What I think about Pink.

I celebrate the diversity of life and that we make up our own minds when we make a purchase.

It's Pinktober again.

I've come to dislike the plethora of pink merchandise  - commercialism of pink ribbon and breast cancer for profit.

I'm just over two years out from my Breast cancer and two days into October I've seen some bizarre campaigns to promote awareness or in the name of donating to research.

Several breast cancer bloggers I follow are disgusted about one hotel chain's plan to raise money and awareness for breast cancer - by promoting a woman in a provocative pose with their  “Get into Bed for the Cause” campaign offering guests luxurious pink sheets, pink robes ...

I am just as appalled.

Each year an increasing number of pink products are being pumped out and pimped with a pretty pink ribbon.

Breastless and bald doesn't make an advertising campaign. The all things pink and pink ribbon has been hijacked by some  unscrupulous and well meaning companies whose purpose is to boost sales, push products on the public because they will donate 10 cents to cancer research or awareness.

Yes, while contributing only a fraction of the profits they proceed to lure people into buying for a good cause - yet are you really donating to charity or to the cure ?

Make a bigger difference by donating directly to your Cancer charity of choice.


We're aware. Please find a cure for my friends diagnosed with 'terminal' secondary (breast and other) cancers that will ultimately cut short their life and give them grief and suffering trying to outlive the treatment.

Many were diagnosed early and it made no difference. The cure is what we need.

This is what breast cancer really looks like, not a woman in bed, legs in the air - adorned in a pink robe.

 I'm a survivor of life,  and all its challenges so far . I don't know if I will survive my two different cancers. I say I had Breast cancer , if someone wants to know and I'm a warrior not quite a survivor. I will live in it's shadows always.

My battle scars from the storms and wars I've weathered remind me every day. There is no avoiding it I feel even when my clothes cover the scars. 




  ♥

Love and hope in a Shoe box

Imagine a box filled with treasures beyond your wildest imaginations.
Imagine it bringing hope & a message of love from afar.

when a child opens a shoe box, they’re opening more than a present lovingly prepared just for them. They’re opening up their community to a world of life-changing opportunities.

Over the past week or so I've started  collecting things... we have our boxes ready to assemble and pack . We will choose gifts for boys in 5-9 yrs age. I'm going to do a girl 5-9 too for ~Charlotte~ and maybe a teenage boy.

We have made it a yearly tradition.


It's such a great and easy way to bring smiles to the many children out there that are not as privileged as our own or children in desperate situations . It also teaches my boys about the joy of giving and bringing happiness to others. The Drummer boys enjoy packing and selecting treasures (gifts).


There is 2.5 weeks until the boxes need to be handed in.

The instructions are simple

• SOMETHING TO LOVE
  Teddy bear, doll, soft toy, etc.
• SOMETHING FOR SCHOOL
  Exercise book, pencil case, pens, pencils, colouring pencils, sharpener, eraser, chalk, etc.
• SOMETHING TO WEAR
  T-shirt, shorts, underwear, cap, beanie, sandals, thongs, etc.
• SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH
  Tennis ball, cars, skipping rope, marbles, musical instrument, yo-yo, slinky, finger puppets, wind up torch, etc. (No battery operated items)*
• SOMETHING FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE
  Soap and face washer, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, hair-clips, scrunchies, etc.(No toothpaste)*
• SOMETHING SPECIAL
  
  Carry bag, sunglasses, bangles, necklaces, craft kits, stickers, note or photo of yourself.

In 2011, teams in Australia and New Zealand delivered 290,437 gift-filled shoe boxes to South East Asia and the South Pacific. This year  the number of shoe boxes given by Australia and New Zealand will reach 3 million! Last year over 8 million children globally received shoe boxes and this season, the number of shoe boxes will reach 100 million given to children in 152 countries since 1993.

Even if you can't fill a box yourself, you can choose to adopt a box and just pay postage $9 for a box of gifts.

Whose life will your shoe box change this year?

Full details are here.

Visit The Operation Christmas Child website to find out more and to find out where to drop your shoeboxes call 1800 684 300. There are drop off points all over Australia. You can now follow your box to it's destination country.

Hurry the last day for Australia is 25th October.

♥

Windows of happiness - Pink Mummy

Who is Pink Mummy - she is a my hero and she made me happy !

