As most of you should know by now, October (Pinktober) is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
I support it every year and this year it holds even more significance than it did in previous years.
In February of this year, my younger sister was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer and three days later she died. So of course that makes me more active in Breast Cancer Awareness, not just because I have lost my sister to it but, because I truly understand how the unthinkable can hit and penetrate your seemingly perfect life. After her death and I could finally face the world again, I started connecting with Breast Cancer battler’s (this just means that they are still battling this heinous disease.) and survivors.
My heart goes out to every one of them even though my sister never even had a chance to battle the beast. I have set up a challenge on Facebook as an event and would greatly appreciate if you would join and pass it on. If I have learned anything in this past few months is that life is more precious than you could ever possibly imagine.
Facebook Events Basics:
I would like all of you who join the event to have something pink visible on your person all month-long in October. The details are on the event so please check that out and join in on spreading more awareness for this horrific disease. Thank you.
Now for the exciting blogger’s news:
I was asked to be a Breast Cancer Awareness Spokeswoman for Blognostics, this site is a new site and was created by bloggers for bloggers. They will be running a contest for Breast Cancer Awareness that will begin on Oct. 1 and go through Oct.31, 2011.
Blognostics Contest Details:
Tell a story about how Breast Cancer has affected you and/or the person diagnosed, also how it has changed your life and/or theirs for better or worse. The story can be your own personal story, a friend, or a family member. It does have to be someone who you know personally, even if it’s just someone you know from a social network. But, they do have to be someone you have personal contact with.
Blognostics will also be asking for donations in the amounts of $1, $5, $10 or more to be donated to the organization that the 1st place winner chooses out of the four that Blognostics has available. Consider the donation to be not only useful for the organization and the people they help but, also a small contest entry fee. Donate what you can!
This contest is open to all bloggers. The only thing that you have to do is be a member of Blognostics, and to be a member you must have a blog. If you would like to take part please go to the site and make your account.
Here is what you will be doing:
-If your blog is a writing one than you will write a story, fiction not accepted (sorry but we want real life stories only), about the person that you have chosen. Tell us their/your story of being afflicted with Breast Cancer and how it has changed them and/or you.
-If you are a poet you can write a poem about the person you have chosen.
-If you are a photographer you can tell the story with photos. Use a photo of the person and whatever other photos you feel tell the story of how their having Breast Cancer affected you. You can write a story as well but, your main goal is to tell it with photos.
-If you are an artist who draws or paints, you will be submitting your original work of art that is either the person themselves or your interpretation of Breast Cancer. Please write something about the art piece so we can understand fully the meaning of it.
Please Include:
All contest entries should include the date when the person was diagnosed, how they battled it, if they are still battling or are now in remission, how many times they have battled it, any organization that they went through for help, and if they died, (R.I.P.) the day their suffering ended.
Prizes:
Blognostics is offering 3 prizes; 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place. All which include small ad space for a month on their site. 1st place winners will receive the honor of choosing the Breast Cancer organization that will receive the donations and their name will also be on the check that is presented with all of the donations raised. 1st place winners will also receive a small banner on the Blognostics site to place their ad for one month.
All entries must be in by October 31, 2011 before midnight in your time zone. Blognostics will choose and notify the winners during the first week of November.
So what are you waiting for? Go sign up on Blogsnostics if you aren’t already a member and let’s raise awareness for Breast Cancer. Don’t forget to join the Facebook event as well. If you have any questions please ask me or the Blognostics team. Thank you and good luck.
So sorry to hear about your sister’s sudden passing. Terribly terribly sorry. two people i am close to have been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past few weeks and its been hard on me. i work for an org that does cancer and aids research but its only when my friends were diagnosed, when it hit closer to home, i realized how scary it is. thank you for taking on this initiative. awareness really does help to beat the C.
Thank you. Yes, even though we know it exists it becomes much more apparent when it hits close to home. I hope that you get a chance to join in on the event and the contest. I look forward to seeing you there. 😀
Congratulations on this honor! What an awesome event and way to give back.
Thank you Kimberly. Yes, I agree those of us who are lucky to not suffer directly from this disease should support it because God only knows when it will be our turn. I hope you will join us on the event and the contest. 😀
Cancer had profound effects on our family. Still has.
Would be great to see a lot of people support this.
I understand that statement Jim. All types of Cancer has taken many of my family members as well, this year was the first Breast Cancer victim that was taken from us. I am hoping to get many people onboard for this because it is very important. On Facebook I see loads of people post up a Cancer message for an hour but, when it comes time to stand up for the cause many chose to not participate. It is very sad.
I understand that. It has a deep effect on many and some are unsettled by social media promoting it around. You need to convince them that your purpose is totally for supporting Breast Cancer Awareness and fund raising perhaps by seeking some official endorsement by Cancer Support organisations..
