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Archive for September, 2010

Week 39: Local harvest season

Posted in Environment, Local Food, Organic Food, tagged , , , , , , on September 28, 2010 | 2 Comments »


September hasn’t yet departed, but temperatures have dipped and there’s that telltale scent of autumn’s arrival.

Here, even in the city, autumn comes alive. Shop window displays captivate with the colors and textures of the local harvest, inspiring culinary visions. Yet faceless pumpkins of varied shapes and sizes will become jack ‘o lanterns, soup or pie? Bunches of tender, baby carrots cry out for a delicate stock to bring out their blush and flavor. Plump green grapes look the most pleasing, but I know that the softer blues and even nearly blacks could be sweeter, gentler. Shiny, bulbous peppers, red, yellow and green, perch awkwardly on their lopsided cheeks; which will have the right pleasant bitterness for a sauce? I breathe in their aromas. The yellow will do. Gnarled, fibrous cabbages seem to squat in wait for rebirth as a hearty German Gruenkohl dish.

I look forward to time in the kitchen with Nils. What shall it be? Pumpkin soup, a specialty in Austria, is without question. With snips of local chives and a drizzle of Austrian pumpkin seed oil. Certainly. Carrot and ginger bisque? Ah yes, I will excavate the cookbook shelf for that recipe. Tuscan vegetable soup? Definitely. A round of crusty bread and it’s a meal in itself. Ah wait, I forgot to mention that mushrooms are in season. A Viennese Chanterelle (Eierschwammerln) Goulash!

The approaching chilly weather seems not so threatening now. I think only of the warmth and comfort that these dishes bring. Perhaps the vendors selling fresh roasted chestnuts on the street will return this weekend.  Ah, and we will surely spend time at the weekend taste testing local “Sturm” (also known as Must or Federweisser), a “young wine” that’s a little like a slightly alcoholic grape juice. It’s available locally for a few short weeks per year. It’s delicious. Perhaps a little bit too much so.

In case you haven’t yet guessed, this week’s Impact Effort will be related to our local harvest season. We’re not yet sure what that means and what it will look like, but it will involve food.  Good food, good drink, and taking advantage of all that our local harvest has to offer.

How about you? Does your local area have specialities being harvested now? This may be the perfect time to experiment with buying local, if you’re not already doing so.

REMINDER: Don’t forget to submit your Slacktivist Impact Effort! Submissions can be made until midnight EST, Tuesday, October 5th, 2010.

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Lovin’ Slacktivism, Slacktivists and Slacktivity

Posted in Animal Conservation & Welfare, carbon footprint, Children, Eco-Friendly, Education, Environment, Product Safety, volunteering, women's rights, tagged , , , , , , , on September 22, 2010 |


This is turning out to be such a fun week. I’m lovin’ being a Slacktivist and thanks to a friend, I now have a new word to add to my vocabulary: Slacktivity! (Thanks, Joe. I think I’ll submit it to Merriam-Webster).

This trying really hard to do as little as possible and have an Impact is turning out to be quite … well … dare I say … productive!

Aside from getting more coffee, I haven’t moved my backside from my office desk, and along with getting work done, here’s what this Slacktivist has done so far:

  • Sent a letter (link to sample pdf) to Ellen Degeneres (who I absolutely adore and always will) asking her to please give up her promotion of bottled water. (please mention 52weeksofimpact.org — of course only if you write a polite letter :-) ).
  • Sent another letter (link to sample pdf) to the United Nations, this time directly to inquiries@un.org, asking them to condemn stoning and to not allow Ahmadinejad to address the General Assembly.
  • Sent a letter through ONE to President Obama to commit to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
  • Voiced my opinion (strongly) in an online Frankenfish debate. (my next step is to find an avenue to let the FDA know how I feel).
  • Joined The Extraordinaries (a micro-volunteering group “where people use their professional skills to solve nonprofits’ challenges in 10 minutes, or less.”). I brainstormed some ideas to help promote in2Books, an eMentoring program for elementary school students. The Extraordinaries is a very cool place to micro-volunteer.

