Grip Division, in coordination with two new pink grip innovations, will donate 25 cents from each Golf Pride Tour Velvet® Pink and Dual Durometer™ Pink putter grip sold through January 2008. For more information, visit www.golfpride.com.

Hu-Friedy, market leader in dental hygiene products, supports Y-ME through the sale of the following products: $1 from its Scaler, $2 from the Y-ME Ultra Sound Insert and $2 from the Y-ME SH6/7 Scaler Redemption Article. The promotion runs through December 31, 2007 with a minimum donation of $20,000. For more information on the Y-ME instruments, professional dental hygienists can call 1-800-Hu-Friedy.

Marc Jacobs and fashion forward women’s online retailer, Shopbop.com, debuts a Marc Jacobs Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet in September. Fifty percent of each Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelet purchase benefits Y-ME. The exclusive bracelet is sold at www.shopbop.com for $88.00.

Panera Bread, in select Chicagoland locations, will donate $.25 to Y-ME from each Pink Ribbon Bagel sold during the month of October.

Shoe Carnival customers can help support all touched by breast cancer by purchasing a Pink Ribbon for $1. All proceeds will benefit Y-ME. For locations, visit www.shoecarnival.com.

Walgreens – Twenty-five percent of the purchase price of select Walgreens merchandise including socks, pins, hats, T-shirts, tumblers and mugs, will benefit Y-ME. Visit www.y-me.org/october for more information.

Not in the mood to shop? Plant a virtual flower and a donation will be made to Y-ME
Visit www.softndri.com to create a pink ribbon eflower, plant it in the online garden and send a flower to a friend. Each flower planted represents a $0.25 donation to Y-ME, for a total donation of $25,000.

About Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization’s mission is to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. Y-ME does not raise money for research. We’re here today for those who can’t wait for tomorrow’s cure.

Y-ME has the only 24-hour hotline staffed entirely by trained breast cancer survivors. Additionally, affiliates throughout the nation provide services such as support groups, breast health awareness workshops, wigs and prostheses for women with limited resources, and advocacy on breast cancer related policies in their communities.

The pink ribbon logo is inverted because it forms the “Y” in Y-ME. Also, we are “where to turn when your world turns upside down” by a breast cancer diagnosis.

Y-ME is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and annual reports and 990s available online at www.y-me.org. Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of nonprofits, gives Y-ME its highest rating of four stars for sound fiscal management. Y-ME meets all of the National Health Council's 41 Standards of Excellence, best practices that encompass the areas of governance, personnel policies, programs finance, fundraising, accounting and reporting, and evaluation.

For breast cancer support or information including publications and newsletters, visit www.y-me.org or call the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Hotline at 1-800-221-2141 (English, with interpreters available in 150 languages) or 1-800-986-9505 (Spanish).

Source: Y-Me Monthly e-mail Newsletter. © 2007 Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. All rights reserved.
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DAILY REMINDER #1:
THIS OCTOBER, 5TH ANNUAL PINK RIBBON CHALLENGE!
If clicks total 500 mammograms this month, our premier
sponsor will fund an additional 150 mammograms!
"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
Please click daily!

DAILY REMINDER #2:
Help eliminate Breast Cancer with a daily click at
http://breastcancer.care2.com/ebc-about.html
You'll be one of the first people to participate in the largest virtual mountain climb in the world! With every click, (or "step") you generate a donation to
eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer--for free. Sponsors pay for your click and fund The Breast Cancer Fund's programs focusing on environmental links to breast cancer. It only takes a second! The Breast Cancer Fund is the leading national organization focused on identifying – and advocating for the elimination of – the environmental and preventable causes of the disease. For more details on the organization’s work, visit www.breastcancerfund.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark Your Calendars and Save the Dates!

KNOCKOUT ROSES
A support group for women diagnosed under 40
2nd Monday of each month, @ 5:45
October 8, November 12, December 10
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Contact Amy Rigsby, Technical Director of The Rose
713-660-6675.

SOS SUPPORT GROUP MONTHLY MEETING
Monthly meeting open to breast cancer patients/survivors
in Fort Bend County. 2nd Tuesday of each month.
Next meeting October 9, 2007 7:00 - 9:00 pm
at Holy Cross Church in New Territory.

