If you’re looking for some funny, go here after 10ish. I wrote a freaking hilarious post, if I do say so myself.

Cancer sucks. I know, you’re thinking, “DUH” of course it does. Anyone who has read this site in the last few months knows that cancer has shown its ugly face and is attacking one of my best friends. So far, she is winning. Thank God. But you don’t know that cancer has hit other people in my life as well. Specifically, Breast Cancer.

I was still in elementary school when my beloved Auntie Lynn was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She’d found a lump. Even though my brother and I were pretty young, and our parents tried not to tell us much, we knew cancer was BAD. I remember hearing my parents and grandma talking about it in hushed tones. We were scared. Luckily, my aunt has a happy ending. Her diagnosis was eighteen years ago, and she’s still here, thriving and loving on my little girl just like she loved on me when I was little, inspiring both of us to always be positive.

Me, my mom, Aunt Lynn circa 1984ish.

me, my mom, and Auntie Lynn circa 1984-ish

Auntie Lynn & Madeline

Auntie Lynn and Madeline

My coworker Desiree is currently going through treatment for breast cancer. She found a lump and it was aggressive. She had a partial mastectomy, and when that didn’t get out all the cancer, she had to go back and have a full mastectomy. She is undergoing chemo treatments, and she’ll have radiation soon. Through all this, she has an inspiring positive attitude. She comes to work most days. She even sent a bunch of scarves and other goodies to Jackie!. It blew me away she was thinking of my friend when she was going through the same thing.

Me and Des!

Me and Darling Des

So, why do I bring all this up? Well, because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I wanted to throw some facts at you:

  • Every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers.
  • For every 100 women diagnosed, one man will also be diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • It is estimated that in 2008 about 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States.
  • The rate of breast cancer deaths has steadily declined in women since 1990, with larger decreases in women younger than 50 (3.3% per year) than in women 50 and older (2.0% per year.) These decreases are due to a combination of earlier detection and improved treatment.
  • 70% of all breast cancers are diagnosed by breast self-exams.
  • Mammography can detect breast cancer up to two years before a cancer is large enough to be palpable.
  • On average, mammography will detect about 80%-90% of breast cancers in women without symptoms.
  • Breast cancer that is detected and treated early has a five-year survival rate greater than 96%.

It’s kind of staggering. But it’s empowering to know that mammograms and self-exams are so easy and can help catch this terrible disease.

I want to raise Breast Cancer awareness, but I’m also hoping all of you might be moved to do so as well. So I have a fun giveaway. The cool people at Folgers are selling a limited-edition Pink Coffee Canister in support of breast cancer research and prevention, and they’ve given me two to give away. TWO GIANT CANISTERS OF COFFEE! Considering how much I LOOOOOOVE coffee, I can’t believe I’m giving these away, but I am. Look how pretty and full of beautiful delicious caffeine coffee they are:

Folgers Pink Can

You know you want one! This is how you can win one. Leave a comment here or at Hot Mom Reviews (where this post will also be up) saying, you know, BOO CANCER or words to that effect. If you send a Wake Up Call, mention it in your comment and you’ll get TWO entries. On Friday at noon pacific I’ll pick two winners at random.

What’s a Wake Up Call? You can send one by clicking this cute little picture:

Folgers Wake Up Call

I don’t want to be preachy. I just want everyone to be healthy and have cancer-free boobies!