Boards of Hope is an Athletes 4 Cancer project that brings artists and the boards we ride together to benefit young lives affected by cancer. The 2013 theme for Boards of Hope is
HEALING IN THE ELEMENTS. However you interpret that theme in your board project is completely up to you!

Boards of Hope invites all artists to transform recycled boards of all types into canvases for stunning works of art, based on the theme, HEALING IN THE ELEMENTS.  Accepted boards include surfboards, kiteboards, skateboards, skimboards and snowboards.

Select survivor and professional artists’ boards will be featured in a silent auction at Kiteboarding for Cancer July 13-14th, 2013.  Proceeds will benefit Athletes 4 Cancer Survivorship Programs and OHSU Knight Cancer Institute’s Adolescent & Young Adult Oncology Program.  Selected artists be featured on the Athletes 4 Cancer and Kiteboarding 4 Cancer website and on flyers at the event. All artists, from professional to amateur are encouraged to submit their work.

The History of Boards of Hope

Boards of Hope began when Athletes 4 Cancer’s founder, Tonia Farman, brought art supplies, recycled papers, wood, and mixed media to her brother, Scott’s, bedside at Seattle’s Children’s Hospital. He was undergoing a long battle with leukemia and found a sense of calm and purpose in art. His organs and body were weak, but his soul poured out with life in his artwork. Mixed media and collage became his channel of expression, therapy and healing. His works became an inspiration for Boards of Hope.

Two Levels of Artist Submissions
Professional Artists: Interested in your work being highlighted for a good cause? Submit an Artist’s Bio to tonia @ athletesforcancer.org. If selected as a feature artist, you and your artwork board will be featured in advance of the event in event publicity. Submit your board by June 1st. Check art specs below.

Amateur Artists: Submit your board by July 1st. Check art specs below. Please submit questions and submissions to tonia @ athletes4cancer.org.

The Boards of Hope exhibit will be on display at Kiteboarding 4 Cancer July 13 & 14th. The main exhibit and auction will take place July 14th at the Kiteboarding 4 Cancer Boards of Hope tent at the Hood River Event Site, with the live auction at 6:00 pm.

Athletes 4 Cancer’s Survivorship Programs for Young Adults with Cancer video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUv-3QAfyLM&list=PL8E5505E7B57F94A1

If you are a professional artist and are interested in making a submission to Boards of Hope, email your Artist Bio to tonia@athletes4cancer.org.

Artist Specifications:

• Artists must obtain their own recycled boards and art supplies to create board.
• NO standup paddleboards or windsurf boards.
• Complete the Board Submission Form.
• Finished piece must be sealed with a protective and archival sealant
• Boards are not intended to be ridden after artwork
• Artists are encouraged to use acrylics, acrylic paint pens, sharpies and collage mediums.
• Works must be completed and delivered by June 1st.
• All submissions are donations to Athletes 4 Cancer and will be auctioned off at Kiteboarding 4 Cancer’s Live Auction at the Hood River Event Site Saturday, July 13th.

We strongly encourage SURVIVORS & FIGHTERS to submit their art!

Yes, it’s true, and that simple. Top fundraiser between Thanksgiving (Nov. 22) and New Year’s (Dec. 31), 2012 wins their very own standup paddleboard, courtesy of SUPLove SUP Boards. The board has a beautiful bamboo finish with a custom Paddle 4 Cancer deck pad made just for Athletes for Cancer’s fundraiser!

• To be eligible, create a fundraising page as an A4C Ambassador here.
• If you already have a fundraising page as an A4C Ambassador via the Ambassador page, just continue fundraising and your totals will count toward the prize.
• If you have a fundraising page for a different A4C event, simply create a new fundraising page on the A4C Ambassador page. This page communicates what A4C does, with a telling video, photos, and donation information.

When you have your page set up (it takes, like, 10 seconds), give a shout out to your friends and family and tell them what you’re doing. Have your own experience with cancer? Share it! Have a story about Camp Koru? Tell it! You can customize the content of your page and your message to potential donors.

If you have any questions, email us (info at athletes4cancer.org). Thank you for your support, good luck and Happy Turkey Day!

The last week of August, one week before my 39th birthday, I was using the extension wand on our upright vacuum to clean the dust bunnies under our coach. I should add that to reach the depths of the under coach, I had to lie on my back and extend my arm which created tension, the vacuum fell over and hit me, right smack-center on my left breast.

Of course, I was hurting, yelling, crying.

