With the recent explosion of news coming from the Susan G. Komen Foundation; breast cancer foundations are being asked what their stance is on Planned Parenthood. Keep A Breast supports Planned Parenthood as they provide fundamental health services that align with our mission including breast health education screening, clinical exams, counseling on body image, and is a trusted health care provider, often to people who do not otherwise have access to healthcare including at one point myself.

I started working for Keep A Breast when the foundation had only three employees. When I was asked to be part of the team I wanted to jump at the chance – but I had one HUGE concern – insurance. KAB was so small at the time that they were unable to afford health care for employees and I came with some pretty heavy baggage. When I was young doctors found cysts on my ovaries and I was diagnosed with fibrocystic ovarian disease. I had been put on all kinds of birth controls before being sexually active was even a thought in my mind. Before I graduated from high school, I had multiple procedures including surgery to remove cysts from my ovaries (one the size of a grapefruit!). Fortunately, my parents’ insurance and employers covered this. However, when I left my then current job for KAB I was told that I could NOT get insurance as I had a pre-existing condition, and after one year COBRA would run out. I thought of almost not taking the job at Keep A Breast for fear of not having health care.

Shaney jo, the co-founder of Keep A Breast, had been working fulltime for KAB with no pay for over a year, and without health care for quite some time. She pointed me to a local Planned Parenthood – for her PP was a place where she was able to afford care, and more specifically Preventative Care.  I went to my first appointment while I still had insurance – really for peace of mind and to test their services out. My doctor talked with me about choices for my condition even suggesting non-hormonal choices. At my previous doctors, I never knew to ask questions or that there was any other option. Although I never had any serious problems while not having insurance I learned through Planned Parenthood to be an advocate for my own health – something that Keep A Breast strives to instill in young people everyday.

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading reproductive health care provider and advocate with one in five American women choosing Planned Parenthood for health care at least once in their life. Plain and simple, Keep A Breast supports prevention based healthcare and therefore supports Planned Parenthood. Our support comes not only from our first hand experience with their wonderful doctors and staff but also as a prevention based breast cancer foundation.

- Kimmy McAtee

Co-founder, Shaney Jo with her Non Toxic Revolution Plastic Sucks! Klean Kanteen water bottle at Warped Tour!

At Keep A Breast we love to eat! And we love to be healthy! We know that what we put in our bodies is just as important as what we put on our bodies.  So when we go to get our grub on we use a handful of simple tricks to keep our tummies in check!

• If you plan to workout, do it before you have dinner or lunch. You’re more likely to pick a healthy option!
• When we go out to eat we will split an appetizer, dessert, or even our main dish with a friend.
• We bring our Klean Kanteen water bottle with us everywhere to drink water instead of stopping for sugary drinks on the road.
• We seek out raw or vegan options everywhere we go.
• When we eat Mexican food we will choose a corn tortilla instead of flour and eat a ton of salsa and pico de gallo. Watch out for the chips!
• Kimmy McAtee likes soda water with a dash of bitters when she craves a carbonated drink.
• We will eat fresh spring rolls over fried rolls any day of the week.
• If we are getting a salad we order the salad dressings (low fat of course) and ask for it on the side.
• If there is an option for a side we try to get a salad or veggie.
• If we know the portion is going to be huge, we ask for half of it to be packed up “to go” ahead of time before it gets to your table to avoid overeating! Then we have it for lunch the next day.
• We have been known to have a few bites of our sandwich then ditch the bread and just eat the insides.
• Aolis and mayo are bad news. We leave them off of our burgers and sammies.
• When we eat Japanese food we avoid tempura and go for grilled goodness.
• We like Choy Suey (or other Chinese food options loaded with fresh veggies) with steamed brown rice.
• Instead of soda, Luis Mendoza always opts for water with lemon or iced tea.
• Italian food means pasta right?  Well we choose pasta primavera (with garden veggies) or pasta with red clam sauce and will order whole grain pasta if it is available.
• Sometimes you think you’re hungry but you’re really just thirsty. Have your reusable water bottle and take a sip or two!
• I’m heading to New Orleans for the Conference for Young Women (C4YW) and I plan to eat a ton of Cajun food. You can bet I will avoid “blackened” entrees (dipped in butter and pan-friend) and opt for boiled or grilled seafood.

What do you do to eat, drink, and feel healthy?

P.S. Oh and if you’re going out to eat remember to take the stairs rather than the elevator or escalator!