We’ve already gotten a handful of great Slacktivist Slacktivity submitted for our Slacktivist Impact Challenge (say that five times fast). Thanks to those who have already started Slacking off. To those who haven’t yet gotten around to sitting on their lazy backsides, send your submissions. Your charity of choice could win a small donation.

I think Nils and I’ll have a competition to see who can be lazier at the weekend. Imagine how much Impact we could have!

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Week 38: Fellow Slacktivists, Unite!

Posted in click-to-donate, Clothing, Corporate social responsibility, Ovarian Cancer, Product Safety, Search-to-donate, volunteering, What is 52 Weeks, tagged , on September 21, 2010 |


My Facebook friends already know that this past week ended grumpily for me. I was referred to as a “Slacktivist”, and while it was said tongue-in-cheek, it still ticked me off. Before I continued on in my dark mood, I figured I’d best check the definition of the term. Perhaps I was misjudging. Neither Merriam Webster nor Oxford dictionaries online had “Slacktivist”, so I went with often trusty Wikipedia.

Today’s definition

Wikipedia says, “The word is considered a pejorative term that describes “feel-good” measures, in support of an issue or social cause, that have little or no practical effect other than to make the person doing it feel satisfaction. The acts also tend to require little personal effort from the slacktivist.” Hurumph.

“Examples …  include signing internet petitions, the wearing of wristbands (“awareness bracelets”) … putting a ribbon magnet on a vehicle, joining a Facebook group, posting issue-oriented YouTube videos, … or taking part in short-term boycotts such as Buy Nothing Day or Earth Hour.” I don’t exactly get why these are judged as ‘bad” things. Some are, indeed, things that Nils and I have chosen to do, others not, but each can be effective in building awareness and can have Impact, albeit in their own small way.

The definition I choose

I’ve decided to accept this in good spirit because I discovered that the term was “… coined by Dwight Ozard in1995,” with a different meaning. It was used to describe the young people of that time doing good work on a small, personal, individual scale (rather than en masse in demonstrations, marches or sit-ins). In my view, that could mean helping a small community or classroom, or one child, animal or adult in need. As a good friend of mine reminded me, “From small drops, big oceans are formed.”

The truth of the matter? 52 Weeks of Impact isn’t about coordinating large efforts, it’s about “achiev(ing) maximum impact with ‘reasonable investment’ of time, energy or money.” That could also be read as “little personal effort,” I suppose.

This week’s challenge

In the spirit of Slacktivism (by the definition I choose), I invite our lazy friends and followers to join us this week in doing as little as possible, with maximum Impact. No, honestly, this is no joke. I am forever surprised at what kind of opportunities there are to have Impact by doing little. See just how much Impact you can have by NOT going out of your way.

We’re going to run this Slacktivist challenge for the next two weeks and:

We’ll donate $25 U.S./20 Euro* to the winner’s favorite charity

Here’s the challenge:

  • Send us your best Slacktivist Impact Effort(s) — the lazier the better, but of course it must have some Impact. Give a brief description of your Impact Effort (provide a link to an organization, if applicable) and the Impact you think you had. Submit below in comments or go to Contact us. (Make sure you leave an email address for us to contact you)
  • The Efforts must be things you’ve done (we’ll have to trust you on this).
  • You may submit as many Slacktivist Impact Efforts as you want by midnight EST on Tuesday, October 5th, 2010.
  • On (or about) October 6th, Nils and I will short-list what we think are the top Efforts and (as soon as possible) we’ll post them online for voting.
  • The Slacktivist Impact Effort with the most number of votes wins.
  • The winner may choose any 501(c) or equivalent officially recognized charity and Nils and I will donate $25 U.S*.

