Breast Cancer Awareness

 OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, YAY!

  



Unfortunately, there are many women around the world that have succumbed to this cancer. Breast Cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the world that affects women and although rare, is no stranger to men!

So what is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a type of cancer where cells in the breast tissue divide and grow without normal control. Like other cancers, breast cancer can spread throughout the body. Only a small fraction of breast cancer cases can be linked to genetics.

 

Here are the facts:

• An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. in 2009.
• An estimated 40,170 women will die. In addition to invasive breast cancer, 62,280 new cases of in situ breast cancer are expected to occur among women in 2009.
• An estimated 1,910 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and an estimated 440 will die in 2009. 
•  Breast cancer is the leading cancer among American women and second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.
•  More than two million women currently living in the U.S. have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.

•  Females are at greatest risk for getting breast cancer.
• Women age 40 and older are at greatest risk for being diagnosed.  A small percentage of women under the age of 40 do develop breast cancer.  
• About 85 percent of all women diagnosed with breast cancer DO NOT have a family history.
• Only about 10-15 percent of breast cancers occur because of inherited genetic traits.   
• Breast cancer in men is rare, but it does happen.   
•  Race is not considered a factor for increased risk of breast cancer. However, rates of developing and dying from the disease differ among ethnic groups.
• Women are less at risk of developing breast cancer if they eat a healthy diet and exercise.

Early Detection

Mammograms are the best and most widely available breast cancer screening tool. They can detect about 85 percent of all breast cancers.

• At age 40, women should get an annual mammogram.
• Women should begin monthly breast self exams by age 20 and have a clinical breast exam at least every three years.
• Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer. When breast cancer is diagnosed at its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate is over 95 percent.



Every year San Diego has its' annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Balboa Park and every year we show up to support! The walk is THIS SUNDAY @ 8am (630am to register) if you're in the area and would like to join go here ---> Making Strides Team

To anyone out there that has survived Breast Cancer, my hat is off to you! please enjoy this inspirational video about Breast Cancer survivors and PLEASE encourage women you know to get checked regularly!!!

AIDS Walk San Diego 2010 recap



This isn't even all of the walkers

This years AIDS Walk was a HUGE success! We had over 8,000 participants which was an increase from last years walk! It's ALWAYS good to see so many people open their hearts and help someone in need. I have to especially highlight two groups that continue to impress me with their level of community involvement.

My jobs booth that I set-up

SDSU's African Student Union (ASU) and SDSU's National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) showed up at 430am to volunteer to work the event AND walk! This is a group of young adult college students, what a great way to demonstrate leadership!!! THANK YOU for your support!

I would also like to thank two VERY SPECIAL individuals; Ms. Jackie and Chad Nevilles for their gracious donation to my AIDS Walk page. You all have helped save lives, from the bottom of my heart I thank you!

Veronica and her mother are both HIV positive. Veronica has no idea that she is any differen from other children.

Donnie Luehring is the coordinator for this annual event and he had this to say...

"Thanks to your generous and inspiring commitment, AIDS Walk & Run San Diego will once again make a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of San Diegans living with HIV. 

Whether you walked, ran, volunteered or donated yesterday, you should know that your efforts will go a long way in supporting the HIV/AIDS service organizations that are beneficiaries of this year’s fundraising campaign. In partnership with the San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative, the funds raised from the Walk will be combined with donations from other philanthropists and foundations to qualify for matching funds to ensure that we maximize the resources generated from this year’s event. 

While we are counting the money raised, please know that AIDS Walk & Run San Diego is still accepting donations through Oct. 15. Most of all, we can’t thank you enough for your time, energy and support as we work together in this fight to end HIV/AID"

Christie's Place team =)

Every year at AIDS Walk we have what's called 'The Path of Remembrance" where family members and friends that have lost a loved one from AIDS can post pictures and information about the one they lost. I decided to seize the moment and capture the information on camera to show you all why I work in HIV services, the importance of AIDS Walk and the face of HIV. HIV has been around for almost 30yrs and people STILL think they are immune to it, invisible even. The truth of the matter is, if you're having sex and/or sharing needles, you're also at risk! HIV knows no bounds! It has reached upper and middle class America, professional athletes, students, nurses, and babies. It has infected the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor. HIV is Latino, African American, filipino, Asian etc. Be safe, get tested and encourage others to do the same!



