Rethink Breast Cancer Blog

A Glamorous Live, Laugh, Learn!

2011-12-21T16:11:00.000-05:00

Guest blogger Natalie Matias is a local make-up artist and entrepreneur. She and her team volunteered their time to give women at our Live Laugh Learn Holiday Party glamorous make-overs to look and feel their best! Check out her personal blog and impressive list of celeb clients at MINTMAKEUP - http://mintmakeup.wordpress.com/

It was my first Live Laugh Learn event, and my experience was quintessential in defining the name of this monthly National program. Being there for the annual holiday party reminded me that we must all live our life each day - each breath and each of us represents the face of breast cancer. I met so many amazing women at different stages in their journey - from being newly diagnosed to conquering the disease into remission to being a supporter of a relative or friend that has been affected.

My amazing team of Makeup Artists included Jasmin Bree, Sherry Vanstone & Tatianna Mochnochev. The makeup station provided a space for beautification but more importantly laughter, learning and, in the end, a space that created bonds with a diverse group of women. The night was filled with spontaneity - some woman tried a more dramatic look or new colours for the first time. Our Makeup Artists also offered tips and tricks, and answered specific inquiries - such as the differences in foundations, placement for blush or the easiest way to apply eyeliner.

Physicians Formula was our sponsor and they provided their whole line of innovative products made especially for sensitive skin. By far, the star product of the night was the Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush – made with natural plant extracts that have been shown to promote happiness. The subtle violet scent caught everyone’s attention, and the colour was stunning on all different skin tones!

The Eye Booster 2-in1 Lash Boosting Liner + Serum is the perfect product to use when experiencing loss of lashes, they simultaneously help boost the lashes and define the eyes. The Makeup Artists were also impressed with the organic line of mascaras that stood up to other loved mascaras. Their facial formulas provided silky application and great buildability, and I personally loved the fact that the organic tinted moisturizers were scented with lavender to help with relaxation.

And the women certainly were relaxed! Music and conversation filled the air, and it was obvious that confidence gets a big boost when you look and feel good.

Everyone in attendance definitely lived, laughed and learned at the holiday party for this essential Rethink Program. And I believe it reminded us all to do so on an every-day basis. Thank you Rethink!

- Natalie Matias, MINTMAKEUP

My First One-Breasted Christmas

2011-12-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

I can't resist making snow angels

The stores are packed full of red, green and chocolate, the schools are buzzing about their upcoming holiday concerts and the kids are lining up at the malls to meet the big man himself. I love Christmas!

This will be my first Christmas post-breast cancer diagnosis. It will be my first Christmas EVER with short hair, and my first one-breasted Christmas. After surgery, I remember thinking, 'They are just going to let me leave here without a manual about how to live my life with just one breast?' but here I am, celebrating holidays single-breasted.

Every year during the holidays, I seem to re-evaluate my life, and prepare for a new year's resolution. Normally, I pick the generic 'lose weight', 'exercise more', 'volunteer more' kind of resolution but this year, my resolution is simple. For 2012 my resolution is 'I'm going to have a cancer-free year'. But seriously, as I begin to assess my life and attempt to better myself I am realizing that I’ve been so caught up in my physical health that my mental health hasn't exactly been a priority. Over the past 9 months, it has been so easy to worry and cry and ENVY the lives of my other 26 year old friends. It has been so easy for me to want to have ANY other life. Friends of mine were planning their weddings and having babies while I was sorting out my chemo schedule. I didn't know one person who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in their twenties. I couldn't find anyone to relate to, and even with all the incredible emotional support of my friends and family, I couldn't shake the feeling of isolation.

I was lucky enough to find two girls (whom I met online near the start of my treatment) who were young breast cancer survivors like me. Finally, I wasn't alone anymore. One of these girls told me about Rethink Breast Cancer and once I visited the site, not only was I not alone - I was one of thousands. I just kept thinking 'these are my people'. My first time on the site I read about Rethink's approach to breast cancer and how they believe that young women need their own movement, that a young woman's fight with breast cancer is no harder than an older woman's fight, it's just DIFFERENT. Yes, yes, yes! That's what I've been trying to say all along. I don't fit in at the existing support groups and the women on all of the breast cancer pamphlets are old enough to be my grandmother.

It's so easy to become your diagnosis and lose sight of yourself and thanks to Rethink, I feel like Katie again and not Ms.Stage2-Breast-Cancer. What perfect timing, too - just in time for the holidays. The holidays are a time to reflect on what we have and not on what we can buy. Christmas has always meant so much to me but this year it means more to me than ever before. This Christmas is going to be about family and friends and giving and joy and NOT cancer, like the majority of 2011 has been. Isn't it amazing how it takes something as awful as cancer to make you realize how lucky you are?


So beautiful. I love winter!

When I was a kid, Santa always managed to leave some of his Christmas spirit in our house and the stockings and tree and gifts seemed to glow on Christmas morning. As I got older, the holidays naturally became less about receiving and more about giving and the meaning of Christmas changed. Being the first Christmas since my diagnosis, it has changed yet again. This year it has come full circle and has become about receiving again; receiving a second a chance, receiving the love and support of so many friends and family members and receiving the opportunity to help others who are being faced with a cancer diagnosis. This year, receiving is better than giving.

Here’s to the next 75 Christmases and to Rethink for making me feel like I have a place in the breast cancer world when I felt otherwise shut out - what a great early Christmas gift.

- Katie Evans

Ottawa, Canada

This holiday, consider making a donation to Rethink Breast Cancer so that young women like Katie can continue to receive our support. Visit www.rethinkbreastcancer.com

How just $10 can help Rethink Breast Cancer

2011-12-01T11:23:00.001-05:00

Alison Gordon and MJ DeCoteau at Breast Fest

Rethink burst on the scene almost 10 years ago with a desire to change the face of breast cancer….to show that breast cancer is not just an older woman’s disease—that young women need to get involved and get educated; that young women get breast cancer too.

I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was 22. I wanted something more than the drab, scary medical breast cancer pamphlets and frilly, pink ribbon apparel. There was an opportunity for a new breed of breast cancer charity, one that was “rethinking” how we engage with this cause.

Rethink has become well-known for adding sass and style to the breast cancer community through wild and crazy events like Boobyball, our stylish Fashion Targets Breast Cancer t-shirt campaign and innovative programs like Breast Fest, the world’s first breast cancer related film festival.

This fall, we rocked the cause again with our Your Man Reminder smart-phone app and promo video that went very viral—1.7 million views on YouTube and a top 7 finalist for Mashable’s Best Social Good Cause Campaign. And, speaking of social media success, our facebook went from 4,000 to 20,000 “likes!”


Boobyball 10th Birthday Party

But, sometimes, in the fun and excitement of our marketing savvy approach, I think people can forget that Rethink is a charity. A small, grass-roots charity in need of funding for much-needed, niche programs!

Rethink Breast Cancer’s mission is to continuously pioneer cutting edge breast cancer education, research and support that speaks fearlessly to the needs of young women.

We rely on generous donors to fund our innovative breast cancer research program. We rely on donors to help us provide practical and emotional support to young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is devastating at any age. But the needs of young women who find themselves diagnosed with breast cancer are complicated. Diagnosis during pregnancy, effects of chemo on fertility, risk of menopausal symptoms or osteoporosis, feelings of isolation, questions about sexuality, childcare, employment and money are just some of the issues for breast cancer patients in their 20s and 30s.

Rethink creates resources and programs to help young women—to advocate for them, to support them and to provide community so they don’t feel alone.

If every one of our Facebook fans made a modest donation of $50, $20 or even $10 (a cool shout out to our 10 years of changing the face of breast cancer!), we could fund all our support programs for young women with breast cancer for the entire year!

If you care about young women, if you want to help save breasts and more importantly lives, if you value Rethink’s bold, challenger approach and want to see us to continue to do creative work to inspire action, I’ll hope you’ll choose to act right now.

And since we’re fans of the “win-win” and clearly women (and men!) around the world are responding to breast health info wed to six-pack abs, a chiseled jaw and sparkly eyes, we’re throwing in a bonus. If we reach our fundraising goal before New Year’s, we’ll release an extended version of the Your Man Reminder video. More abs, more dance moves and more TLC!

All my best,

MJ DeCoteau

Founder and Executive Director

Rethink Breast Cancer

P.S. When you make a donation to Rethink Breast Cancer this holiday season, you can send one of our hottie holiday e-cards to someone you love!

Baring It All & Finding A Little Light...

2011-11-30T15:10:00.000-05:00

High heels, beautiful dresses, topless women, massive scars, empty kleenex boxes, and dim lighting. I know what you're thinking...a strip club gone terribly wrong? Nope. I'm referring to the opening night of Breast Fest 2011 and a screening of Patricia Zagarella's powerful new documentary, Baring It All, featuring renowned photographer David Jay of the SCAR Project and a few brave women who let us into their lives and under their shirts to show the world what we survivors already know - that breast cancer is about SO much more than just a pink ribbon.

This year was my first Breast Fest and I knew from the moment I arrived at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto that I had come home. Right away, I saw the familiar faces of fellow bloggers, old friends from past survivor conferences and plenty of strangers to turn into friends. Some of us traded dark jokes about how to dress up for opening night without looking like a man because of a trademark post-chemo crew cut or a newly flattened chest. Although my hair has finally come in (in all of its thin glory), my passport photo reminds me of how recently I looked like "Mr." Terri Wingham.

"So, you must be a year or so out," she says to me as she tugs at a strand of her spiky hair.

"Yes, chemo ended in March of 2010," I say. She nods. We move on to talking about the film. Where she's from. How many festivals she has attended.

I exhale. Relieved. I can tell she is too. Tonight, neither of have to see the slight sideways tilt of a head or hear someone say, "Wow, you had Breast Cancer? But, you're SOOO young".

