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.

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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.

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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.  

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18. March 2008 by DSJC.

Robert Fulghum, on his blog site (http://www.robertfulghum.com/) posted on March 9^th what many who write recognize to be true:

It is true that writing is mostly a way to be a good companion to one’s self.
It is true that writing is a way to live your life over several times.
It is true that if you write only to get the attention of others, you will never be satisfied. Because you can’t ever really know what others think.
This is especially the case with friends and family and neighbors. The closer people are to you, the less they will have to say about what you publish. It’s the people you do not know – the readers from far away - ones you will never meet – who will write to you and reflect on your writing. In part it is because they have imagined you. You are a projection of their lives and thinking. Fan mail is more about the fan than you.

Speaking of fans, I am big fan of Fulghum’s; I LOVE his writings.  He makes me smile, even laugh out loud at times (so, I guess it IS about me).  I like to think I’m one of those people he calls “players.”  I and others like me are his audience. 

I found it comforting to read what Fulghum shared as I realized the truth of it myself some time ago—that many of the people who know me don’t have much to say about my writing for Breast Cancer Wellness magazine.  And, that is a-okay with me.

It’s the readers who don’t know me—the readers from far away—who do read what I have to say.  They are the ones I mean to touch anyway.  But I do feel that I am satisfied even as I write for their attention.  I write for them while writing for myself; I am inspired by the people I profile. 

Writing for the attention of others is in line with good marketing and good communications; it’s writing for the audience, a.k.a. the target.  I’ll never forget the words of my mentor, Scott Harlin, a successful high-tech marketer.  He said, “Remember the audience; what’s in it for them?”  Well over a decade ago, Harlin made me print that out and paste it to my computer monitor, because he wanted to drive home the idea that all successful communications speak to the audience.

Last week I was touched by readers, by representatives of the journalistic world—readers from far away who took notice and saw the positive purpose of the work.

The fall 2007 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, to which I contribute profiles, received the 2007 Dan Ranly Award for “Best Issue” in the consumer category from the Missouri Association of Publications (MAP).  Now, I realize that Beverly Vote, our publisher and editor-in-chief, gets just about all of the credit for the magazine, but it is nice to share in the honor.  It tells me that we at the magazine speak to our audience. 

So, is this a case of the fan mail (honor) being more about the fan than about me or the magazine?  Yes, and it means that we touched them, just as Mr. Fulghum’s works touch so many of us around the world.  Whether he intends to or not, Fulghum gets the attention of others.  I’m happy to say, so does Breast Cancer Wellness magazine.

To view the fall 2007 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, go to:  http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/magazine/Fall07_01.pdf.  My articles begin on page 44.   DSJC

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12. December 2007 by DSJC.

Back in October, I was honored by my publisher, Beverly Vote, at Breast Cancer Wellness magazine when she asked me to be a guest on the blog talk radio show she produces — Inspire!  I did the show as a guest and had a great time.  A week or so later, she called me and gave me a jolt.  She wanted me to become a co-host on the show.

Though I was nervous at the thought, I said, “Yes,” and I’ve been having a blast ever since.  It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m offering what I can to inspire breast cancer survivors both with my writing and via the Internet talk show.  To listen to the show, go to: http://www.breastcancerwellness.org/inspire-internet-radio-show.html.

My point is, I felt that fear (the nervousness) and did it anyway.  Why? Because that’s how we grow, AND it gave me an opportunity to share, which is what PR, writing and advocacy is all about - sharing information, sharing thoughts, sharing content.

With today’s show, I came full circle to the concept of feeling the fear and doing it anyway.  That’s because my co-host, Karen (discussingbreastcancer.com) and I interviewed the amazing Dr. Susan Jeffers, whose book, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway inspired me about 20 years ago to take my first steps alone into the world and again later on my receiving my breast cancer diagnosis.  It was an honor to interview her today.  Now, Jeffers shares her insights and guidance via 18 books at http://www.susanjeffers.com/home/index.cfm.

She may not be a PR professional, but you could say that Dr. Susan Jeffers is one of the people who taught me how to share.  I’d say you are right.

 DSJC.

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