Efforts will be judged on any or all of the following criteria:

  • Effectiveness,
  • Ratio of Laziness to Impact,
  • Coolness Factor,
  • Originality, and
  • whatever else strikes us at the moment.

Some examples to get your creative Impact juices flowing

  • Earlier this year we did a week of Effortless Impact with click-to-donate sites. Since then, we’ve discovered that’s only the beginning.
  • If you’ve read of a company doing something that’s contrary to your political or ethical leanings, choose not to support them, and send them a letter or a simple email telling them why you’ve not a customer.  (A list of current consumer boycotts can be found at Ethical Consumer).
  • It’s the start of autumn (or spring for those in the southern hemisphere) and time for autumn/spring cleaning. What can you give away to charity? Click for decluttering ideas and clearing out closet ideas.
  • Heading to your local library? Take a glance  through your books and see what you can donate.
  • Going to a grocery store, library, school, yoga class, or somewhere else that has a community bulletin board? Print out a pdf flyer on the symptoms of ovarian cancer and post it to create awareness.
  • Do you play Farmville on Facebook? Just by playing and collecting virtual school supplies from your FV friends you can work toward having Zynga donate $100k U.S. toward building a school for Haitian children.

Got questions? Please feel free to write us below.

Now, go out (or stay in) and be a good Slacktivist!

*Approximately $20 EUR, $26 AUD, 16 GBP, $26 CAD, 178 ZAR

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Week 37: Corporate Social (ir)Responsibility

Posted in Corporate social responsibility, volunteering on September 19, 2010 | 1 Comment »


Nils started this week’s Impact effort with enthusiasm — in part because it was his idea and “his baby”, in part because it was something he knew could be an Impact-ful effort.

With all that we try to do outside the workplace, Nils realized just how uninformed he was about what charitable efforts were going on inside his workplace. Last year, his office decided that en lieu of sending Christmas cards to contacts and clients, they would donate (cost of postage and cards) to a local homeless shelter (less paper consumption and aiding the local homeless, not a bad idea at all). But aside from that, he was completely ignorant; the same could be said for many of his colleagues. Working for a local subsidiary of a huge corporation with a strong reputation in charitable giving and corporate responsibility, he knew it was his own fault for not informing himself. So, his Impact effort this week was to:

find out what his office was doing in the area of “social good” and

discover what active role he (or we) might personally play.

Early in the week he made an appointment with the person responsible for the holiday card effort. On Friday, he met with her and found out that aside from donating savings from holiday cards, the company supports …

* ZERO  * ZILCH * NADA * RIEN * NICHTS *

For the sake of Nils being able to keep his job, we’re not naming the company he works for. Let me just say that it’s not exactly a struggling organization. The global corporation, in fact, has established a fine reputation in mentoring programs for disadvantaged youth, and has its own foundation contributing toward targeted higher education programs. However, locally, the efforts are embarrassing at best. An individual giving pocket money gets applause! A company doing so means chump change, and I say it’s shameful!

So now what?

In an effort to keep a “good spirit” in this, we’re assuming (well, I’m trying to assume) that so little is being done because no on has yet taken an initiative, NOT because there’s resistance. So, in the weeks to come, Nils will put together and submit a proposal for a doable and potentially tax-advantageous program whereby local company resources can be put to good use at charitable organizations.

In the shorter-term, later this week, he heads off to the local Red Cross with a few colleagues to donate blood.

How about your employer? Or the stores you frequent? Or the companies whose products you love? How do they rate in being socially responsible?

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Week 36: Sharing your talents … okay, not so simple

Posted in Personal Development, Random Acts of Kindness on September 14, 2010 | 4 Comments »


Uh oh, got me-self into a pickle.

The last blog posting I wrote was titled, “Sharing your talents, it’s that simple.” The “simple” part referred to the belief  that using our talents (as opposed to abilities that don’t come naturally) makes for effortless Impact. I did not anticipate the response.

I thank those who wrote to let me know that recognizing and admitting to talents that create Impact is NOT so simple. I double thank those who have been willing to dialog on the subject. I’ve certainly learned a lot.

