SGK and PP….Inform Yourselves!

Tons of articles are circulating now about Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood. I’m not going to get into the debate on whether they were right or wrong (and/or whether PP is right or wrong) but I urge you to take a moment and understand what has been brought to light. Those with metastatic breast cancer are the ones we should be working the hardest for! They are the ones dying of cancer. They are the ones the CURE should be found for. I personally will no longer support an organization that barely contributes to the research for those like my mom. If helping those currently dying of cancer is not the goal, than what is?

The thing is, I, like many people, blindly contributed (monetarily, running races, etc) to Susan G. Komen without really knowing where the money was going.  All the pink ribbon merchandise and races became so popular, so highly marketable, that I just fell into the sea of followers.  I’ve realized this month that my laziness in regards to where and what I spend my time and money on isn’t good.  Like politics, I’m making myself spend time every day learning about the pressing issues and candidates so I can make an informed decision in November.  Helping fund a non-profit organization like SGK is important like picking the president of the United States.  We pick the people we expect to carry out our goals and wishes.  In SGK’s case, it is to help find a cure.

When you read the statistics on where their money actually goes, it’s maddening.  All I know is my mother has been urging me to take notice to the fact that the metastatic breast cancer community has been forgotten and greatly overlooked.  They’re almost looked at as the “lost cause” of the all-to-beautiful pink ribbon campaign.

Please go out and inform yourselves.  Let’s not be complacent any longer!

With Love,

Lisa

Like I said…. :o)

A Road Less Traveled

Hello survivors, previvors and those who aren’t sure what you are!  I had a great conversation with a woman today who was picking my brain about my BRCA mutation and what I decided to do about it.    She is trying to decide how to handle her strong family history of cancer and was in need of answers to her long list of questions.  She found my name through the FORCE website and emailed me.

Talking to her today brought up all the feelings I had when I was figuring out my own journey.  It brought all the fear, empowerment and relief to the forefront of my brain that has been a little complacent since my last surgery in 2010.  I’m glad she reminded me of everything.  I don’t ever want to forget all that I have gone through and triumphed over.  I remember that the BRCA mutation wasn’t talked about like it is now when I had my PBM in 2008.  I felt like I was walking the road less traveled and it was a scary road for sure!

Now, in 2012, we have a plethora of knowledge, research, forums and local outreach groups who are there to assist you in your time of need!  I’m so glad that I created this site because I remember the photos helping me tremendously!  Seeing the before and after photos made me realize that I would come out of all of this just fine.  I hope they help you too.

I’m glad that your road now seems to be the road WELL traveled.  I’m glad that swarms of women around the globe are taking part in fighting hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

Walk that road folks and walk it with your head held high.  You will be just fine.

Hope Chests: It’s What’s Inside

I am a co-coordinator for the Phoenix Outreach group of FORCE.  Together, with my other coordinator Rachel, we created an awareness campaign with sculptures made from the chests of survivors and previvors with the BRCA gene mutation.  I am so proud of this project and the hope it will bring for HBOC.  Check us out on Facebook!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/262675310432781/

~Lisa