Have Fun with Pink Power

With October peeking around the corner, main streets across America will be filled with runners, racers and pink party-goers, joined together in raising money for a cure and access to treatment for breast cancer.

Whether you choose to fun-raise with Susan G. Komen, Avon, The Breast Cancer Foundation or other grassroots groups to support, fun-raising couldn't be easier today.

Here's a couple of ideas:

Roll the Dice and Beat the Odds. Turn your living room into Bunco night. See the video bar to your right with Naomi Judd talking about the fun she had in Vegas and turn your living room into a bunco night with your friends. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation has put together a Bunco tool box that will have your event up and running with a couple of hours of planning.

Have you seen "The Women"? Bring your friends and plan a pre-movie pot luck dinner with a donation to your favorite breast cancer research charity.

(Yes, I'm planning on an October night out with my own galpals and sending out invitations this week!)

From Empowerment to Results: A Survivor's Story

What is this blog about anyway?

I am blogging is to help marketers see how they can find ways to support, encourage and speak with women in ways that convey authenticity and transparency.

The result will allow marketers to meet the many unmet needs in the area of women's health and wellness, motivate new health behaviors and improve women's quality of life.

If you know of someone who can inspire us with their story please let me know and I will work with them to blog their story.


Here's an example of a real woman, an intelligent woman, with an inspiring story that might jumpstart your fundraising efforts, found on the Breast Cancer Research Foundation website:

Meet Tami Agassi

Former Executive Director for the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and your lifestyle.

A. I am 34. I live in Seattle, Washington and am the Executive Director for the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research.

A. BCRF Note:
Since this profile was received, Tami has married, become the mother of a baby girl and retired to be a full-time mother.

Q. Describe how you found your cancer, were you on 'watch' or did it sneak up on you?

A. I found my cancer through self examination at age 30. When I first found a lump, I was told by a doctor that there was a 98% chance it was benign. It was suggested that I go back to the doctors in 6 months to see if the lump had grown. Fortunately, I didn't accept 98% as a good enough answer. I sought a second opinion which allowed me to detect my cancer in its earlier stages.

Q. Following diagnosis, what helped you cope the most, and gave you strength?

A. My faith in God and passion for life gave me tremendous strength and inner peace.

Q. How has breast cancer changed your outlook on life?

A. Breast cancer has taught me how precious life is. Each day I am alive is a glorious day for me. Instead of being excited or worried about the future, I am ever grateful for today.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?

A. The greatest gift you can give to yourself and to your loved ones is to take care of yourself first and foremost. As women, we tend to take care of others first and put our needs second. This is the one time in your life where your needs must come first. Always remember that allowing others to care for you is the greatest gift you can give them, especially during this time.

Q. How has The Breast Cancer Research Foundation been helpful to you?

A. I credit organizations like the BCRF for saving my life. Without the awareness created by organizations like this, I would have never had the knowledge needed to conduct self breast examinations, especially at the age of 30. This awareness also gave me wisdom to challenge my doctor and seek a second opinion, which resulted in early detection for me.