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KAB friend and musician, Juliet Simms with her favorite brand of coconut water!

Your drinking habits need some adjusting, right? Ditch your sugary sports drink (or worse) and try some coconut water. Coconut water is the clear liquid found inside of immature coconuts (green in color). As coconuts mature the water is replaced by coconut meat. Coconut water is different than coconut milk (which is made by grating the meat).

After an intense workout or being in a mosh pit for hours you need to replenish and most of us will drink ice cold water. But did you know that some of KAB’s favorite artists (like Juliet Simms of Automatic Loveletter seen above) will drink-up potassium-rich coconut water to rehydrate? Coconut water is rich in carbohydrates and electrolytes (such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium) and naturally packs a delicious punch. Electrolytes aid in heart and nerve functions, muscle control and coordination, and boost the body’s ability to absorb fluids. Having a healthy balance of electrolytes affects and regulates hydration of the entire body as well as blood pH. So have a sip and I’m sure you will like it. Cheers to your new drink! Here is too a balanced healthy you in 2012.

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Please join Pizza Port for the 3rd Annual Brewbies event in Carlsbad, CA on February 11th, 2012 from 12-5PM! Pizza Port’s Melanie Pierce has put together this amazing tasting event with raffle prizes, custom Pizza Port/KAB pints and more! For $25 (in advance or $30 at the door) you get admission into Pizza Port to *sample local handcrafted beers plus a special edition pink beer brewed at Pizza Port. Admission price also gets you a custom Brewbies pint glass, an I Love Boobies! bracelet, 1 raffle ticket, and 4 6oz. tasters! Additional tasters and raffle tickets are $1. 100% of all the proceeds go directly to Keep a Breast’s prevention and education programs.

Read below to learn just  how Brewbies came to be and why Melanie was inspired to put on her own Music For Awareness event.

I originally came up with the idea for Brewbies about three years ago because like everyone else out there, my life has been affected in one way or another by cancer. Whether it’s a person you know that is fighting it, had a friend or family member who beat it, or worse… lost their battle against it, it seems that unfortunately everyone is eventually affected by this awful disease. Let’s face it, it sucks and its scary! I made a decision to learn more about breast cancer, to not be afraid of it and to do my small part to help rid the world of this “cancer” that is sucking the life out of so many. In my mission of awareness one of my friends introduced me to Keep A Breast. I read their entire website and I was inspired! I thought to myself, “I want to be a part of this, I want to do something!” I love how Keep A Breast not only raises awareness for breast cancer  prevention, but also that they promote living a healthier lifestyle, and that knowing your body and taking care of it is the key to help you fight all sorts of battles, not just cancer.

I ‘brewed’ up the idea for a Beer Festival to raise funds for KAB, proposed it to my bosses and I was surprised and thrilled that they immediately said yes and let me run wild with it! I am very fortunate to work at Pizza Port where there is an atmosphere of support for the community. Now with the help of some very special people, Brewbies has made it to its 3rd year and I’m more excited than I’ve been yet for the festivities to commence! I have a lofty goal but with the help of a great crew, amazing brew, fabulous donations and a community of beer loving individuals, I am hoping for our best year yet. When you see friends, family, and people in your community come together to share an experience of giving and to truly make a difference, the feeling is unimaginable.

Love your boobies. Love one another. Love yourself.

Melanie Pierce

Pizza Port is located at 571 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

For more information and tickets, head to http://www.pizzaport.com

*And remember – although this event might be at a bar – your tickets are for samples. More than one (1) drink each day (if you are 21, of course) increases your odds of developing breast cancer.  Alcohol can increase the levels of some hormones, such as estrogen and unusually high levels of estrogen increase the risk of breast cancer. We know it’s not fair, but think of the consequences if you drink too much. Be responsible and drink in moderation if you do.

Our gal pals from AVEDA stopped by the other day to pamper us. Chakra neck and shoulder massages followed by hair and make up! Such a unique treat to have the tables turned on us. Typically we are coordinating the pampering for survivors through our Treasured Chest Program and this time, we each got to experience a little slice of stress release heaven on a hectic Monday morning.

Stress is a big No No at Keep A Breast. Stress increases cortisol and this suppresses the immune system. We pay close attention to what brings us down and try to manage or remove it from our lives. Massage, exercise, pampering, yoga, and mediation are all great ways to manage stress levels.