I love to have go and hearing of others giving it go for charity fundraising .

I considered it quite a personal achievement of mine , to complete the City to Surf  2 weeks ago. Most especially raising $1050 for World Vision (...has it only been that long.)

I saw a tweet in my twitter stream last night that caught my eye PINK MUMMY !

I was intrigued. Michelle was putting a call out for sponsors to support her 10km run in Bridge to Brisbane.

 

It all started when the Pink Mummy took on hawt  Pro Wrestlers at Club Chermside…She is quite a celebrity in Brisbane and Gold Coast

I was touched . I had to give her a shout out.

Michelle is running for a cause that is now very close to my heart... The National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia.

NBCF is the leading community-funded national organisation in Australia raising money for research into prevention and cure of breast cancer.

Since the NBCF was established in 1994, over $74 million has been awarded to Australian based researchers across every state and territory, to improve the health and wellbeing of those affected by breast cancer*.

Research programs funded by the NBCF cover every aspect of breast cancer, from increasing understanding of genetics to providing better treatments and improving ways to support women and their families.

The NBCF relies entirely on corporate and community support to continue its work.

You can place your pledge at Everyday hero , remember even $5 or $10 donations will help her reach her $1000 target. You will make her happy too !

*14,000 women will be diagnosed with Breast cancer this year !

Next year I plan to run City to Surf for NBCF too.

♥

Crossing the line

Today, I completed the 14km - Sydney City to Surf (with 85,000 others) in very chilly and windy conditions . We also got a light sprinkle of rain and a little sunshine .

I took it easy and found a pace partner in another Team World Vision runner....walker.

We crossed the line in about 2hrs.


Last night before I went to bed I checked my target hero meter and I'd already crossed the line @ $1000. I was so excited.

It was the best feeling ever to go to sleep knowing, thanks to the generous donations of family and friends from everywhere, I had reached my $1000 target for World Vision Australia . Thank you all so much xoxox 1000 times over. So many families will be helped to have a better life and lives saved.

They emailed me already

Together, you have raised almost $40,000 which is truly tremendous!  Through the Multiplying Gift Appeal this is multiplied by up to 10.  That's almost $400,000 worth of food aid and relief essentials that can distributed to children and families in urgent need in countries like Kenya. 

We caught the train in and another friend M met up with us after the race. On the way back to her car I saw some people from National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF - fund research for prevention and cure) ...actually the race Sports Fundraising Manager who manages the team runners.I told her I'd like to run for them next year, in hot pink. She gave me her card : )

My friend had misplaced her car but we found it . How serendipitous was meeting that lady out of the 100,000 plus people at Bondi , as we wandered about looking for M's car !

I also met up with the gorgeous Grace, from With Some Grace (she ran the whole way) and Tat @Mum in Search came down to say hello too.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Look Good Feel Better

Today I had the special privilege of attending a Look Good Feel Better program. It helped me feel not so alone, as I shared 2 hrs with some beautiful , mostly bald women who recently embarked on the cancer steamroller roller-coaster ....

I start my chemotherapy Friday . It helped me to see life can go on normally albeit with some ruggedness.
 
It reminded me of how fragile I am feeling, listening to them 'briefly' talk about their current chemo treatment and side effects. On the positive side I still came away feeling better about managing some of the side-effects and ways to help me maintain my self image. It was also fun.

LGFB is a Cosmetic industry community initiative.

 Look Good…Feel Better is a free national community service program dedicated to teaching cancer patients – through hands on experience – techniques to help restore their appearance and self image during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The program was founded and developed by the Australian cosmetic industry in May 1990 and continues to be a wonderful community initiative to this day.  The program is administered through the registered charitable organisation, the Cancer Patients Foundation Ltd.

It begs belief I was just newly married when this program began and I had never heard of it till recently.

We each took home our set of products and many of us tried on and borrowed wigs from the wig library. The coloured wigs were modeled just for fun. I have borrowed a wig too in preparation. I could begin losing my hair as early as 10 days after starting chemo , so in 2 weeks...scary. I 'll show you my wig another day.

Last year Look Good Feel Better ran over 1000 workshops , across Australia in 170 locations. The Cosmetic Industry donated 128,000 products, brand neutral. ie Many different companies contributed $ 3.2 million products. Though targeted at women , they also run workshops for teenagers and men.

