30. April 2008 by DSJC.

When my kids were six and eight, I told them (in response to their questions on why I got breast cancer) that my breast cancer may have been kicked off by my drinking wine when I was younger, which is what my medical oncologist told me in response to the why question.  I was 34 at diagnosis.  I also told them it may not have been the cause, but that I quit drinking alcohol, just in case it was the reason.

Because of what I told them, both my kids react strongly when they see people drinking alcohol.  They are both vocal in telling people not to drink.  I’ve tried to tell them that it has to be okay for other, legal-aged adults to make their own choices, but they feel it’s their duty to inform people of the link between alcohol and breast cancer.  I can’t argue with their logic.

So, imagine my dismay, time and again, when our friends pooh-pooh my children (now 10 and 12) and tell them they are WRONG and that drinking alcohol is okay.  Why would adults say this to children?  My only thought is that they need to justify their own needs or desires to enjoy their vice.  However, my kids aren’t wrong.

On April 14, Reuters posted a story about the results of a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute.  According to the story, the large

The report went on to say that “the analysis of data from more than 184,000 women is the biggest of three major studies to conclude that drinking raises the risk of breast cancer for older women.”  These comments are attributed to Jasmine Lew, a researcher at the National Cancer Institute and the study’s lead investigator.

The research found that women who had one to two small drinks a day were 32 percent more likely to develop a hormone-sensitive tumor, the kind of breast cancer that I had. Three or more drinks a day raised the risk by 51 percent, and regardless of the type of alcohol, the risk was evident. 

The Reuters story also said that about 70 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have tumors that are positive for both the estrogen and progesterone receptors. 

So, if you should run into a child who is telling you not to drink alcohol for fear of getting breast cancer, please don’t tell her that she is wrong.  According to the National Cancer Institute, she is right.

As for me, I’m planning to print the article and present it to my adult friends.  DSJC.

Posted in Breast Cancer Wellness | No Comments »

24. April 2008 by DSJC.

I would be remiss to let Earth Day go by this week without posting something that’s environmentally related.  At the same time, I want to post something about a remarkable lady named Beth Brownlee whom I recently profiled for Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine.  My publisher tells me the profile may not run until September in the fall issue, but I just can’t wait that long to publish something about her.

It just so happens that Beth’s story is also about the environment, so I get to include both breast cancer wellness advocacy and Going Green in one post.  Lucky me!  Lucky You!

Beth is a breast cancer survivor and co-founder of Trust Your Journey (http://www.trustyourjourney.com/).  More community site than online storefront, Trust Your Journey is and will be a place where women who are facing challenges of all kinds can share their experiences and, in the process, help each other.   Beth’s business partner is Ruth Nichols.  Both women chronicle their challenges on the site in the spirit of sharing and helping.

According to their website, “Trust Your Journey inspires women everywhere to honor their inner strength and celebrate their personal path through life.  TYJ products proclaim a commitment to this belief while embracing the use of socially and environmentally responsible practices.”   

These two courageous ladies opted to go the less profitable but far-more-satisfying route of offering only organic clothing and eco-friendly products on their website, because, as Beth put it, it’s the right thing to do. 

So, if you’re in the market for an all-organic cotton tee-shirt or NEAT seed-filled wrapping paper that you can later plant to grow flowers, check out Trust Your Journey (and watch for the fall issue of Breast Cancer Wellness) for my profile of Beth.  DSJC.

Posted in Global Warming & Peak Oil, Breast Cancer Wellness | No Comments »

9. April 2008 by DSJC.

     Isn’t it great that Spring is here?  Perhaps in the East it’s not yet warm, but everyone knows the warmth is coming, right?  Here, in sunny Southern California, I’m seeing buds on the trees that dropped their leaves, and it’s getting much warmer each day.  Yes, some of our trees drop their leaves!

Anyway, I am especially excited, because the Spring 2008 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine is finally out, too, and my publisher gave me a bit of a thrill.  She put me and my daughter, Sabrina, on the cover (in a small, inset photo) and at the top of the Table of Contents!  It’s part of a tribute to Mother’s Day to which several people contributed.  There’s also a tribute from me to my mom inside the magazine.  I’m really looking forward to sharing the print version with my mom and Sabrina.  Sabrina’s already viewed the online version and gave me a big smile!  J

I also am especially proud of the profiles I did for this issue.  The people I get to interview and write about are so amazing, and the three women profiled in this issue are no exception.  My “Survive & Thrive” column starts on page 32.  Unfortunately, because of the way the magazine was laid out to be posted online, the “Survive & Thrive” column was split.  You’ll have to access both links (you’ll see what I mean) to read the full column.  Go to this link to access the magazine online:  http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/magazine.html.

On a similar note, last week I was honored to work with Mary Olsen Kelly, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor’s Soul.  Mary has been chosen as one of 25 2008 Yoplait Champions.  I assisted her in editing and distributing her good news.  Mary is a remarkable person, and Yoplait knows it. 

As a Yoplait Champion, Mary has been recongized as an individual doing extraordinary things in the fight against breast cancer.  Yoplait will donate $1,000 to the breast cancer charity of her choice.  Go to www.Yoplait.com to learn more and see who the other 24 Champions are.

Mary also is the author of The Path of the Pearl, a book about healing and overcoming adversity.  Most people know that pearls are made by oysters responding to an irritant (sand).  And so it is with us.  We can become strong and beautiful (turned into pearls) through overcoming adversity.   

I was honored to assist Mary in her public relations effort to share her Yoplait Champions 2008 good news.  Find out more about Mary’s efforts to fight breast cancer at one of her websites: www.1BestTTT.com, www.BreastWishes.org, www.PathofthePearl.org.  

Posted in Breast Cancer Wellness, Public Relations | No Comments »

2. April 2008 by DSJC.

Today, I read a terrific post by David Meerman Scott entitled, Al Gore: PR Agent for Planet Earth (http://www.webinknow.com/2008/03/al-gore-pr-agen.html?cid=109147248#comment-109147248).  (NOTE:  This is not a political blog).

Anyone who’s interested in learning about the practice of PR should read Meerman Scott’s post (actually any of them) as he lists the reasons why Gore is so good at what he does.  Once again, Meerman Scott proves his PR prowess.  At the same time, he highlighted the enviable communications abilities of Al Gore.

Throughout the post I found myself saying, “Yes, that’s right!”  Yet, I have a little more to add to Meerman Scott’s post, and I said as much in my comments on his blog, Web Ink Now.

I agree; Gore is remarkable in his public relations and marketing communications acumen.  He is someone from whom we all can learn.  Gore can teach us a lot about communications in general.

I have been reading another, less known book by Al Gore.  It’s called The Assault on Reason, and you need only read his introduction to see how just how completely he understands the impact that media messaging has on what he calls “the public sphere.”  Among other points made in the book, Gore makes a case for the Internet being a great hope for saving

Posted in Public Relations | 2 Comments »