In my new capacity as a Komen Austin Affiliate board member I had the opportunity today to have lunch with an amazing young woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24. She has an incredible story and a willingness to share that I'm in awe of. Her story isn't mine to tell, but I was at lunch to talk about options for how she can work with Komen to get her message out, so keep an eye on the Komen Austin Blog and our Facebook Group as hopefully that's to come.
My personal take away from lunch is that it's really important for me to own my health and I'm sure I'll now be much more insistent in general with doctors when I think something is wrong. I think there's a tendency even at my age to think that breast cancer isn't something to worry about yet. Even though I don't know my medical history my GP and gynecologist have both said that 35 is the absolute earliest I should get a mammogram and really that 40 is "probably fine." Of course, I want to think that I'm healthy so it's easy to go along with it.
Every day I'm more committed to the cause of finding a cure for this wretched disease. As George says, we need a cure "today, today, today." You can join the fight by racing with me on November 2nd or visiting the Komen site to learn more.
Disclaimer - The postings on this site are my own and don’t represent Komen Austin positions, strategies or opinions.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Book Review: House Lights
I stumbled upon Lean Hager Cohen's House Lights at a recent time killing trip to a chain bookstore - I picked it up because it's won a ton of awards (including being a New York Times Book Review Notable Book for 2007) and I liked the cover image.
It's certainly one of the best things I've read so far this year and was a very pleasant switch from all of my YA fare of late. The story follows Beatrice, a girl on the verge of 21 who after a strange insulated childhood is finally finding out that things with her family are not what they always seemed. It's a delicate and beautifully written coming of age story - unique in both the depth of the characters but also in its tone. Hager Cohen's attention to detail is spot on and the way she weaves descriptions into the story made everything seem hearbreakingly poignant. Fantastic female characters from 3 generations (Beatrice, her mother and her grandmother) are also a big plus.
It's certainly one of the best things I've read so far this year and was a very pleasant switch from all of my YA fare of late. The story follows Beatrice, a girl on the verge of 21 who after a strange insulated childhood is finally finding out that things with her family are not what they always seemed. It's a delicate and beautifully written coming of age story - unique in both the depth of the characters but also in its tone. Hager Cohen's attention to detail is spot on and the way she weaves descriptions into the story made everything seem hearbreakingly poignant. Fantastic female characters from 3 generations (Beatrice, her mother and her grandmother) are also a big plus.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act
October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States. More than 25,000 children are stillborn in the United States every year leaving mothers, entire families and communities devastated. Estimates of the rate of occurrence of stillbirth make it at least as common as autism.
Stillbirth is not an intractable problem. Greater research would likely significantly reduce its incidence, but good research requires good data. H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act is under consideration by Congress. This proposed bill would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still.
On October 15th, remember the thousands of unfinished children lost and the families who remain to grieve them. Honor them by taking action. Let’s help pass H.R. 5979.
Action Steps:
Step 1. Use Your Blog to Enlist Others-Copy the contents of this entire post and publish it on your blog immediately.
GOAL: Enlist 10 of your readers to spread the word
Step 2. Use Your E-mail to Enlist Others-E-mail 5 bloggers and ask them (nicely and in an unspammy way) to publish these action steps on their blog. Consider contacting celebrity bloggers, political bloggers, medical bloggers, or bloggers who are not part of your reading community.
GOAL: Enlist 3 bloggers outside of your normal blog sphere to spread the word in other online communities.
Step 3. Help Pass the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act-By October 15th, publish a post on your blog supporting H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act. For maximum impact, title your post: “Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act.”
GOAL: 1,000,000 Google results on October 15th when that term is searched for. Currently, Google only returns 20,400 pages - most of which have nothing to do with the bill.
As a personal note, if you need convincing on the devastation this can bring to a couple (and their families, and the people who love them) here's some related reading.
Stillbirth is not an intractable problem. Greater research would likely significantly reduce its incidence, but good research requires good data. H.R. 5979: Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act is under consideration by Congress. This proposed bill would standardize stillbirth investigation and diagnosis, thus providing more data for the needed research. Better research means fewer children born still.
On October 15th, remember the thousands of unfinished children lost and the families who remain to grieve them. Honor them by taking action. Let’s help pass H.R. 5979.
Action Steps:
Step 1. Use Your Blog to Enlist Others-Copy the contents of this entire post and publish it on your blog immediately.
GOAL: Enlist 10 of your readers to spread the word
Step 2. Use Your E-mail to Enlist Others-E-mail 5 bloggers and ask them (nicely and in an unspammy way) to publish these action steps on their blog. Consider contacting celebrity bloggers, political bloggers, medical bloggers, or bloggers who are not part of your reading community.
GOAL: Enlist 3 bloggers outside of your normal blog sphere to spread the word in other online communities.
Step 3. Help Pass the Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act-By October 15th, publish a post on your blog supporting H.R. 5979 Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act. For maximum impact, title your post: “Stillbirth Awareness and Research Act.”