A few days later I noticed a lump at the tender spot and thought it was from the impact of the vacuum cleaner “accident”. Three weeks ago, the lump started to hurt. I went to my family doctor to have it checked. She said that it could possibly be a hematoma… but we need to find out what kind of tissues are inside. She ordered a Mammogram and Ultrasound. After these two tests the Radiologist wanted to biopsy the mass. Once a lump, now a mass.

The following week I was getting a ultrasound guided needle biopsy on the mass that I know for sure was a hematoma, but whatever, they are the professionals.

Within 48 hours of the biopsy, nurse Mary called my cell phone. On the other end I heard “Are you in a private place?” Once, a mass, now a cancerous tumor.

Breast cancer? Me? I thought you needed breasts to have breast cancer. This has to be a HUGE mistake. Denial.

What stage am I? Who’s my oncologist? Will I have to have surgery? Fear.

Tears and lots of them. Grief.

Then Jamie and I met the best teachers at The Comprehensive Breast Center at Lacks. Nurse Cheri delivered the “bad” news. All the news seemed bad to me. Dr. Keto repeated the bad news and explained in greater detail all the connections of this complicated puzzle called; cancer. And what tests they were going to preform to help find more answers.

Acceptance. I’m not sure if I have accepted that I have breast cancer, so that probably indicates that I haven’t. Last week was the toughest emotional week of my life.

I am so thankful for Jamie. He’s been with me this entire journey and will stick with me through it all. My coworkers have been so supportive, Wg is a great place to be! My friends and family have been showering me with love, encouragement and support. And I’ve met a new group of ladies at the Young Survivors support group that will be great mentors. And I’m thankful for my team at Lacks Cancer Center. They are awesome communicators and great teachers.

It all started with an “accident”.

Jeannie’s daughter at the Race for the Cure

During my sister’s battle, she organized her first Race for the Cure team, one that rallied family, friends, doctors and nurses alike, to join together in celebrating her journey.  This year will be her tenth year for a team.  The day touches our hearts just the same as the very first race we attended.  We are so proud to be in the presence of such strong women and men who have won the battle, and just as aware of the strength of those we have lost to the disease.   For this is why my sister continues to join Komen in finding a cure.  She too has lost a dear friend and made her a promise that she would continue the fight.

Jeannie and friends at the 2009 Race for the Cure

This diagnosis certainly was not my sister’s plan for her life at the age of 30, but today could not imagine her life without THIS plan.  She believes this has made her the person she is today and defined her mission in life. She strives to make a difference in the lives of those touched by breast cancer and hopes one day to prevent any others from the battle.   She reaches out to any newly diagnosed women to answer questions, listen, and cheer them on.  Jeannie has been able support and encourage our three aunts that have been diagnosed since her journey. She also helps Komen Cincinnati in any way possible.  She organizes survivor gift bags each year for the Race for the Cure along with family and friends, she volunteers for many Komen events to raise breast cancer awareness, and has appeared on news programs promoting self-detection and yearly exams.  She believes strongly in their cause.  She has even inspired her daughter, Hope, who has had a lemonade stand raising money for the Race, remembering each dollar is another step closer to finding a cure.
So this November 4th we will celebrate the life of one of the strongest people I know, my sister Jeannie.  We will place ten pink flamingos in her front yard, one for each year of survival.  This is an annual family ritual that reminds my sister to smile because she is a SURVIVOR.   The flamingo represents grace and beauty,   both of which she has displayed on her journey.  She encourages others to celebrate their “day” with something that inspires them as well.  We look forward to herding a flock.

Jeannie’s flamingos!

Sweeney Family at their first Race for the Cure

Our life changed four years ago when we heard the words “you have breast cancer”. The first thing that Keith and I worried about was how do we tell our two young sons what we had ahead of us without scaring them? Keith’s suggestion was to stay positive and keep moving in the right direction to our goal- beating cancer. That’s just what we did- laughed through the tears when I lost my hair, cuddled in to watch movies when I didn’t feel good during my treatment, and raising money for Susan G. Komen Cincinnati to fund research towards finding a cure.  Through our fundraising efforts as a family by forming Team SuperGirl!, the boys were able to learn that they can take an active role in  making a difference. 

