Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Wow. I haven't been on here in a while...been quite busy with some stuff, but also very exhausted. Since my last post, I had my first SU! workshop which was pretty successful. Thanks to Patti for hostessing! Also since my last post I had a small scare after going to the doctor's office. I have a small lump near my armpit at the side of my left breast, and she ordered an ultrasound for it. Long story short, it's nothing abnormal, but my attitude towards breast cancer has completely changed.

My Aunt Sarah had breast cancer, and she beat it after having a lump removed and going through chemotherapy. A couple years after that, my sister had a scare and had to have a cyst removed, then my niece had a scare and had to have a cyst removed. Thankfully, both of those cysts were benign. When I found the bump in mine, I hate to admit I ignored it for quite a while, mostly because I didn't want it to be something bad. Stupid, huh? So I came to my senses and realized that duh...it's never going to go away and if it is something bad, it's just sitting there getting worse. It turns out they think it's a lymph node that's going haywire. I'm tracking the size of it to see if it is growing/shrinking with my cycle (my sister's suggestion because she has one that does the same thing) and there's still the option to work with a breast specialist and have it removed. I might just take the option...if it's malfunctioning, get rid of it. Better safe than sorry.

So on the tail of my scare, I feel like I want to become involved and raise money for a cure. I have three great nieces who will hopefully grow into a world where breast cancer isn't a threat anymore--where ANY cancer is no longer a threat. But such research to get to that day isn't cheap! I wonder how many women who are demonstrators for SU! or customers of SU! have been directly or indirectly affected, or how many of those women we've actually lost to the battle. I sort of thought that being a demonstrator gives me a great vehicle to raise awareness and money for the cause. So I thought I'd have a fundraiser.

I'm still bouncing around ideas, but I think I'm going to try to find a local hall that will donate the use of its space for a 12 hour charity crop and have a small lunch and some prizes/raffles. Any ideas for my project would be greatly appreciated and welcomed! I'm still in the very beginning planning phases here, but think that this would be a great way to raise some money. Oh, and the proceeds from any SU! sales that day would also be donated.

Think pink, and ladies, if you're reading this and haven't done your self-exam lately or had your mammogram when you're supposed to...get to it! This disease is real, and can happen to anyone.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great idea for a GREAT cause! Hope it works out well.

Jody said...

Sounds like a great idea! My bff is going thur the same think right now. Doctors feel it may be benign but have also said "When in doubt, but it out". Good luck!

Jenn Embry said...

I think a charity crop is a fabulous idea. I just lost my ex-mother-in-law to breast cancer in February. It is a scary disease.

Susan (peebsmama) said...

Glad it was nothing bad. It is easy to think it won't happen to you until something like this occurs.

Do you know about the Lydia Project (http://www.thelydiaproject.org/common/content.asp?PAGE=137)? They collect cards to send to women who are dealing with cancer. If you group makes a lot of cards, you may want to consider donating them there. "Thinking of You" is what they are looking for mostly.

Ginny said...

glad to hear that everythings ok :0)

and in relation to your ? on my blog...yes I printed my paper, you can print most digital papers and if you google them you will find TONS..here's a great site with some freebies to get you started

Anjou Krelovich said...

What a great plan! If you're looking for ideas.... you could have all the participates make cards for local walkers in the Avon walk. Or, reminder cards to "check it out" for their friends. I'm glad your scare is nothing and hope your fundraiser works out fantastic.

Amy Johnson said...

Sounds like a great idea! How nice of you to do something like this. I sell my products at my local consignment store and what tends to sell the best are: anything with candy in it, cards, recipe books.