Indescribable Pain

Several years ago I met Elijah Oberman when my two-piece lady-punk band opened for Eli's band, The Shondes at Garfield Artworks in Pittsburgh. Now, our paths cross again but for an entirely different reason- cancer.

Eli has written a beautiful piece called "The Pain of Indescribable Pain", where he talks about being a transgendered man diagnosed with breast cancer. He talks about facing a diagnosis, its treatment, its recovery, and coping with all of it.

Many thanks to Eli for being willing to share his story!

FREE MAMMOGRAMS!

It is absolutely fitting, and also very exciting, to announce that the Allegheny General Hospital Breast Care Center,in partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation, is providing free mammograms to women with limited resources. To learn if you qualify please call 412-359-6543. You can click here to print out the pdf of the flyer to share with others!

I speak from personal experience when I say 1) how important access to these services can be and 2) how wonderful and amazing the folks at the Breast Care Center are. No woman should have to put off having a potentially life saving mammogram because of her inability to pay for it. Please spread the word!!

October is

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Learn more by visiting NBCAM.org.

And while so many illnesses, including numerous cancers, deserve our attention, I wanted to post this in honor of the many ladies I know who have been touched by this particular form of cancer. To the ones Ive lost, if youre out there somewhere, know that I love, respect and admire you endlessly. For those I still have in my life, know the same applies to you. You are all in my heart.

One less thing to worry about

A friend passed this along to me today and I wanted to get it posted ASAP. So many good things to share with everyone already this month!

Cleaning for a Reason is a newly formed nonprofit offering free professional housecleaning and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer. They are located in Texas, but work with professional house cleaning services around the country to help women in need wherever they may live.

Imagine having one less thing to worry about. Knowing you will be able to come home to a clean house. This is such a great idea, and there are lots of ways to help them with their cause. More info about how to apply for the service or how to help can be found on their website.

Go Pink at Panera Bread

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and in honor of that, here is something you can do TODAY to make a difference. This was sent to me by a friend:

Please stop by a Panera near you Thursday, October 1st to try some pink ribbon bagels. All the proceeds go to the support the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Foundation.

The mission of the foundation is to educate as many people as they can about Breast cancer in women under 45. They also aim to educate and support younger women with a diagnosis.

Fund raising efforts have benefited the American Cancers Society Reach to Recovery Program and Clinical Trial Grants for the American Cancer Society.