Did you know that research has proved that massage is good for you? A massage will provide relaxation, boost the immune system, enhance flexibility, decrease pain by releasing your body’s natural pain killers (endorphins), decrease fatigue, decrease nausea, and promotes a good nights sleep. Crazy huh?

Thank you AVEDA Fashion Valley Mall for being so moved by the work we are doing at KAB to come to our office and spoil us.

XOXO

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Nature has provided us with many yummy anti-inflammatory foods (and drinks). The flavonoids in green tea are a super potent natural anti-inflammatory. These compounds (in studies) show time and time again to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Recently a University of Mississippi Medical Center study presented at San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium supported the idea that EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) a green tea antioxidant “directly targets tumor cells and tumor vasculature” which means it “inhibits tumor growth, proliferation, migration and angiogenesis” of breast cancer. This is great news. What are you waiting for? Grab your reusable mug and brew yourself a cup of Green Tea. ASAP!

Some of my favs are Strawberry Cream from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
and Jasmine Downy Pearls from Peet’s Coffee & Tea. I enjoy making tea at home. I range from hardcore Organic Gunpowder Green to sweet Acai Green Tea. Find one that suits your taste buds and rest assured that you are improving your health one sip at a time.

XOXO

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Everything’s coming up Milhouse for Keep A Breast Canada on what can only be described as a cold blustery day in Vancouver.  As we shed our umbrellas for toques, and get deep into planning mode for 2012, we are so happy to announce that the UTM Women’s Centre is our hosting our first Music for Awareness event (MFA) on February 10th at the Blind Duck Pub in Mississauga, ON!

The Balconies, Red Nightfall, District 5, Rob Moir & Sola Ft. Ricky Solo are the talented artists who are contributing to this night of breast cancer education & awareness with proceeds of the evening coming back to Keep A Breast Canada for our education and prevention programs!

The Balconies - Photo taken by: Courtney Lee Yip

For those of you who aren’t  familiar with the centre (located at room 131D North Building, 3359 Mississauga Rd) at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus, the UTM Women’s Centre is a resource centre for the women of our community and has existed since 1989. They have fundraisers and events throughout the year, and provide access to information on health, sexuality and women’s issues.  The centre is very active in raising awareness of all issues including breast cancer, women’s rights, and violence against women. They also have a large volunteer base and provide our campus with many volunteering opportunities. This years focus is about  trying to raise global awareness and have fundraising for women’s issues around the world. So if you attend the University and and to get involved, you can contact them here We asked the centre why they chose Keep A Breast Canada to fundraise for, and to them; the choice was simple, “The UTM Women’s Centre was very keen on working with KABC because of its global status, and also-the Music For Awareness Program immediately caught our eye and couldn’t think of a better initiative to support. ” – Team UTM

Red Nightfall

If you’re looking at ways to give back to your community and raise money at the same time; our MFA program might be the thing to get you in the groove!  One of my favourite sayings is “Why walk when you can ROCK!” Music is a great way to get people and local musicians involved in an organization like Keep A Breast Canada, and help us to reach out and educate your friends and peers about ways of reducing risks of breast cancer.  We provide the info cards and swag for the bands as well as ideas on how you can impact your community through music.

Rob Moir

So next time you’re planning ways to raise money, give us a shout and we can help you get involved with Keep A Breast Canada!  All you need is an idea, a venue, and a little music to get you on your way.  Dont forget to check out all the bands listed here, give them a listen, like them on Facebook and Twitter and if you’re in Mississauga on February 10th join the UTM Women’s Centre for their amazing event Rock for a Breast for Keep A Breast Canada!  Contact us at canada@keep-a-breast.org with MFA in the subject line to get your Music for Awareness application form today!

Remember, “Music can change the world because it can change people” - Bono

XO

Michelle Murray
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We are kicking off the new year strong with a new tour, new Keep A Breast Traveling Education Bus and a rad way to win a chance to come to LA! We are thankful to reunite with our good friends on the Beautiful Things Tour with Anthony Green and backing band Good Old War, and The Dear Hunter opening the show.  This is a special tour for KAB because the first club tour that we were ever apart of was with Anthony Green, Good Old War, The Dear Hunter and Envy on the Coast over the holiday season in December 2007 on the east coast. They were kind enough to take us out on the road, and we haven’t stopped since then. With the help of amazing musicians such as these lovely gentlemen, we have been able to spread the Keep A Breast mission of good health, living a toxic free lifestyle and the importance of early detection through breast cancer prevention programs like our KAB Music For Awareness Program and KAB Traveling Education Booth.