GOAL: 1,000,000 Google results on October 15th when that term is searched for. Currently, Google only returns 20,400 pages - most of which have nothing to do with the bill.
As a personal note, if you need convincing on the devastation this can bring to a couple (and their families, and the people who love them) here's some related reading.
Habits
I have really gotten out of the habit of blogging, haven't I? I was all into Twitter for a while (and still love it), but I even got out of that habit during Fantastic Fest. I often think about things I'd like to say here, but the thought of logging in and typing them seems like such a drag. My yoga and tai chi teachers are always on about how many times you have to do something until it becomes a habit (3 times a week comes to mind - I obviously blow them off during these comments now that I think about it), so perhaps I'll make that committment to NCTM for a bit and see how it goes.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Cure Happens Today
I've been volunteering with the Austin Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for almost exactly a year - first as a member now co-chair of the Technology Committee, also helping with a special project for the Annual Race for the Cure, and I've applied to be on the board (keep your fingers crossed for the big vote on the 18th).
Before I had the chance to work with this group, I might not have listed finding a cure for breast cancer in my top 5 causes, but I've had such a positive experience working with all of the women and men who are so passionate about the goal of finding a cure that I am now equally as committed. Several things happened really; I'm now coming in direct contact with the people who are affected by this terrible disease; I haven't met a single volunteer who hasn't impressed the hell out of me; AND (last but not least) I finally took a moment to think about my relationship with my own body, and what it would mean to have my own breasts (certainly a part of my femininity, despite my conflicted relationship with them) under attack.
All of this to say, I'm on a Race for the Cure team and if you feel like supporting me or this fantastic cause you can run with us or make a donation here. There's also a Facebook group if you want to learn more about other events, volunteering opportunities, etc.
And now that I'm thinking about it, here are the other causes I'm doing my best to support as well: helping children grow into happy, successful adults (I'm a mentor with BBBS, certainly another life changing experience); supporting reproductive rights for all women regardless of class or race; ending violence against women; suicide prevention. The list goes on and on now that I've started...
Feeling the need to stand on a soap box for a minute. Pick a cause (or 10) and REALLY support it. Writing a big check is great, but every single group needs committed volunteers, too. You can decide how much of a time committment you're willing to make and I promise you'll get at least as much out of it as you've put in.
Before I had the chance to work with this group, I might not have listed finding a cure for breast cancer in my top 5 causes, but I've had such a positive experience working with all of the women and men who are so passionate about the goal of finding a cure that I am now equally as committed. Several things happened really; I'm now coming in direct contact with the people who are affected by this terrible disease; I haven't met a single volunteer who hasn't impressed the hell out of me; AND (last but not least) I finally took a moment to think about my relationship with my own body, and what it would mean to have my own breasts (certainly a part of my femininity, despite my conflicted relationship with them) under attack.
All of this to say, I'm on a Race for the Cure team and if you feel like supporting me or this fantastic cause you can run with us or make a donation here. There's also a Facebook group if you want to learn more about other events, volunteering opportunities, etc.
And now that I'm thinking about it, here are the other causes I'm doing my best to support as well: helping children grow into happy, successful adults (I'm a mentor with BBBS, certainly another life changing experience); supporting reproductive rights for all women regardless of class or race; ending violence against women; suicide prevention. The list goes on and on now that I've started...
Feeling the need to stand on a soap box for a minute. Pick a cause (or 10) and REALLY support it. Writing a big check is great, but every single group needs committed volunteers, too. You can decide how much of a time committment you're willing to make and I promise you'll get at least as much out of it as you've put in.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Book Review: Clown Girl
I am not remotely like any of the characters in Monica Drake's Clown Girl and nothing about their lives is remotely familiar to me. And yet, I loved the lead character Nita (aka Clown Girl) and the assorted hoodlums and heroes in this strange story. Drake clearly has a talent with misfit characters and I ended up being really drawn into the frantic world she creates. It took me a while to get into it, but I stayed up late to finish - something that I haven't done with a non-YA book in quite a while.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
IndieSpensable Volume IV: Clown Girl
A while back, I decided to spring for an IndieSpensable subscription from one of my super favorite bookstores, Powell's Books. According to the site, IndieSpensable is a subscription that "delivers the best new books, with special attention to leading independent publishers. Signed first editions. Inventive, original sets. Exclusive printings.... Every six weeks, another installment to read and admire." What better thing for a girl who loves books, supporting local bookstores, AND getting fantastic fun things in the mail?
My first installment arrived today and I'm not dissapointed. Here's what's inside:
My first installment arrived today and I'm not dissapointed. Here's what's inside:
- The Super Crazy Cat Dance - a "super-fun crazy comic for kids and grownups alike" by Aron Nels Steinke
- Clown Girl by Monica Drake - one of a special limited edition of 750, and the novel's only hardcover printing
- A rubber chicken key chain
- A collection of extra large postcards featuring stuff abou the authors, Portland (Powell's Books hometown), and the series
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