Pink Initiative http://www.pinkinitiative.org Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:27:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 2 Possible Precursors to Breast Cancer http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2-possible-precursors-to-breast-cancer http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2-possible-precursors-to-breast-cancer#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:27:12 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1028 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

The question that we all want to know the answer to is, “What the heck is causing cancer?!”  There are hundreds of theories that are tirelessly being studied by very smart people who wear lab coats, so I’ll leave that to the pros.  However what I have read about more and more are 2 precursors which may contribute to the cause of breast cancer:

1.  Low vitamin D in the system.
2.  Low or high thyroid condition.

Both can be determined through a simple blood draw at your annual physical, and I highly recommend knowing.  If you do answer yes to one or both, you can begin taking preventative action and possibly keep the big C away!  Or at the very least you’ll be more diligent with your self exams and mammograms – all very important tools for early detection.

As a BC conqueror myself, I did have low vitamin D + low thyroid and it makes me wonder what could have been different if I had been more diligent…

You can read more on this topic HERE.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2-possible-precursors-to-breast-cancer/feed 0 New Year. New Job. Reflecting on my professional journey. http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/new-year-new-job-reflecting-on-my-professional-journey http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/new-year-new-job-reflecting-on-my-professional-journey#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 11:00:24 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=1020 Read More >>]]> by Kelsie Guerriero

As I soak up the spirit of the holidays and anticipate all that’s ahead in the New Year, I think it’s also a nice time to reflect on the year that’s coming to a close.

In June my husband, Rejean, and I moved back to Boston so that he could continue to pursue his training in pediatric neurology at The Children’s Hospital. When you factor in medical school and residency, we’re six and a half years in to a nine year commitment (but who’s counting?!). His perseverance throughout training and genuine dedication to patient care is something that continues to inspire me. While his career has been the driving force behind our moves and transitions over the last several years, I’ve experienced my own professional “journey”, too.

In 2008 I was let go from my advertising job and toyed with the idea of shifting to a career in health and wellness. I was frustrated, tired, burnt out. Despite the lack of sleep and constant pressure to perform, I was a bit envious of Rejean’s path. I wanted to dedicate myself to something that would “make a difference”, so I dabbled in personal training and thought seriously about a MS in Nutrition, but nothing felt quite right. Plus, we anticipated having to move in 2009 and again in 2011 to accommodate residency training, so I decided to sit tight.

Our move in 2009 was to Western Massachusetts and I found myself working for a sustainable seafood company doing their marketing, public relations, online content management, social media…you name it – I did it. It was tremendously challenging and a wonderful learning experience, but I knew I wanted to be part of something larger.

Our 2011 move brought us back to Boston and I was thrilled to land at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. As Assistant Director of Development Marketing, I manage a variety of events and programs that support the lifesaving mission of Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund. My team writes and produces the print materials, websites/social media, advertising, and premiums that help our front line fundraisers generate the crucial financial support that fuels our physician scientists’ ground-breaking cancer research and compassionate patient care. I’m extremely grateful to have found a position that allows me to draw on my marketing background, yet also bring my passion for health and wellness and my dedication to Pink Initiative to work with me everyday.

As you embark on 2012, I hope you take time to reflect on the year coming to a close, as well. Chances are if you’re still reading this – like me – you’re invested in a future without cancer, and you’re interested in Pink Initiative’s efforts toward that end. While 2011 was a successful year with the launch of our new website and our partnership with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation® as our 2011 fundraising recipient, we can’t lose momentum. Your continued generosity is crucial to our efforts and we can’t thank you enough for joining us in the fight against breast cancer. On behalf of all of us at Pink Initiative, we wish you a happy – and most importantly healthy – New Year.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/new-year-new-job-reflecting-on-my-professional-journey/feed 3 The Mammogram Squeeze http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-mammogram-squeeze http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-mammogram-squeeze#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:19:57 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=979 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

Many women avoid their annual mammogram screening based on the fear of the unknown.  Here are 5 tips to help you understand what to expect:

1.  Setup a 6 month reminder.  Schedule your screening during an occasion that you’ll remember each year; birthday, new year, etc.

