Virtual Rally

This is an email I got today from the Alzheimer's Association and I wanted to share it since this is something that is near and dear to my heart.
Please help us win the fight against Alzheimer's!

From April 17-May 30, you can illuminate the fight against Alzheimer's disease by participating in the Alzheimer's Association Virtual Candlelight Rally. Light a candle to tell your story and take action in the fight against this devastating disease that affects millions of Americans.

When you light a candle, you can post a message to honor or remember an individual and spread awareness about Alzheimer's disease. You can also make a donation to help advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

Our online event occurs in conjunction with the Candlelight Tribute Rally in Washington, D.C., part of the annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum. On Sunday, May 15, hundreds of Alzheimer's advocates from around the country will gather in the shadow of the United States Capitol to raise their voices as they celebrate and honor people who have been affected by Alzheimer's disease.

They gather to let our nation know that time is of the essence; that we cannot wait; that we must do all we can right now to change the course of Alzheimer's. And you can join them by being a virtual participant in the rally.

Light a candle and tell your story. Your support will light the way to a world without Alzheimer's disease. Donate, become an advocate and help us tell Congress to make Alzheimer's a national priority.

Sincerely,

Robert Beatty
National Director

PCOS Awareness

September is PCOS Awareness month. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) affects millions of women - and half of them don't even know they have it. For that reason, the month of September is dedicated to raising awareness of this syndrome so that more women can be helped.

Why is this important to me? I have PCOS. I, like many others, didn't know what it was or had even heard about it until I was diagnosed. I didn't get my first period until I was 14 - and it became, and stayed, very irregular. I always had a battle with my weight, but shortly after getting married, suddenly gained 100 pounds for no explainable reason... and doctors couldn't give me any explanation for my weight gain other than "You're just happy in your life and settling down". What???
I wasn't diagnosed until I was trying to conceive and was having no luck. It took trips to several different doctors and several blood tests to finally pinpoint the issue. And, like most people, I had no clue what it was I was being diagnosed with.

What is PCOS? It is the most common female endocrine disorder, affecting approximately 5%-10% of all females. It is a hormonal disorder that involves multiple systems within the body, and is believed to be caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin.
Some common symptoms include: irregular or no menstrual periods, irregular ovulation, excess facial and body hair, ovarian cysts, and weight management difficulties. It is not necessary to have all of these symptoms to have PCOS. In fact it is not necessary to have "polycystic ovaries" to have PCOS. PCOS manifests itself differently in each woman. I, for example, have never actually been diagnosed with having ovarian cysts. Also, about 40% of women with PCOS are of normal weight - some even under. Unfortunately, I am not one of those.

PCOS cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Diet, exercise and, in some cases, medical intervention can do a lot to help eliminate PCOS symptoms. Management of PCOS is essential. If it remains unmanaged, it can progress to diabetes and can lead to certain forms of cancer.

That's why it is so important to make women more aware of this syndrome so they can get treatment.
Maybe you have a mother, daughter, sister or friend who is overweight and not sure why. Perhaps a female friend suffers from excess facial hair but thinks it is only a cosmetic problem. Tell them they can start by taking the quiz at http://www.pcosupport/quiz.php which will help them to evaluate their risks and guide them toward seeking help from a doctor.

Help spread the word about PCOS. You never know who may learn from us and in turn, get the help they need!


*Facts from the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association

Give a Day, Get a Day

Last year it was get in free on your birthday. This year, Disney is doing a "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program for tickets.

Basically, you search their site for the available volunteer opportunities with various organizations in your area. You sign up, show up, do your work and Disney will send you a voucher for a 1-day, 1-theme park ticket.

Today, Sweetpea and I did our giving. One of the opportunities in our area was to help out at one of the local Girl Scout camps - perfect volunteer job for a Girl Scout to do :)
We showed up and they had a list of different things that they wanted to be done. I had Sweetpea pick which one she wanted to do and she chose to clean up the dead trees and branches around the cabins.
Luckily, a couple other mom/daughter groups signed up for that as well - so off we went.

We all worked really hard - and boy do my muscles feel it now! Sweetpea said it was fun and was having a good time and made some new friends in the girls that were working with us. One of them was also a Girl Scout.

We accomplished a lot in the 5 hours we were there and feel we really earned our ticket!

