 | | LeighAnn Monaghan and the Fight Like A Girl Photo Contest Winners |
Fight Like a Girl's Free Breast Cancer Awareness
Photo Shoot a Knockout!
by Angela Long
What started as an idea to photograph a friend during her personal fight with breast cancer has exploded into a world-wide campaign for breast cancer awareness.
LeighAnn Monaghan, photographer and owner of Soul Search Photography, has a soft spot in her heart for the breast cancer cause after photographing many awareness events and witnessing her mother-in-law, an aunt, and her cousin's wife battle the disease. When she learned about an old friend's diagnosis, she was inspired to capture that battle with her camera lens. With her friend posing for the fight wearing pink boxing gloves, a star was born. The photo caught the attention of the Everlast company, inspiring LeighAnn to start the Facebook page "Fight Like A Girl". The page quickly gained popularity with eye catching photos and fresh and informative posts. As a way to promote the page and spotlight her fans, LeighAnn orchestrated a Free Breast Cancer Awareness Photo Shoot in the Tampa Bay area. Survivors, fighters and supporters were all invited to participate and be captured on film in poses demonstrating they were ready to fight for a cure.
The photo shoot attracted 58 participants from....
Read more of this article |
 | | Marie Borsellino RN, SMH Breast Health Navigator |
Let's NOT Forget the Basics
by Marie Borsellino RN, SMH Breast Health Navigator
What a busy month jam packed with breast health activities. There was everything from education to fundraising events culminating with joyous celebrations like the Race for the Cure and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. There was much to celebrate since new therapies and improved treatment outcomes have helped women and men with breast cancer live longer with a better quality of life. As we have discussions with our family and friends, I would like to take some time to encourage discussion about the importance of breast cancer screening.
In Sarasota and Manatee counties as well as nationally, screening mammograms have declined. The drop is felt to be due to our shaky economy and unemployment rates. Now more than ever it is important for all of us to be aware of .....Read more of this article |
 | | Cancer Support Community Florida Suncoast |
The NEW Cancer Support Community at Lakewood Ranch
by Quiltmoore
The greater Sarasota area has many wonderful resources for cancer support. We have Breast Investigators, the American Cancer Society, three Nurse Navigators and much more. One very dear to me is the Cancer Support Community (formerly The Wellness Community of Southwest Florida) which has just relocated to a larger facility on a beautiful five acre campus in Lakewood Ranch.
The Cancer Support Community offers psychological and social support, education and hope to cancer patients and their families. All of the programs are free. There are professionally led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs and mind-body-spirit classes (relaxation, yoga and qigong). Specifically for breast cancer are a twice a week exercise class and two monthly support and sharing sessions. All programs are designed to help people affected by cancer learn vital skills that enable us to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope. The Cancer Support Community recognizes many paths to healing. There is a weekly Monday..... Read more of this article |
When her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, Marcia Petersen was only 15 years old. Even at that young age she had a knowing that breast cancer was going to be a big part of her life. It was a premonition that soon rang true as the following years brought more breast cancer diagnoses to her family. More aunts, cousins, and even her own mother were
 | | Marcia Petersen |
diagnosed with breast cancer. One day she was contacted by one of her cousins who informed her that she had tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. BRCA1 is a hereditary gene mutation that greatly increases a woman's chances of developing both breast and ovarian cancer. BRCA1 is especially common among women of Ashkenazi Jewish decent (2.5%), which is Marcia's heritage. After that call, Marcia began researching and discovered an organization called FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered). FORCE is a national nonprofit organization devoted to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. This organization offers support, education, advocacy, awareness, and research for women who have a BRCA mutation or a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
But despite being exceptionally well-informed and ......
Read more of this article |