Here, we all get it. We have faced the worst and made it to the other side. In the safety of a dark theatre, we can pass each other tissue because we know sometimes the reality of watching one of our sisters onscreen, fighting for her life, stirs the bubbling pot of fear in our bellies. Why did the cancer come back for her? What if it's me next? Here, we can drop our masks of bravery and honestly admit the thoughts that sometimes keep us awake at night. But, we can also slip right back into laughter when the lights come on and someone cracks a joke about her red rimmed eyes and the snot smeared on the sleeve of her dress.

Not bad for a Friday night. I could tell you about the rest of the weekend and all of the fantastic films I got to see, but instead I'll share the number one highlight for me. The best part of Breast Fest was the chance to connect with my sisters from across the country and the dedicated and wonderful Rethink Team. To find reasons to laugh until our stomachs hurt. To trade stories about so much more than just breast cancer. To continue to find light in a dark and sometimes incredibly difficult subject.

So, thank you Rethink for hosting such a fantastic event and thank you to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for helping subsidize travel for 30+ of us to get there. You gave us the chance to connect, laugh, and remember that we are not alone.

I will leave you with a few quotes on light that I'm loving today:

Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light. ~Norman B. Rice

You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in. ~Arlo Guthrie

The hero is the one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light. ~Felix Adler

- Terri Wingham

www.afreshchapter.com

A Rethink Perspective on Canada's Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

2011-11-25T13:55:00.000-05:00

Arguments over mammography are all over the media the week – again. I spent much of the past few days listening and watching all the media coverage and scanning newspaper articles, while answering emails from confused young women from our support programs.

The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health is recommending the average woman in her forties not bother with mammograms.

The Canadian Cancer Society supports the guidelines. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation disagrees insisting that women in their forties should receive regular mammograms.

Where does Rethink Breast Cancer stand?

Frankly, I am frustrated to see mammography screening guidelines yet again being turned into a controversy. It's causing further confusion and, frankly, distracting from more glaring issues. I think all this fighting over mammograms is a great way to bury our heads in the sand and avoid facing the reality that not enough progress is being made in ending breast cancer. After decades of fighting breast cancer, we still don’t know why it happens.

MJ DeCoteau

Rethink Breast Cancer has spent 10 years working to change the face of breast cancer; to show that young women get breast cancer too. We also advocate for and run support programs for young women dealing with breast cancer.

Because of our focus on young women, there may be an assumption that Rethink Breast Cancer would vehemently oppose the new guidelines. However, we actually are quite comfortable with them! We support a movement towards more personalized screening and informed decision making.

The new guidelines aren’t preventing women under 50 from having a mammogram, which seems to be what the critics of the guidelines want the public to think. Any Canadian woman can have a free mammogram; it’s just that women under 50 need to have a conversation with their doctor first to get the referral. It’s about helping women make an informed, personalized decision instead of one size fits all solution.

Personally, I wish all this time, energy and money spent advocating to expand mammography screening (a tool with many shortcomings) could be re-directed into a push for better and more efficient screening tools instead!

To paraphrase breast cancer survivor Fran Visco, a long-time, renown breast cancer advocate in the US:

…there is comfort in arguing over mammograms. It's been a decades long debate. We cling to our emotions around mammograms, no matter what the evidence tells us. It’s hard to challenge long-held beliefs but it’s about time. Let's push for new and more efficient tools!

The task force also recommended not to perform clinical or formal breast exams. As our Your Man Reminder App proves, Rethink is committed to encouraging women to know their bodies and be breast aware. We have never pushed a formal ‘breast self exam’ technique and there’s no evidence that you need a specific technique. A lot of money went into creating complicated fold out pamphlets on breast self exams and having public health nurses teaching them – money that can be better spent. What’s important is for women to know their bodies and report changes to a medical practitioner.

In addition to pushing for more efficient screening tools, we need to continue to push for a better understanding of causes and prevention too. Our organization continues to see far too many young women in our support programs and far too many young women die from advanced breast cancer. Despite the emphasis in Canada and the US on early detection of breast cancer through mammography and breast self-examination, the incidence of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer has not really changed since the 1970s. That's not acceptable. It's time to challenge the status quo.

MJ DeCoteau

Executive Director

Rethink Breast Cancer

BRAVE LEATHER MAKES FIGHTING BREAST CANCER A CINCH

2011-10-27T11:46:00.000-04:00

October is Breast Cancer awareness month and Brave Leather, North America’s premier designer of leather belts and accessories, announces their passionate campaign in support of Rethink Breast Cancer.

From October 2011 through February 2012, 100% of proceeds from the Brave Leather Delphine Belt will be donated to Rethink Breast Cancer, the first ever, Canadian breast cancer charity to bring bold, relevant awareness to the under-40 crowd; foster a new generation of young and influential breast cancer supporters; and infuse sass and style into the cause.

The Delphine belt is available exclusively at www.braveleather.com, and will retail for $120 CDN. The waist cinching , wrap belt is made with the finest Italian leather and hand crafted in Canada.

“Since my Mother is a breast cancer survivor I am keenly aware of the importance of this organization and this cause” says Brave Leather 's founder/designer, Scott Irvine. “We aligned with Rethink Breast Cancer because it has made endless contributions to educate and support those affected right here at home in Canada. It is important that we educate young women and men about the issues.”

Together, Brave Leather and Rethink Breast Cancer aim to bring further awareness to the cause amongst a young generation. Log onto www.braveleather.com to purchase the luxe leather Delphine tie belt and do your part to help make a difference.

Tweet at us and share how you have made a difference: #Bravethinkspink @Bravebeltworks @rethinktweet @FaulhaberPR

About Brave Leather

For 20 years Brave Leather has been committed to being a unique and ethical company committed to doing things the fair way, the honest way- original products manufactured in a clean and safe factory environment by skilled craftspeople paid a fair living wage. Handmade in Canada is the ethical promise from BRAVE. Some celebrity ambassadors include Hilary Duff, Christina Aguilera, Sarah McLaughlin & Eva Longoria. www.braveleather.com

Beauty Blog: Creating a fresh and vibrant skin tone

2011-10-25T10:24:00.000-04:00

Autumn has arrived and with the change of season we embarked on our very first beauty video tutorial.

With our gracious volunteer Heather we were able to discover her personal beauty concerns during and after treatment. Overall her concerns revolved around creating a fresh and vibrant skin tone. During different stages of her treatment she found her under eyes appeared much darker, cheeks looked flushed and in the later stages her skin looked much paler. To address these concerns here are 3 quick tutorials on a.) concealor b.) foundation c.) bronzer.

Concealor Tutorial

There are many different textures in concealors from light more liquid like concealors to creamier sticks. Thicker concealors tend to offer more coverage and are best applied with your fingers to warm up the product. But overall you can apply concealor with a brush, sponge or your fingers.

Foundation Tutorial

Generally the best way to match a foundation is around your jaw line. But most people have several shades of colour on their face. In turn,match the shade in the area you are wanting to cover, for instance if it mostly around the cheek area where you are flushed try it on your cheek. Foundation can be applied with your preference brush, sponge or fingers. If you use brush try to cleanse atleast once a week. If you use a sponge try to replace regularly.

Bronzer Tutorial

Sometimes finding the right bronzer is difficult. If you have a bronzer that is too noticeable or dark dab your brush into the bronzer and then immediately after dab into your powder and then apply. This will dilute the concentration of the bronze colour and make it look more natural. I love bronzer for an overall glow but I would suggest to still add a hint of blush in the apple of the cheek to give a little brightness to the face.

You can use these tutorials separately to address your specific needs or in combination to create a beautiful canvas for a full makeup. I hope any of these tutorials will help brighten one of your days. Please feel free to comment and write any questions you would like addressed in our future entries.

With beauty & love,

Natalie

Product Recommendations (based on low hazardous ratings by EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database and chosen based on accessibility and range of price points)

Concealors: Jane Iredale Active Light Under-Eye Concealor, Physicians Formula Organic wear Natural Origin Concealor Stick, Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Concealor, The Body Shop Concealor

Foundations: Jane Iredale Pure Matte Powder and Liquied Minerals Foundations, Maybelline Mineral Powder, Almay Pure Blends makeup

Bronzer: Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Bronzing, Physicians Formula Organiz Wear Natural Origin Bronzer, Jane Iredale Quad Bronzer

You can learn more about Natalie Matias’ make up artistry on her blog: http://mintmakeup.wordpress.com/

Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day

2011-10-19T13:48:00.000-04:00

Oct. 19 is Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day in Canada - an initiative to promote education, awareness and access for women who may wish to consider post-mastectomy breast reconstruction. It is a collaborative effort that includes plastic surgeons specializing in breast surgery, plastic surgery nurse specialists, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, medical device industry representatives and breast cancer support groups. Dr. Mitchell Brown is one of the plastic surgeons driving events for BRA Day in Toronto. Here he answers some basic questions about reconstruction.

How soon can I begin the reconstruction process after I have completed my breast cancer treatment? I have heard that in some cases it can be performed in conjunction with a mastectomy, is that a possibility?

Dr. Mitchell H. Brown

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Women's College Hospital

www.torontoplasticsurgery.com

Breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as a mastectomy. This is called immediate breast reconstruction. Candidates for immediate reconstruction are generally women who are having prophylactic (preventative) mastectomy or are having mastectomy for low-grade, non-invasive disease such as DCIS. In some cases, women with invasive disease may also be candidates for immediate reconstruction.

Breast reconstruction that is performed following the mastectomy is termed delayed reconstruction. This type of plan is best suited for women who prefer to focus initially on the treatment of their disease and then consider reconstruction at a later date.

Both forms of reconstruction are generally quite successful and all options of reconstruction are available to women whether it is being performed as an immediate or as a delayed procedure.

I have heard of many different types of reconstruction, which do you recommended for younger women? Does having a single or bilateral mastectomy make a difference in what you would recommend?

