Shhhh.... It's a Secret!

Today was....interesting, to say the least.

My mom comes from a family of 12 children, which as of this past week, she remains one of two still alive.
Today was the funeral for the third remaining aunt.

At the luncheon that followed it was realized that my generation ( of cousins, which range in age from over 65 to around 45 years old)  now takes the reigns to the family matriarchy.
We are a hearty, diverse bunch with one thing in common. To bury, along with this past generation the "secrets" and animosity that the "elders" thrived on.
Why was it that everything was "private"?
There was always gossip, and I as one of the "younger" cousins can remember someone always mad at somebody.....who knows why.

Traditions are important, yet this is one I refuse to carry on.

Recently, the other aunt that is still alive had a mastectomy. Very recently.....at age 91.
It was the size of a softball and it has metastasized. She didn't want anyone to know.
She never had children and one of my cousins has been her caretaker for many years. My cousin told my aunt that she would not keep it a secret.....WHY?

As family members, we have the right to know what runs in our family as far as disease or any kind of inheritable illness.
How do we, as the "next" generation tell our doctors our family history if we are told someone died of a "broken heart", or by telling us " I don't know"...when they DO know, they HAVE known. Yet it is a secret not to be told. How is that fair to us and our children?

My family (maternal and paternal) have suffered with many forms of cancer, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis...the list goes on. I'm doomed.

All of this found out through MY generation. Family secrets coming to light....

My point is, we have to share these things with each other. For support, advice and preventative care.

Have your mammogram! Have your yearly physical! Tell your family!
It truly could be a matter of life or death.

Please help me raise awareness and support my mission to help raise money for breast cancer research.
www.paypal.com  give as a gift to: babzak@gmail.com
or email me for other options at babzak@gmail.com

ALL money raised goes to "Beauties for the Cure" breast cancer benefit.

Thank you




This is blog #5 please read my other entries

Yes, MEN get breast cancer

Today in the Huffington Post:

Study Ties PALB2, A Newly Identified Gene, To Major Breast Cancer Risk

Posted: 08/07/2014 2:15 am EDT Updated: 08/07/2014 2:59 am EDT

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It's long been known that faulty BRCA genes greatly raise the risk for breast cancer. Now scientists say a more recently identified, less common gene can do the same.

Mutations in the gene can make breast cancer up to nine times more likely to develop, an international team of researchers reports in this week's New England Journal of Medicine.

About 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are thought to be due to bad BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Beyond those, many other genes are thought to play a role but how much each one raises risk has not been known, said Dr. Jeffrey Weitzel, a genetics expert at City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif.

The new study on the gene— called PALB2 — shows "this one is serious," and probably is the most dangerous in terms of breast cancer after the BRCA genes, said Weitzel, one of leaders of the study.

It involved 362 members of 154 families with PALB2 mutations — the largest study of its kind. The faulty gene seems to give a woman a 14 percent chance of breast cancer by age 50 and 35 percent by age 70 and an even greater risk if she has two or more close relatives with the disease.

That's nearly as high as the risk from a faulty BRCA2 gene, Dr. Michele Evans of the National Institute on Aging and Dr. Dan Longo of the medical journal staff write in a commentary in the journal.

The PALB2 gene works with BRCA2 as a tumor suppressor, so when it is mutated, cancer can flourish.

How common the mutations are isn't well known, but it's "probably more than we thought because people just weren't testing for it," Weitzel said. He found three cases among his own breast cancer patients in the last month alone.

Among breast cancer patients, BRCA mutations are carried by 5 percent of whites and 12 percent of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jews. PALB2 mutations have been seen in up to 4 percent of families with a history of breast cancer.

Men with a faulty PALB2 gene also have a risk for breast cancer that is eight times greater than men in the general population.

Testing for PALB2 often is included in more comprehensive genetic testing, and the new study should give people with the mutation better information on their risk, Weitzel said. Doctors say that people with faulty cancer genes should be offered genetic counseling and may want to consider more frequent screening and prevention options, which can range from hormone-blocking pills to breast removal.

The actress Angelina Jolie had her healthy breasts removed last year after learning she had a defective BRCA1 gene.

The study was funded by many government and cancer groups around the world and was led by Dr. Marc Tischkowitz of the University of Cambridge in England. The authors include Mary-Clare King, the University of Washington scientist who discovered the first breast cancer predisposition gene, BRCA1.

I CHALLENGE ALL THE MEN OUT THERE TO MAKE A DONATION.

You could save the life of a woman you love...or even yourself!

All donations go to "Beauties for the Cure" 

go to: www.paypal.com and donate as a gift to:babzak@gmail.com

Or contact me at: babzak@gmail.com

Challenge

We all have struggles in life. If it was easy, we'd already be in heaven.