Corinne’s Impact

One result of this unexpected response: my personal Impact this week was different than planned. Following the theme of Ovarian Cancer Awareness, I was going to use my writing ability to develop another article for publication on the early symptoms of O.C.

Instead, I spent time online with some friends and followers posing questions to help find their answers, reveal their talents and elicit new ideas. I believe that this is one of my talents. To put a name to the Impact I had this week is a little more difficult, but I hope I made some positive difference. Each of us has our own special talents, even if we don’t allow ourselves to see them.

Nils’ Impact

Nils’ talents and resulting Impact are much easier to identify. One of Nils’ most conspicuous talents is his problem-solving (mostly analytical) abilities. He often sees clearly through fog of fear, stress, or chaos. His clear-headedness can then create greater calm for others.

This past week, was extremely stressful for Nils at work, but that didn’t stop him from making Impact. In two separate incidents, he helped others circumnavigate uncomfortable situations. In one, he counseled a colleague’s “car repair shop panicked” girlfriend (Impacting not only the girlfriend, but also helping his colleague bypass potential “traumatized girlfriend syndrome”); in the other, he advised an angst-filled co-worker (also in a pickle) in how to best communicate with his boss, avoiding a sticky situation.

Additionally, Nils coached a nervous colleague for his upcoming annual review, and provided a friend with a new business idea. He also mentioned having fixed someone’s umbrella on a very rainy day — I suppose we could consider that he put his mechanical-engineering talents to work, but I think that’s a bit of a stretch.

None of the above efforts we could have anticipated. Then again, that goes along with what I often say about chances to make a positive Impact always presenting themselves — somehow, somewhere.

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p.s. – Please don’t forget to go to Kelly Confidential and “steam clean” online. Every time you hit the Perfect Steam button, Electrolux donates $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Please “steam” every day through the end of the month!

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Week 36: Sharing your talents, it’s that simple

Posted in Animal Conservation & Welfare, Friends, Personal Development, volunteering, tagged , , , on September 9, 2010 | 2 Comments »


My ex-husband was (and likely still is) a very talented fellow. My oldest friend still reminds me that he could make milk Doritos come out of his nose. (Added Sept 11, 2010: Sorry, I’ve been corrected by my friend, it was Doritos, not milk)

But, (fortunately) he’s just one of many talented people I know. I’d like to share a few more …

  • Several women I know have talents in crafts making magnificent wearable art from yarn, thread and fabrics, and greeting cards from recycled cards and paper. I’ve had the joy to wear, receive and send several of their creations.
  • A close friend with an eye for all things beautiful, has designed and produced miniature books, created cards with rare and unusual papers, designed handbags from wood, silk cording and beads, is now learning to make jewelry. Recently she began delighting in and delighting others with her talent for writing — and doing a bit of it to benefit charities.
  • Debbie E. has so many talents, if I didn’t adore her so much, I’d hate her. Amongst other things, she possesses a creativity that she makes tangible through her skills as a seamstress. The last time I saw her, she was completing an original “rag” doll for a physical therapist friend. The therapist planned to use the doll to illustrate physical therapy exercises for mothers of infants.
  • Then there’s the buddy I played with in high school concert band who has toured through the U.S. and Europe with a sax quartet and now entertains audiences as part of several groups playing jazz, swing, blues, rock and classical.
  • Vicky, a primary school friend, born with a paintbrush in hand, recently designed and created a cow scene mural on a shuttle bus in the community of Crested Butte, Colorado. Imagine seeing that bus pass in the morning — impossible to be in a bad mood. I’m tempted to go to Colorado just for the pleasure of riding it. She’s now using her talents on a project painting scenery for a musical production.

Having little talent in crafts or visual, musical or dramatic arts myself, I am in awe of those who do. The joy I imagine they get in creating and the Impact they have is so very obvious to me.