There are various options for breast reconstruction. Autogenous reconstruction is the term used when reconstruction is performed using your own body's tissue. Most commonly, this tissue comes from the lower abdomen in a procedure known as a TRAM flap or DIEP flap. Occasionally tissue may be taken from the back or less commonly other areas such as the buttock or inner thigh.

Alloplastic reconstruction is the term used when reconstruction is performed using a breast implant. Traditionally this is done as a two stage procedure in which a tissue expander (stretching device) is inserted in order to stretch the skin, and then a second procedure is performed to replace the tissue expander with a permanent breast implant. Recent advances have allowed us to offer many women the ability to undergo implant reconstruction in a single stage. Although this is not for every patient, it is often an excellent choice for younger women and patients having prophylactic mastectomy.

Does ongoing treatment for my breast cancer affect my reconstruction options?

Ideally, it is best to perform breast reconstruction following the completion of all adjuvant therapy. In some cases, however, this is not possible and a woman may have adjuvant therapy following their reconstruction. Reconstruction does not negatively impact on any adjuvant therapy that is required.

How long is the recovery time? What type of care will I need to do at home?

The recovery from reconstructive surgery is dependent upon the type of reconstruction that is performed. For larger procedures such as the TRAM flap or DIEP flap, most women take approximately 2 weeks to return to daily non-physical activity and 6 weeks to resume all physical activity. Implant reconstruction is generally a faster recovery with most women feeling comfortable within the first few days and then returning to full activity within a month.

How soon will I be able to resume exercising?

For most people recovery occurs over the first 2 weeks. In order to resume a full exercise routine you must wait 4-6 weeks following surgery.

How will my reconstructed breast feel to the touch?

Although your surgeon will do their best to restore a normal shape to the breast, a reconstructed breast will not have normal sensation. This can be variable from patient to patient. Some women report regaining significant sensation in their reconstructed breast while other patients describe a fairly persistent numb feeling.

What is the average cost of a reconstruction? Does insurance cover it?

Breast reconstruction is covered entirely by the provincial health insurance plan in Ontario. Occasionally there may be costs associated with a balancing procedure of the opposite breast, but in many cases, this balancing procedure can also be covered.

For more information about BRA Day regional activities and breast reconstruction, visit www.bra-day.com

BOOBYBALL TURNS 10!

2011-10-14T09:50:00.001-04:00

It’s the night before Boobyball and all through the Rethink house, staff is tense and exhausted and giddy all at once.

Just kidding—sort of! It’s going to be a fabulous, crazy birthday celebration at Andrew Richards Design in Toronto. We are expecting over 1,000 guests dressed in party attire and the night will be full of fun surprises (fingers crossed we can pull off someone jumping out of our 6 foot b-day cake), celeb DJ Brendan Fallis spinning tunes, and some great celeb guests like Shenae Grimes, Jessica Stroup and Charlotte Sullivan. Celebs aside, personally I’m really pleased that I’ve been able to rally many of our original friends and supporters who were there in the very beginning (early adopters!) when Rethink was just making its first waves.

Tickets sold out weeks ago in a record 5 days. After that got checked off the list, the real frantic work of pulling all the event details together really ramped up. Many of our small staff have been working what we call “the night shift,” tackling an enormous to do list. Our dedicated volunteer co-chairs have also been working really, really hard. Committee members have done a fabulous job promoting the event, securing amazing items for our on-line auction and figuring out details. Thank you, thank you!!!

What makes Boobyball extra special this year is that it’s the 10^th anniversary for Rethink Breast Cancer; it’s the 10^th anniversary for Boobyball; and most importantly, it’s the 10^th anniversary for Sarah O’Regan, the young woman that inspired the event when she was diagnosed with aggressive, stage 4 breast cancer a decade ago. Her best friends rallied around her and decided they would pull together a party to lift her spirits. Boobyball was born! Sarah has defied all odds and has gone on to marry and have three beautiful children and will be very much a vibrant force at the event helping us blow out the candles. Check out Sarah’s full story – she truly is an inspiration!

Thank you again to all our supporters who have helped us through our first fabulous decade. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Best, MJ DeCoteau

Executive Director, Rethink Breast Cancer

Should We Be Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

2011-10-11T15:27:00.000-04:00

MJ DeCoteau

I came across this last year and found it very thought provoking. Just happened to stumble upon it again and wanted to share. I’ve seen Fran Visco speak a few times and think she’s a very real, smart woman.

We at Rethink have a lot of fun stuff going on for Breast Cancer Awareness month—Boobyball, our new smart-phone app, cute pink products to buy to support us. We also have launched some important and powerful projects, like our touching, inspiring and meaningful feature documentary About Her. Our programs staff is working very hard because there’s been huge demand for our Peer Support program that matches newly diagnosed young women with a survivor who has been there and can offer support. It’s clear that too many women continue to have to face this dreaded disease.

Anyway, I find Fran’s perspective interesting. Please check it out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/fran-visco/why-im-not-celebrating-br_b_749128.html

- MJ DeCoteau

Executive Director, Rethink Breast Cancer

Live Laugh Learn Ottawa Bound!

2011-10-07T13:12:00.000-04:00

So what does laughing have to do with breast cancer? When you are diagnosed with breast cancer, especially at a young age, laughter is something that is greatly needed!

I was diagnosed at 31 years old with a 7-month-old son. At the time I found it really difficult to find someone that could relate to my situation. I was on maternity leave and going to “Mommy and Me” classes felt very isolating. You are with all these happy first time Moms, like you, except that you have this weight on your shoulders called cancer. Also, during treatment it is difficult to go out in public because your blood counts are much lower and you are at higher risk for infection and illness. When you reach out to cancer support systems in the community you soon realize that they are geared towards an older age group. Many of the women I had met had children that were my age. They could not relate to my concerns around fertility, going through treatment while raising a baby, etc. As a result, I wanted to make a difference for other young women in Ottawa that were going through breast cancer so that they would not feel as isolated as I did.

Then I contacted Rethink Breast Cancer and begged them to bring their Live Laugh Learn program to Ottawa. Live Laugh Learn is a great program where an expert comes in to speak with young breast cancer survivors. The experts vary from oncologists to all-natural make-up consultants. The survivors not only get to learn something but they get an opportunity to socialize with other young women who know exactly what they have been through.

It did not take long for us to gather 6 volunteers in Ottawa to help organize the program. We had our first meeting in August, at my house with our 6 volunteers and Farheen and Jen from Rethink Breast Cancer. It was such an amazing night for me to be in the same room as 5 other breast cancer survivors who were around my age. These women are extremely strong and caring; they too had the goal to reduce the feeling of isolation for those out there facing the same challenges as we are.

We have been in contact with Lululemon in Westboro here in Ottawa and it looks like we may be able to host our first Live Laugh Learn later this year. I am thrilled and cannot wait to bring this amazing program to Ottawa. If anyone in the Ottawa area is interested in helping or attending these sessions, please contact Jen Lagzdins, Coordinator, Support & Education Programs, at jen@rethinkbreastcancer.com. Also, if you would like to learn more about my story, please visit my website. I created it to update family and friends on my progress and my volunteer initiatives, but found that it has helped a lot of young women facing breast cancer: https://www.mylifeline.org//Cat/

- Catherine Birch,

Live Laugh Learn Committee Member, Ottawa

Organic or non-organic: That is the question.

2011-10-04T14:48:00.003-04:00

Eva Sue-Wah-Sing, Certified Nutritional Practitioner,
Registered Holistic Practioner & Certified Chef

Imagine, strolling down the produce aisle at your local supermarket. On your left, you see conventionally (non-organic) grown apples. On your right, you see organically grown apples. Both apples are firm, shiny and red. Which should you choose? Get the facts before you shop.

Non-organic versus organic farming

The word “organic” refers to the way farmers grow and process products such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Farmers who grow organic produce do not use conventional methods to fertilize and control weeds. Instead they rely on crop rotations, companion planting as well as insect repellent plants to nurture their fruits and vegetable plants.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established a strict certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards include such things as: the land must be a minimum of three years chemical free before certification can even be considered. No chemical pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or fertilizers can be used. The various organic certification programs generally include: information disclosure, signed affidavits, strict record keeping as well as third party inspection of farms and processing facilities.

If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it has been produced and processed according to the USDA standards. Products that are completely organic – such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods are labelled 100% organic and can carry the USDA seal.

Here are some key differences between conventional farming and organic farming:

Conventional:

Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth
Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease
Use herbicides to manage weeds

Organic:

Apply natural fertilizers such as manure or compost to feed soil and plants
Use companion planting, beneficial insects and insect repellent plants such as mint, marigold and wormwood to reduce pests and disease.
Rotate crops every year to manage weeds

Does it have to be all or nothing?

Of course as a nutritionist I always say it’s best to purchase organic produce all the time. I realize however that organic produce is more expensive than conventional fruits and vegetables and for many of us it is not always feasible to purchase all fruits and vegetables organically. So, to help make the grocery budget stretch I have attached two lists of foods so you can have the best of both worlds.

According to the Environmental Working Group the following produce should always be bought organically:

Apples
Carrots
Cherries
Lettuce
Peaches
Potatoes
Strawberries
Bell peppers
Celery
Grapes
Nectarines
Pears
Spinach
Raspberries

And here are the fruits and vegetables that can be purchased non-organically:

Asparagus
Bananas
Cauliflower
Kiwi
Onions
Pineapple
Avocado
Broccoli
Sweet peas
Mangos
Papaya
Garlic

I hope that many of you found my October blog helpful and sincerely hope that this article leaves you feeling less pressured when it comes to purchasing organic produce. And since fall is literally knocking on our front doors I thought it would be nice to finish off today’s article with one of my all time favourite recipes.

Ice-Cream Free Apple Sunday:
Serves 1

Ingredients:

1 organic apple
1 tbsp. hazelnut, cashew or almond butter
1 tbsp. honey
½ tsp. almond or vanilla extract
1 tbsp. chopped almonds
1 tbsp. dried coconut flakes
Preparations:
Mix together nut/seed butter, honey and almond/vanilla extract until nice and creamy and smooth.

