Tag Archives: breast cancer awareness

Play to Provide Breast Cancer Awareness to Sold Out Audience This Thursday

23 Oct

MEDIA ADVISORY

 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Tracey Walker Banks (972) 841-0824 and LaTricia Woods (480) 495-2484

Play to Provide Breast Cancer Awareness to a Sold Out Audience This Thursday

Community Comes Out to Support First-Time Playwright Barbra Watson-Riley

 Event Details:

Life in the Cancer Lane™ is a compilation of stories from breast cancer survivors produced by first-time playwright Barbra Watson-Riley

Thursday, Oct. 24

Reception: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Performance: 7 p.m.

Black Theatre Troupe, 1333 E. Washington Street

About the Play

LITCL imageLife in the Cancer Lane™ begins when women first hear the words “breast cancer” and details what happens when they are thrown head first into the Cancer Lane. Whether its dealing with the side effects from chemo, or the loss of hair…and friends, the play examines the twists, turns and bumps in the breast cancer journey. The stories are based on conversations with breast cancer survivors and their caregivers.

Barbra Watson-Riley was diagnosed in Sept. 2011 with advanced Stage 3 breast cancer. Her treatment included chemo, a double mastectomy and radiation. Six months after completing treatment, she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer of the lung.

Watson-Riley is a member of the Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona Chapter and the Coalition of Blacks Against Breast Cancer. She is currently in treatment, completing her book (also called Life in the Cancer Lane) and fighting the battle of her life, for her life. Fighting beside her are her husband, 11-year-old daughter, family and a community of friends and supporters.

Tickets to Life in the Cancer Lane™ sold out in less than three weeks. The community has come out in strong support of this production and Watson-Riley. The production is being sponsored by Cox Communications and benefits the health and human services facet of the Phoenix Chapter of the Links, Inc. “Life in the Cancer Lane” is a Pinkwellchick© Production.

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 Photo and Video Opportunities Available

Direct all legal inquiries to Tonya M. Evans, Esq. at tme [AT] tmelaw.net

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When your body speaks … listen!

2 Nov

“Our bodies are amazing. They respond to every little thing going on in our lives. To heal and stay in balance, we must remember that it is our job to nurture and support our bodies the best that we possibly can in any given moment. We must remember to be patient, forgiving and kind to ourselves. We must stop pretending that we know what is best for us and ask our bodies to guide and help us. Our bodies are incredibly happy to communicate with us, we just need to remember to slow down and make it a priority to listen.” ~ Robin Lee, Learning to Listen to Our Bodies Wisdom @ TheDailyLove.com

Guest Post by Tonya M. Evans at WisdomintheWhisper.com

November 2, 2012

Guest ink …

I am honored to share this guest post on behalf of my sisterfriend PinkWellChick™. She is a shining example to me and, perhaps to you, of what it means not only to survive but to thrive!

One of the many reasons I am humbled and awe-struck by her story of survival and tireless commitment to breast cancer awareness, is because she “walks the talk” fearlessly and with grace, always. She uses her life and her story as a beacon of hope for others to find their way and to find their own shine!

I hope you enjoy this post, which appeared originally at my blog wisdominthewhisper.com. And remember … when your body speaks, listen! PinkWellChick™ says doing so saved her life, literally! Please share your thoughts, comments and encouragement for PinkWellChick™ and join her in “walking the talk”! Cancer REAL talk.

Be blessed and a blessing,

Tonya Marie

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Sometimes life moves almost as fast as the speed of light. The alarm blares. The family needs. The friends request. The boss demands. Everyone in your life needs something … now.

With all of those demands and expectations to meet, who has time to eat, workout, rest or just take a “Calgon” moment (remember that commercial??)? Then again, with all those things going on, the better question is who has time not to? Continue reading →

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What did YOU do?

1 Nov

Pink Ink…

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is officially over!  What did you do?  Did you wear pink? Did you walk a Race? Buy a product? Get a mammogram? Nothing?  One of the things I did was  PinkItOut for 31 days! Yes, I wore PINK for 31 days!

Some people said, “We get it. You had breast cancer. “ Others said “Oh, that’s cute.”  But no one asked me “Why?” 

Yes, I am a Survivor and yes, pink can be cute.  But that’s not why I did it.  This past February, Star Jones inspired me.  You see, she wore red for a month as a way to promote heart health after she had heart surgery.  “I learned late in life that my heart health is my greatest asset.”  She said when asked why it was important to her.  Each day that she wore red, it prompted someone to ask her about it, or comment on it.  She used her celebrity for good!  As an American Heart Association Ambassador, I knew about National Wear Red Day.  But I loved that her simple act of wearing red created dialog!

