CPS-3

This past weekend, I volunteered the first part of my day measuring waste lines and checking people in at the CPS-3 study.  The Cancer Prevention Study-3 is the 3rd major study in the US sponsored by the American Cancer Society enrolling over 300,000 people across the US.  In the last study, CPS-2, it was proven that cigarettes were in fact a cause of premature death to smokers and non-smokers.  In CPS-3, our volunteers will help researchers understand how lifestyle, genetics, and the environment affect cancer, and how to better prevent the disease.

In order to enroll you must be willing to make a long term commitment to the study, by answering surveys that will come in the mail periodically through out the next 30 years--be between 30-65 years old--and have never been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer).  You must be also willing to give a blood sample for genetic testing.

I jumped at this volunteer opportunity.  I mean, what easier way to make an impact on this world and to help to eliminate cancer as a major health problem without really doing anything.  Before going to volunteer I didn't think I would be able to be apart of the study since I am not yet 30.  But they made an exception and said if you would be 30 within the next 6 months you were able to participate.  SCORE.  Put that tourniquet on and draw my blood... I'm in!

Of course, with every volunteer opportunity, I ran into my ONE STORY.  My one reason for doing what I do.  When I measured the first waist of a man probably in his 40's he confided that he is doing this for his brother, who died just recently from cancer.  He got a little teary.  He said it was the least he could do so no other family had to go through what he and his family did.  With a few people behind him eagerly waiting, I spoke with him a little longer than I should have.  With a gentle hand on his shoulder, I assured him that he is definitely helping in this long crusade to end this bitch of a disease.  He laughed.  I did my job.

It's crazy to me that all of us have been touched by cancer in some way.  Whether it be a family member or friend, an acquaintance  or yourself.  As I sit here, passing out candy to all the little trick or treaters, I would love for there to be a day where they can go, what was cancer?  And I am proud to at least try and make a difference. 

For more info: cancer.org/cps3

Strides Against Breast Cancer

This past Saturday, I participated for the 2nd year in a row in the Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.  A good friend of mine, Katie has walked the last 6 years for her mom Sherry, who is now cancer free... but just recently she added on her friend Kelly who is currently being treated for breast cancer as someone she is walking for.  Kelly is 28 years old and she is so inspiring.  Walking with 2 survivors really puts things in perspective.  

 As you can see it was a beautiful day in the city.  After the walk we made it uptown to Tweet for breakfast. Last year turned out to be so good we all wanted to go again.  Tweet did not disappoint!

"There is no finish, till we find a cure!"

annoyances!

Lately things have been really getting under my skin.  I need to go on vacation, get a massage, or perhaps beat down a punching bag for a hour.  Here's some things that really irk me, all which have occurred in the last month or so....

The US Postal system once again has managed to piss me off.  Limited had sent me the card with the usual coupons on it.  When I opened the mailbox, I pull out this bag.  The Limited card was inside the bag, and the coupons were missing, perfectly torn out of the postcard.  The message on the plastic bag from the post office was apologizing for the damage that occurred to my mail.  Ummm... It was in perfectly good condition aside from the missing coupons... I know the Limited didn't take them, but I have a pretty good guess as to who may have.

Box Elder Bugs.... if you look close all the black dots are box elder bugs.  They are everywhere.  They cover our house any where there is sun.  They can squeeze thru anything, and they fly so they are tons of fun.  I don't have reports of them biting me, but still.... stay AWAY.  And stop for the sake of my well being sitting in clusters.  ECK!  I hate things in clusters.

Next up... so I buy some Suddenly Salads from the store, get them home, go to cut off the box top, (I still devotedly cut them out and give them to my sister so she can donate them to the school her kids go to), and what do I see.... SOMEONE actually stole a box top off the top of the box and didn't buy the product.  I never noticed while I was at the super market. Seriously, WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?  Isn't that stealing?  Especially when the tops are given to schools to help them gain money, and what is it, like 10 cents.  Hey kids, lets go through the store and steal as many box tops as we can so that your school can get money to buy things.  I can hear it now.

Above all the stealing and stuff like that... this frosts me the most.  Now, I am no fashionista, but how terrible does it look when a girl's entire bra is showing such as this.  Or when a girl is wearing a shirt that clearly needs a strapless bra, but wears a regular one anyways.  DON'T DO IT, YOU LOOK DUMB.

And then there is this.  How come every time I have gotten involved with a show I absolutely love, they take it off the air.  That's why I can not and will not watch any new shows anymore, until they are renewed season 2.  This has happened with me on October Road, Mercy, and NOW my beloved Pan Am.  How can people not like this show about sassy flight attendants who travel the world.  Pssshh.

And, I'm done now.

Look who's 3!

Happy 3rd Birthday Lucas!!!  Can't believe you came into this world as a scared little creature, stuffed in a crate with who knows how many other of your brothers, sisters and friends.  It took a very special lady to find YOU and rescue YOU and place YOU in our lives.  And now here you are, demanding drinks from the faucet in our bathtub!!!  Drink up lil' Luke, Happy Birthday!!!