Cut the apple (leave the peel on for its high fibre content) into cubes and place in your favourite bowl.

Drizzle with the sauce and sprinkle with nuts.

ENJOY!!

To learn more about Eva, her consulting services and classes,
visit http://www.insighthealth.ca/

Breast Fest: A Transformative Weekend

2011-09-20T15:43:00.001-04:00

Deb at Breast Fest 2010

Last year, I was fortunate enough to be a recipient of the Breast Fest Travel Subsidy program. Rethink organized for me to travel from Montreal to Toronto where I spent a transformative weekend attending the Breast Fest Film Festival.

Being a three-time breast cancer survivor over the course of 17 years has brought me many different levels of emotions, but none as deep and meaningful as the time I spent with my fellow warrior girls at Breast Fest. A ribbon of strength very quickly united me with many women that I had never met before; a deep connection was spoken without any words. Never did I feel more like I belonged as I did that weekend, amongst other young women who were facing many of the trials and tribulations that I had been facing for years. I saw my own fears from days gone by put to rest as I realized the strength in these much younger women. I saw my future in women who had been at battle for far too long, but the fire in their eyes showed strength and inspired me. I fit in perfectly, able to offer my experiences to others but yet constantly learning from everyone I met.

The films that we watched over the course of the weekend were so powerful, so emotional. At times, I cried so hard, but they were tears of relief, they made me feel alive. The emotions that were deeply buried deep inside me were shed like a second skin - I felt reborn.

A close group of 2010 travel subsidy recipients

I am asking you to please help Rethink support young women on their breast cancer journey by making a donation* today.

Funds raised will not only allow women, like me, to attend the 2011 Breast Fest Film Festival in November, but will also establish an invaluable support network. I am so thankful for this experience and hope others can experience the impact of this incredible weekend.

- Deborah Bridgman

2010 Breast Fest Travel Subsidy Recipient

The 2011 Breast Fest Film Festival runs November 18-20 in Toronto.
To learn more visit http://www.breastfestfilmfest.com/.

*Donations made before October 1st will be recognized in the Breast Fest Film Festival programme book. Click here to donate.

Because everyone needs somebody to talk to that really understands

2011-08-26T16:47:00.000-04:00

Tasha Westerman, the Chair of Rethink Breast Cancer’s Calgary Committee, reflects on her experiences with breast cancer as a young woman and becoming a new Peer Support Volunteer.

It’s just another Thursday, but not really. Every 3 months I have to go take care of my “other” life. Here I sit, in the Cancer Centre, waiting for blood work. They need to check all of my counts to make sure they are normal - whatever that is anymore. Then I will meet with my oncologist and nurse to go through the list of symptoms I still have – bruising, trouble sleeping, numbness& tingling and oh yes, the hot flashes. Next will be the injection in my stomach of some kind of drug that shuts down my ovaries for 3 months at a time. My nurse is so sweet that she has never to this day allowed me to look at the needle, because she said that’s not helpful. Then I will get another 3 month supply of the daily drug I need to suppress the rest of the estrogen in my body and then return to my real life.

The difference in this story from many is that I’m also 37. I’ve had breast cancer twice now. I’ve lost my husband to brain cancer a year or so ago and now I’m raising our son on my own. I don’t say all that for any kind of sympathy - that is really not helpful. I say it because I’ve always been different.

From day one when I had just returned to work from maternity leave, with a 14 month old baby boy and a husband whose cancer was in remission, I knew my ride would be different than the typical breast cancer story I had heard. What I needed was to talk to someone about the questions that I had – can I hold my son after surgery? Can I still work while doing chemo? Where is the best place to buy a wig for someone who is 32 and wants to still look normal? But that didn’t exist.

Even today as I look around the lab waiting to get my blood work, I am clearly the youngest person here. But I have never been someone to just sit around and complain, so to the internet I went. Shortly after, I found Rethink Breast Cancer – a charity based in Toronto that was all about awareness and support for younger women. Bingo! After a few calls and meetings, a group of us decided it was time for a change and we were going to make it happen.

This summer we reached a big goal we have had since day one. We officially launched Rethink’s Peer Support for Young Women with Breast Cancer program in Western Canada. We spent a weekend getting trained by psychologist, Dr. Claire Edmonds, and Noni Regan, the program coordinator, to offer one to one peer support, similar to the program that exists in Ontario. There were nine of us, reliving our experiences with the goal of being able to soon help make someone else’s journey a bit easier.

Although I live every day in my real life, that weekend forced me to return to my “other” life and really focus on it. What went well, what didn’t, how could I help someone else through that challenge? The part that I wasn’t expecting was how hard that would be. In my real life I can forget the C word ever was a part of me. When I meet someone new, they don’t know me as a cancer widow or a cancer survivor, I am just an HR professional, an activist for change when needed, a mom, a single girl, whatever I want to be.

But in this room, we all shared our “other” lives. It’s much easier to gloss over the hard part of cancer with people who haven’t been through it. In this room with other people who have been where you are, they know better. That is exactly the reason why this program is so important to so many young women in similar situations. Because everyone needs somebody to talk to that really understands.

Many times in my life I have looked at the problems going on in the world and wished that I could help. But then stepped back thinking I am only one person and how could I really make an impact? We all go through hard things in our life, but if we can each walk away from them with the goal of trying to help someone else that will walk in our shoes - imagine how much we can accomplish.

Tasha Westerman

Chair, Calgary Committee – Rethink Breast Cancer

Meet Our Beauty Blogger

2011-08-16T10:31:00.001-04:00

Professional makeup artist, Natalie Matias, contacted Rethink Breast Cancer with a desire to help brighten the lives of young women with breast cancer. She’s warm-hearted, passionate & the breast cancer cause is close to her heart. Natalie knows that young women are into fashion, skin care and makeup to look and feel their best – yes, even when dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis. In regular guest posts to our blog, she’ll be sharing expert tips, trends and techniques through text, photos and video – with a special focus on your questions about beauty during and after treatment. Email your beauty questions to support@rethinkbreastcancer.com. Welcome, Natalie! We can’t wait to hear more from you!

One of my fondest moments as a child was watching my beautiful mother meticulously enhance her facial features with makeup as if she were Coco Chanel. I would literally stand there with my eyes peeled to her motions as she perfectly lined her lips and filled them in with a vibrant fuschia lipstick …it was the 80’s...it also was the time when I fell in LOVE with Makeup.

Fast forward thirty years and I have been in the beauty industry for a decade. I have worked for brands such as CHANEL, FACES, MAC and L’OREAL; in a variety of industries Bridal, Fashion and Television; and on so many different faces from celebrities to Canadian personalities and most importantly the everyday woman. I am currently the blog editor of www.mintmakeup.wordpress.com and you can also find my articles featured on www.themediahuddle.com and www.yummymummyclub.ca !

Sadly, my mother was not around to see the direct influence she had on me becoming a Beauty Expert. I lost my mother to breast cancer in 1994 at a time where there were very few resources and limited accessibility to those resources. Times have changed and resources such as Rethink Breast Cancer exist, thankfully! I am truly honored, excited and thankful to become the very first guest beauty blogger for a cause so close to my heart.

I have accumulated a wealth of beauty knowledge and tips in the last decade and I wish to openly share them with you. I also love to explore natural, safer beauty alternatives. With this I hope to help you integrate more natural products and help find that balance in your beauty regime.

Best,
Natalie

Eating Through Cancer

2011-08-12T10:05:00.000-04:00

Jennifer writes the blog Eating Through Cancer.

Jennifer is a mother of three, who recently completed treatment for stage 3 breast cancer. She learned much about the ability of food to support your DNA and your liver while undergoing treatments. And she managed to stay quite healthy and energetic throughout her treatments, and continues to feel very healthy. Her dream is to share what she learned with as many people as possible and to get this information to people who have not been diagnosed with cancer, so that they may make a few changes to their current lifestyles and never receive the shock that she received two years ago.

I was diagnosed with stage 3, triple positive breast cancer in June 2009. My treatment included eight rounds of chemotherapy over five months, followed by a mastectomy and five weeks of radiation. I chose to have reconstructive surgery which was completed in February 2011.

After I was diagnosed, as so many women have done before me, I began researching. I wanted to know how I could support my body while I underwent a long and toxic treatment. I met an excellent nutritionist who helped me make some important changes to my diet. I gathered all the reasonable advice and theories I could find and started practicing them. I discovered that exercise, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins as well as natural remedies made a difference in how I felt. I remained healthy and energetic throughout the treatment and continue to feel healthy. The changes I made have become new habits; habits that I believe will help prevent a recurrence in the future.

I am currently working through my emotional reaction to the ordeal through strategies I am learning from a program called the Healing Journey. The strategies, I believe, will help me make some important changes to the way I manage or perceive stressful situations. I think this will also help prevent a recurrence in the future as cancer seems to thrive in an acidic environment, and stress creates an acidic internal environment. Of course, this is all very difficult to prove, but it feels good, so I will continue on this path.

I started writing a blog at the suggestion of a friend who saw how encouraged I was by the impact these changes had on me. I have tried to present in as organized a way as possible all that I have learned and am still learning since my diagnosis. I hope it helps others who have to go through this, and I truly hope that it finds it's way into the hands of those who have not been diagnosed with cancer, so they can make some gradual changes that may prevent this disease altogether.

Be well.

Jennifer

To read more visit: http://eatingthroughcancer.com/

Rethink Goes West!

2011-07-27T11:21:00.002-04:00

On July 15th Katie and I travelled to Vancouver for the 2011 Seek The Peak Relay, an event that Grouse Mountain has been organizing in support of Rethink for the past eight years.