2. Wear something two-piece the day of.  This way you only have to remove your top and not your bottoms.

3. Yes it kind of hurts. Just when you think it can’t get any tighter, they will clamp down a little bit more but it’s because they care!!  And honestly, the discomfort only lasts for a few seconds so just do it!

4. Do not wear any deodorant, lotion or perfume on or near the chest the day of.

5. The technician looks at the X-ray films to make sure the image is clear, NOT to look for cancer.  You’ll have to wait for the results.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/the-mammogram-squeeze/feed 0 Raising Hope http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/raising-hope http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/raising-hope#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:03:07 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=969 Read More >>]]> by Megan Clouse

The October issue of Better Homes & Garden had a very nice feature titled Raising Hope, focusing on 6 innovations that are improving detection, treatment and quality of life.  Here’s just a snapshot of the article:

1.  Mammograms in 3-D: New and improved imaging that captures X-ray images from multiple angles and has the ability to see through multiple layers of tissue.
2.  Screenings with Benefits: To nudge patients into their annual mammograms, some medical centers are offering manicures and massages.
3.  Reconstruction without the Wait: A UCLA study shows that immediate reconstruction after a mastectomy does not increase any risk factors.
4.  Support Groups: Research shows that support groups can improve the overall quality of life in BC survivors.
5.  Lymph Node: A team of US researchers are challenging the usual protocol to remove all lymph nodes if they test positive for cancer; an invasive surgery with sometimes difficult lifelong challenges.
6.  Patients Shape the Law: In 2009 a recently diagnosed woman got fed up and instituted legislation that will positively affect the lives of women state and country wide.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/raising-hope/feed 0 And The Winner Is… http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/and-the-winner-is http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/and-the-winner-is#comments Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:43:39 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=992 Read More >>]]> by Mia Toro

On October 1st we kicked off an informative online relay contest for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  We are humbled by the number of people who helped us share breast cancer facts and information; spreading awareness and education to our online community.  Thank you!

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for – the winner of the 2011 Pink Initiative Relay is…

Invitation Consultants [@fabulousinvites]

Congratulations!!!  You are the proud, new owner of a custom Pink Initiative Sea Bag tote (valued at $150).  Thank you to everyone who participated.  Keep up the great work and continue to spread breast cancer education and awareness year-round!

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/and-the-winner-is/feed 1 Dear Giuliana http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/dear-giuliana http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/dear-giuliana#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:34:15 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=964 Read More >>]]> Dear Giuliana Rancic,

When the news of your recent BC diagnosis spread through the media, it really took me aback and I was surprised at how much it rattled me. I sat quietly and watched your announcement interview, wanting to reach through the television and tell you that you’d be ok.  I listened to your carefully chosen words and could hear your strength, honesty and determination and I was relieved.  I knew you would be a conqueror.

You’ll learn more about cancer and boobs than you’ll ever want to know.  You’ll learn about lymph nodes and medical terms that will sometimes exhaust you.  You’ll learn that you’re stronger than you ever imagined.  You’ll learn just how much your friends and family love you.  And you’ll learn to be a positive role model to all those who will be diagnosed in the coming days, weeks and years ahead.

It’s a club that I wish you had not joined, but now that you’re here, I’m proud of you for taking these first few steps of this journey with grace and confidence.

Sincerely,

Megan

BC at 37.  Miracle diagnosis.  Conqueror.

www.megansbigadventure.com

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/dear-giuliana/feed 0 2011 Fundraising Recipient http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2011-fundraising-recipient http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2011-fundraising-recipient#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:30:41 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=947 Read More >>]]>

by Mia Toro

Pink Initiative is pleased to announce our 2011 fundraising recipient, Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation®.  The TNBC Foundation® is dedicated to raising awareness of triple negative breast cancer and supporting researchers and scientists in their efforts to determine a cause.  Now, some of you may be asking yourself…

What exactly is triple negative breast cancer? It is a subtype of breast cancer that is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative – hence the name, ‘triple negative’.