I truly believe that we are put here for one reason, and one reason only. To live our life as Jesus did in order to show thanks and praise for He who gave His life for OUR sins. That's it....period.

Now, since we are given free-will.....that makes it a challenge. A test.
( I was always an average student, but I am striving for an A+ on this test!)
Through abuse, illness, disaster, tragedy....our "fee-will" kicks in. Do we blame or ask "why?"
Or do we look to heaven and say "Your will be done." Do we handle it with anger, violence, greed?
Or do we say " It is in His hands"?

I have discovered that when I give it to God, I can be accepting, forgiving and at peace. What a great gift that God takes on all of our misery and brings us peace.
All we have to do is ask! I find that to be amazing!

These are my true colors. Whether you know me, are acquainted with me or we barely know each other. This is why I believe I am here.

Because of my beliefs I feel the need to give back. To do good. To serve.
I have to swallow my pride to ask for help, but realize I can't do it on my own.
My life path has already been laid for me. I am hoping I am going in the right direction.

Please help me through this journey. Please don't look at this as a "pageant". Look at it as a chance to give. A chance to help someone who is out there praying for a cure.
Please make your donation today.
Thank you,
Barb

www.paypal.com: give as a gift to: babzak@gmail .com
or contact me at babzak@gmail.com to donate by check ( can be used for your taxes!)

In Need of Support

After posting my first blog yesterday, one person jumped into action with a wonderful donation. THANK YOU!

I won't say the word "never", but I don't very often ask for help (for myself). And, to be honest, this is very difficult for me to do.
But, then I think....it really isn't for ME. It is for a great cause. I am just the "middle-man", the "representative" in all of this. The money is not going in my pocket. It is going towards a cure for a life-altering disease. One I pray I never have to encounter, but know several people who have suffered.

Don't you know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer?
Are they a survivor?
If so, it is because of the years of research that is being done. The new drugs and therapies that are offered.
It is because of FUNDING that these treatments can be given.

It is because of organizations like "Beauties for the Cure" that donates proceeds to cancer research programs.

Think of putting yourself in the most uncomfortable situation you can think of.....

I will be stepping out there with my knees knocking, my palms sweating and a thousand butterflies in my stomach to do something that matters. I am NOT doing this for a crown....I am doing this for a CAUSE.

Please consider helping me reach my goal by sending a donation. You know I appreciate anything you can give. But, more importantly, someone you may know with breast cancer will appreciate it even more.

www.paypal.com ( give as a gift) to: babzak@gmail.com
or contact me if you'd like to donate in another way: babzak@gmail.com

Comfort Zone

A week or so ago, I posted that I am preparing to come out of my comfort zone. Two people guessed correctly on what I was referring to. One has known me for many years and one only for a month.
Well, I have decided to take that leap and "go for it"....as they say.
With a big YIKES to head off my announcement ( followed by some reasoning).

I have decided to compete in my first-ever pageant.....as if the title of this blog didn't spill the beans!
Yes....the "behind-the scenes" part of me is VERY uncomfortable with this. But it is in the name of charity. So, here goes.....

Last year I was introduced to Jeanne, the director of "Beauties for the Cure" when my daughter competed in this pageant. Anyone that knows my daughter and I, will know that she has been in several pageants, with the side note that they have all been scholarship, charity and/or community service related. None of the drama you see on those infamous TV shows.
Along the way we have met exceptional girls and amazing women of which I am now proud to know. Jeanne, the most inspiring of them all.

My daughter holds a title (well, two) with this organization and cannot compete this year. Because of the kindred spirits, a great cause and another important reason, I have decided to put my "foot in the ring" and take this journey.
Aside from the entry fee's, all the donations I collect are given to breast cancer awareness and research including "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer". So, I will need some help here....

I have said that " I would never ask someone to do something I wouldn't do myself", which brings me to the other reason I am doing this.
I have a strong desire to become a part of Jeanne's organization by becoming a pageant director.
I cannot, in good faith, take on a job like that unless I know what it feels like to be a contestant and walk that stage. As frightful as this is to me I can't ask or expect to draw in contestants of my own unless I can tell them what it feels like, honestly, from experience.

And so, my journey begins....

I am asking for your support...PRAY for me!!!

And, I am asking for donations.
You can trust they are going to a great cause.
My goal is to reach $1,000. A portion of it will pay for the entry fee (which goes to charity)

Please make your donation via PayPal by visiting PayPal.com and entering your donation to: babzak@gmail.com
If you prefer to send a check and you don't have my address, please email me and I will get it to you.
babzak@gmail.com

I will post my progress

My first deadline, to reach $350 is August 12

Wish me luck !
Barb