Sunday, October 1, 2017

This is not Pink


Welcome to October! And, we all know what that means. That’s right, it’s time for pink, for the grandmother of all “awareness” campaigns, it’s breast cancer “awareness” month. As an aside, October is also liver cancer awareness month, but I guarantee that we won’t see any emerald green ribbons wrapped around trees or on lapels.
For the next month, the world will be festooned in pink ribbons, a veritable tidal wave of pink will send those gold (childhood cancer) and teal (ovarian cancer) ribbons from last month spiraling to the depths of the awareness ocean. Did you see a yellow or teal ribbon on a box of cereal in September? No. Well, then, it’s time to ask why. I am sure that when I head to Shop-Rite next week, I will see plenty of pink merchandise. There will be “awareness days” at baseball and football games; there will be golf events for a “cure” and plenty of races or walks for a “cure.” Here’s the thing, though.
There is no cure for breast cancer or any cancer, for that matter.
I’ll let that sink in for a moment.
There. Is. No. Cure.
Ribbons and “awareness” don’t change that fact.
Is cancer treatable? Absolutely. Many people are treated successfully, go into remission, and continue to live their lives.  Am I one of them? I’d like to think so. I’ve had cancer. Twice. I had Hodgkin’s lymphoma, diagnosed when I was 14 in 1981. So, I was a member of the childhood cancer club, long before the gold ribbon thing. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year when I was 49. It was caught early during my annual mammo and ultrasound. My treatment was successful. And yet, and yet, I don’t pretend for one single moment that this can’t change. It’s insidious, cancer. 
One in three breast cancer patients has metastatic or Stage IV disease. That means that the cancer has spread from the breast to someplace else. It can happen any time; it can be an initial diagnosis or can be diagnosed months or years after completing treatment. It can happen even if the original breast cancer was caught “early.” No one knows why this happens. Almost no one survives metastatic disease. If you know someone who has died from cancer, that person died from metastatic disease. Yet, notwithstanding that one-third of all breast cancer patients will be diagnosed with metastatic disease; according to Metavivor, only 2 to 5% of all money for breast cancer research is dedicated to metastatic disease.
This year, if you want to make a difference in the fight against cancer, please consider supporting organizations that actually are putting dollars to work to find a cure or that are providing direct support to cancer patients. Ask the important questions: Where does the money go? Who does the money help? Use Charity Navigator to verify a charity’s accountability. Here are some ideas:
·      Metavivor: www.metavivor.org
·       Living Beyond Breast Cancer: www.lbbc.org/
·      Young Survival Coalition: www.youngsurvival.org
·      Pink Warrior Angels: www.pinkwarriorangels.org
·      Remember Betty Foundation: www.rememberbetty.com
If you know someone who was recently diagnosed or is in treatment, and you want to help, but are not sure how or what to do, may I suggest offering specific support, such as an offer to come to treatment, go for a walk or go out for coffee; to help with grocery shopping or laundry following surgery; and, of course, meals always are appreciated (as long as you clear taste preferences which can go wonky during treatment), as are cards or notes. I saved every single one that I received. They still make me smile.
If you want to splurge, then consider these great companies and organizations, all started and run by survivors:
·      AnaOno Intimates: A lingerie and loungewear company designing exclusively for those who've had breast reconstruction, breast surgery, mastectomy or are living with other conditions that cause pain or discomfort, www.anaono.com.
·      Survivor Moda: The ParkPuff™ Seatbelt Pillow for Breast Cancer Survivors, www.survivormoda.com.
·      Diva for a Day: Nominate someone to be a “Diva” and she'll have a beautiful, restorative day, www.divaforaday.org.
·      Fighting Pretty: “Pretty Packages” are care packages intended to empower women battling cancer to feel strong, beautiful and fierce, www.fightingpretty.org.
Cancer happens. Cancer sucks. Cancer kills -- too many, too young, too soon. 
We need to come together to make a difference. 
We need to move beyond the ribbons.
We need a cure.
Our lives are depending on it.
In Memory Of --
Nan A., Breast Cancer
Patrice B., Pancreatic Cancer
Ted B., Liver Cancer
Bob C., Prostate Cancer
Champagne Joy, Breast Cancer
Lorraine M., Breast Cancer
Peter M., Brain Cancer
Jim O., Throat Cancer
Thomas W., Pancreatic Cancer
In Support & Honor Of --
Erica A., Breast Cancer
Mark B., Prostate Cancer
Lorry B., Breast Cancer
Steph B., Breast Cancer
Karen B., Breast Cancer
Liz B., Breast Cancer
Chiara D., Breast Cancer
Lauren D., Breast Cancer
Dana D., Breast Cancer
Gina D., Breast Cancer
Peggy G., Lymphoma
Karen G., Breast Cancer
Dana H., Breast & Ovarian Cancer
Maureen J., Breast Cancer
Tom K., Melanoma
Mary K., Breast Cancer
Nancy L., Breast Cancer
Melanie L., Breast Cancer
Shea L., Lymphoma
Lori M., Lymphoma
Peggy M., Breast Cancer
Brendan M., Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Laura M., Breast Cancer
Diane M., Breast & Lung Cancer
Susie M., Breast Cancer 
Nora M., Ovarian Cancer
Mike M., Bladder Cancer
Christie O., Breast Cancer
Rachel P., Breast Cancer
Maria R., Breast Cancer
Cassandra S., Breast Cancer
Jen S., Lymphoma
Joanne W., Breast Cancer
Karen W., Breast Cancer