Awareness....

Most of you may already know that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I am a supporter of the cure.  Though, I do not believe that I do enough for the cure, I know that I can change that if I really want to.  Two years ago, my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I can remember the phone conversation my other aunt and I had regarding this life threatening news.  My heart sank.  It had finally touched my family...breast cancer.  How frightened and shocked and devastated my aunt must feel.  How utterly scared she must be.  It was hard to take in.  Not that I hadn't been affected by breast cancer before this.  I watched the wife of a co-worker go through the same diagnosis the year before.  It's just that it had never been MY family before...it was always something I could walk away from and not really have to face...until now.  I knew my aunt had a long road a head of her...she still does...but I also knew, since she was family, that she'd be strong and face what she needed to face.

Today my aunt is doing fine...I'm excited that I get to see her at Christmas this year!  Though I don't call her or email her as much as I should, I am always thinking of her.  I wear a small pink band on my finger each and every day as a reminder of her strength and her courage.

Did you know that 1 out of every 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime?  Despite that number this is a disease that CAN be beat, but it must be detected early.  Let's also not forget, this disease affects men too.  No one is immune.  Self breast examinations (and I'm mainly talking to all the ladies out there) are a very important step in early detection.  Be aware of your body and notice changes.  This is a huge must ladies.  A doctor who examines you once a year is not going to be a good judge of change.  Monthly self breast exams are recommended, I mean how hard is that???  Isn't your life and not to mention those great tatas worth it? :) 

So, in honor of my aunt and of breast cancer awareness month, I am hosting another giveaway!!!  One lucky reader will receive this 100% polyester microfiber bag:

All you have to do is 1.) be a follower of this blog through Google friend connect (no anonymous comments please) and 2.) leave a comment here telling me you are a follower and which bag you'd rather have, the one ribbon version or the all over ribbon version.  Unfortunately, this is limited to my friends in the United States and Canada only.  You have until 8:00pm Eastern Standard Time on Friday, October 8th to enter to win.  The winner will be announced on the morning of Saturday, October 9th.

So Spread the word....be aware.... and let's do what we can to help find a cure!!