Wordless Wednesday

Love, Hugs, and Blessings,
The Mama

Every 68 Seconds

Every 68 seconds, a woman dies from Breast Cancer.  Will you support my walk to find a cure?

So, What's Next?

I successfully finished the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th and have now set my sights on several other small races that are scheduled over the next few months.

Perhaps most importantly, however, is the fact that in October I will be participating in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk.  

I am committed.  I am driven.  I am determined.  

I am also $2,000 short of my required minimum fundraising goal.

I am only allowed to participate if I raise $2,300.  I can only raise the remaining $2,000 needed with your help.

Now that I'm more dedicated than ever, I NEED YOUR HELP to make my desire to walk a reality.  Won't you please consider making a small donation to help me reach my goal?  I am immensely appreciate for any support you can give.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Birthday Wish

Happy Happy Birthday to me, to ME!

Yes sir... today is my 32nd birthday.  My wish for today is that everyone who visits my site would donate at least $1 to my 3 Day Walk for a cure for cancer.

Shameless plug?  You betcha!!! Every birthday is a blessing, and I am so grateful for the last 31 healthy years that I have been given.

So for my birthday, would you please consider making a donation to my Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk?  Every step and every dollar helps support the fight for happy birthdays for women and families year after year.

Love, hugs, and (birthday) blessings,
The Mama

Thank You And Some Clarification

First of all, I need to say a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has supported my 3 Day Walk so far!  I am at 11% of my goal which is a tremendous accomplishment!

Now, I feel as though I need to provide a little bit of explanation.

I am Catholic by birth, and guilty by association: I'm the daughter of a Deacon, the sister of a-soon-to-be Priest.  I am unapologetically anti-abortion.  I am pro-equal healthcare for all.  I support responsible procreation.  I am a lactivist, feminist-lite, cancer hater, dog lover, and a tree hugger.  I'm vocal about my opinions and stubborn as all get out when it comes to sticking by what I believe in.  I will, however, respect your opinions -  as long as they coincide with mine.

Okay, so I'm kidding about opinion coinciding part.  But in order for me to truly respect your opinions, they need to be founded in something sustainable.

Which brings me to my point... (you know me, I always get there eventually!)

It has come to my attention that there is some discourse among the Catholic population regarding support of the Susan G. Komen foundation.  I will, for now, keep my extremely strong opinions about this to myself and provide for your reading enjoyment the foundation's official response to their support of Planned Parenthood.  (Here's a sustainable foundation for MY opinion on supporting the Susan G. Komen 3 Day)

In a nutshell, some groups and individuals are choosing to NOT support participants of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day walk because the foundation provides a portion of their funding to Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions.  Again, I am personally anti-abortion.  However, I do support the SGK foundation AND the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk.  I am confident in my continued support and fundraising efforts, and would ask you to be open minded and continue to support me in my mission to walk for a cure.

The following is from Dr. Winer at the Susan G. Komen foundation:

March 2010

An open letter about Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and Planned Parenthood 

This year, as in the past, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is being criticized by some for funding a handful of women's health programs run by, or with ties to, Planned Parenthood. I'm writing this letter to explain our position and to correct any misinformation you may have heard about this issue.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure exists for only one reason: to save lives and to end breast cancer forever. In the past 27 years, we've invested nearly $1.5 billion to accomplish those goals through research and for programs that educate, screen and treat people in communities all around the world.

Early screening through mammograms and education are critical to end the suffering from this disease: 98 percent of women treated for early stage breast cancer, before it spreads, are alive five years later. The widespread use of mammography and heightened public awareness of breast cancer both contribute to these favorable statistics.

And while Komen Affiliates provide funds to pay for screening, education and treatment programs in dozens of communities, in some areas, the only place that poor, uninsured or under-insured women can receive these services are through programs run by Planned Parenthood.

