A couple of weeks ago on the Choose You blog, I talked about the need for brown girls to protect their skin from the sun. There’s nothing that I love more than watching my skin go from carmel to a sun-kissed brown during the summer months. In fact, I spent the Chicago winter dreaming about it. But, for all the time that I was spending in the sun, I was NOT wearing sunscreen.

I’d fallen victim to old sayings such as “Black don’t crack,” or “I thought that only happened to white people.” No, no, no…As my grandmother reminded me, “Brown girls get skin cancer too.” And, while this is something that I always knew, hearing her say it really drove the point home for me. Then, today I came across a video on CNN.com discussing minorities and skin cancer. This report shares that while people of color are less likely to get skin cancer, they are more likely to die from it. *MESSAGE*

GIVEAWAY: Because I want all of us (no matter our skin color) to choose ourselves and put our health first, I’m giving away a ”Choose You” package that includes t-shirts, a notebook, information on the American Cancer Society’s “Choose You” campaign, and Neutrogena Anti-Aging Sunblock. All you have to do is leave a comment with a healthy habit that you want to start practicing. It could be anything from wearing sunscreen to drinking two glasses of water before bedtime. Anything that represents your committment to healthy living…

BONUS: You can also tweet your healthy habit…Please use the hashtag #ChooseYouTFG.

I will announce the winner on Friday. Good luck guys and don’t forget the sunscreen!

-kb

Health has always been an issue close to my heart. Growing up, I had my heart set on becoming a doctor because I’ve always believed that if you don’t have your health, everything else suffers. In college, however, I decided that being healthy starts before the treatment process. Every day that we wake up, there are things that we can do to take steps to being as healthy as we can be. So, I decided to study marketing and use those communication skills to promote healthy behaviors and empower others to take an active role in their health. And, as a member of the American Cancer Society’s Blogger Advisory Council, I’m committed to using my online presence to do just that.

This week marks National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, and recognizing this issue is very important to me. As an African-American, I was blown away to learn that we have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial and ethnic group in the US for most cancers. National Minority Cancer Awareness Week is about recognizing the health disparities that exist within our communities and encouraging action to help shrink the gap. About fifty percent of cancer deaths can be prevented through regularly scheduled screenings, healthy eating, regular physical activity and quitting tobacco use. However, minorities continue to have lower screening rates than whites; report less physical activity than recommended, and consume less fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

These simple lifestyle changes can go a long way towards ensuring that we are around to see more birthdays for ourselves and those that we love. I’m dedicating this post to my maternal grandmother, maternal great-aunt, maternal great uncle, maternal great-cousin, paternal great-grandfather, and paternal (step) grandfather. They passed away due to cancer and build a strong case for why I have to take the necessary steps to be as healthy as I possibly can. I’ll admit that I don’t know all the facts and haven’t been as healthy as I should be, but I’m committed to making that change. This week, I’m setting up appointments ranging from a general checkup to screenings necessary for my health and I encourage you to do the same.

The ACS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-227-2345 to help answer any questions about cancer and provide information on what resources exist for free or low cost cancer screenings. Get the facts, understand your medical history, and commit to your health! Some might say that it’s easier said than done, but when has that ever stopped us?

To learn more about the American Cancer Society, please visit cancer.org.

An email landed in my inbox a couple of months ago about the Cleaning for a Reason Foundation, an organization that provides cleaning services free of charge to cancer patients undergoing treatments. Over 600 cleaning companies across the 50 states have agreed to donate their services to local residents. According to the website, the Foundation “will not be accepting any new applications until Monday, December 7.” If interested, I would check back then for details and instructions on signing up.

This is one of the kindest things that I’ve ever seen. Doing chores and trying to keep a clean house can be very difficult when you’re in the middle of a chronic health battle, so kudos to all involved for helping to provide relief in this way.

-kb

Today is my birthday and I know with extreme certainty that I am very blessed. As I celebrate this additional year of living, I can’t help but to think about all of those who have passed out of my life. People who I wish could’ve celebrated one additional birthday with me, or people who I wish could’ve celebrated an additional birthday with themselves.