Incredibly, over 90,000 women living with cancer have been helped by Look Good Feel Better. My local program has volunteers from local businesses , beauty and hair dressing salons. They gave us practical tips and advice. The website has more practical tips too to help us keep a sense of control over this horrid disease.



Their Patron Kerri-Anne Kennerley, of 3yrs recently embarked on her own cancer journey. If you know someone, chances are you do, please make sure they know about Look Good Feel Better. Watch her talk about it more here.

Support  Look Good Feel Better on Facebook !



Watch Kerri-Anne Kennerley talk about LGFB here
♥

Living in a material world ~ I can't run from the facts

Today I was very excited to receive my Team World Vision shirt to use throughout my training and for race day !

Initially, when I decided to run for a good cause and *cough* get in shape - I had several charities in mind including `baby and pregnancy loss' ones my friends fund raise for.

Losing a child is one of the worse experiences you go through . I cannot begin to imagine the thousands of mothers' , right now, watching their children (all of them) dying from preventable diseases and starvation.

 Eden made us aware so poignantly with the sheer rawness of her 'voice' of the crisis in West Africa .

Beyond the comfort of my material world western lifestyle , I can't do much to reach out to help them physically.

"I can't do everything for everyone but I can do something for someone"  

Bob Pierce World Vision Founder

So , I thought - can I run for them ?



For 24yrs now I (& my hubby for 22yrs) have been World Vision child sponsors. We are not unique,around 400,000 Australians now contribute to World Vision's work around the world.

Why did I choose to embark on the challenge, to run 14km City To Surf, for World Vision ?

In my heart I knew World Vision was the one because World Vision is all about making a positive difference.

Five reasons why ~ I chose to run with Team World Vision because I can't run from the facts (taken from WV site)

1. The priceless feeling of knowing I can help to change lives - so World Vision can continue to meet the basic needs of a child, their family and community, helping rescue children from exploitation, funding vital development work, helping people in emergency situations or participating in advocacy campaigns, every person who supports their work is making a positive difference in someone's life.
2. As a part of a broader movement against global poverty e.g: Twenty years ago more than 12 million children died every year from preventable causes. Last year, less than 8 million children died from preventable causes. [ It is still 8 million children too MANY !} This is a 36 percent reduction in child deaths and aid has played a vital part .Sending aid to Africa can save many lives estimates are ~ $370 million in aid can prevent more than 160,000 HIV, malaria and TB-related deaths each year.
3. An extra 40 million children have received a basic education each year since 2000. Aid has been a major factor in improving children’s access to education. Education can bring key changes to lives.
4. I am now sporting an awesome Team World Vision running shirt and I have secured entry in to the exclusive Gold Start area (would love to have you join us) !
5. The money I raise will go to the Multiplying Gift appeal - every $1 you give is enables x 10 the value in food aid and relief essentials.

What do you run for ?

My goal is to raise $1000 , I need $10 more this week to reach my first goal of $250
You can support me via my sponsor page here 

 ♥

Thankful for Rahul and Divya

I know it isn't the done thing to toot your own horn but I will today because Eden - Edenland wants us to spread the word as far as we can ! Eden is in Niger with World Vision to raise awareness about the food crisis in Africa.

I have been a World Vision sponsor for over 24 yrs first it was one child, then in 2003 we got a second child.

Day to day, I don't think much about our World Vision children - sponsorship is debited automatically from our credit card.

We have had a few different children over the years. Divya  we have had for a long time, she is almost 12 (I think I feel terrible I don't know exactly)

In 2003 - we purposefully chose a boy the same age as our 11yr old son from Chile. Victor, was 6 wks younger . We wanted make connections with our boy and our sponsored child. So our son could understand his privileged life.

Victor grew too old or left the WV program in 2008 (our son is almost 19) and we chose another child - from South Africa ~ Ayanda was 5 days younger than my twins.

To be honest , I was considering canceling our second World Vision child sponsorship after they sent a letter saying Ayanda had left the program in 2011 and they were sending us a new sponsored child.

Till ..... I opened the letter and saw the birth date  - 1/9/03 - the same birthdate (though a year older)  as our stillborn daughter, Charlotte. Seriously !

I could not do it. Rahul was like a sign !