These facilities serve rural women, poor women, Native American women, women of color, and the un- and under-insured. As part of our financial arrangements, we monitor our grantees twice a year to be sure they are spending the money in line with our agreements, and we are assured that Planned Parenthood uses these funds only for breast health education, screening and treatment programs.

As long as there is a need for health care for these women, we will continue to fund the facilities that meet that need. 

Ethicists in the Catholic Church have also examined this issue. One year ago, two Catholic ethicists - Ron Hamel, Ph.D. and Michael Panicola, Ph.D. - examined the moral implications of our funding decision. They concluded that it was morally permissible for the church to be involved with Komen in light of its funding agreements with Planned Parenthood.

"The fact that some Komen affiliates, at times, provide funding to Planned Parenthood specifically and solely for breast health services cannot on the face of it be construed as wrongdoing," the ethicists wrote. "The good that Komen does and the harm that would come to so many women if Komen ceased to exist or ceased to be funded would seem to be a sufficiently proportionate reason" for Catholics to support our funding decisions (emphasis added).

Another piece of misinformation being spread by many who criticize Komen for the Cure for its Planned Parenthood grants is that abortion causes breast cancer. Well conducted research consistently fails to support this claim. We agree with the bulk of scientific evidence - from the National Cancer Institute, Harvard, a rigorous study in Denmark and from Oxford University - that there is no conclusive link between breast cancer and induced abortion or miscarriage.

It is important for women to receive accurate information about risk factors for breast cancer. There are steps a woman can take to reduce her risk of developing breast cancer (for example, maintaining a healthy weight) as well as important steps every woman should take to make sure that, if she does develop breast cancer, it is detected and treated as soon as possible. A complete list of risk factors and screening recommendations can be found on our website http://www.komen.org. 

If you have more questions or need for information, you can go to this link and it includes many more background documents:

http://ww5.komen.org/plannedparenthood.html

More detailed information is on our web site at http://www.komen.org. We invite you to review the documents there, and we thank you again for taking time to investigate our position on this issue.

Thank you for continuing to support my Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk.  

Love, hugs, and blessings,

The Mama

Asking For Your Help

2,400,000 

The number of women in the US who have been diagnosed with and treated for Breast Cancer

40,200 

The number of women expected to die from Breast Cancer this year

32 

The number of years ago my maternal grandmother was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer

14 

The age I was when my maternal grandmother passed away from Breast Cancer

12 

The number of times a year you should do a self breast exam

7 

The number of years ago my paternal grandmother was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer

5 

The number of young friends whom I know that have been diagnosed and treated for Breast Cancer

4 

The number of months ago my paternal grandmother was diagnosed with terminal Breast Cancer

3 

The number of days I will be walking for a cure

2 

The number of minutes it takes to help me take a stand against Breast Cancer

1 

The number of people diagnosed every three minutes with Breast Cancer

It doesn't discriminate based on age or race.  It doesn't care if you have children, are single, are a sister, daughter, wife, or friend.  It doesn't wait for a convenient time to rear it's ugly head.  It doesn't care if it leaves you changed, scarred, and barren.  It doesn't care who it hurts or claims.  IT is Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women.  While early detection is the best defense against this horrible disease, there is still much that needs to be done to help eliminate breast cancer all together.

I grew up experiencing first hand the ugliness of Breast Cancer.  My mother's mom lived with us from her second diagnosis until breast cancer ultimately claimed her life.

Now, nearly 20 years later, my father's mom is battling breast cancer for the second time in her life.  It is a battle that we already know she will sadly lose.

I don't want to stand by and watch anyone else suffer from this disease.


This year, I'll be participating in a very special event called the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.

I'll walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other women and men. Net proceeds from the Komen 3-Day for the Cure are invested in breast cancer research and community programs.