Could I do the same thing?  Given that none of my friends asked me why I was rocking pink for a month, one could argue that I was not effective.  After all, I am no celebrity. My friends checked Instagram just to see if I could keep it up.  Again, they thought, “Ok, we get it! You have breast cancer! “  But even if no one “got it”, I “got it”.  I know breast health is a lifestyle, not just a month.  Choosing something pink EVERY DAY, forced me to take action.  The small action of choosing something pink, led me to think about breast health and awareness the moment I got up!  The small step of choosing pink motivated me each and every day to think, talk, tweet, and write about breast health. (For all 31 days, check out “pinkwellchick” on Instagram)

Am I glad I am done wearing pink for a few days? Yes!  But I am even stronger in my belief that breast health is more than a month.  It is a…lifestyle!




What did YOU do?

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Love mail

8 Oct

Pink Ink…

 

It’s the 2nd Mammogram Monday of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Have you scheduled your mammogram yet?  Have you asked your mom or sister or BFF when was the last time they got a mammogram? Here’s another question….

Have you ever actually seen your mammogram films?

Ladies, it’s not enough to get a mammogram, and then breathe a sigh of relief when you get the call that everything is fine.

Tip: Ask to see you films at your next appointment.  You have the right to see your films.  Do not be embarrassed.  Ask your doctor to explain what you are looking at, and what they look for!  Looking at your films is part of knowing your body, and knowing what is “normal” for you.

Fact: The breasts are flattened during a mammogram in an effort to get a better picture of the breast.  It helps reduce the number of x-rays taken.  Remember, you can ask the tech to EASE the pressure if it feels too uncomfortable.

“Do something” tip of the day!

Imagine getting a mammogram, and then getting the call that you have breast cancer.  Well, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer approximately every 69 seconds!  Their life is forever changed.  You may not know someone who has been recently diagnosed. Lucky you! But that doesn’t mean you can’t do something!

Thanks to the ladies at Effie’s Paper (effiespaper.com), I was introduced to Girls Love Mail.  This organization collects hand written letters of support and delivers them to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients!  What a great idea!  I immediately signed up for a monthly reminder to write a quick note.

Letters collected from friends this weekend

Get a card, and some stationery and write a note of support.  Not sure what to say?  Speak from the heart?  What would make you smile if you were in the Cancer Lane? I kept every letter, note, or card that I received.  When I feel low, I take a few out and read them.  It only takes 5 minutes to jot something down.  Take those words of support and drop them off at your local hospital’s oncology department or Susan G. Komen affiliate, or visit girlslovemail.com.  I guarantee you that you will make someone smile, and feel good about it!

Need something effective to do this month? There it is!

Remember, we all…love mail!

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Everything is not ok

1 Oct

Pink Ink…

From Parenthood “Everything is not OK” (Season 4, ep 3) on NBC.

Cancer Gal: First, everybody you know in your whole life and then a bunch you don’t know are going to pay WAY too much attention to you.  And the phone’s going to ring so much ‘till you want to shoot yourself! And then, a little while after that, people, they go back to their own lives, their own problems.  That’s when you find out.  That’s when you find out who your real friends are.

Kristina: I haven’t really told any of my friends, my family doesn’t know.   It’s just Adam so far.

 

Today kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  When I was thinking about what to post today, the above scene came to mind.  In 1 minute, it teaches so much.  So instead of reminding you to wear pink, how about what 1-minute of TV reminded me?

  • Everyone diagnosed with breast cancer needs a Cancer Mentor.
    • Over the next few days, you will meet mine.  Every newly diagnosed person needs someone to tell him or her the cold, hard truth.  Cancer Gal definitely kept it 100% real!
  • People DO go back to their own lives.  The calls stop. People avoid asking how you are, or they ask, but don’t care for the answer.
    • To fellow Survivors, it is ok to mourn the loss of friends who stop calling, or don’t check in.  It has taken me almost a year to let those friends go.  But everyday, I say a prayer of thanks for “Team Pinkwellchick”.
    • To those friends or family of those in the Cancer Lane, my advice to you is to REMAIN PRESENT. If you can’t bring yourself to call, drop a note in the mail, or email or text. Thanks to my friend who sent me a card every 10 days for the past year. Just DO SOMETHING! It makes a difference.
  • We must share our stories.  I have learned it is not a sign of weakness to share my fear, or struggle with breast cancer.  I have learned that we must be open about our journey.
    • Survivors are often worried about “burdening” our loved ones. We must get over that.  Fighting Cancer requires a strong team! Fighting Cancer gives us a right to think about ourselves first!  Survivors, talk about what you are going through!  Some have been turned off by my honesty. Many more are thankful.   It is only through sharing our stories that we learn.
    • Friends and family, don’t be scared to ask questions.  Share your fears and struggles.  The story you share can help someone else.

 

I look forward to seeing what NBC and Parenthood have in store for us over the next season! Yes, this is an unpaid endorsement of a great show!

While sifting through all the “Pink” of the day, remember,

  • A woman is diagnosed every 69 seconds.
  • Over 40,000 American women lost their lives to breast cancer in 2011.

For those women and their families…everything is not ok.

 

 

 

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