Monday, April 28, 2008

My Son Presents "The Human Race"




My son was given an assignment where he was asked to choose a social issue that was a challenge for us as a nation. He was asked to create a campaign that would address those issues and bring about solutions. He chose "the 'isms" - racism, sexism, sizeism, classism, ableism, and lookism. He spent about a month on this assignment and did a lot of research. I was enlightened as I watched him collect all of his data and I began to see for myself the magnitude of these 'isms in our society. As part of his assignment he was asked to do an experiment that would help him to understand discrimination better so I borrowed a wheel chair and took him to a nearby Mall. He was only in that chair for less than an hour but he learned more in that short time than he could have possibly learned in a classroom. We had not even gotten inside before the lessons began - the doors going into one of the stores from the parking lot at the Mall had those automatic handicap doors - but they were broken. That was just the start to what truly turned out to be a "life lesson" and I know that he will have a new found respect for his own blessings. He titled his project "The Race of Humans" - the thing about this race is no one wins.
Maybe it would help us all to walk or ride in someone else's shoes sometime.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Monday, April 21, 2008

Live "Strong" Armies!

We have power in our voice...Let's say it!
We have strength when we're together...Let's use it!
We have hope and courage...Let's share it!
We believe in our mission...Let's show it!
There is life after cancer...Let's live it!

Check out LiveSTRONG Day Slideshow..................................................

Saturday, April 12, 2008

A Timely Dress & A Dash of Powder

When I was in New York several months ago, I saw an old black and white poster of a lady immigrant that stated - "A Dash of Powder and a Timely Dress."

Ladies, however shallow it may seem, sometimes a dash of powder and a timely dress may be just what you need. 

Sunday, March 30, 2008

LiveSTRONG Day "Paint the Town Yellow"


Come out on May 13th from 2-5 to the AnMed Health Campus North and participate in LiveSTRONG Day. Learn how you can "Enlist" in the Local Livestrong Army Upstate SC; Learn more about the Lance Armstrong Foundation and legislation that the foundation has introduced asking Congress to make cancer a National priority; Share your story in a private video testimonial booth that will be sent to our State Representatives, as well as, add your name to our LiveSTRONG petition; Enjoy some yellow refreshments; Donate $5.00 to the LAF and take a ride in Skyscapes' Hot Air Balloon; Kid's LiveSTRONG activities; Learn how you can get involved with our LiveSTRONG Dragon Boat team; Participate in our paper chain and honor or remember someone you love; Purchase your LiveSTRONG wristband and learn how you can purchase LiveSTRONG merchandise that benefits cancer survivors, caregivers, foundations and organizations all over the country.

If you have a business, we are asking you to hang a yellow ribbon at your entrance and ask your employees to wear yellow.
If applicable, we would like to ask you to feature yellow foods or feel free to add your own "touch of yellow" into your day.
We need your voice! Let's make a little noise and send a message to our South Carolina Representatives that we want to take the fight to cancer!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Going to Ohio

I just found out this weekend while at the first SC Survivorship Conference in Columbia that I will be traveling to Ohio with the Lance Armstrong Foundation for the 2008 Livestrong Summit in July. I am scheduled to serve the foundation as an advocacy track leader. This election season I am determined to educate myself on our democracy and election process. I have literally become a "political junkie" (by the way - is there a shot for that?) America is the greatest county and we are truly blessed to have the freedom to decide who will lead us, speak on our behalf, and make crucial decisions that will ultimately affect our children and grandchildren. However, until surviving cancer and becoming a cancer advocate, I really just continued to drink the same old democratic kool - aid. I have decided that I don't want to be just another voice being listened to but  an American being heard.
Washington, STEP UP!
South Carolina, STEP UP! 

South Carolina (Bob Ingles and Lindsay Graham) has not signed on to co-sponsor the Cancer Screening Treatment and Survivorship Act introduced last year by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Take some time and email them, call them or write them TODAY!!!! Make them tell you why they are not taking action to end cancer.
I challenge Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg to get fired up about this issue and take action... You can start by coming to our workshops at AnMed Health Campus and participating in "Paint the Town Yellow" for Livestrong Day on May 13th.

As the local army leader, I am inviting you to join our local Livestrong Army - " Livestrong Army Upstate SC" today!

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

"Paint the Town Yellow" coming May 13th on Livestrong Day.
Get involved:
Wear Yellow and tell your friends to wear Yellow.
Hang some Yellow ribbons around town.
Share your favorite Yellow bouquet with someone battling cancer.
Eat some Yellow food at your favorite participating local restaurants
Come to AnMed Health Campus and join us in the Livestrong Events and learn how you can join the Livestrong Army Upstate SC.