The boys and the lemonade stand that started it all…

It all started with an idea to set up a corner lemonade stand, with the profits going to our Race team. Then the ideas started to flow!  Used book sales, garage sales, selling pink bottles of water outside Kroger and donation boxes at local businesses. It really starts to add up! Each year, as The Race for the Cure rolls around, our family looks forward to making an impact. Turning a negative into a positive, a lesson my boys have learned early in their lives. Susan G. Komen Cincinnati has taught our family that the world is bigger than just us, and that ideas, no matter how small they may seem, put together can make a huge difference!

Carson and a friend at the 2011 Power of the Promise Event- where Carson was recognized at the top Kid’s for the Cure fundraiser. He has raised over $3000 in the past two years!

Team SuperGirl at Great American Ballpark at the 2011 Race

A Single Light
http://asinglelight.org/
Searchable database of cancer-related Web sites.

American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp
Information on cancer, research, advocacy, and community programs and services.

American Pain Foundation
http://www.painfoundation.org/learn/programs/spotlight-on-cancer-pain/breakthrough-pain/
Online toolkit for assessing pain as a part of a treatment plan.

Association of Cancer Online Resources
http://www.acor.org/
Collection of online communities that provide information for cancer survivors.

Cancer.com
http://www.cancer.com/cancer/
Comprehensive listing of credible Web sites for those affected by cancer.

Cancer.net
http://www.cancer.net/portal/site/patient
Cancer information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.  Offers podcasts, feature articles, and links to current news.

CancerEducation.com
http://www.cancereducation.com/
Educational programming and information for health care professionals, cancer patients, and their family members.

CancerPage.com
http://www.cancerpage.com/cancers/default.asp?channel=Ovarian_Cancer
Offers the latest news, research, and information on prevention, detection, and treatment of ovarian cancer, as well as interactive decision support tools.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge/
CDC, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, established the Inside Knowledge: Get the Facts About Gynecologic Cancer campaign to raise awareness of the five main types of gynecologic cancer: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar.

Foundation for Women’s Cancer
www.foundationforwomenscancer.org
Brochures and other educational material for women who have or who are at risk of developing a gynecologic cancer. For a complete list of Foundation survivor courses click here.

Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry
http://ovariancancer.com/app/index.php
An international registry of families with two or more relatives with ovarian cancer.  Offers a helpline, education, cancer information and peer support for women with a high risk of ovarian cancer.

Health Finder
http://www.healthfinder.gov/
Government and nonprofit health and human services information.  Links to carefully selected information and Web sites from over 1,500 health-related organizations.

Johns Hopkins Pathology’s Ovarian Cancer Web
http://ovariancancer.jhmi.edu/
Provides information, personal stories, and an online community.  Gives specific information about each individual ovarian tumor type.

Living with Cancer
http://www.cancer.net/patient/Library/Cancer.Net+Features/Living+With+Cancer
Information about how to manage common problems faced by those living with cancer.

Multinational Association of Supportive Cancer Care
www.masscc.org

National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
Information about cancer topics, genetics, clinical trials, research, and statistics.  Helpful links as well as online assistance with Nation Cancer Institute’s information and cancer-related resources.

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
http://www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/
Offers audio Cancer Survival Toolbox and information about finding resources online.

National LGBT Cancer Network
http://www.cancer-network.org/
Information for survivors and health care providers about increased cancer risks, decreased screening rates, and unique survivability issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender cancer survivors and those at risk.

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC)
http://www.ovarian.org/
Offers information about ovarian cancer as well as a helpline (1-888-682-7426) for support.

Oncolink
http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/
Cancer-related information for cancer patients, families, health care professionals, and the general public.

Ovarian Cancer Canada
http://www.ovariancanada.org/
Provides support, education, and research as well as a toll free support line.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: The Anderson Network
http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/cancer-information/cancer-types/ovarian-cancer/index.html
Online information and downloadable PDFs about prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support.

Women’s Cancer Network – Ovarian Cancer
http://www.wcn.org/
An interactive Web site about gynecologic cancer, helping women to understand more about the disease, learn about treatment options, and gain access to new or experimental therapies.

Genetics Support

Financial and Legal Support

Cancer Care
http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/
Professional support services to people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved.  Offers help finding counseling and financial support.

Cancer.com
http://www.cancer.com/cancer/fs_financial-legal.html
Links to financial and legal resources and government agencies.

Clinical Trials and Insurance Coverage: A Resource Guide
http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learning/insurance-coverage
Information on insurance coverage for clinical trials from the National Cancer Institute.

Corporate Angel Network
http://www.corpangelnetwork.org/
Help arranging free air transportation for cancer patients traveling to treatment using empty seats on corporate jets.

