Breast Cancer Awareness

Today concludes the month internationally known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But does the awareness end there? 

For me the answer is no. As women we should always be aware of our health. We are often seen as the backbone of society; we are mothers, teachers, wives and nurturers. We are the persons whom many depend on. Therefore our health is of utmost importance. Breast cancer not only affects us as individuals, it affects our families and our lives.

I am very certain many of us can identify someone we know who has been afflicted by breast cancer, an aunt, sister, cousin, neighbour, your friend sister's co worker. Early detection and treatment is key in surviving breast cancer, so get up and get screening done. Perform self checks on yourself while in the shower check your breast, your armpits and up to your collarbone. Ask your doctor about having a mammogram done, protect your future and the quality of life of your family. 

Support the causes, spread the word, participate in walks, awareness sessions, purchase ribbons, donate and help in whatever way you can. Educate yourself and others.  There are many websites with a lots of useful information such as http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/ and http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/ to name a few.

I've even come across an e-booklet (these are free to download) with a lot of comprehensive information, from the Breast Cancer Care publications: Treating breast cancer and a quick guide to being breast aware.

Breast cancer is one of the top cancers which cause of deaths globally. It is the #1 cancer killer in women; and over the years, there have been an increasing number of cases in men.

So let's join forces, let's support the cause and let's help in winning the fight against breast cancer.

I've had this bracelet for years, I bought it from Avon.

The saying 'knowledge is power' is on point, so lets educate ourselves about what can affect our health, in extension our family and our lives. 

Woke up this morning with a thought on my mind

17 Oct 2011

I woke up this morning with a thought on my mind, a seed of inspiration. A seed from the tree of my culture. A seed that  was planted a long time ago, but nothing ever developed from it.

Now the time has come for me to nurture this seed, to help it on it's journey to maturity.

In our culture many of us are in touch with our African heritage one day of the year, Emancipation Day. We don our African style clothing  and wrap our heads with African printed fabrics on this one day, this day we are proud of our heritage, proud to represent where our ancestors came from, this one day we a proud to represent with clothing. But as soon as the day is over we discard our clothing and head wraps to the back of the closet, never to be worn again till the next Emancipation celebration.

I think its about time we (or at least I) put a stop to that.

Within the last year or two, a local designer, Christian Boucaud introduced clothing lines made from African printed fabric (Afrocentric, the Carnival 2011 collection and Reuse Recycle Recreate collection), pieces which could be worn to the beach, the next Carnival fete or even a night out to dinner.

I was elated when she introduced us to the versatility of African prints.

I, wanting to represent that part of my heritage in clothing, sprung from bed, did the necessities and headed out the door into the rainy weather which awaited me. I went in search some African printed fabric and the other tools required to make me........hmmmm.......I'm not sure what I'll be making yet but I know would be something I would be able to incorporate into my every day wardrobe.

Stay tuned for whatever I decide to create from this.