Read Eden's post , don't feel guilty about what you have but really think about how you could make a difference.

Raise awareness about this current crisis ~ Eden says 40, 000 children will die . I look at my children and I just cannot fathom the loss.

Donate a little or a lot - whatever you can give - will be contributing to the lives of children , families and communities

If you are able sponsor a child and create a huge impact in the life of a child.

My friend , her husband and 4 children went to Africa to visit their sponsored child - she can testify to the life changing impact.

I am thankful for everything we have, in abundance, for our health and that my children don't have to worry about hunger and malnutrition and the threat of disease and death from dirty water.

I am thankful for World Vision saving children , one at a time and thousands over the years.

I have pulled Rahul and Divya's pictures from my filing cabinet, to put on my fridge, to remind me ...we can make a difference one child at a time.

Follow Eden in Niger  #EdenInNiger hashtag on Twitter.


 ♥

Good return ~ International Women's Day

Thursday is International Women’s Day- what does that mean to you ?

What can you do with $25 - buy a new shirt, go out for lunch with a friend or ?

This is not a sponsored post - I wanted to share the unique opportunity we have to change lives and enrich our own on International Women's day .

Good Return, an innovative non-profit is asking Australians to support with poor women in the Asia Pacific who need small loans to start or build a business to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

I was very surprised to learn loans as small as $25 can make a huge difference.

Good Return’s Connecting Women, Building Better Futures campaign, will help to fund 200 women’s business loans, which will impact over 1000 lives for the better.

The best bit about it – it’s a loan, so when your money is repaid you can keep it, or lend it again, helping even more people. To date, Good Return has a 100% repayment rate!

It is easy to get involved - Join with your friends, colleagues or blogger community to make a loan – each contribute $10 or $20 and choose a woman to loan to at

www.goodreturn.org 

This will enable a woman to start her own business.

Yes, you take a very small risk the loan won't be repaid currently 99.6% are repaid - I think it is something I could live with if so... to empower a woman living in poverty to change her life , her family and even her community and build a better future.

Like them on Facebook here
Twitter 
Blog


♥

Wordless Wednesday ~ Trooper Trek 'Perth to Sydney'

Whoa - remember I told you about the Storm Trooper and his Trek

So who did meet the very next day - My boys were fascinated by him. His website is www.troopertrek.com

'Does your head come off '    "How do you see?"

Here we snapped 5 huge trucks pass him in under 3 mins ...hmm

what is this ?

PS Sorry for those who tried to link up last week -A Blogger Hiccup  where I had a major meltdown disabled my blog /email / profile for most of the day. I couldn't even comment via my profile.Thanks for linking up and visiting other blogs !

NEWSFLASH - I saw on twitter the Stormtrooper Trooptrek is in KIMBA - the Halfway point across Australia Please go say hi on Facebook and encourage him !


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Walk for Prems ~ Close to my heart

I've told you before about the day our family grew by 4ft; just two little treasures among 59 babies born prematurely across Australia each day. Little miracles happen though families need a lot of support.




My twins Sam and Joel were born strong and perfect @ 2.8kg & 2.1kg . Fortunately apart from needing oxygen & suctioning at birth, and nasogastric tubes for feeding they were well premmies.

They spent 4 days in NICU. Not really long as far as some premmies go. Then almost another 2 weeks in the Special Care Nursery before coming home.

I have many friends with even tinier premmies than mine (read their story)

On Sunday 6^th November at Bicentennial Park, Sydney - Siders  being encouraged to come together for the inaugural

WALK FOR PREMS’ 2011 – A BIG WALK FOR LITTLE AUSSIE BATTLERS

Register to take part at www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au

What:   Life’s Little Treasures Foundation “Walk for Prems” charity walk / fun-run

When:  Sunday 6th November 2011, 10am meet for a 10.30am start

Where:  Twin Sails Shade Area, Bicentennial Park, Homebush Bay, Sydney

Register at:  http://www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au/walk/registrations/sydney/

Registration fee:  Adult $25 and Children $10 (all proceeds and donations go towards Hospital Survival Packs)

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF) President, Parool Shah, says "More than 45,000 Australian babies are born premature or sick each year, with some weighing less than a bag of sugar" ...