Bridge of Blessings
http://bridgeofblessings.org/index.html
Information and application for women with cancer in need of financial assistance.

Family and Medical Leave Act Advisor
http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/fmla/fmlamenu.asp
Provides information on the Family and Medical Leave Act.  Lists questions to help determine the rights of employees and employers.

Federal Trade Commissioner
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/1995/12/via.shtm
Information about a Federal Trade Commissioner brochure issued to advise the terminally ill who are considering selling their life insurance policies in order to pay bills.

Look Good…Feel Better
http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/
Help from a free, non-medical, brand-neutral, national public service program supported by corporate donors to offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment.

Medicaid
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/medicaid.asp
Official government information about Medicaid and Medicare.

Medicare
http://www.medicare.gov/
Official government information for people with Medicare.

Mercy Medical Airlift
http://www.mercymedical.org/
Information about this nonprofit organization dedicated to serving people in situations of compelling human need through the provision of charitable air transportation.

Oncolink—An Introduction to Viatical Settlements
http://www.oncolink.com/resources/subsection.cfm?c=6&s=27&ss=72
Offers information and resources for the seriously ill who are considering selling their life insurance policy to a viatical settlement company.

Patient Advocate Foundation
http://www.patientadvocate.org/
An active liaison between patient and insurer, employer and/or creditor.  Information about resolving a patient’s insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters through case managers, doctors and attorneys.

Rise Above It
http://www.raibenefit.org/
Provides grants and scholarships to young adult survivors and care providers who face financial, emotional, and spiritual challenges.

Team Continuum
http://www.teamcontiuum.net/
Assists with basic needs that ease the financial stress patients and their families face by paying bills (electric, phone, water, gas, etc.), rent, tutoring, small toys, transportation and other incidental needs that arise.

The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation
http://www.collegiatecancer.org/
Provides services and support for young adults diagnosed with cancer.  Offers need-based financial support for young adult survivors pursuing higher education.

courtesy: Ovarian Cancer.org

Dear Friends,

Imagine facing breast cancer alone.  I can’t. 

I was 32 when I was diagnosed with this disease.  I had a team of friends and family that helped me every step of the way. They unconditionally provided me with much needed support and love during this very difficult time in my life. My fight would have been IMPOSSIBLE without my team of co-survivors. What will you do to be someone’s co-survivor and help those in need?

Show LOCAL breast cancer survivors they are not alone – DONATE TODAY!

Because of community support, the Komen Austin Affiliate funded patient navigation services for 1400  women in the Austin area last year.  These women had someone guide them through their breast cancer journey – they had a co-survivor – they were NOT alone.

There are still women that need YOU. Make a gift today and become a co-survivor for your community.

For the first time in a 13 year history, the Komen Austin Affiliate has fallen short of their $1.5 million goal.  We need to help find $700,000 and I am asking each of you to make a financial commitment to support our mothers, sisters and daughters who are facing this disease alone.  We need to come together and continue funding FREE breast health services for our community.  If we don’t help them, who will?

With hope,

Kathryn Kenjura

2012 will be a year filled with hope thanks to Kansas City’s youngest cancer survivors. They’ll be featured in a special calendar along side some Kansas City Chiefs players.

FOX 4′ s Mary Pulley reports how one of those little survivors is inspiring others. The calendar is available online. Click here.

Our fabulous social media and marketing intern, Audrey Ullman, pieced together the Komen Austin Affiliate’s first VLOG (video blog) at this event.  Please enjoy and tell us what you think!

A big THANK YOU goes out to The Eames Era and Phone Calls From Home for letting us use their amazing songs in this video! We look forward to being able to feature such amazing musicias in our future vlogs!

Be sure to check out the pictures from the event on the YPC Komen Austin Facebook page!

This event wouldn’t have been possible without our panelists Jen Harman,  Dr. Michael Do, Dr. Andrea Campaigne, Brandy Jones and Lisa Lehmann.  We would also like to thank our sponsors Liberty Mutual, Premiere Party Central, Cannoli Joe’s, Honest Tea, Athena, The Pie Society, Zeta Tau Alpha, Yoga Yoga, Round Rock Express, Texas Stars, Stiletto Stampede for the Cure and Natural Inspirations.

Think Pink committee member, Jeremy Butler (right), representing the Komen Austin Affiliate with fellow members at the CPRIT Lobby Day.