This was my third time attending this event, and every year I am amazed by the incredible enthusiasm of the participants. Let me be clear, Seek the Peak is no easy feat! The 16km trek starts at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver, winds its way through North Vancouver, then heads up (straight up!) the Grouse Grind , gaining 1,245 ft of elevation, to the peak of Vancouver. Even for the many elite athletes who run in this race (you can do it solo or as a relay team of four), it is tough go (hence my amazement when there were people who appeared to have jogged from their homes to the start line, in the pouring rain!). But many participants are not elite athletes – they are people who have been touched by breast cancer in some way, supporting friends, mothers, daughters, and colleagues who have battled with the disease. As many have said before me, the physical challenge of making your way up Grouse Mountain is nothing compared to the fight against breast cancer.

I am always inspired by the energy I feel when I see Kim Tempest. Kim has been a Seek the Peak participant for the past four years, but was not able to do the run this year because her breast cancer has metastasized in her liver and bones. Instead, two teams registered to honour her, made up of friends, her daughter, her daughter’s friends, and their moms! What an amazing support network. Together, these teams collected nearly $8,000 to support Rethink! Thank you!

I am also inspired by runners like Bill McCreedy, who at 70+ years of age, participates in Seek the Peak every year. He is incredibly fit (he puts me to shame at the age of 36!) and so committed to this event. Bill also makes a huge effort to raise funds for Rethink. This year he raised $385 and most of his donations were in $5 increments meaning he approached more than 70 people for donation! It’s incredible to me the dedication and loyalty he has for this event and this cause. Thank you, Bill!

I would like to give a shout out to Christine Brittain and Angela Bate who got up incredibly early on a Saturday morning to stand out all day in the pouring rain, point volunteers in the right direction and cheer racers on. Where would we be without these devoted volunteers? You girls rock!

But none of this would be possible without the amazing team at Grouse Mountain - Elliot McKerr, Loraine Labet, and Eric Lorenz in particular - who organize this event. We are so thankful for their support and commitment to our organization. Nearly a quarter of a million dollars has been raised over the past eight years, enabling Rethink to invest in support programs and research in British Columbia, like this year’s Training Grant Recipient, Dr. Maggie Cheang and BreastCancerNowWhat.ca.

I’m already excited to start planning next year’s event, and hope that I might actually get it together enough to take on the challenge and do the Grouse Grind myself. Maybe ;)

Nikki Byrne
Manager, Donor Developments

Journey Up The Peak

2011-07-19T16:07:00.000-04:00

Amanda Sellers, one of our awesome Seek the Peak participants, blogged about her journey up the Grouse Grind this past Saturday in Vancouver for Seek the Peak! And we just couldn't help sharing it with you! For all of you out there who are wondering what it might be like to partake in Seek the Peak, here's your chance to get a glimpse of the miraculous trail many supporters trek up yearly to raise funds for Rethink Breast Cancer!

How was your Sunday???!!! When I awoke this morning, I was surprisingly NOT sore at all from yesterday’s race. I obviously wasn’t pushing hard enough. I know I could have ran most of it, but since I haven’t really trained for trail running up a mountain, I took the whole thing very easy. I would LOVE to train for it and actually really give it next year!

Here was me eager and DRY yesterday morning before the race.

I got to Ambleside pretty early so I could pick up my race pack and stretch and sit in the car trying to stay dry until the race started.

Runners getting ready for the challenge!

I did however jump outta my truck to grab one of these Rethink Breast Cancer sweatbands.

Group Stretch!

Need some early morning climb up a mountain fuel?

As soon as the race started, Kelli and I were basically soaked!

Did I finish the race? I had my head cam with me and I made a little video.. Watch to find out if I actually crossed the finish line ;)

YAY! That was fun. The viking in me came out and got me through it…haha! I must say I have had a really fantastic weekend (despite the rather drab weather). How about that thunder last night??? My puppy Painter was NOT liking it!

Let’s get ready for a kick butt week ahead.

Amanda Sellers

If you enjoyed this post, you can also check out Amanda's personal blog here: http://tomboythatwearsmakeup.com.

Are You Ready To Seek The Peak?

2011-07-12T11:00:00.000-04:00

Seek the Peak is only days away! Are you ready? Have you considered your race day nutrition? Or, how this race might be different from a traditional trail or road-running race? Today I will offer some tips on A) final preparations for race day, and B) what alterations in your normal running style you might try for this "ascent race".

PRE-RACE

By now you've done your training and are as physically ready for race day as you will be. This week should be the time when you are tapering down your training with an easy 5-8 km (max) no closer to race day than Thursday. Some athletes swear by an easy 3km run the day before race day in order to prime your musculoskeletal system and neurological pathways for the big event the following day, but any longer than that may compromise your race-day performance.

Regarding nutrition, I like to eat a substantial meal including a pasta, rice or couscous dish for lunch the day before the race (and hopefully a healthy, balanced diet the rest of the week as well!). Try to finish your smaller dinner before 7pm. This allows you to store an appropriate amount of carbohydrates as glycogen for race day, while minimizing the risk of your dinner affecting your sleep negatively. For breakfast on race day, I imbibe a smoothie made from mostly fruit with a small amount of protein such as yogurt or peanut butter - plus if you are a coffee drinker, have your normal dose. I recommend you conclude both of these at least 90 minutes before race start.

DURING

During the race, I consume one standard sports gel (I like GU, Clif, Power Gel, Hammer Gel, Honey Stinger etc.) every 20-25 minutes. Plus, I carry water with me and take a cup of sports drink at every aid station in order to maintain electrolyte levels during the event. Salt tablets may also be helpful for this purpose.

Regarding ascent race running technique, I always recommend shortening your stride length as the grade gets steeper. This allows you to maintain your heart rate rather than drastically increase it when shifting from a flat course to hills. Also, while some runners on the Grouse Grind move into a bent-over posture in which they push off their legs with their hands, I recommend standing upright in order to maintain your lungs in a fully open and expanded state. This allows you to get more oxygen per breath than in the bent-over position. Finally, remember that this is a trail race with sections of pavement, so expect some uneven (yet softer) surfaces that require more mental focus than road-running. Conversely, the paved sections will add some of the cyclical pounding on your knees and ankles that road races are known for. Luckily the pavement only amounts to roughly 3 km!

Finally, some runners deem the downhill run from the Peak to be a bit scary. It certainly was for me my first time! That said, a key principle when downhill running on trail is to keep your head up while slightly leaning forward. This will help prevent too much of your body weight from shifting forward. At the same time, try not to engage in too much "braking" as this will quickly fatigue your quadriceps muscles. Here, I can offer two pieces of good news; there is currently less loose rock than normal on the route down from the Peak, and much of the trail/road surface is softer than usual, which will partially cushion your footfalls and reduce joint impact.

POST-RACE

The benefits of stretching types and timing have been widely debated. At the very least, if you are going to do any stretching for the purpose of muscle lengthening (so-called "static stretching"), it should be immediately post-race while your muscles are still warm from the event itself. In any ascent race, your calves, glutes, and hamstrings will be in particular need of stretching. Even better is scheduling a post-race massage to clear out post-activity metabolic by-products while helping to improve your flexibility.

Nutritionally, you should consume a post-race recovery drink including mostly carbs and some protein. Some suggest a 4:1 ratio carb/protein. Among drinks of this sort, I prefer Endurox (especially the lemon-lime flavour as I can pretend it tastes a bit like a margarita!). Chocolate milk provides a relatively close approximation of this ratio, and many local trail-runners swear by it.

Hopefully these tips and ideas can help improve your race-day performance, and aid in your post-race recovery. Good luck, and see you on race day!

Eric P. Lorenz, MSc
Race Director, 2011 Seek The Peak Relay

For more info about the Seek The Peak Relay, visit http://www.seekthepeak.ca/

An Encouraging Word From "Big E"

2011-07-05T09:50:00.000-04:00

Eric Lorenz, 2011 Race Director,
Seek The Peak Relay

Hi there folks, my name is Eric Lorenz. I'm the 2011 Race Director for the Seek the Peak Relay in support of Rethink Breast Cancer, and I'd like to challenge you to take part in this awesome fixture of the British Columbia trail-running scene - while perhaps paradoxically hoping to convince you that you don't have to be a trail-runner to take on this challenge. All you need is a little bit of heart, determination, and perhaps some inspiration from loved ones who have been affected by cancer.

First of all, I'd like to make a nod to my friend and former colleague Eric Langhjelm, who created this race eight years ago, has won it previously, and will be racing again this year. When he and I both worked for Grouse Mountain, we joked that we could either distinguish ourselves from each other with either the monikers "Big E. and Little E." on one hand, or "Slow E. and Fast E." on the other. For perhaps obvious reasons, we settled on an amalgamation of these two, so in regards to this year's race I will now simply say: Good luck Fast E.!

Over the past few years, I've had the privilege of being involved in Seek the Peak as the Start Line Emcee, as an Orientation Run Leader (Two more Orientation Runs coming up so join us if you can!), and as an event participant. In order to both emcee at the Start Line AND run the race, this meant that I would send the racers off from the Ambleside Park Start Line and then start dead last to begin my solo running trek up to the Peak of Grouse Mountain 16 kilometres later. This has allowed me a unique perspective on the race.

My first time doing this a few years ago, my attitude was "let's see how many people I can pass." Not very magnanimous, I know, but as I began to see and briefly chat with some of those runners and walkers at the back of the pack, this quickly changed. I met people who were overcoming far bigger challenges than I've ever had. One racer was out for his very first time doing a trail-running event, with both knees in braces and walking more than running, but wearing a shirts with a photo of his mom who he'd lost to breast cancer. Another racer was a cancer survivor who had the chipper attitude that, compared to the disease itself, climbing from sea level to Grouse Mountain was not nearly so challenging. Who could disagree? More inspiring still, these two and many others - running, walking, and even hobbling along - told me they were not relay participants, but solo runners!