I am walking for my grandmothers, Rita and Nancy, who have so bravely battled this disease. I am walking for my daughters, Isabella and Lilianna, that they may never have to feel the pain of watching a loved one battle this disease.  I am walking for my mother, Susan, and my sister, Kathryn, whom I hope I will never have to watch fight the fight.  I am walking for women everywhere who are so bravely battling this disease.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,300 in donations, and I've set my personal goal to be the same. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation to help me reach my goal? Keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train. You can give online at The3Day.org. Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising Web page and make a donation. You can also call 800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone.

I want to do something bold to stop breast cancer.  I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Visit my donation page: http://www.the3day.org/goto/themama3day

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Breast Cancer 3 Day

It is with great sadness that I am announcing that I have quit the 2009 Breast Cancer 3 Day. Between our move, three kids, and an 11 month old who is still exclusively nursing, it is pretty much impossible to expect that I am able to achieve this lofty goal of 60 miles and $2,300.

HOWEVER, I have a wonderful, inspirational, amazing friend who is still walking, and I strongly encourage you and ask you as my friends to please support her.

I worked with Bri during my short tenure at St. Peter Chanel. I adore her. My kids adore her. She is the sweetest, most hard working, amazing, kind, wonderful friend that anyone could ever ask for. She is only around $200 from reaching her goal for the 3 day, and at this point any donation helps!

Please take a moment and click here to donate as little or as much as you are able to contribute. Remember, everyone deserves a lifetime.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Beautiful.

If you have been living under a rock and missed this beautiful dance, then please take a moment to watch this now.

The meaning behind this dance is so powerful and moving. On the So You Think You Can Dance finale last night, the camera panned to Christina Applegate who has publicly battled breast cancer; her emotion brought tears to my own eyes and renewed my dedication to The 3 Day journey.

I'll let the video speak for itself.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

An Ode to my Boobies

There was a time when I was young
you made me cry and sob;
I thought that you would never grow,
I'd change my name to Bob.

By age 18 it became clear
big boobs were not for me;
Founding member I became
of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee.


Just when I had embraced your size,
things began to change;
A pregnancy and new baby
forced things to rearrange!

From B to D you grew and grew
and much to my surprise,
I hated you not for being small,
but for your massive size!

You helped my babies thrive and grow;
an advocate I became.
I quickly went from being shy
to having no more shame.

I'd never change or alter you
your worth is much to great;
Despite struggles that we once had
I now rate you an eight!

I check you at least once a month
to make sure you are well,
So when my girls grow up one day,
your story I can tell.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Breast Cancer 3 Day: Some FUNdraising Ideas!

10 Fundraising Ideas for your Breast Cancer 3 Day!

1. Your HQ: Send emails from your HQ. Customize your HQ with a picture and your personal story.
Email your fundraising letter to friends, family, co-workers, and ask them to support you. Your
email will have a direct link right back to your website and when they donate online, they will
automatically receive a receipt for tax purposes. Ask everyone to forward on your email to 10 more
people!

2. House Party: Host a fundraising party at your home for friends, family, co-workers, neighbors.
Share your experience of the 3-Day and your reasons for walking, then ask them to support you.
Ask your coach for an inspirational video/DVD to show at the party.

3. Corporate Matching: Take advantage of corporate matching gifts programs.
Many of your donors may work for companies that have a program like this – their donation could double simply by filling out a form from their Human Resources department.

4. Corporate Sponsor: Identify one corporate sponsor that you can ask for a large donation. Offer to wear their shirt for advertising.

5. Garage Sale: Ask all of your friends and neighbors to participate by donating items for sale. Make signs that indicate all proceeds are going to the 3-Day. Ask your local paper to run an ad as their contribution. Add a bake sale and/or lemonade stand, and have a straight donation jar visibly displayed. Don’t forget to have plenty of donation forms on hand!

6. Super Change Jar: Ask all of your friends and family to put aside their spare change to be added to the super change jar.
Every month or so, empty it out and let everyone know how much “a little at a time” adds up! This is a great idea to put into action at work, too. Decorate the jar with inspirational quotes and photos from your training walks.