From the time of our very first health education class, young women learn about breast health awareness.  As we aged, we learned about self examinations, and later on, we will all get to experience the joy of a mammogram.  Although we covered the basics of our breasts, breast health awareness has been historically limited to those in high risk demographic. Women over the age of 40 have the most literature and resources directed at them, but what about women under 40?  What about men?  Just because you do not have a swimming pool in your back yard does not mean you should not know how to swim; just because you’re not the “right” age or gender does not mean you should not know about the most prevalent cancer in the world. 

On Thursday, May 26, the Young Professionals for the Cure will host the inaugural Think Pink™  educational symposium and dinner.  This unique event will feature a panel of knowledgeable radiologists, genetic counselors and breast cancer advocates.  In addition to providing general breast health information, the panel will provide important information aimed specifically at young men and women.

Jeremy Butler, the Social Media Chair of Think Pink™, noted that although breast cancer risk is much lower in men than in women, men should be aware of this disease because it is very possible that in their lifetime they will know someone who was affected by it.  As a man under 40, Jeremy’s involvement with the Komen Austin Affiliate could seem surprising to some if they did not know that he is a co-survivor who watched his grandmother battle and beat the disease. 

Although only five percent of breast cancer diagnoses occur in people under the age of 40, those five percent tend to have a much worse prognosis than their over forty counterparts.  Cancers occurring in young people are more likely to be fast-growing, higher grader and hormone-receptor negative.  Each of these individual factors makes cancer occurring in men and women under forty more aggressive and more likely to require chemotherapy.

Think Pink Co-Chair, Jessica Bassett (right), with YPC members at the first 2011 member mixer.

Jessica Bassett, the Special Events Co-Chair for Think Pink™, spoke enthusiastically about the event’s capability to provide information and support for young people within the community. 

“People will be able to get some questions they have in the back of their head answered… questions that they maybe didn’t want to ask or were scared to ask.  They will be able to gain awareness of their bodies and learn a little bit about the signs that tell you something isn’t quite right.” 

Knowing what we know about breast cancer in young people, it does not make sense why there are not more awareness opportunities for men and women ages 21-40.  YPC Komen Austin hopes to see this inaugural Think Pink™ event spark enough interest within the community to see it expand to the rural communities in the Komen Austin service area. 

Jeremy optimistically reflects,“I hope the panelists educate young people about resources they didn’t know were available.  It seems that more and more women are affected earlier in their lives, so it is important that we raise awareness and get more involved to eradicate the disease for everyone.”

Local survivor and top Komen fundraiser, Jan Middleton attended the C4YW 2011, and gives us an insight into her personal journey, and the hope and empowerment that this conference offers:
As a 3 year breast cancer survivor I always tell someone newly diagnosed that we all must take this journey in a way that works for us.  We cannot let others tell us how we should feel or how we should communicate. We must find our own way to mourn the many losses such as our breasts, our hair, our ovaries or our old lives.  Some women want to learn as much from the internet as possible and others want to only hear medical information from their doctors.  Some of us want private time to reflect while others prefer to be surrounded by people- the people we love, other survivors/support groups. 

When I was diagnosed in September of 2007, I was not private about my diagnosis but I could not handle being around others with cancer.  I am not sure why that was.  I was overwhelmed, terrified and felt like I could not be with someone that was or had gone through the horrible times that I was now experiencing.  One night, after spending way too many hours on the internet with Dr. Google (I don’t recommend this to anyone) I came across a website that was full of information dedicated to young women and breast cancer.  Getting breast cancer before menopause is not a good thing…this is the one time in your life that being “young” doesn’t necessarily play in your favor.  Young Survival Coalition focuses on critical issues unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. They provide resources, connections and outreach so women feel supported, empowered and hopeful.

The area of the website that got most of my attention was the online support group.  There were women from all over the world that were just like me….they were the same age as me or they had young children like me or they were worried about managing work and treatment or they were concerned about relationship issues.  I would spend hours reading the different online discussions and also the “signatures” of each participant.  Within most women’s signatures they would list their diagnosis, their treatment plans, surgeries, recurrences, etc.  I followed this site for weeks before I finally found the courage to become a member and post.  As soon as I did I received welcome messages from many women….welcoming me to the club that no one wants to join.  From there I joined a treatment group.  This is a group of women all starting chemo in the same month.  I went from doing this terrifying journey alone to having several girls sharing their experiences as they took the same chemotherapy drugs, lost their hair, got sick and tried their best to hang on to some type of normalcy in their lives.  As a treatment group we also had the support from hundreds of other members that were like big sisters to us.  They would follow our posts and “drop in” to offer advice on a variety of issues from nausea to how to talk to your children about losing your hair.  I had found my safe place!  These women became my sisters and they got me through the darkest days of my life.  They were there for me in the middle of the night when I could not sleep due to the fear that I may not live to see my children graduate from high school and they were there to celebrate with me when I got my new foobs (fake boobs)!

