Israel, Palestine and America's Compassion

Unless you've been under a rock for the last couple of weeks, you know that there has been an ugly war going on between Israel and Palestine, possibly the deadliest since 2008/2009. In one airstrike, an Israeli bomb hit the home of Jamal Dalu killing his wife, sister, two daughters, daughter-in-law, four grandchildren and his grandmother.

As I watched the devastation of the war and the response, or lack thereof on social networks, my mind reminded me of Trayvon Martin, Hurricane Sandy and its' aftermath and how Americans rallied together to support and comfort one another; then I wondered, where is our compassion for Palestine?

Day after day various news reports rolled in on Gaza and I could not understand how people weren't moved by this war. One would think that the loss of lives is reason enough to be concerned, but, perhaps it's different when the lives lost aren't those of American citizens.

How can we live in America and see abuse, poverty, and injustice in other countries and be indifferent about it? Have we become desensitized to the ills of this world or is it that we just don't care until it directly affects us? Are our minds so narrow that we only focus on what's directly in front of us, making us incapable of being concerned with the sufferings of others?

We talk of being a great nation, but how can that happen if we fail to look beyond our own backyards.
To be this great nation, our compassion must extend beyond America and to our brothers and sisters in, what we may consider, foreign lands.To be a great nation, we must truly care for our neighbors, for all of humanity, all of the time; not just when wars or natural disasters happen. To be a great nation, our hearts must be in tune with the broader concerns of humanity and not just our individual concerns. 

We cannot prosper as a people, nation or world when we see people dying and we choose to look the other way because it doesn't 'concern' us. We must start caring enough to care for others.

America, put humanity at the forefront of your mind and let's see how far we can go, together.

Kim Moore
Email: Kim@soulrevision.org
Twitter: @SoulRevision

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!!!