Also check out my interview with Fox 5 San Diego about the importance of AIDS Walk

AIDS WALK SAN DIEGO 9.26.2010

San Diego and beyond, here's another opprtunity to get involved!

AIDS Walk SD is San Diego's largest one-day HIV/AIDS fundraiser. Dozens of Agencies, including my job, Christie's Place, rely on funds raised at the annual AIDS Walk to help provide essential life saving prevention and care program to thousands of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS.

Join me as I walk for those who can't. If you are in San Diego, Ca or will be in the area and would like to register with my jobs team and walk with us you can go to our home page here --> Join Christie's Place team for AIDS Walk San Diego

If, for whatever reason, you will not be in San Diego or you can't walk but would still like to donate you can go to my personal page here ----> Kim's AIDS Walk donation page

Remember, ANY amount is helpful!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

In remembrance.. 9/11

Today I have really taken the time out to be thankful, thankful for EVERYTHING!!! I will be honest with yall, when 9/11 first happened I was in the 11th grade and I really didnt understand what it meant. Yes I remember hearing that planes had been hijacked and flown into the towers, but I didn't quite understand what all of this meant for the U.S. 9 years later I have a better understanding of the these attacks and what it meant to our Country. I see the devastation, the loss, the hurt, and the consequences of these acts. I was disappointed to see people making jokes about 9/11 on Facebook, just showed me how insensitive people can be. I can only speak for myself but I DO NOT find ANYTHING funny about 9/11 and I have little to no patience for people who do!



My heart truly goes out to the families and friends of all those who lost someone from 9/11 and to the families of the heros who died trying to save the victims. My heart also goes out to those that were on the opposite end of this spectrum. We've got to remember that there were a lot of men and women that from the Middle East that were discriminated against and became victims of hate crimes!

This morning I made a promise to do my very best to wake up everyday and truly be THANKFUL for everything! Our time is so limited and the moments we have our so precious, I want to savor every opportunity I get and appreciate all that I have! This blog entry serves as a reminder to myself to never forget those that died and the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

GOD BLESS!

Compilation of the attacks as they happened.


This video is graphic but it serves as a reminder to myself of the people that lost 9/1 tribute video




The infamous 'Falling Man' photo taken by a photographer of the Associated Press

Lighting The Fire

I'm back from my vacation (which ill blog about at a later date) and I must say I’ve never felt so disconnected from the world, when I got back I tried to catch up on all the news/current events that I missed. So much has gone on; I really don't know where to start. I guess I will begin with the most disturbing news I heard...

So we all know about and will forever remember September 11, 2001. My thoughts go out to all the victims & their families! That day has forever changed the U.S. in more ways than one.. The way we trust, the way we profile, our beliefs, our defense mechanisms, our 'patriotism', etc. My goal is not to get too deep into the meaning behind the 9/11 attacks but to talk about the aftermath and September 11, 2010.

By now I’m sure you all have heard of a Reverend named Terry Jones, but in case you haven’t, let me bring you up to date. Terry Jones is a Florida Christian Pastor that's proclaiming September 11, 2010 as 'International Burn a Koran Day', anyone else see the irony in that?

So many thoughts came to mind when I first heard about this foolishness. The first was, where is CHRIST in that? How can one profess Christianity but participate in acts that are ungodly? As Christians we are supposed to show love to one another despite religious background, creed, gender etc. How is this acceptable? Terry Jones has stated that Islam is the 'devils religion' be that the case, shouldn’t he pray for them instead of destroying what they see as their bible? Where is the retribution? In burning these Korans, does it mean there will never be another act of terrorism?

My second thought was, what in the world is going to be the backlash from this? We still have troops in Afghanistan where the official religion is Islam.

Third thought... you cannot blame a religion for 'all things terrorist'. I have seen some CHRISTIANS do some very 'unchrist-like' things. Pastors have robbed their own churches, raped women, killed and molested children... is it safe to say that Christians are to blame for 'all things corrupt'? Shall we go burn all the bibles now?