Others I know have different types of talents.

  • Take my friend, Laurie, for example. She’s a natural organizer and networker and is currently using some of her talents in leading an international women’s organization in Vienna. She enjoys using her “skills and talents for the good of my community. And having fun (if not all of the time, often enough to make it, on balance, fun).”

  • A fellow writer friend is not only a talented writer, but to me she’s a “guru” in many things internet and social media. But the real reason I enjoy following her is that she’s also a fellow animal lover. I’ll always think of her as the gal who trained to take in and raise orphaned squirrels (there is, indeed, a defined way of doing it so they can then be safely released back into the wild). She has recently combined her talents and love and is working as a web comm and social media manager with an animal welfare organization.

  • And last, but never least, there’s my sister who I normally associate with intellectual and literary pursuits. She is “cultivating” a talent in her own suburban vegetable garden. She’s not only providing healthier and tastier produce for her family, but is lowering her negative impact on our environment by working toward sustainable gardening and, of course, there’s no transport or warehousing involved in getting her veggies to her table.

Amazing talents, amazing people. All who are making an Impact. And this doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the talents I know, have seen, and experienced. (apologies to all the many other people I know who are not included here for lack of space)

This week’s Impact effort

Each of us has talents, gifts and abilities that are uniquely ours. Do you know what yours are? Do you find opportunities to share your talents to make an Impact on others? If so, please share them with us. Don’t be shy.

This week Nils and I will be seeking ways to create Impact by using our personal  talents. We’ll report in later in the week.

p.s. – if you know of a children’s hospital that might be interested in a clowning guy who does tricks with corn snacksdairy, please let me know.

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What d’ya mean, it’s not all about ME?

Posted in Animal Conservation & Welfare, Blood Donation, Children, Disaster Relief, Education, volunteering, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 4, 2010 | 4 Comments »


After several glorious vacation weeks back in the States, having lots of fun with family and friends, I’ve been feeling … well … weird. I’ve chalked up my lack of motivation and moodiness (Nils will attest to the latter) in part to jet-lag, in part to the usual dolefulness that follows a great holiday. I’ve been singin’ the “boo hoo, poor me, so many of my friends are elsewhere, all my family members are afar blues.”

A series of events this past week, however, prevents me from any further melancholy. It’s as though someone, somewhere’s conspiring to pull me out of this funk.

So many reasons for celebration

St. Bernard wins $250,000

Back in January, we featured Guest Blogger, Donna Saady, who shared her experiences helping to rebuild homes through the St. Bernard Project, a nonprofit disaster recovery organization in New Orleans, Louisiana. Since then, we’ve been following St. Bernard’s work and through the month of August voted regularly for them in the “Pepsi Refresh Challenge.” Yesterday, we received confirmation that St. Bernard’s won first place and will receive $250,000. “With the money we will open another center for wellness and mental health in Lower St. Bernard Parish to help those affected by the oil spill. …” Woo hoo!

Wesley finds a home

Daphne adopted 07/25/2010

In week 29, in July, while visiting the Washington DC area, I had the luck to work with a friend on a home visit and a rescue transport for Lab Rescue of the LRCP. I got to see first hand and participate in how this 100% volunteer organization works to “rescue, foster and place homeless, abused or abandoned Labradors” (and Golden Retriever – Lab mixes). Nils and I have been happy to continue to support Lab Rescue by voting for them and encouraging friends to do the same in a NOVADog magazine competition for dog food. Result: Lab Rescue won! And, in the generous spirit that they represent, they shared the winnings with all the other finalists. Yay!

Wesley adopted this week.