I was blessed because I had my friends and family that were so supportive of me…they helped with the kids, brought us meals and offered us constant support.  Along with these people from my “real world” I now had hundreds of new sisters that were there to help me and as I moved through my treatment I was able to begin to help others from what I had learned.  I would have never been able to get this far without all of these caring people.

I just returned from my third Conference for Young Women affected by Breast Cancer. Sessions offered over the weekend cover a variety of topics such as fear of recurrence, treatment updates, reconstruction options, metastatic disease, etc.  There are also sessions designed specifically for care providers and family.  During the weekend there are several opportunities for networking.  Break areas are designated by newly diagnosed, long term survivor, diagnosed while pregnant, triple negative disease, etc.  During breaks participants can meet with other survivors that they have something in common with.  Since many women attend the conference alone this is a great way to meet someone new.  It is wonderful to watch new friendships blossom and develop over the weekend. 

One of my favorite parts of the conference is the exhibitor area.  In this room you will find vendors selling all types of pink ribbon clothing and items, mastectomy swimwear, lymphedema sleeves, headcovers, etc.  Many of the drug companies that work with breast cancer have reps at the conference.  Part of my treatment plan included the drug Herceptin which I believe is the miracle drug for HER2 + breast cancer.  I will never forget meeting the Genomic Health rep at the Dallas conference in 2008.  He was able to answer so many questions for me and had all types of charts/graphs to show me on HER2+ breast cancer.  Massages and make up sessions are offered for free and we all love having our picture taken with Dusty Showers, (pictured, right with Jan) of the 2nd Basemen, and the Good Health Fairy (beyondboobsinc.org)! 

On Saturday evening there is a dessert social with a DJ and dancing, this is when everyone really comes together to relax and have fun.  I can tell you that there is nothing more moving than standing in the middle of hundreds of survivors on a dance floor and seeing their smiling faces as they sing “I will survive”!  For just a moment all worries are gone, the aches and pains seem to subside, the fear seems to go away as you feel the connection to these incredible women that surround you, we are brought together by tragedy yet we share a bond that only we can comprehend.    
The event ends concludes on Sunday and as the participants begin to depart there are many hugs and lots of tears.  Women that attend this event leave with a new sense of courage and empowerment to take control of their lives and not let cancer take control of them.  These women leave with an inner peace, they have been surrounded by women that really “get it”.  They leave with new friendships and
                                                          special memories created by reconnecting to old friends.

I want to thank Susan G. Komen for the Cure for being a major sponsor for the Conference for Young Women affected by breast cancer.  An event like this would not be possible without Komen’s support and I appreciate the fact that Komen recognizes the unique needs of women that are diagnosed prior to menopause.  We must continue to raise awareness and support the unique needs of young women that are diagnosed with breast cancer.  As I continue my cancer journey as a survivor my hope is that my daughter and all young girls will be able to grow up in a world without breast cancer. 

1. Lymphedema control. That’s the key, of course, and the first requirement for a sleeve;
2. Cool wicking fabric that keeps you comfortable even though it’s an additional layer;
3. Gorgeous designs!
4. For every YSC sleeve purchased, Lymphedivas will donate $10 back to the Young Survival Coalition, in honor of their 10th anniversary conference that Sarah wrote about here last week.
5. And if you order before Monday, this fun sleeve is only $65 — but on Monday the price rises to $90.

I wore another pattern, the black paisley armsleeve, at my big meeting last week and I have to tell you, I felt totally badass. It looked like a tattoo sleeve! You know, if you’re into paisley tattoos.

Anyway, I feel like I just discovered a fashion secret for those of us with lymphedema, and I wanted to share. Lymphediva sleeves (Class I and Class II compression) and gauntlets are available at Lympehdiva.com, Lymphedema Products, and from other stores that sell products to manage lymphedema.

Disclosure: I have no marketing relationship with Lymphedivas or Lymphedema Products, and I was not compensated for this post. Lymphedivas was founded by two young breast cancer survivors with lymphedema, and I’ve been following the company’s success for several years. Now that they make Class II compression garments, I can actually own one. Or three.