The American Cancer Society challenged its Bloggers Council to post a blog in dedication to someone that we know and/or have lost to cancer. I’ve lost a few relatives to cancer, but today I want to dedicate my special day to my maternal grandmother, Opal Elizabeth. I never had the chance to meet her because she passed away at the age of 36 after a battle with stomach cancer. Although my mother was young, she still has plenty of memories of her mother. Memories from her own experiences and those shared with her by other family members.

My mother often called me “Opal,” and said that we shared some of the same fabulous qualities. According to my mom, Opal was very stylish. We’re talking long-stemmed cigarettes (bad yet chic), gloves at cocktail hours/dinners, and tailored suits. She was beautiful, yet never met a four-letter word that she didn’t like. As I often listened to my mother’s stories about her mother, I always dreamed of what it would have been like to know her. Just like my children will wonder what it would’ve been like to know my mother who passed away at the age of 49.

I come from a line of beautiful, strong women who unfortunately had chronic illnesses rob them of seeing all of the birthdays that they deserved. Now, I’m sure that I will live until I’m 120, but just in case I don’t, I’ve decided to live every day of my life to the fullest. For me. For Opal. For my mother. For my future children. And, for everyone who wishes their loved one had one more year on this Earth.

Not only is opal my birthstone, but Opal is my foundation. My birthday is dedicated to my beautiful, stylish, young, fabulous, and sassy grandmother, Mrs. Opal Elizabeth. I’m proud to be a chip off of your chic block!

KB

Hey, everyone!!! I’m so excited to share that I am a member of the American Cancer Society’s Blogger Advisory Council, a small group of volunteers that advises the Society on its social media strategy. Part of our mission is to spread the word that we have power in the fight against cancer. Our first step is to build awareness and engage women, which I’m ALLLL about!

If you didn’t know, ACS is the official sponsor of birthdays. I love this idea because we all deserve more birthdays, and many people, especially cancer fighters, don’t get to enjoy as many as they deserve. But, the ACS wants to change that! Through awareness and education, the ACS hopes that many more of us will be around to see and celebrate our birthday and those of the ones we love.

We’ve recently kicked off a blog “chain” to help spread the word among women bloggers and we’re calling it “Bloggers for More Birthdays.” You can get involved in a couple of ways…

• Dedicate your own blog post to someone that you love who has been affected by cancer
• Host the badge (featured above) on your website

There is power in numbers so encourage your networks to participate in this great movement. Please visit www.officialbirthdayblog.com for more details! And, if you want to write something but don’t have an online space (blog/FB/website) to share, send your story in an email to bloggersubmit@officialbirthdayblog.com!

My birthday is in less than a week, so I’m already cranking on my post. Here! Here! To More Birthdays!!!

Read more about the ACS Bloggers Advisory Council here.

-kb

This morning, @Loehmanns tweeted that they will donate your $5 donation (in exchange for 15% off) and 5% of the day’s sales to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund tomorrow, 9/24. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to pop into the store, well here you go! I don’t know about the rest of the country, but it’s definitely fall here in Chicago. Time to restock your sweater and boot game!

If you don’t know where your closest Loehmann’s is located, click here.

-kb

(Thanks to @brokesocialite for RT-ing the info)

As mentioned in last week’s post, this month is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. Here in Chicago, there is a great organization that is extremely dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer through research funding and support of the families fighting the illness. Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation is using this month to raise funds and awareness with their September “Support the Bear” drive.

This month, they have teamed up with some great local businesses.

• Dine and Drink: Stop by local restaurants and bars to support the cause in a tasty way. Participating spots include Junior’s Sports Lounge, Bleeding Heart Bakery, Salud Tequila Lounge, D’Agostino’s Pizza and more!
• Jewel Shop & Share: Stop by Jewel-Osco grocery stores 9/21-9/23 and 5% of your purchases will benefit Bear Necessities. You can print your coupon here!
• Need a Cut?: When you visit stylist Danny Valles at Mylissa’s Little Gallery (55 E. Washington) during the month, he will donate 20% of the proceeds.
• Shop and Give: Chic Gems and Gracie’s Gear and Training are donating a percentage of their sales during the month of September.