All of these individuals certainly changed my attitude. Instead of counting how many people I could pass, I realized I cared more about making sure I said something encouraging to each and every person I passed, and said thank you to each volunteer along the way. Above all, I realized I needed to help Rethink Breast Cancer, in my own small way, to encourage participants to fundraise as part of this charity event. I can't claim that I know about every aspect of what cancer patients and their families go through - although losing my own mother to endometrial cancer in 2008 gave me some idea - or where cutting edge cancer research is at this time. But I do know that nonprofit organizations like Rethink Breast Cancer fill a much-needed gap, and that they need our help to do so.
Challenge yourselves and sign up for Seek the Peak 2011, and set a meaningful and manageable fundraising goal for yourself. I guarantee that doing so will make your race-day success, be your goals physical or psychological, all that much more profound.

Eric P. Lorenz, MSc
Race Director, 2011 Seek The Peak Relay

World Conference on Breast Cancer

2011-06-29T11:56:00.000-04:00

Rethink Breast Cancer participated at the World Conference on Breast Cancer in Hamilton earlier this month. The conference brought out delegates from over 38 countries! The booth/marketplace area was quite the sea of pink but I like to think Rethink still managed to stand out. It was great to chat with women from all over the world who came by the booth.

Rethink also hosted the lunch plenary on the Friday of the conference, which was very well received. Our goal was to share with the audience some of our knowledge and experience about creating and running support programs for young women with breast cancer. I had an opportunity to give everyone a quick overview of Rethink Breast Cancer and our unique approach. Then, we showed About Her, a short film we created that tells the powerful story of five young women dealing with Her2+ breast cancer. I’ve seen the film quite a few times (of course) but it’s always an amazing experience to watch it with a new audience. There was quite a powerful, palpable feeling of awe and empathy as we sat in the darkened ballroom with the beautiful faces of the women in the film illuminating the big screen. We sat in silence and listened as they shared their stories and experiences.

The lovely and amazing (and extremely funny) Lisa Rendall, one of the women featured in the film whose one-liners never fail to earn a hearty communal laugh recently passed away from metastatic breast cancer. It turned out that one of Lisa’s best friends was in the audience. She came up afterwards, overwhelmed with emotion and still dealing with deep loss but she was very touched that Lisa’s personality continues to touch people through the film. I’m so thankful she was a part of About Her and that we have this stunning film as a tribute to her and as a kind of representation and celebration of all the incredible young women we serve. We were so excited to be able to tell Lisa’s friend that the feature length version of the film will be airing on W network this October. More on that later…

Have a great Canada Day everyone!!

MJ DeCoteau

Founder & Executive Director

Where the Money Goes

2011-06-23T10:32:00.000-04:00

Earlier this year, Rethink put out a call for proposals to universities and teaching hospitals across the country for our Career Development Award. Launched in 2003, Rethink’s Career Development Award has become a highly sought-after and prized opportunity for emerging breast cancer researchers. The grant exists to better facilitate that daunting transition from post-doc trainee to independent breast cancer researcher.

Dr. Maggie Chon U Cheang

Rethink’s research program is aimed specifically at young scientists who show special promise in breast cancer research. It’s an extremely competitive grant as we are looking for that really special young researcher who has shown creativity and productivity early in his or her career.

Rethink’s Career Development Award is a “mentored award,” which means the recipient is a Trainee working in an established lab under the guidance of his or her Supervisor. When reviewing applications, our Rethink Research Council looks closely at the Supervisor’s CV and credentials as well as the quality and productivity of the lab environment. The Research Council also evaluates the “Integration and Independence” of the Trainee’s project They both examine both how it is an independent project that the Trainee is leading and how the Trainee’s project is integrated into the overall work being done in their Mentor’s lab. As well, the mentor must explain how the project will cultivate the Trainee’s independence.

Our hope is that by enabling Trainees to largely take control of their own project’s research plan, budget and resource allocation, they will emerge from Rethink’s fellowship competitively poised to apply for larger grants and establish their own breast cancer research programs, and, Rethink hopes, to ultimately make a significant contribution in breast cancer research!

Rethink’s Career Development Award is an excellent way to steer scientists early in their careers, including clinicians, into breast cancer research. We must keep supporting upcoming researchers who show productivity and creativity if we are to continue to make progress in the fight against breast cancer in Canada. These mentored awards enable us to attract the most promising talent available.

We are really excited to announce our latest Rethink Career Development Award Recipient, Dr. Maggie Chon U Cheang (pictured above). Our Review Council describes Maggie as “perfectly poised to be a rising superstar,” and is confident that she has a really exciting research future ahead of her.

Click here to learn more about Maggie and her project.

Inspiring Stories Series: Debbie Does Africa

2011-06-22T16:31:00.002-04:00

After benefitting from several of Rethink Breast Cancer's support programs throughout her breast cancer journey, Debbie James decided to return the favour. To help raise money for Rethink, Debbie embarked on another journey...across Africa!

This month, Debbie completed a 100km, five day, trek across Maasai land in Kenya accompanied by two Maasai leaders with only a spear (called “the equalizer”) for protection. The trip was a fair-trade, community run initiative that provides eight Maasai families employment as well as contributing towards community agricultural and educational projects. Debbie decided to engage her own community to show their support for her journey by making pledges to fund Rethink’s programs.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer as a young woman is an incredibly isolating and frightening experience. I feel so fortunate to have found Rethink soon after my diagnosis. They provided me with telephone-based peer support, monthly educational support meetings, and a community of inspirational young survivors.

You too can make a difference - and you don’t need to trek across Africa to do it! Simply set up a fundraising page on www.Reachout4Rethink.org and engage your family and friends to help you raise funds to support Rethink and other young women dealing with breast cancer. Click here to visit Debbie’s fundraising page.

Congratulations to Debbie on completing this incredible adventure and for raising $3,205 for Rethink.

Inspiring Stories Series: Kim

2011-06-15T11:27:00.001-04:00

Kim with daughter Arden

Breast cancer first came to my attention when I was diagnosed. At age 41, I was considered a ‘young’ woman. I really had not thought about breast cancer prior to that because it really hadn’t touched my life. There was no history in my family and I did not overtly know anyone with it. Suddenly, breast cancer was a big deal and I was overwhelmed with everything that was out there. I was also disheartened by the lack of information on what I wanted to know. All of the information and support that seemed to be available was for women much older. What was available for me?

I needed to know how to approach the subject with my 5 year old daughter. I wanted advice on how I was going to balance treatments with my career. I was in a new relationship so I needed to understand reconstruction options, strategies to deal with body image, and sexuality - getting to second base for the first time! It was around this time that I discovered an organization called Rethink Breast Cancer. They were different. They were young. They cared about the same things I did.

I was thrilled when, a few years ago, Rethink partnered with a small group of women in the West to provide funding for an interactive website called www.BreastCancerNowWhat.ca. This site was designed by young women for young women to tackle many of the things I listed above. I knew that I wanted to get involved in supporting Rethink so that they could continue to offer the types of programs and advocacy to support young women dealing with breast cancer. That was when I joined other young survivors to participate in ‘Seek the Peak’, in Vancouver, BC.

I think at first I sincerely thought I was certifiable because this was not a relay for wimps. My running experience was limited to ‘running’ to the store; ‘running’ to the bathroom; ‘running’ to a meeting. The relay starts at Ambleside beach in West Vancouver taking a 4,100 feet elevation gain over a 16-kilometer course, winding its way through North Vancouver, then heads up the legendary Grouse Grind® to the Peak of Vancouver. Yikes! It was a challenge, but our team of 4 young survivors decided that “if we can beat breast cancer – we can beat this race!”. Well, ‘race’ is used loosely here as we managed to come in 2nd or 3rd from last place finishing each year. But, where we were 1st was in fundraising – that was our focus and passion. Last year we really pushed the envelope as one of our team members, Lavonne, was diagnosed with a new primary breast cancer in her opposite breast – after 10 years of being cancer free – she is still a young woman!

This year we are doing Seek The Peak again, but I am retiring my runners. I found out this January that I have metastatic breast cancer in my liver and bones. Like many ‘young’ women diagnosed, my cancer was far more aggressive and the opportunities for reoccurrence was greater. This year my daughter, her friends, their moms, my husband and of course Lavonne are carrying the torch up the hill for me. I am so thrilled that my daughter wants to be involved knowing how much this cause means to me.

I know that to change the destiny and survival rates of young women with breast cancer, we need to educate, support and advocate. Young people need to be involved because this is their cause – their future. I also know that what my daughter will take away from this experience now will shape and possibly save her life, and Rethink will be there to help.”

Kim Tempest
Seek The Peak Participant, Team BreastCancerNowWhat.ca

Lovage infused Leek and Potato Soup

2011-06-14T13:25:00.000-04:00

Eva Sue-Wah-Sing, Certified Nutritional Practitioner,
Registered Holistic Practioner & Certified Chef

M. and I decided that it was time for some love sweet love. Even though it shows the month of June on our calendars over here, the temperature surely doesn't reflect the fact that it is supposed to be summer! A couple of months ago we had it in the back of our heads that surely by this time of the year we would be writing and sharing about thirst quenching recipes and talking about enlightened summer dishes. Instead, here we are sharing one of our favourite recipes. Lovage infused Leek and Potato Soup to celebrate our +12 degrees summer day - Whoopee!

Leeks are a pretty amazing vegetable. Not only are they super versatile, you can substitute them for onions if you prefer a milder flavour, but they are also rich in Manganese, Vitamin C, Iron and Folate. The other great thing about them is that because they are cousins of the onion and garlic family they also contain health protective phytonutrients called thiopropanal sulfoxides (try to pronounce that three times in a row!!)

So when buying a bunch of leeks use the following guide line to select the best ones out of the bunch ;)

Look for ones that are firm and straight with dark green leaves and long white necks. They should be between 1/2 inch and 1 inch in diameter.

Avoid leeks that are yellow, wilted or have bulbs that are cracked or bruised.

Once bought and carried home leeks will remain fresh for up to 7 days when properly stored. The best way to store them is by putting them in a plastic storage bag before refrigerating. Wrap the plastic bag tightly around the leeks, squeezing out as much of the air from the bag as possible.