What does this solve? What does one gain?

Terry Jones can burn all the Korans he wants but he will never burn them all, and burning the Koran will not stop terrorists’ acts. Why provoke the people? Why light the fire? I have to wonder does Terry Jones think this act will somehow deter terrorism, does he think this will cause the Islamic religion to cease, does he believe burning the Koran will be for the greater good, is he simply an instigator with nothing better to do or is he a terroist himself , the kind that incites conflict and stirs the pot of hate?



here's a link for more of the story (copy & paste) --> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100907/ap_on_re_us/quran_burning

allow me to re-introduce myself... my name is...

I guess ill start this blog off with a lil intro so yall can get to know me...

I'm a San Diego native (not born, but raised) working in Public Health - Social Services.. more specifically, HIV Services. I've been in my career for 5 years now and started out working for Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) in their Teen Clinic as a Young Adult Health Educator. I worked in a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and would go to schools, court-mandated groups, after school programs and other youth groups doing presentations on Sexual Health and Teen Pregnancy Prevention (presentations included: Anatomy/Physiology, Birth control, STD's, HIV, Substance Abuse, Communication/Healthy Relationships, Suicide/Depression). Yes, basically I talked about sex! it's more to it than just talking about, I actually had to study and research so that I could get certified to do that type of work. I think one of my favorite things about doing the presentations was when I would play myth busters with my students, I still cant believe some of the misconceptions they have about sex, STD's/HIV, and pregnancy.. anywho, I spent 3 years at FHCSD and was promoted each year. I left FHCSD when I was offered a job at Christie's Place (where I now work) as the Outreach Coordinator. For those who don't know, Christie's Place is a non-profit social support center for women, children and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. I've been here for 2yrs (seems a lot longer) and I must say, the work we do here is pretty amazing & life changing! I absolutely LOVE working with our clients and spending time with their kids, to think that they are living with a life-threatning disease, but they're so optimistic.. the thought just gives me hope! (I'll take the time to go in-depth about Christie's Place in a future blog post)

I'm currently in school pursing my California Association of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselors (CADAAC) certification and will be finished in October. This has been a year long journey of being in class EVERY Saturday for 7.5hrs (830am - 4pm). On top of going to class I started the practicum portion in February and must complete 450hrs of supervised practicum (basically I have to put all the skills ive learned to use). Once I finish I plan on continuing my college education, which means ill be back at National University pursuing my major, Sociology with a minor in counseling. I have about a year and a half left to get my bachelors then ill apply at SDSU to enter their MSW program.

So work and school pretty much run my life, somewhere in 2009 I became this crazy, insane workaholic. I really don't know where it all came from but you can find me up at 1am on my laptop, WORKING! You can also find me on vacation, WORKING!!! why??? I don't know, so dont ask lol. I'm still trying to figure that out myself! I just need to learn to do a better job of balancing everything.

Alright, so lets talk about why I created this blog.

I do a lot of community/charity events, I like to stay current on societal issues and life itself has just been amazing.. I like to talk about all these things, especially with my friends & on twitter buuuuuuut.. im starting to think they're getting tired of hearing it LOL. sometimes I just need a place to vent about current events and 140 characters isnt enough.. sometimes I want to share how good God is and 140 characters isnt enough.. sometimes I want to share something that has inspired me, or recommend a good book or share an upcoming event and 140 characters still isnt enough, so here I am BLOGGING! 140 characters aint gone stop me!

So with all that said WELCOME! Please note that this is a space for me to talk about....... well...... whatever I feel like talkin about =) I may not always use the correct punctuation, I may use some slang here and there, I may offend, I may not, I might make you laugh, I might make you think 'man this girl is dumb'.. either way, everything I say here are my thoughts and they do not represent any group or individual expect for myself. I'm merely allowing you to see various pieces of me.. I welcome any and all feedback although I doubt anyone will be commenting as I rarely say anything exciting lol. but in the event that you do wish to comment ive enabled 'anonymous comments' that way you dont have to sign in or create an acct to comment. I'm also willing to take suggestion on topics to blog about as well.

STAY TUNED....