Not to mention, there are a series of great events planned throughout this month! To get more details about EVERY possible way that you can support Pediatric Cancer and Bear Necessities, please click here.

This weekend during the Taste of River North, I’ll be volunteering inside the tent with supporters/staff of the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. On Sunday afternoon, I’ll be manning the booth while helping to raise awareness about the the strength of pediatric cancer fighters, sell raffle tickets and (of course) have some fun! It’s  supposed to be sunny and in the low- to mid-70s this week, so if you’re looking to sprinkle some service in your summer, come hang out with me! Or you can select another shift that may work for you.

To sign up as a volunteer, please contact Barbara at specialevents@bearnecessities.org or call 312.214.1200 Ext. 29 with your desired date and shift to volunteer! Currently, there is still a need during the following times!

Saturday, July 18th
Shift #3 – 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Sunday, July 19th
Shift #2 – 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Hope you can make it!

-kb

P.S. Don’t forget that your volunteer efforts can earn you either a free or 50% off night in a Sage hotel!

While treatments such as chemotherapy are an essential part of fighting cancer, no one denies that it can and will change your appearance. And, of course, outer beauty isn’t everything, but things like the loss of hair or skin changes definitely have some effect on the way some women see themselves. And, studies have found that addressing the non-medical effects of cancer can be just as important as addressing the actual physical symptoms.

Look Good…Feel Better started in 1989 when a physician “prescribed” a makeover for a cancer patient who experienced depression related to her change in appearance. Twenty years later, the organization has helped many women offset appearance-related changes from cancer treatment through makeovers and one-on-one beauty sessions.

The cornerstone LGFB small group program is offered in all 50 states and DC. There are also international LGFB programs as well! The show doesn’t stop there. In select cities, individuals can also participate in bilingual (Spanish) or teen programs!

Participants spend two hours in a hands-on workshop that includes a 12-step skin care/make-up application lesson, demonstration of options for dealing with hair loss, and nail care techniques. Additionally, the ladies receive advice on wigs and scarves, along with free cosmetics kits! Each year, More than 50,000 individuals participate in the program. That’s a whole lot of beauty for a great cause

"Hope Is Beautiful" Ad

In celebration of Look Good…Feel Better’s 20th anniversary, the organization just launched the “Women of Hope is Beautiful” campaign and blog which encourages past program participants and cancer survivors to share their stories of hope and survival. You can share your story by clicking here. They’ve also unveiled a great ad campaign! My favorite execution is above, but you can view the rest here.

There are three main organizations which serve as a partners in making all of this happen. There’s the Personal Care Products Council, the nation’s cosmetic industry leaders; the American Cancer Society; and the National Cosmetology Association, which encourages member cosmetologists to volunteer their services. Each year, cosmetic companies, such as Mary Kay, Elizabeth Arden, and Benefit, donate over one million individual products (valued at $10 million) and raise more than $2 million for LGFB.

To celebrate their partnership with LGFB, OPI has designated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of its Bubble Bath Nail Lacquer in July and August to benefit the organization with a minimum $25,000 commitment.

OPI Bubble Bath Nail Lacquer

LGFB is always looking for volunteers. Whether you’re a licensed cosmetologist or just looking to do more general service, there is an opportunity for you. I could probably go on and on about all the great things that Look Good…Feel Better is doing across the country, but I’ll let you explore it for yourself! If you head on over to www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org, you will find studies, videos, photos, beauty tips, and MUCH more!

You can also follow LGFB on Twitter at twitter.com/lgfb! Happy 20th birthday to such a great cause!

-kb

Happy Monday…Here you go!

• Shades Clothing partners with United Way on special edition tees The Sassy Peach
• Recap of “Couture for a Cure” fashion show in DC The Glamazon Diaries
• Target asks Facebook users to decide which charities should receive $3 mil/wk Mashable

-kb