7. “Loose Change Day”: Ask your child’s school to have a “Loose Change Day”.
Make a flyer encouraging each child to bring in loose change from their house to be donated. Encourage the math classes to assist with counting, predicting and rolling the change. This is a great way to involve the entire school. You can hold this event multiple times; every week, every month.

8. Car Wash: Hold a car wash – either in your neighborhood, at your place of worship, or at your place of business.
Ask local businesses to donate the supplies you will need and ask your friends
to help wash. Add a bake sale; sell chilled bottles of water (that have been donated). If you have
enough help, consider adding a dog wash!

9. Car Wash-Take 2: Go to your local car wash and talk with the owner/manager about doing a fundraising event there. Many people go to the same car wash every week.
Post flyers a week in advance, then spend a few hours talking with people about what you are doing at the cashier stand. Hand people a flyer, accept donations!

10. Tribute Donations: Encourage your donors to make their donations in “honor of”, “support of”, or “memory of” someone they know who has been affected by breast cancer.
This is a great way to let them feel very much a part of your experience. Suggest a donation amount for them to sign a shirt or a placard that you will carry with you on the 3-Day, or print their names on a twist of pink ribbon that you will pin to your shirt.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Support My Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk!

What person doesn't love to get a little gift?

For every gift you give to me, I will give right back to you!

I've designed these mini key-fobs just for YOU! Just donate a minimum of $10.00, and I will send you a free embroidered and handmade Breast Cancer Awareness Key-fob.

Use the form below to donate. Be sure to include all of your information so I can get your fob in the mail ASAP!

Breast Cancer 3-Day Ambassador

You may have noticed a beautiful pink and black Ambassador logo on the right side of my page. While this went up a few weeks ago, it has taken me some time to get it together to let you know what it is all about.

In October, I will be participating in my first ever Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. In order to follow my journey, I have started another blog that you can follow here. I will be updating both blogs with miscellaneous information but will try to not be redundant on both. I'm going to keep the Mama Milk Maker blog strictly to 3-Day information.

I feel like committing to this walk is a HUGE undertaking. It seems like everywhere I turn, someone else's life is being dramatically affected by breast cancer. Both of my grandmother's had it. There are amazingly inspirational women whom I have never met who are battling it. There are young mothers that I was blessed to briefly know who have lost their lives to this disease.

I'm doing the walk for all of these women and the millions who are bravely fighting this disease every day. I'm participating for the mothers of young children who want to live to see their babies graduate from high school. I am walking to remember the valiant battle that my grandmother's both fought and won. I'm raising money for my own daughters that they may never have to face the devastation of the disease in themselves.

I volunteered to be an ambassador because I am hoping that I can continue to not only motivate myself through the information that I will be sharing, but also to motivate you to educate yourself about the disease, and urge others to help support the search for a cure.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama

Blogging Goodness

I actually have a LOT on my mind tonight, but seeing as it's already 2:00 in the morning and I'm doubting that sleeping in will be in my future tomorrow, I'm going to keep this one short and sweet.

I've started a second blog.

Now, I know what you're thinking: why did you start ANOTHER blog when you can't maintain the one you already have???

The answer is simple: I'm in way over my head.

Well, that's kind of true. The reality is that I've started a separate blog to chronicle my journey up to and including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. I figured that some of my readers may come visit me just because they enjoy reading my sporadic ramblings on motherhood and any other random goodness that flows from my fingertips. They may not want to read about my 3 Day journey. So, I've separated the two.

In case you're curious, my new blog is mamamilkmakers.blogspot.com. Since I'm doing the 3 Day in part for my daughters, the name is sort of a tribute to them. My oldest calls breast milk "mama milk". Boobies make mama milk. Enough said.

And on that note, I'm going to snuggle up under the covers that have been calling my name for the last two hours. It is way, way past my bedtime and I long ago turned into a pumpkin.

Love, hugs, and blessings,
The Mama