But, I couldn’t get Lab Rescue out of my mind. You see, during transport of Daphne (see above), I had crossed paths with a 9-year-old graying fellow named Wesley (I’ve always been attracted to older men). He had just come from a very long transport in the back of a van and when we met, he was exhausted and trembling with fear. Crouched on my knees on the parking lot asphalt, I slowly offered the back of my hand in friendship. Wesley stretched forward tentatively, gave me the customary sniff and, to my delight, approached for more lovin’. That was it. My heart melted. But since July, I hadn’t heard news on Wesley. As an “older guy” with possible leg and joint problems, I worried that others might not see his gentle nature and affectionate way. But, day before yesterday, I got word from my friend that Wesley has been adopted. I’m over the moon!

$1.3 million for California school projects

In our week 17 blog, in April, we featured DonorsChoose, an online charitable organization that lists thousands of requests by teachers across the U.S. to help fund equipment or activities including books or whiteboards, microscopes or even paper. Nils and I participated by donating toward a reading project in South Carolina. Earlier this week, while perusing the news online, I came across an article about DonorsChoose in the SF Chronicle. The Claire Giannini Fund has donated $1.3 million (U.S.) to fund all projects in the state of California — that’s 2,233 school projects fulfilled, an equal number of school teachers made happy, impacting 67,000 children! So many winners!

Trypanophobia conquered

Back in week 14, I took a very hesitant Nils to his first blood donation at the Red Cross. Though a bit of a “trypanophobic” (one with a fear of needles), he was a real trooper and took to the Impact effort with aplomb — so much so that early this week, he announced that he and several of his office mates are in discussion on when (not if) they will all go together and donate blood. Yesssss!

I have suggested to him that if he would NOT refer to the procedure as “bloodletting”, he might succeed in getting even more participation.

A start toward bans on plastic

Nils and I have been users for some time. Cloth carry bag users, that is. Nils pretty much grew up with cloth bags; in my case, I had to change my habit. But, the changeover from plastic to cloth has required minuscule effort. And, by participating in fakeplasticfish’s plastic challenge week, we became that much more aware of the negative impact our plastics have on our planet. So, when we read about California’s proposal to ban plastic bags, removing carryout plastic bags from supermarkets, drug stores and convenience shops, we gave California a big Huzzah! and figured it a shoo-in to pass. When the bill failed last Tuesday, we were shocked. Boo! on the 20 California senators who voted nay! (how much did the chemical companies pay you?)

There is, however, good news on this front. Just last week, putting California lawmakers to shame, American Samoa passed a ban making it illegal for stores to provide plastic bags to customers as of February 23, 2011. Gov. Togiola Tulafono said the measure would help preserve the environment for future generations. ”I believe this bill … is a step in the right direction toward protecting the natural beauty of our islands and our native land and sea creatures.” Thumbs UP to American Samoans! An example to follow!

And, these are just a few examples why I’m having a difficult time maintaining my woebegone state. There are so many reasons for celebration and so many more projects to work on.

Hm, but you know, I can’t help but look at these a little as personal successes — projects, people and animals that have become a part of us … a part of me. Maybe it is, indeed, a little about ME? :-)

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Week 35: Let’s kill this “Silent Killer”

Posted in Cancer, Diseases, Ovarian Cancer, reproductive health, women's health, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on September 1, 2010 | 4 Comments »


On April 5, 1996, mom passed away. She died from one of the most insidious diseases. We didn’t know to recognize the symptoms early enough (she was also one to seldom complain). By the time she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer it was too late.

Fourteen years later, I cry over where we are today.

Statistics

In the U.S., a woman’s lifetime risk of developing invasive ovarian cancer is 1 in 71. A woman’s lifetime risk of dying from invasive ovarian cancer is 1 in 95. It’s estimated that more than 22,000 women in the U.S. alone will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, and more than 15,000 will die from it.

According to data from the National Cancer Institute, the mortality rates for ovarian cancer have not improved in thirty years. Thirty years! It continues to hold the distinction of being the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the U.S. and the deadliest gynecologic cancer.

Ovarian cancer used to be called the “Silent Killer” because it was thought that symptoms didn’t develop until there was little chance of a cure. That is NOT the case, but early detection is key. And, few people I know are familiar with the symptoms. I, personally, still consider it a “Silent Killer” because we have kept silent in educating ourselves about the symptoms, and demanding more research into prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

We need to stand up and start making noise!

