Im not very dilligent with checking my email, and I havent been able to get touch with Matty  but a vague email tells me that Elizabeth Daniels, the founder and chief editor  of WaitingRoom Magazine, is going to be on the Stupid Cancer Show, talking about, her upcoming magazine dedicated to young adult cancer culture. CANCER UNCENSORED. I’m going to try to catch this. If you do, drop me a line. Let me know what Elizabeth says just in case I fall asleeps.  Let me know what you think.  AND DON’T FORGET TYRA TONITE!!!!  Its on for me at 5pm, so I’ll be catching that shortly!!! I hope its, “fierce”.

Granted, I read this press release on perezhilton.com, but there’s no such thing as bad press right?  This Monday Tyra is bringing some light to the wonderful world of your girl parts.  They’ll be talking HPV as well. It should be interesting.  

TALK SHOW HOST TYRA BANKS DEDICATES AN ENTIRE SHOW TO “DOWN THERE,” “GROUND ZERO” AND “HOO HA” — OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE VAGINA, ON “THE TYRA BANKS SHOW” AIRING ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Talk show host dedicates an entire hour to discussing the vagina with her audience, on “The Tyra Banks Show,” airing on Monday, November 5 (check local listings for stations and times). From the look of the vagina to the newest ways to prevent HPV, Tyra holds a no-holds barred discussion with her audience about the least talked (and looked at) about part of a woman’s part. Tyra says, “I have wanted to do this show for two years. I know for a lot of women talking about what is going on in our bodies is extremely difficult, but it is incredibly important. We should be able to talk to our daughters, sisters, mothers and friends about our bodies and not be embarrassed. I hope after this show women will not be ashamed about what’s up down there.”

Tyra begins the hour giving her audience a test to see if they can name all the parts of the vagina to unbelievable results – only 11% of her audience filled out the anatomical chart correctly. Shocked by the results, Tyra welcomes gynecologist Dr. Debby Herbenick to give her viewers a quick tour of their nether regions with a velvet and satin “vagina puppet” pointing out the clitoris, the labia minora and labia majora and the urethra.

Having avoided the doctor for 28 years, Tyra takes a Plano, Texas woman, who happens to be a registered nurse, to her very first gynecological appointment. After the woman breaks down in tears, Tyra gives her support and holds her hand of the woman while she has her first PAP test and breast exam with Dr. Michelle Francis of New York. Tyra says, “As we were getting closer to the exam, I could literally feel how tense she was.” Tyra welcomes the woman and Dr. Francis back to her stage to talk about her experience and to give her the results of her PAP – and to make her promise to go again next year.

Also on the show, Tyra introduces gynecologist Dr. Donnica Moore who educates Tyra’s audience on the importance of PAP smears and the newest vaccination for young women that can prevent the human papillomavirus – a virus that can cause cancer.

Tyra also shares with the audience the moment her mother gave her a hand mirror and told her to look at herself “down there.” Tyra says, “My mother told me to look at myself because, ‘It’s just another part of your body that needs to be healthy just like your eyes, your nose, your ears, your mouth and everything else.’”

Hellooooo!

Well first let me appologize profusely for my lack of posts. I’ve been doing endless work in terms of coming up with new blog posts, actual employment, and getting ready for tomorrow’s Fight Cancer Festival.  Btw, I highly suggest you come to the festival tomorrow. Ive have punched out hundreds of teal ribbons with a hole puncher, don’t let my work be in vain, AND COME OUT TO SUPPORT AN AMAAAAAAAAAAAZING cause.

I wanted to give you an idea of what I have coming up for you.

1. Cancer Schmancer.  I had no idea that Fran Drescher was up to something amazing!  I knew she had cancer but was completely unaware that it was uterine cancer. She published Cancer Schamncer about 5 years ago, and now she is on a mission to make sure all gynecological cancers are diagnosed in Stage I when they are most treatable.  Its a pretty amazing page stocked with information.  I’ve added her link to my side bar o’ links.

2. Funky Winkerbean.  Tom Baituk has written one of his main characters, Lisa out of the strip. She passed away from Breast Cancer about a week or two ago. Seems it has caused a rif in the comic strip reading community. Should Lisa have been written out and acknowledging that people do indeed die from cancer? Or should Baituk have taken a more positive route and saved Lisa’s life?

3. Slate.com. A smart and witty news site has posted 2 blurbs on cervical cancer. Does gardasil promote promiscuity? and The divorce rates of gynecological cancer patients. 

