Tag Archives: Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Race for the Cure

4 Replies

Team FORCE

On October 12, 2013 I will be participating in the a local Race for the Cure event. I have joined Team FORCE and will be walking (nope, not racing) in memory and support of our loved ones who have battled breast cancer AND to help raise hereditary breast and ovarian cancer awareness. I am stoked to be participating in this event and hopefully meet more women like me right in my own back yard!

As most of you already know, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (www.FacingOurRisk.org), is the only national non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. People like me.

We are going to have a ton of fun at this event. Teal and pink paraphernalia WILL be involved. I got some teal knee high socks and a pink afro wig. Pics to come … I promise. Our team is already at 28 participants and we have only been at it for a little over a week! We currently have seven corporate sponsors with more on the way!

Origami OwlOne of our sponsors is my friend who is an Origami Owl Independent Designer. She will be donating 20% of sales (pre tax and S&H) to FORCE! How OWLsome is that? HOO is going to help us out and order an Origami Owl locket? There are four pre-designed breast cancer related lockets (see below) or you can create your own, as I did. Mine arrived on Friday and it is so awesome! I ordered a locket with five charms (pink heart with wings for my sister who died from BC, teal ribbon for my mom undergoing treatment for OC, LOVE for the rest of my family, girl cat for my two furbabies, and a G). I also ordered a charm for another necklace. Aren’t they really cute?!? If you are interested in supporting FORCE and getting some great jewelry, visit our designer’s website and make sure to select Team FORCE Fundraiser at checkout: http://MartineNuera.OrigamiOwl.com.

Pre-designed lockets

Origami Owl Team FORCE

Facebook support groups

1 Reply

Prophylactic Mastectomy FB group

I have been preaching for a long time now that finding a support group is really essential and this is the #1 item on my list of Resources. Have you joined one yet?

Where? How?

In addition to local community groups that meet in-person, you can find support groups online, specifically Facebook. They have been created and are managed by and for women who are considering mastectomy, preparing for one, or have already been there done that and are there to support those that haven’t (other topics related to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer are also frequently discussed; this varies by group).

I joined a few of them a couple of months pre-PBM and they were and continue to be invaluable resources for me. Lots of advice, photos, love, support, and just general sisterhood. Here are a few of them:

Bonus: if you write a relevant blog, join us in the Breast Cancer & Previvor Blogs group.

These are all closed/private groups, which means you cannot see the posted content unless you are a member. If you’d like to join one, find the group (follow my link or search on FB) and click on the Join Group button in the top right corner of the group page. A few of them require the requesting person to friend one of the administrators and complete a questionnaire before they can participate, so keep an eye on your FB inbox (including the “Other” inbox).

Come on down and join us! I’m happy to assist anyone that is interested. Contact me.

“I can’t say it enough to all of you beautiful ladies, but thank you :). When I had my PBM, I did it with the support of very few people. I have struggled more than I thought I ever would and then about 3 weeks after surgery I found this group. I had no idea that there were such wonderful women that have gone and are going through the same struggles as me. I know no matter what happens I have a huge group of the most caring, strong, and wonderful women that have my back and will always be there for me. I am beyond blessed to be part of this group. I never thought at this stage of my life that I would make such wonderful new lifelong friends. So I just want you all to know I appreciate you all xoxoxo” – posted in the Prophylactic Mastectomy group (sharing with author’s permission)