Symptoms

Symptoms can be subtle, and confused with those of other diseases or conditions. This makes ovarian cancer hard to diagnose. Know your body and watch for the following symptoms:

  • Bloating
  • Pelvic and/or abdominal pain
  • Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
  • Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

Other symptoms can include fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, and menstrual irregularities.

It is suggested that women who have these symptoms “almost daily for more than a few weeks should see their doctor, preferably a gynecologist.” For more information, see the Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Consensus Statement.

Again, symptoms of ovarian cancer are typical of many other ailments. Do NOT panic if you have these symptoms, but see your doctor. Note that statistically, ovarian cancer primarily develops in women over 45.

Diagnosis

Mammograms can detect breast cancer, Pap tests can detect cervical cancer. Unfortunately, there is no definitive test for ovarian cancer diagnosis. Yet. This is all the more reason why we must heighten awareness for more research into this disease.

A combination of the following is recommended:

  • vaginal-rectal pelvic examination (also called a bimanual exam),
  • transvaginal ultrasound,
  • CA125 blood test (Note: The CA 125 test alone is Not effective in detecting ovarian cancer. It misses half of early cancers and is known to give false positives).

The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) site suggest that “none of these tests are definitive when used on their own. They are most effective when used in combination with each other.”

The Good News

On August 3, the Senate (of the United States) passed, by unanimous consent, a resolution recognizing September as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. So, let’s make some noise!

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Build Awareness

The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, in cooperation with several other organizations, has put together a BEAT Ovarian Cancer flyer (Bloating that is persistent, Eating less and feeling fuller, Abdominal pain, Trouble with your bladder) to raise awareness about the symptoms of this disease. We invite you to:

  • download (pdf version) it and print out copies to post on your office bulletin board or at your fitness club, and take to your book club, bridge club or political action group,
  • link a copy to your Facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn posts or
  • link this blog posting to your FB, MySpace or LinkedIn posts or on Twitter (see “Share this” links below),
  • email this to every woman you know and every man who has a female partner or friends who are women (in other words, to everyone).

If you have other ideas, PLEASE let us know.

Steam Out Wrinkles for Ovarian Cancer Research
Create a Banana Split for Ovarian Cancer Research

As of Sept. 8th, Kelly Confidential has a new game to play. Choose a garment online and steam (“click”) the item from “rumpled to runway-ready”. For every steaming you do, Electrolux donates $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. And, you can enter to win prizes including shopping sprees! You can play to donate and enter every day til the end of the month! (Text added Sept 9th)
Go to Kelly Ripa’s Kelly Confidential site and Create Banana Splits. For every split you make, Electrolux donates $1 (US) to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (til Sept. 7th Only!). It’s fun and takes only a few seconds. (I personally like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice creams with caramel sauce, no cherry, and extra whipped cream! How about you?) You can also enter to win a stand alone refrigerator/freezer. NOTE: while not completely clear on the website if you can “pig out” all in one go, you Can go back daily. Please do!

Cupcakes for Cancer

Teal Velvet from Georgetown Cupcates

If you order Teal Velvet cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcakes during the month of September, 100% of proceeds will benefit the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA). They can be shipped anywhere in the United States.

To order call (202)333-3309 or email: shipping@georgetowncupcake.com. Please reference the Teal Velvets. If you live in the DC area, you can purchase the Teal Velvets at either of their locations on Sundays and Mondays during September. Georgetowncupcake.com

Other initiatives to come as the month progresses. We welcome ideas!

IMPORTANT: For each (and every) of the initiatives above or elsewhere you take on in creating Ovarian Cancer Awareness, we’d appreciate if you’d let us know via Comments below, on our Contact Us page, or email us at: 52weeksofimpact(at)gmail.com.

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Informational Resources

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