PINK RIBBONS PROJECT - SPECIAL EVENT
Wednesday, October 10th,7:00 PM at Brazos Bookstore
2421 Bissonnet, between Kirby & Greenbriar
Tom Batiuk, author of the Funky Winkerbean cartoon, has collected all the comic strips centered around Lisa – a character within the cartoon who battles breast cancer – into one book - Lisa’s Story: The Other Shoe. This is the national release of the book and Pink Ribbons Project is honored to be a part of it. We invite all of you to bring family and friends to celebrate this book and meet this wonderful author.

THE TEXAS KOMEN COMMUNITY CHALLENGE
The Komen Community Challenge is on a cross-country road trip, bringing our special brand of pink ribbon activism to 25 cities with a rallying cry to "close the gap" in funding for cancer research. Help us say it loud and clear in Texas! Come listen to live music, eat BBQ and wear pink in support of Proposition 15!

Our rally will feature inspirational speakers, a chance to meet and mingle with other breast cancer advocates survivors, community leaders and public officials from across the state and, of course, a call for all Texans to vote YES on Proposition 15 for the Cure on November 6th!We have made great strides in the fight against cancer, but we cannot lose momentum. We must continue to invest in finding the cures. Proposition 15 will create $300 million dollars a year for cancer control, prevention and research in Texas. We must make Texas the global leader in the fight to end breast cancer forever.

What: The Texas Komen Community Challenge - rally, live music and free BBQ
When: Wednesday, October 10, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Stubbs BBQ and Wallercreek Amphitheater - Downstairs Bar and Patio ~ 801 Red River, Austin, Texas 78701
Who: You and your friends and family - and make sure everyone wears pink!
Please RSVP today.

ROSEBUDS II MEETING
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
For those who have had or are at high risk for recurrence
and/or metastasis, 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
Next Meeting, Thursday, October 11, 2007
5:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Future Meetings: October 25, November 8 & 29*
December 13 & 27
Note: *Rosebuds II meeting will be on the 29th of November
since the 22nd of November is Thanksgiving

THE FACES BEHIND BREAST CANCER BOOK-SIGNING EVENT
Don't miss the opportunity to purchase your copy and have it
signed by the author, photographer and many of the book's participants.
Friday, October 12, at Saks Fifth Avenue, Galleria location, Houston.
Sponsored by Cellcosmet of Cellap Switzerland, in conjuntion with SAKS.
12:00 - 4:00 pm

2007 PINK ROSE BRUNCH & FASHION SHOW
Methodist Cancer Center Special Event
October 13, 10:30am - 1:30 pm
The Junior League, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston
Free Admission. Limited Space. Register at 713-790-2700

MARNIE ROCKS SHOPPING EVENT - YSC - Houston
Join us for a fun evening of shopping for a cause at Marnie's store! Marnie is a nationally famous jewelry designer with a breast cancer collection. The proceeds from this collection benefit YSC-Houston.
October 16, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Marnie Rocks Studio, 1415 S. Voss Road, Houston
www.marnierocks.com

ROSEBUDS MEETING
Breast Cancer Support Group Meeting
The Rose, 3400 Bissonnet.
Open to all Breast Cancer Patients/Survivors
1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month
Next meeting October 16, 5:45 - 7:30 p.m.
Future Meetings: November 6 & 20,
December 18, 2007
www.RosebudsSupport.org
Note: There will be no Rosebuds meeting on December 4 inasmuch as
the annual Holiday Party will be at the home of Janet Covington on
December 4, 2007 We look forward to seeing you!

2007 GREATER HOUSTON AREA BREAST HEALTH SUMMIT
Sponsors: Houston Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure and The Rose
When: Thursday, October 18, 2007; 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 - SALUDI WINERY
In Benefit of Cancer Counseling, Inc.
A wine-making demonstration, 2 glasses of wine and
lite bites will be served Friday, October 19th,
5:30 to 7:30pm at Salud! Winery
3939 Montrose, Houston

Admission is complimentary with a $10 donation to
Cancer Counseling, Inc., Dedicated to providing free
professional emotional therapy & education for
cancer patients, their families and friends.

