Beating Cancer with a Paddle!

I mentioned how I was helping to promote the Sweetwater Paddle for the Cure race a while back. Well, the event was this past Saturday and turned out to be a total success!! Over $35,000 was raised for cancer research (all proceeds benefit the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation)!
David took 400 photos at the event.. which doesn't even include what I took with my regular camera. Once I get a hold of all the photos I will post more. With the gorgeous downtown Tampa backdrop, cool water and colorful kayaks, it was hard to take a bad picture!

And we were featured in the St. Pete Times the day before the race. You can view that interesting article here.

Do you kayak? Do you want to? It looks like some fun exercise to me!

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After Dinner Challenge (April 7-27)

At the beginning of the month we talked about habits we wanted to work on. Many of us pledged to avoid after-dinner snacking with the "After-Dinner Challenge."

Well, the last day of the challenge came up pretty quickly and is today!

Did you keep up with the challenge? Why or why not? What have you learned in the past 21 days? Do you believe it 21 days is enough to change a habit?

I did not keep up with the challenge most nights. I was busy and unfortunately my dinners turned into multiple snacks many nights. Still, I would like to curb the habit of after-dinner snacking. Just because the official challenge ended doesn't mean it is the end for any of us!

Summer, Seahorses... and Skin Cancer?

Well, summer is almost here again. That means tiny swimsuits, days in the sun... and a greater risk for skin cancer.

I feel like people don't take skin cancer as seriously as other cancers. But we should take skin cancer very seriously. Skin cancer is the most common form of human cancer with more than 1 million new cases each year (source).

A few years ago my grandfather was diagnosed with skin cancer and was quickly treated. Doctors said if he hadn't detected it and acted early he wouldn't be here today.
I am fair-skinned with light hair, blue eyes and freckles. I know my risk is greater so I am very proactive to make sure I don't become part of the statistic. I just scheduled a dermatologist appointment for an abnormal spot on my shoulder.

The responsibility of our health is on us alone.

Here are some skin cancer resources you should check out:

This link brings you to a clear and thorough slideshow of precancerous skin lesions and skin cancer pictures.

This link brings you to the Road to Healthy Skin Tour. Check to see if the tour is coming to your area for a free screening.

Some simple tips to remember:

- avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when rays are the strongest

- avoid tanning beds (!!!!)

- use a UVA/UVB sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 on exposed areas

- use hats, sunglasses and protective clothing when possible

- examine your skin often for anything unusual

- visit a dermatologist immediately if you find anything unusual

Do you think of skin cancer differently than other cancers? What do you do to protect yourself?

Power in Pink

Ahh, Under Armour. I drool over their workout gear (have you tried their capris? Awesome!) but now have a reason to like them even more:

For their Power in Pink campaign they’re looking for “3 strong women to tell us how your active lifestyle, your attitude, and your spirit helped your body fight breast cancer. Tell us your story, and win a chance to inspire others.

The chosen survivors will get an all expense paid trip to Baltimore for a 2-day photo shoot and interview session. Photos and videotaped stories will be used for Power in Pink in-store visuals, magazine ads, website, and/or other promotional materials.”

Sounds like a great opportunity for three deserving women, right?

“In 2003, Under Armour created the "Power in Pink" campaign to help educate female athletes about the importance physical activity can play in helping to overcome breast cancer.

For every “Power in Pink” item purchased in-store or online, Under Armour will donate a percentage of the proceeds to a number of organizations dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.”

Megan, Marie and Marisa were last year’s women. Watch their impactful stories here.

I love this. Please pass along to any women you know who might be interested!

Do you have any history with breast cancer? What do you think of Under Armour’s Power in Pink campaign? Does it change the way you think of the brand?

Beating Colon Cancer

I've received some sad news tonight: someone in David's family in New York was just diagnosed with colon cancer. This news definitely takes us by shock. She went to the doctor after some pains and this was the diagnosis. The last doctor said there is no treatment and she only has a limited time. So she's getting a second opinion tomorrow.

The whole thing is terrible. But since we can't dwell on the problem I started to think of solutions- and ways to prevent anyone else getting the same news.

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With 655,000 deaths worldwide per year, colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. source

A recent report claims colon cancer is 24% less common among physically active people.

A 2004 MSNBC article claims colon cancer is preventable.

It is estimated that up to 70 percent of colon cancers could be prevented with only moderate changes in diet and lifestyle.

"
Insulin: The new IT issue in colon cancer
One prime suspect now is insulin resistance.Insulin resistance could explain why inactive and overweight people, especially with excess weight around the waist, are more likely to develop colon cancer.

Diet: Meat
Frequent consumption of red meat or processed meat is a risk in many studies. Processed meat contains substances that can develop into carcinogenic compounds. Fatty red meat is high in saturated fat, which is the most damaging type of fat.

Diet: Calcium
Consuming enough calcium is the latest strategy to lower colon cancer risk. Calcium might be especially important for those with a high-fat diet. By binding fatty acids and bile acids – both of which promote cancer – in our digestive tract, calcium may protect the colon.

Diet: Fiber
For a long time, fiber has been considered a vital colon cancer fighter. It was consistently significant in laboratory experiments and high in the diets of populations with low colon cancer risk. But now large studies that followed people for years cast doubt on this link.

Exercise
Although physical activity does not change colon cancer risk in all studies, it is a key part of any risk reduction plan. The latest National Cancer Institute (NCI) review of steps to prevent colon cancer reports that activity lowers risk 40 to 50 percent on average.

Activity’s effectiveness might be related to its tendency to prevent weight gain, or directly affect insulin levels. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recommends an hour of moderate activity daily.

"

When we're young and healthy it is really easy to only think of exercise and diet in terms of appearance. But we have spouses and families and friends that will count on us. We've got to wake up and see that oatmeal, brussel sprouts, bananas and spinach are what can keep us healthy and vibrant. Don't take your bites for granted- every bite and every step is an opportunity.

Do you have any experience with colon cancer or other cancers? How have your experiences affected your diet/lifestyle, if at all?

p.s.- Please say a prayer for David's aunt. her family needs her for a long time to come!

Race: Richard's Run for Life

Last year I ran Richard's Run for Life in historic Ybor City in Tampa. It was a beautiful course on a Friday night... running down the brick roads in the middle of a historic, active scene.

The race supports children's cancer research. The little boy that kicked off the race each year unfortunately lost his young life to cancer last year before the race.

It was such an emotional start. The people gathered to run are all there more for the cause than the run itself. Really, it was beautiful.

So when I heard registration opened for this year's race, I signed up without hesitation! I love putting money into great causes.

You'll notice on my sidebar I added an Upcoming Races list. This 5K will be perfect right before my 10K.... and the 10K right before my Half!!


I encourage you all to look into charitable 5Ks in your area. Most novice runners and walkers can complete a 5K safely. The training and accomplishing will leave you feeling great... and the cause will benefit, too.

I know there are a few Florida readers here. Here you can find out about this great race. Let me know if you're going and we can meet up! (Afterward they have a huge party with tons of great Cuban food! That's worth more than the registration fee!! Yum!)