Lovage infused Leek and Potato Soup:

Ingredients:

1 large or 2 medium sized leeks, washed and diced
3 medium sized potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1 handful of fresh lovage
4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock
2 tbsp. of coconut oil
salt and pepper to taste

Preparations:

Heat up the coconut oil in a medium size to large pot.

Add the diced and washed leeks and saute over medium heat until tender.

Add the diced potatoes and the lovage.

Add the stock, salt and pepper

Bring the soup to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Puree the soup with a hand blender.

Taste the soup and adjust seasoning (salt and pepper) if necessary.

Enjoy!

Meeting our famous FTBC covergirls

2011-05-18T16:18:00.000-04:00

Senior Manager at Rethink, Katie Gillespie, shares her experience at the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer photoshoot in New York City with Patti Hansen and her daughters Theodora and Alexandra Richards.

There’s just something about New York City. The chance to go, whether for work or pleasure, always puts an insta-smile on my face. Having only been a handful of times I’m by no means a seasoned vet and still have so much to explore. It seems to me that every time I go and discover a new area of the city, I have such a great time that it becomes my new favourite.

So when Joe Fresh confirmed that the talented and generous photographer Steven Sebring would once again be getting behind the lens to shoot our Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) campaign and that I was going to get to be on-set at MILK studios in the meat packing district, I was beaming. The Meat Packing District was on its way to becoming my next new NYC favourite enclave.

I have to admit being a Toronto girl, the big apple comes with its intimidation factor and this trip was no exception. First on the itinerary was a meeting with our friends at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (headed up by Diane von Furstenberg, what EVER does a girl wear to that!? Not that she was going to be there, but still!!) followed by a day on-set at MILK studios shooting Patti Hansen and her model daughters Theodora and Alexandra Richards for our FTBC anniversary campaign. Patti Hansen?! Supermodel and wife of Keith Richards?! And their two-drop dead gorgeous daughters?! What to expect from such a ridiculously good-looking family?

As it turned out graciousness, warmth and charm all round. The distance you sometimes see and feel between celebrities and those working on set (myself included) was non-existent as Patti showed off the line of handbags she had just launched with a friend and Theodora and Alexandra chummed around with Steven and the rest of the staff and crew. A hilarious “caught on video” moment brought the whole group of us together at the floor to ceiling windows of the studio (that overlooked a hotel) for a big laugh and that fun and casualness continued throughout the day.

The love between mother and daughters and the closeness of the sisters was palpable both on and off-set and brought an honest emotion to our campaign shots and those selected for the Chatelaine cover and spread. It was obvious that they were a tight family and that Theodora and Alexandra adored their mom. I could only imagine that Patti’s battles with cancer had brought an already close family even closer and the present bond amongst them was more than apparent to us all. Jane Francisco, Editor-in-Chief of Chatelaine, had the chance to interview Patti and the girls for the May issue where Patti opened up about the effect that her cancer scares have had on the family. Her story is truly inspirational and very relatable.

There was really nothing not to love about the Hansen/Richards girls and the day we shared with them on-set. I left thinking what a beautiful family they were in all regards but also how totally normal they seemed- something you kind of don’t expect out of celebrities these days. I guess family is family no matter who you are and the kindness and generosity (they all donated their time for our shoot!) of this one certainly will not be forgotten by me or the rest of the Rethink team that was on set.

And, as for the Meat Packing District, I could definitely see it being a new favourite New York spot! Just need to win the lottery first!

Katie Gillespie

Senior Manager

Oh, and P.S., did I mention how important it is to buy the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 10^th Anniversary Collection? Joe Fresh is donating ALL the proceeds from sale of the shirts to Rethink so make sure to get one before month’s end and wear it proudly on Fashion Targets Friday (May 27^th)!

Best Lentil Salad

2011-05-11T09:40:00.001-04:00

Eva Sue-Wah-Sing, Certified Nutritional Practitioner,
Registered Holistic Practioner & Certified Chef

Guess what? I have officially opened our 2011 BBQ season. This weekend truly couldn’t have been more glorious. With Mr. Sun shining down on me, I went to pull out the good ol’ Barbie to have friends and family over for our first of many 2011 driveway get togethers. When I entertain outside, I keep it simple. Simple from top to bottom which means we eat off of good old fashioned paper plates serving simple but delicious, finger licking foods such as this best ever Lentil Salad. The flavours in this salad are simple but taste outstanding. It makes a great item to take for a picnic as you can prepare it ahead of time and it can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

The other reason I am head over heels for lentils is because of their amazing health benefits. The culinary enjoyment of lentils dates back to prehistoric times and they were used by the ancient Greeks for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Unlike other members of the legume family, lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking, so they are a relatively quick and easy way to add nutrient-rich legumes into your daily diet. Lentils’ rich concentration of dietary fiber and folate makes them an excellent choice for intestinal health. According to Dr. Neal Barnard, fiber rich foods have the ability to attach themselves to excess estrogens and other toxins that may be lingering in your intestinal tract and transport them out of the body. Lentils also contain polyphenolic phytonutrients and catechins which provide powerful antioxidant protection to cellular structures from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. So, by eating just one cup of this yummy lentil salad you will get 16 grams of fiber, 17 grams of protein and 7 mg of iron.

So here is the Best Lentil Salad:

Ingredients:

1 cup dried lentils
1 clove garlic, peeled and cut in half
¼ tsp. oregano
cinnamon stick, or ¼ tsp. ground
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup currants
1 tbsp. rice vinegar
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest
½ tsp. ground cumin
¼ tsp. sea salt
red pepper, diced
cucumber, seeded, peeled, diced
¼ cup kalamata olives, pitted
3 tbsp. mint, chopped
3 tbs. parsley, chopped
bay leaf

Preparations:

Combine the lentils, garlic, oregano, bay leaf and cinnamon stick in saucepan and cover with enough water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer until the lentils are tender. About 20 to 25 minutes.
Drain the lentils and discard the whole spices.

In a separate bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, lemons juice, lemon zest, cumin and salt together.
Toss in the lentils, pepper, cucumber, olives, mint, currants and parsley.

Combine, taste and add extra salt if needed.

To learn more about Eva, her consulting services and classes, visit www.insighthealth.ca

Red + White = Pink for Rethink

2011-04-19T15:15:00.001-04:00

Everywhere we look there are countdowns to Friday, April 29th – the coincidence of running an event on the same day as the Royal Wedding! But Kate Middleton won’t be the only woman in white that day! Young women in Toronto will be decked out and attending the 9th Annual Red & White Ball in support of Rethink Breast Cancer.

Nine years ago the event was started by a group of young women to show support for their friend who was battling breast cancer, and every year the event gets bigger and bigger – making more of an impact on the fight against Breast Cancer.

We’ve been involved in the event for the past 4 years and every year we are overwhelmed by the support that the community gives to the event, and to Rethink Breast Cancer. We have both lost close friends and family to breast cancer, and are thrilled to bring hundreds of people together each year to build awareness and raise funds for this worthy cause. We are volunteers, who, like the other lovely ladies who help make this event possible year in and year out, have discovered that our time, energy, and effort is far more valuable than the money we can afford to donate individually. Instead, we devote our spare time to planning and promoting this event each year and we are proud to say we plan to attract 500 young professionals and raise over $20,000 for Rethink with this year’s event.

One of our favourite parts of the evening is seeing everyone dressed up in Red & White. We barely have to decorate at all because everyone does it for us! This year’s event is going to be bigger and better than ever, and we’ve got tons of surprises planned for the evening.

We promise that this will be one unforgettable night and we can’t wait to see you on Friday, April 29th, 2011!

Get your tickets here: http://www.redandwhitetoronto.com/tickets/

Julie & Karen

Co-Chairs, Red & White Ball

Rethink in Montreal

2011-04-18T13:39:00.000-04:00

From left: Angie, Dr. Gerald Batist & Jen

Much of our daily work at Rethink is done from our laptops in our sunny pink office in Toronto, communicating with contacts and committees all across Canada. In this modern world, we can carry out many goals without ever seeing the face of others on our own team. It was a welcome opportunity, then, when Farheen (Senior Manager of Support & Education Programs) and I scheduled at trip to Montreal in March to do some outreach for our Live Laugh Learn program.

We had four days and big plans: meetings with a number of different service providers, a celebratory gala dinner and, of course, a Live Laugh Learn gathering!

Upon arrival to downtown Montreal, Farheen and I were welcomed by a parade of St. Patrick’s Day carousers. Our cab driver declared that he could not drive us to our hotel due to road closures, and dropped us off in the midst of the parade to negotiate our way (and baggage) through the green crowds. Uphill! At least the sun was shining down on us. Once we arrived at the hotel we did a speedy costume change, picked up healthy & delicious treats for the evening’s event, and were on our way to meet our stellar Montreal Committee!

Our Montreal Live Laugh Learn Committee

Deborah, Angie, Frédérique, Kira, Dawn & Monique are the amazing women that make Live Laugh Learn for young women with breast cancer happen in Montreal each month. We'd exchanged many e-mails and conference calls, but nothing compares to meeting in person, and getting a great big hug and that trademark French double-cheek kiss!

March's Live Laugh Learn featured a talk by esteemed Chair of the Department of Oncology at McGill University, Dr. Gerald Batist. On the forefront of some very exciting research and providing essential treatments to young women with breast cancer at the Jewish General Hospital, the down-to-earth Dr. Batist offered his time to speak with us about new prospects in personalized medicine. It was an incredibly informative evening and he generously answered many eager questions. There were new participants attending the program that night and it was wonderful for Farheen and I to be present to witness the women welcome & support one another. By the end of the night, so much had happened that I found it hard to believe we had only been in Montreal a few hours…our trip had just begun.