Shah comments:   “Having a baby born premature or ill affects the whole family.  Our aim is to raise awareness of the issue, support families by providing information and practical assistance and promote medical research in the area.

“The walk and fun run not only helps raise national awareness of the issue but brings families together for a day of celebrations.  It’s comforting for families to talk to others, share experiences and know that they’re not alone.”

About Life’s Little Treasures foundation: 

Life’s Little Treasures Foundation (LLTF) was established in 2005 by a group of mothers
of premature babies. Its focus is on improving the lives of premature and sick babies, by providing information and support to their families.  Last year LLTF helped more than 1000 families with premature or sick babies though services in hospitals and in the community. 

For more information, visit www.lifeslittletreasures.org.au

I won't be home in time to take part but I hope to do my bit by sharing this on blog. 

♥ Never miss a post

Loud on LOUD Shirt day

Loud Shirt Day is only 2 weeks away on Friday October 21^st, (www.loudshirtday.com.au)

Loud Shirt Day is an annual fundraising initiative co-ordinated by First Voice, an alliance of early intervention hearing service providers who teach deaf and hearing impaired kids how to listen and speak. 

The gorgeous Mrs Woog's and her equally adorable lad Jack have this to say about loud shirt day.

Loud Shirt Day encourages individuals and groups to wear their loudest and brightest outfits (traditionally loud shirts) for one day and to get sponsored by their friends, family and colleagues on that day and/or purchase Loud Shirt Day merchandise from a Caltex retailer. Whether the outfit is stripes, florals, polka dots or paisley, as long as it’s loud and colourful it’s perfect for Loud Shirt Day!

I was asked to lend my support .I am very passionate about hearing . I have a significant hearing impairment . I wear a Cochlear BAHA Bone anchored hearing aid on my good side. My hearing loss was gradual due to ear infections and surgery complications . I had already learnt to speak and hear.

Please show your support and get LOUD on Loud shirt day ...wear loud shirts and outfits to raise awareness. With your help First Voice can give deaf children sound and speech ,changing the lives of hundreds of hearing impaired children and their families throughout Australia.

Like them on facebook here and spread the word !


♥ Never miss a post

Operation Christmas Child ...

Operation Christmas Child is a unique project of Samaritan's Purse that brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through simple gift-filled shoe boxes. They are practical and a lot of fun.

Gift Ideas

Fill your shoe box with one or more items from each ‘something’:

	SOMETHING TO LOVE Teddy bear, doll, soft toy, etc.
	SOMETHING FOR SCHOOL Exercise book, pencil case, pens, pencils, colouring pencils, sharpener, eraser, chalk, etc.
	SOMETHING TO WEAR T-shirt, shorts, underwear, cap, beanie, sandals, thongs, etc.
	SOMETHING TO PLAY WITH Tennis ball, cars, skipping rope, marbles, musical instrument, yo-yo, slinky, finger puppets, wind up torch, etc. (No battery operated items)*
	SOMETHING FOR PERSONAL HYGIENE Soap and face washer, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, hair-clips, scrunchies, etc. (No toothpaste or anything liquid)*
	SOMETHING SPECIAL* Carry bag, sunglasses, bangles, necklaces, craft kits, stickers, note or photo of yourself.

Visit The Operation Christmas Child website to find out more and to find out where to drop your shoeboxes call 1800 684 300. There are drop off points all over Australia.

Hurry the last day is 25th October.
It also operates in the UK. I only just found the church newletter tonight about last years collection ...which I missed. You know what I am doing tomorrow.

♥

Never miss a post

Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference

Today, I want to share with you about Laura and

Twenty Five Days to Make a Difference is an inspirational blog energized by a girl who is changing the world. She encourages kids and adults to find ways to make a difference. She also promotes and supports worthy charities.

I encourage everyone to visit this inspirational young lady,Laura who is honouring the memory of her grandfather .Laura is a 'keeper' who aims to change the world one project at a time ... every 25 days beginning first of every month with a new project. There are many more projects and ideas on her site too.

Get her badge for your side bar ...

She is also humbly asking people to vote for her in 2008 Blogger's Choice Awards - please go vote so she stays near the top and people will find her inspirational blog.A very simple pay it forward if you can't help her in any other way. The world needs more young leaders like Laura.

ps I re posted this as today because no one seems to have noticed ;)




pps we still need your votes at Top Momma too