 I know, I know, I’m slow, but I’m trying to deliver quality not quantity. I absolutely promise I will have a post up asap including pictures and a round up of THE FIGHT CANCER FESTIVAL.

These 2 events in the Philly/ Jersey area come highly reccomened.

Date: 10/6/2007 Location: 15 North 15 North Walnut Street West Chester, PA 19382

Time: 6:00pm-12:00amCost: $20 for 2 hours of open bar. $40 gets you 4 hours All of the proceeds go to The American Cancer Society (Don’t forget to bring money for your Keg for Cancer tees too!).

This will be year three for kegs for cancer, and its first outside of Philly.  I got a chance to speak to Ed Myszak, the host of Kegs.  He started the event in an effort to raise money in the fight against cancer after losing his mother to cancer in July 2005.  After the first two events Ed was able to raise nearly $7,500 with hopes of reaching the 10 grand mark this year!  The idea behind the event is that everyone likes to drink and no body likes cancer.  Why not combine the two into one super great even that is only going to grow in the coming years!

On October 13, 2007 you NEED to be in Belmar, New Jersey.  First off, there is nothing better than the Jersey Shore once all of the crowds have gone home and the sun has calmed down.  Second off, there is nothing better than the Jersey Shore when you are helping out a seriously great cause.

John Sabia, of Hillside Media, will be hosting this day long festival in the John A. Taylor Pavilion to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand, The Make-A-Wish-Foundation of New Jersey, and Monmouth Medical Center.

John was inspired to put on the festival, now in its second year, after watching both his parents go through their own personal battles with cancer.  John documented their fights in his film, Bincent and Balerie.

The day should look something like this:

1:30pm- Kick Off!

2:00-4:00- WPLJ will be giving out gifts and playing music

4:30-6:00- Mr. Fussy and the Love Bats will be playing with special guest Matt Gonella

6:15-7:15- The BlueStone

7:30-8:30- Bronze Radio

8:45-9:30- Sycostatic

Along with the music there will be non-profit organizations from all over the tri-state area including yours truly and the upcoming WaitingRoom Magazine.  Local restaurants will be opening their doors to feed the supportive masses, and there will even be a bonfire (weather permitting)!

Now, I am not the most outgoing person I like to hang back and watch everyone else.  But, I have to admit that I am considering coming out of my shell for this ocassion (what choice do I have I am hosting a table) because Tonya Griffin will be there.  This woman fought off breast cancer twice with no chemo.  She will be there, with John and Hillside Media’s help, to film a documentary on cancer survivors.  The money from the film will go to breast cancer research.  Everyone needs their 15 minutes of fame.  Use it wisely.

Lastly, the rumor going around is that there will be an  after party…well, afterwards with a $5 cover.  Even more networking oppurtunities made easier for us shy folk.

Don’t forget both events are 21+ babies. Proper ID and attitude are a must.

Welcome to September. I’m about 15 days late (and about to be 1 day late on my car insurance) better late than never on both accounts I suppose. Speaking of September, speaking as a girl who kicked in the face of cervical cancer, I would like to know why it took me 15 days to realize it was Gynecological Cancer Month. I was not greeted with fanfare, PSAs, and tissue boxes, and kitsch. I have grown to rely heavily on kitsch to know which month goes with which cancer, and here I am clearly failing my own team.

Don’t get me wrong, I whole heartedly support each of us and our own cancers. I just think some of us live in the shadow of others. And what pisses me off is I’m mumbling and grumbling because I don’t have a damn teal tissue box to wipe away my self indulgent tears. I believe 1000% that if you are going to promote breast cancer awareness in terms of mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, and grandmothers than the same respect should be paid to those with gynecological cancers.

• Cervical cancer is the number ONE cause of cancer related deaths among women in developing countries
• The National Cancer Institute estimates that 11,150 women will be diagnoses with cervical cancer.
• 3, 670 of these women will die.
• Thanks to increased Pap testing, death by cervical cancer continues to decline each year but up until the early 90s it was the leading cause of cancer death among women.

Your cervix, the birth canal, isn’t ugly. A vagina isn’t  gross. We have 1 pair (that’s 2 total) ovaries. Please know this. Please know they are susceptible to cancer. Please know they can affect your Gramma, Momma, sister, and daughter.

Welcome to CancerCake. Welcome to September. Welcome to National Gynecological Cancer Month. Welcome to being aware.

Well now that that is out of the way. I want you to know my page will not be directed entirely at gynecological cancer. It will be directed entirely at youth cancer culture in whatever form that may take. This is going to be great people. Sit tight.