For the next few days, we were busy running all around the city. We met with many nurses at the Jewish General and Royal Victoria Hospitals who were keen to spread the word about our programs and had great ideas, studies and stories of their own to share with us. We learned how tight-knit the cancer community in Montreal is, and about some of the incredible work going on at Cedars CanSupport, Hope & Cope, Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, and VOBOC (Venturing Out Beyond Our Cancer). In between, we of course managed to sneak in some delicious meals in the various colourful downtown neighbourhoods.

Montreal committee members with the Hope & Cope team

Our stay concluded with a beautiful and emotional evening at the VOBOC 10th Anniversary Gala. Founded by Doreen Edwards, VOBOC's mission is to provide newly diagnosed adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology patients with free diversions, resources and tools to help ease their cancer journey.

Inspiring speeches, musical interludes, and fundraising for the cause made for a memorable evening. And chairing the Gala committee was our very own Live Laugh Learn committee member, Deborah Bridgman!

So, our trip was a whirlwind - but a successful whirlwind! We left Montreal feeling tired and inspired, knowing the value of meeting regularly with our national friends and program partners …and grateful for a treat bag of cookies from our new Montreal Live Laugh Learn food sponsor, Simply Wonderful Catering, to eat on the way to the airport!

Jen Lagzdins

Coordinator, Support & Education Programs

Rethink Your Run!

2011-04-11T11:35:00.000-04:00

When a group of runners from Vancouver decided to do the Boston Marathon, they decided that they wanted to mark this milestone by giving something back. It was important for them to compete for a cause bigger than personal fulfillment. “I consider myself very fortunate to be healthy and able to train and participate in events like the Boston Marathon”, said Gavin. Lucky for us, they decided to support Rethink Breast Cancer.

Gavin Arthur, Greg Lilles, Kent Williams and Murray McCutcheon formed a team called “The Boston Boobs” and used www.RethinkYourRun.com to help reach their $10,000 fundraising goal. Each team member created their own personal fundraising page. “We are all super busy people with demanding careers. Our training schedules took up most of our extra time. Rethink Your Run made it easy to let our friends and family know what we were doing and allowed them to support us by donating online.”

A couple of the runners have worked in the arena of human health and research, and wanted to help fund Rethink’s Career Development Awards. “As a post-doc researcher, I know the important connection between funding and the quality of research. It is crucial to retain and attract new, young talent to research, and Rethink's grant program helps support the transition from post-doc to becoming independent breast cancer researchers”, said Murray.

Kent used his fundraising page to explain why he would be running in support of Rethink. “I live with three precious girls; my wife, Verity, and my two young daughters, Hannah and Olivia, so I want to do everything I can to help support a potential cure for breast cancer.”

The “Boston Boobs” raised more than $12,000 for Rethink.

Start your own page today and get fundraising!

Nikki Byrne

Manager, Donor Development

SOUP’S ON!

2011-04-08T14:12:00.002-04:00

We’re so excited to introduce you to our new guest blogger Eva Sue-Wah-Sing! Eva is the founder of Insight Health, a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, Registered Holistic Practitioner and a Certified Chef who will be sharing her expertise on eating healthy and contributing delicious recipes through our blog every month! She is a former triathlete, mother of two and friend of Rethink who has shared her vast knowledge on cancer fighting foods with us at Live Laugh Learn. Welcome Eva! We can’t wait to hear more from you!

- The Rethink Team

SOUP’S ON!

Eva in her kitchen

Well, what can I say other than it’s been really crazy busy for the last two and a half weeks. So crazy in fact, that I ended up coming down with a cold which knocked me right off my feet. After having spent two weekends in a row traveling, once to New York City to receive training on cancer fighting foods at the Natural Gourmet Institute, followed by a second trip to Nashville, to be further educated on some of the most amazing “Cancer Project” endorsed cookware, I found myself battling it out with Mr. Flu!

By the way, I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name is Eva, Eva Sue-Wah-Sing and I am the founder of Insight Health. I am a Registered Holistic Nutritionist as well as Certified Chef who loves cooking, eating and educating women one morsel at a time on how they can become an active participant in their own healing. Going forward I will be contributing one nutrition blog per month and a recipe for you to try. And since I was feeling under the weather I thought there is no better time than to introduce you to this nourishing Thai Chicken Soup. Not only is this soup amazing when battling a cold but it is loaded with cancer fighting ingredients.

Thai Chicken Soup:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

· 2 organic or hormone/antibiotic free chicken breasts, cut into chunks. If you are vegetarian you can substitute the chicken with GMO free firm Tofu, cut into cubes.

· 2 Tablespoons of olive oil

· 1 small red onion, diced

· 1 clove of garlic, minced

· 1 tablespoon of ginger, grated

· ½ tsp. of turmeric

· 1 stalk lemongrass, cut lengthwise and in half

· 2 kaffir lime leaves or 1 teaspoon of organic lime zest

· 8 cups of vegetable stock

· ½ can of organic coconut milk

· ½ teaspoon of sea salt

· 1 package of vermicelli rice noodles (found in the Asian section of your grocery store)

· 1 cup of diced carrots

· 2 cups of bok choy, coarsely chopped

· 2 tablespoons of lime juice

· ¼ cup of fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions:

In a pot add the olive oil and over medium heat sauté onions, garlic and ginger
Add the turmeric, be careful not to burn.
Add the chicken or tofu and sauté until golden brown.
Add the vegetable broth, coconut milk as well as the lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, carrots, bok choy and sea salt.
Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, put the rice noodles into a bowl of hot water and soak until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Drain the noodles and add them straight into the soup.
Serve garnished with the cilantro and enjoy!

What are the cancer fighting ingredients you might ask?

Onion: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. Onion extract shows antitumor properties, possibly because it helps carcinogens leave the body quickly.

Garlic: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial. Allicin, a compound in garlic that is also found in onions, accounts for garlic’s pungent smell and cancer-protective punch.

Ginger: Nausea reducer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, NF-kB regulator. Ginger is great for nausea and an upset stomach. This effect is increased when you combine ginger with a little protein and can be particularly helpful when dealing with chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Turmeric: Appetite stimulant, digestion aid, anti-inflammatory, NF-kB regulator. The curcumin in the turmeric may lower the growth of tumours as well as the tumours’ ability to spread to other parts of the body.

Lemongrass: Lemongrass contains an oil called citral. Citral is an infection fighter and muscle relaxant.

Coconut milk: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial. Coconut is a great antibiotic. Half of its saturated fat content comes from lauric acid, which the body converts into monolaurin. Monolaurin contains a powerful antibacterial and antiviral compound and is the absolute enemy of many disease-causing germs and may play a role in attacking cancer as well.

Cilantro: Digestion aid, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, NF-kB regulator. Cilantro is great while undergoing chemotherapy treatments as it is good when you have an upset stomach or nausea.

I sure hope that you will give this amazing soup a try. If you do, it will not disappoint as it is loaded with different flavours, textures and wonderful healing properties.

To learn more about Eva, her consulting services and classes, visit www.insighthealth.ca

Herceptin probably saved my life: A letter to Health Minister Deb Matthews

2011-04-05T09:53:00.000-04:00

The powerful letter below was sent to us by one of our friend Hayley Mezei. Hayley was in our first Support Saturdays group and is a volunteer with our Peer Support program! Please feel free to draft your own letter to Mrs. Matthews or copy and paste the one we have created on our site.

Dear Minister Matthews,

Six years ago I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. A biopsy revealed that the tumor was HER2 positive. I was 38 at the time and 6 months pregnant with my first child. Fortunately for me I was directed to Sunnybrook hospital and put in the charge of Dr Maureen Trudeau, a staunch advocate for Herceptin treatment for women just like me.

It may very well be that I am alive today because I was provided with Herceptin, which had only 3 months prior to my diagnosis, come under funding from OHIP. My first surgery removed a tumor that was 1.3 cm. What if it had been 3 mm smaller? Would I be writing you this letter today?

As someone who has been touched by cancer, I have been following the story of Jill Anzarut – a wife and mother in Ontario who urgently needs access to Herceptin. I am writing to you to request that Jill immediately be provided this medication through public funding to treat her breast cancer so that she may live to see her children grow, just as I have been given the chance to see our son Elliot grow to be a healthy almost six year old joy.

I implore you to ensure that Jill receives Herceptin now Minister Matthews. You have the power to make sure that she, and the other women in Ontario who are in the same position, get the medical care that they need.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,
Hayley Mezei

SEND YOUR LETTER NOW TO: Dmatthews.mpp@liberal.ola.org

ReelWorld Film Festival and Rethink Breast Cancer Present...

2011-04-01T13:10:00.000-04:00

The Closing Night Gala Film, "I Will Follow" the critically acclaimed film by American Director, Ava DuVernay.

"I Will Follow" stars, Salii Richardson-Whitfield (I Am Legend) along with Blair Underwood (The Event), Beverly Todd (The Bucket List) and Tracie Thoms of the (Devil Wears Prada).

DuVerney's film follows Maye, a black woman at a personal crossroads after the loss of a loved one. Maye, puts her life on pause for a year to care for her beloved “larger than life” musician aunt, who eventually succumbs to cancer, leaving Maye, to move on with her life. "I Will Follow" chronicles Maye’s journey as she learns through death, how to live life as fearlessly and fully as the woman she adored.

"I Will Follow" has been described by critics as a “proudly plain universal story about universal emotions”. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times said, “This is a wonderful independent film. This is the kind of film black filmmakers are rarely able to get made these days, offering roles for actors who remind us of their gifts.” Film critic, Frank Scheck, of The Hollywood Reporter, said, "I Will Follow" is "a sensitively scripted drama about the grieving process that rings true, while avoiding the trap of succumbing to melodrama."

Date: Sunday, April 10th
Time: 7 PM
Where: The Scotia Bank Theater

For tickets and information:
http://www.reelworld.ca/_bin/festival/schedule.cfm

Enter promotional code: "Sponsor" when you purchase tickets for a 25% discount!

Enjoy,

Michelle Rothstein

Artistic Director, Breast Fest