RSVPs are required. Email dusty.gilbert@skirthouston.com
to reserve your spot, or phone Angela at 713-520-9873.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk
Saturday, October 20, 2007 Registration 8:00 am
Sam Houston Park, Downtown Houston Walk begins at 9:00 am
For more information visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline
Email: strides_houston@cancer.org Phone: 1-877-606-WALK

CAP HOLIDAY CARD SALES at MAYS CLINIC
Volunteer Services and The Children's Art Project (CAP) collaborate to better the lives of patients at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. For more than twenty-five years volunteers have assisted with Card Sales. Proceeds benefit M. D. Anderson's Pediatric and Adult Patient Programs. Volunteer Services is asking for volunteer assistance with the upcoming 2007 CAP - Holiday Card Sale at the Mays Clinic. Please contact Cindy Shursen, Program Coordinator - Volunteer Services, if you are available to assist during the below sale days / times.
Dates: November 5th -16th
Times frame: 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Contact: Cindy Shursen
Phone: 713-745-0266
Email: cshursen@mdanderson.org

PRETTY IN LIVING PINK GALA - YSC - Houston
Annual Fund Raising event for the Young Survival Coalition - Houston Affiliate. Join us for a fun night of dinner and dancing 80's style - with live music and a silent auction! November 8, 6:30 pm
Warehouse Live, 813 St. Emanuel Street, Houston

METASTATIC BREAST CANCER NETWORK
Finally, a national independent advocacy group of and for people with
metastatic breast cancer, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (MBCN). To
join and for information about this network visit www.MBCNetwork.org
Your membership in MBCN makes you a part of an important first step toward
bringing a new voice, a proactive voice, to the breast cancer community.
It is absolutely committed to you and makes the following pledge:
• We will honor your life by working together to fight for the development
of treatments that extend life as the search for the cure continues.
• We will protect your privacy and will never share your name or e-mail
address with any person or group.
• We will keep you informed of what we are doing to promote the concerns
of people living with advanced breast cancer.
Let our voices be heard!

November 17 - 18, 2007 Metastatic Breast Cancer Network 2nd Annual
National Conference, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Sponsored by Dr. Gabriel Hortobagyi, Chairman of the Department of Breast
Medical Oncology. Registration will open in September on the MBCN web
site www.MBCNetwork.org MBCN’s 1st annual conference in 2006 was at
Sloan-Kettering in New York and was a great success with about 300
attendees.

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. 2007. Next scheduled meeting is November 20th.
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THE FACES BEHIND BREAST CANCER

BOOK SALES & UPDATE

The Faces behind Breast Cancer is available for purchase at the
following locations:

1) Through the web site at www.pinkcrusader.org

2) Serenitea Tea Room, 13889 Southwest Freeway
Sugar Land, TX 77478 (Limited time only)

3) Appearances Boutique, Mays Clinic, 2nd Floor,
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

4) be.lie.ve Lifestyle Boutique, 7301 Fannin Street, Houston, TX

5) Borders Books - The Strip, North Canton, Ohio
Limited Number of Signed Copies Available
Phone: 330-494-4776

6) Borders Books - Providence Place Mall - Providence, RI
142 Providence Place, In-store supply will soon be available.
Pre-order: 401-270-4801

7) Borders Books - The Galleria location, Houston, TX
9633 A Westheimer Road
Available by phone order: 713-782-6066

8) Select Saks Fifth Avenue Locations - See below:

Beverly Hills Location - Currently in stock.
3600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California
Phone: 310-275-4211

Dallas Galleria Location - Taking pre-orders now.
13550 Dallas Parkway, Dallas Texas
Phone: 972-458-7000

Houston Galleria Location - Taking pre-orders now.
5115 Westheimer Rd., Houston Texas
Phone: 713-627-0500

New York City Location - Taking pre-orders now.
7 East 49th Street/ 8 East 50th Street, New York, NY
Phone: 212-940-2126

Tyson Corner Location - Taking pre-orders now.
2051 International Drive, McLean VA (Washington DC)
Phone: 703-269-1366

In addition, we are working with several other retailers for book distribution within the local area and throughout the United States. Updates will be provided on a weekly basis. Please visit www.pinkcrusader.org for additional updates and book tour events. Thank you for your ongoing support.
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"SHARING is CARING"
As always, The Pink Crusader welcomes your comments, stories, poems, events and photographs!Posts are updated each week. Please send your written contributions to thepinkcrusader1@aol.com.

"We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by."

- Will Rogers

Until next week stay strong, stay well and keep on dancing, running and walking the distance!

Love, Josie
The Pink Crusader
thepinkcrusader1@aol.com