Anthony has been a dear personal friend of mine for many years now and I am so thankful to be able to continue to work together to his promote beautiful music through his solo work as well as his band, Circa Survive and breast cancer prevention through KAB.

We have come up with a new fundraising Text to Donate campaign this year that we are kicking off with the Beautiful Things Tour. We are giving everyone that texts BOOBIES to 80088 and donates $5 the chance to *enter win a trip to Los Angeles to check out the show with one guest and meet Anthony Green at one of our HANDSHAKES & HIGHFIVES sessions! Watch the video below of Anthony to for a special message from Anthony! 

We also have a t-shirt that you can pick up and 33.3% of the proceeds will benefit Keep A Breast. It’s available at the show or you can purchase it online at Merchnow here.

We are looking forward to seeing you out at the shows. Make sure you come by the KAB Traveling Education Booth, say hello to Brittany our Tour Rep, and pick up some information on breast cancer prevention like our Check Your Self! card.

Check out the dates to see if the Beautiful Things Tour is hitting your city!  $1 from every ticket purchased after 1/6/12 is benefiting KAB. To purchase tickets online please click here. 

We look forward to seeing you at the shows!

XO, 
Erica

Youth Outreach Programs Director

My name is Kirsten and I am one of the two interns that will be working with Keep a Breast Canada in the upcoming months!  To further introduce myself, I am currently a student at the University of British Columbia studying Economics.  My interests include jazz dancing, and any art related projects. I also enjoy participating and planning events that help raise awareness for different causes in the community.

I chose an internship with Keep A Breast Canada for a number of reasons.  To begin with, I have had several family members diagnosed with breast, colon, and ovarian cancer over the past few years. As a result, I have always wanted to get involved with a cancer charity or organization as a way to keep myself and those around me informed as well as raise awareness for the disease.  While I have participated in a couple of “Relays for Life” with the Canadian Cancer Society, I still wanted to get more involved up front.

After recently having a family member diagnosed with cancer at a young age, I realized that I really wanted to get involved with a charity that targeted prevention in young people.  Originally, I had difficulties finding an organization that focused on preventative measures in youth and that suited my interests.  I ended up coming across KABC when I saw a girl wearing a brightly colored bracelet labelled “I Love Boobies!” on the bus.  I became so curious by the eye-catching bracelet that when I went home I found myself searching the web for answers to why this girl loved boobies so much.   Sure enough, Keep A Breast Canada came up in my search and I found myself in awe with how they planned to eliminate breast cancer through educating young people with creative and original means.  Since I love art related activities, I found the Treasure Chest casts to be a meaningful and powerful idea in terms of documenting a women’s personal experience with cancer.

At around the same time as my KABC discovery, I had applied for the UBC Arts Internship Program and was busy applying for a number of internships.  During my search for an internship I came across Michelle’s internship posting for a Community Outreach Coordinator and I knew instantly that KABC was where I wanted to intern for the semester.

I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with the Keep A Breast Canada team! In the upcoming months, I will be helping out with KABC’s Treasure Chest Program! I look forward to seeing this program grow further and cannot wait to get started!  If you are interested in the Treasure Chest Program and would like a “casting kit” sent to you, please check out our facebook page for the application process!

XO

Kirsten

Ransom Everglades is teaming up with Kids Fighting Cancer (Health Club) to host the first ever Music For Awareness concert on Friday January 20^th.The show will be held in RE’s Lewis Family Auditorium in Coconut Grove, FL from 7-9:30 PM. Bands slated to perform include Jacob’s Ladder, Freshman 15, Junior Doctor, Vega Under Fire A Criminal Risk, and students from the RE community.

 “I volunteered with Keep A Breast this summer on the Warped Tour and it was one of the best experiences that I’ve had,” says student and event co-coordinator Danielle Castellanos. “It really showed how much Keep A Breast has made an impact on the youth who need to be educated and aware in order to prevent breast cancer in the future. When I heard about the Music For Awareness Program I knew that I had to sign up”.

Tickets are just $10 advance / $15 day of show. To find out how to get your hands on a ticket please visit the Music For Awareness in Miami event website. 100% of the proceeds raised will be donated to the Keep A Breast Foundation.

Can’t make it? Show your support for participating bands by visiting their Facebook sites!

Jacob’s Ladder, Freshman 15, Junior Doctor, Vega Under Fire, A Criminal Risk 

To put on your own Music For Awareness event in your community, CLICK HERE.