Calendar Girl Blog: Canadian Breast Cancer Network

These pins carry the breast cancer image used by the Canadian Breast Cancer Network. Perhaps you can see the woman, arms over head, dancing forward.

It is a hopeful, joyous message for an ugly, painful disease.

I've just returned from my jet setting to Montreal and the Reason's for Hope Scientific Conference on Breast Cancer. Besides hanging out with my survivor pals, I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at a meeting of the national board of directors for the Canadian Breast Cancer Network. CBCN partners with me on the Breast of Canada calendar.

When I started this project, prior to the ice age, I imagined attending such meetings, big fat cheque in hand, full of good news for an on-going publishing history making.

Ah such is the dream of a 'save the world' inflicted wench such as I.

Ironically, I found myself offering the good news and bad. Production for 2007 is on hold pending start-up funds being acquired and despite selling close to 2500 calendars last year. Controversy continues to be stirred at the same time as accolades are delivered. The ying and yang of BoC makes a rollercoaster ride look like a drive across the prairies.

There is no doubt in my mind that how women feel about their breasts greatly influences their breast health. I know, because calendar owners tell me this. Women emphatically claim that Breast of Canada positively influences their attitudes. Like regular exercise, loving your breasts...heck...loving the entire body package....every wart, lump and bump...is profoundly good for your health.

All I need is $10,000 in start up fund. In the big business world of breast cancer, such a paltry sum gets sucked up in an afternoon session at a conference. But because my breast calendar includes breasts....nipples and all....doors close before I curl my hand to knock.

Calendar Girl could have a hissy fit over this. Indignation, exasperation and pure white rage could be her daily headspace. But Calendar Girl will not fall into that unhealthy trap. The irony of making herself sick by way of health calendar is just too silly.

Still, it is curious. With the truckloads of money raised by running for the cure, she wonders why a pittance for prevention doesn't trickle in her direction.

Do you think, before you pink?

Calendar Girl

Tags: Calendar Girl Blog, calendar girl blog, Breast of Canada Calendar, Sue Richards, middle of normal.