How does treatment differ from other types of breast cancer? Triple negative breast cancer is typically responsive to chemotherapy.  However, because this subtype is lacking the three receptors found in most other subtypes, the tumors often do not respond well to receptor targeted treatments, making treatment much more difficult.

How prevalent is triple negative, relative to other types? Although triple negative  represents only 15% of all breast cancer cases, this rare subtype accounts for approximately 25%  of breast cancer deaths…a staggering statistic.

In hopes of making the deepest impact possible on the breast cancer community, Pink Initiative alternates every other year between choosing an organization as a fundraising recipient and hosting a breast cancer action day.  This year, we believe that the TNBC Foundation® is more than deserving of being named the 2011 Pink Initiative fundraising recipient.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/2011-fundraising-recipient/feed 1 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/national-breast-cancer-awareness-month http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/national-breast-cancer-awareness-month#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:00:35 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=934 Read More >>]]> by Mia Toro

Fall is officially here, and so is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  October is a month of celebration, awareness, empowerment, education and remembrance.  It is a month where the country, and world for that matter, is painted pink to help raise funds and awareness for a cause that touches so many.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) was founded in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries.  Not long after, in 1992, the pink ribbon was adopted as the official symbol for NBCAM.  Regardless of your stance on the pink ribbon as a symbol for breast cancer, or whether or not you agree with what some are calling “pinkwashing”, one cannot help but be fully inspired by the depth and breadth of NBCAM.

This month, you may deliberately purchase pink-lidded yogurt versus your standard Greek yogurt.  Or, maybe you’ll register to participate in a local breast cancer walk.  You may even decide to host a Grassroots event in your own community (Need inspiration?  Borrow an idea from our Grassroots events idea blog post)!  Regardless of how you plan to take part in NBCAM, we encourage you to find something that speaks to you and join in!

Speaking of joining in…who’s up for a little contest?  Pink Initiative is hosting an informative breast cancer online relay contest.  On October 1st we kicked things off with a full day of Tweets and Facebook posts.  We’ll continue posting throughout the month and at the end of October we’ll be using the online influence scorer, Klout, to determine who has been Pink Initiative’s biggest influencer via social media.  The winner will be awarded one of our amazing, custom Pink Initiative Sea Bag tote bags (valued at $150 and a great conversation piece).  To join in on the fun (and potentially win a fabulous bag!), follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook! 

Happy National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everyone!

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/national-breast-cancer-awareness-month/feed 1 Pink Initiative featured in Freelance Switch http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/pink-initiative-featured-in-freelance-switch http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/pink-initiative-featured-in-freelance-switch#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:59:18 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=930 Pink Initiative founder Emilie Sommer was featured on Freelance Switch discussing her passion for Pink Initiative and the importance of being a civic-minded business owner. Click here to read the full interview.

]]> http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/pink-initiative-featured-in-freelance-switch/feed 0 Say hello to our new website http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/say-hello-to-our-new-website http://www.pinkinitiative.org/blog/say-hello-to-our-new-website#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:20:30 +0000 emilie http://www.pinkinitiative.org/?p=925 Read More >>]]> It’s been around for a little while now, but we haven’t officially celebrated the launch of our beautiful new website. It’s about time, don’t you think?

Featuring a searchable database of wedding vendors devoted to Pink Initiative’s mission, secure online donation through GiveZooks, and this blog detailing the latest Pink Initiative news, our new site brings together wedding professionals committed to finding a cure for breast cancer.

The website was designed by Christina Wnek of emilie ink, an original card and logo design studio, and was programmed by Genius Switch of Dover, New Hampshire, a creator of creative web solutions for worthy projects.

Take a spin around and let us know what you think!

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