Oh yes definitely. I do have connections to a few Breast Cancer orgs and I will be working with them when doing posts for my blog in Oct. The contest is a blogger thing for blogger’s to get involved. My event is a whole different thing and my posts on my blog will be too. I am all about the awareness involved because many people just don’t realize how terrible this disease is until they are affected directly. I knew it was bad but, until it struck my sister suddenly I had no real idea of how bad it was. Now other Cancers yes I knew because I watched my family members die from them.
great initiative .. 🙂 i’ll be donating for sure
Thank you Tbaoo. I look forward to seeing your contribution. 😀
So sorry about you sister. This is wonderful what you are doing to her…her memory and others suffering from Breast Cancer. I want to take part in the Blognostics competition…when should I post my article…during the month of October?
Thank you. The contest should be up and ready on oct 1st. You can post it at anytime in oct before the 31st. Can’t wait to see your contribution. 😀
Every morning I go to this site and click it will help ladies get free mammograms
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2&ThirdPartyClicks=ERB_092711_BCS_Html
I have been following The Breast Cancer Site Store on Facebook for quite awhile now. When you buy Breast Cancer related items it also pays for mammograms for women. I just “liked” the link you left, I was following the store but, apparently missed the site itself. Thank you Jim. 😀
@Jim – what a great site – will share that on my fb.
@Jen – I’m so very sorry you lost your sister! I cannot imagine the pain. While I do not know anyone who has gone through this I will do my part. Thank you for your hard work.
I can’t imagine how devastating the experience with your sister must have been. I applaud you and Blognostics for your efforts to raise awareness. Thank you!
Thank you Adriene. It really was devastating to all of us. On the up side though, it pushed my grandmother, myself, and I to move forward in our goals and dreams because it slapped us so hard how precious life is and that it is true when they say “Here today Gone tomorrow”.
I have an aunt who died of breast cancer. But I don’t know enough on the subject to write about it – like you do Jenn. Bravo to you on what you’re doing!
Thank you! I am sorry to hear that Deb. You don’t have to go into a lot of detail, it would be nice to know a little more but, our goal (mine) is to spread awareness. Breast Cancer affects many people and their families, more than most realize. It’s also a way to support and honor the one who was diagnosed as well. If you can write enough than please join in, we’d love to have you involved. If not, that’s ok too. May she R.I.P.
Heartfelt and inspiring post. Cancer has not just touched me but my MIL and my niece all in the same year. Fortunately we are all survivors. I’m so sorry for your loss and will endeavour to do all I can to support this worthy cause. First time visitor. TFS
Thank you Chris. Sharing a story to someone in your life is what the contest is all about; no matter if they are still battling, survivor, or passed away. Our goal is to spread the awareness and stories far and wide. Hope you will consider joining in the contest and if not there is a Breast Cancer Awareness button on my sidebar that you can post on your blog that links directly to this post. I hope to see you in the contest and look forward to your posts. Thank you for visiting and thank God they are all survivors.
This is a wonderful way to pay tribute. I would like to be involved. Continuous hugs to you and for your loss Jenni…
http://lyricfire.typepad.com/lyric-fire/2011/09/lyric-fire-look-at-my-fabulous-life-episode-7-.html
Thank you Tameka. I look forward to seeing your contribution. (((hugs)))
Hey Jen, I’ve done all the things you’ve suggested, button on my blog, pushed it out to my facebook, retweeted and successfully registered onto blognostics but the registeration approval has not come throught my email. Therefore I can’t participate in the contest. Normally registerations come through straightaway. Not happening in this case. It’s been 20 minutes so far. Will have to wait and see what’s happening in the meantime I will see if I can give a donation. Just thought you might like to know, alternatively there is a backlog which is good for you. Cheers
Thank you so much Christine I am so happy that you joined in. I will be getting in touch with the owner of the site. It is still a fairly new site and sometimes things happen. I will sen you a message as soon as they let me know what you should do. Please don’t be deterred it is a great cause to support and the contest is a great way to spread people’s stories.
I will support but cannot write for BN, my stories are not of breast cancer, although I have had family members die from it, I was not an active part of their lives, we lived thousands of miles apart. I will however participate when I can.
Thank you Jan for supporting. It’s the support that counts. I appreciate your involvement very much.
Jenni,
Let’s light Google up with this amazing event……
Breast Cancer Awareness is Pinktober on For Jens Sake and BlogNostics.
May BCA become a tradition for years to come…..
You are amazing! You have created such a positive movement from such devestating grief. Bravo!
Jen, I am so sorry for your loss. It would have been such a shock as it all happened so fast. I lost a partner to cancer…he was diagnosed and gone within 4 months…an inoperable brain tumour.I know how that set me on a different understanding of life and what is important. I can not write about Breast Cancer but have been supporting in other ways and will support your cause. I have your ribbon and my daughter’s button on my blog…I will share this post…continuously and preview your blog on Ravenmyth for the month of October. You inspire a community to hold hands and step together for the Fight against Cancer…Always..
Am so sorry for the sudden loss of your sister, Jen. I am glad you’re able to do something so positive in her memory. Cancer has touched the lives of many women in my family and I have two dear friends who are survivors of breast cancer, although one has had it re-occur a decade later in the form of bone and lung cancer. She’s survived a half decade longer and still fighting. I hope I have her courage and outlook if it ever happens to me.
Jen, I am so sorry for your loss. You are doing a wonderful thing here. As always, increasing awareness makes a difference.
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