If you haven't done so yet, go check out the program and see what is available to you - there is a wide range of things... some as simple as donating blood! It's for a good cause - whether or not you get something in return for it (although I'm sure that's helping). We both feel good about what we did today, and I'm sure you will too!

Sweetpea standing in front of our first pile of branches.
It didn't seem like much until she stood in front of it and it was as tall as she was!

National Memory Screening Day

I know it's late in the day, but until midnight it is still National Memory Screening Day. I'm just a little slow on the uptake :)

The National Memory Screening organization is an initiative of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

The ongoing initiative of the Nat'l Memory Screening and AFA is to list free, confidential memory screenings that local organizations are offering in their communities throughout the year but the annual event of National Memory Screening Day is held each November to promote early detection of memory problems as well as Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and encourages appropriate intervention. Qualified healthcare professionals at community venues nationwide offer free, confidential memory screenings, education about memory screenings and successful aging, and follow-up resources.

These screenings are not a diagnosis, but can suggest whether a medical evaluation would be beneficial. Extensive study has indicated that these screenings are of value to individuals who participate in them.

Unfortunately, with an issue as sensitive as Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, there is often misinformation. AFA created this fact sheet to address some of the more common misconceptions about memory screening and National Memory Screening Day. AFA believes that all individuals should be empowered to make informed decisions to better manage their own health, not discouraged from screening based on misinformation.

There are lots of resources out there for help - please don't be afraid to check them out.

*From Nat'l Memory Screening and AFA websites*

November - Nat'l Alzheimer's Awareness

*from the Alzheimer's Association site*

November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and as many as 10 million family caregivers. This November, during National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month, the Alzheimer’s Association is providing insight and support to those caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.

About NADAM
Since its founding in 1980, the Alzheimer's Association has been the leader in making the fight against Alzheimer’s a national priority, a call that resonates during November, which is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.

After designating a National Alzheimer’s Disease Week in 1982, President Ronald Reagan helped to launch a national campaign against Alzheimer’s disease in 1983, calling members of the Alzheimer's Association to the White House for the signing of a proclamation declaring National Alzheimer’s Disease Month.

Alzheimer’s Association founder Jerome Stone led a group of family caregivers, Association volunteers and staff in the effort to bring attention to the cause on Capitol Hill. That advocacy effort continues even stronger today with Association public policy staff and volunteers leading the call for increased government funding for critical Alzheimer research and support programs.

Join us and help move the Alzheimer cause forward. Here are some simple ways you can make a difference:

• Become an advocate
• Write Congress
• Sign up to be a Champion
• Donate

I've done my donation and am just waiting on my awareness bracelet to wear this month.

If you want to learn more, just head on over to the National Alzheimer's Association.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's October 1st - the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This year, NBCAM is celebrating it's 25th year of awareness, education and empowerment!

Some facts on NBCAM (from ncbam.org)

• The first NBCAM program took place in October 1985 as a week-long event to fill the information void in public communication about breast cancer. The founding members of the Board of Sponsors, the American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation and CancerCare, Inc., distributed brochures, spoke to news reporters, and testified before a U.S. Congressional committee about the crucial need for widespread access to mammography.
• Today the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization is comprised of several national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working in partnership to build breast cancer awareness, share information and provide access to screening services.
• October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, however, at NBCAM, breast cancer awareness and education is a year-round mission.

There are various events in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month taking place all over the country. Walks, symposiums, conferences and National Mammography Day just to name a few.

Check out your area and see how you can help support this very important cause.

World Alzheimer's Day

Today is World Alzheimer's Day. 35 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer's or dementia and the number of people being affected is increasing at a rapid rate. Every 70 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's!

It's also a disease that hits close to home for me. My maternal grandfather lived with the disease for years. My grandmother tried to take care of him herself but she couldn't continue to do it by herself so she had to put him in a specialized nursing home for Alzheimer's patients.
He forgot how to talk, he forgot how to walk, he forgot who people were... it is a frustrating and horrifying disease - and a sad one for the loved ones of those affected. He passed away from complications of the disease in December of 2006.

The Alzheimer's Association's vision is to see a world without Alzheimer's. But they can't do it alone.
Their hope is that World Alzheimer's Day brings awareness worldwide of how widespread this disease is - and to one day find a cure.

Think about it. You can help fight Alzheimer's with just $5! And hopefully one day there will no longer need to be a World Alzheimer's Day...

I love you and miss you Papa!