september community initiative

This month at Yoga Home, our community initiative is around Ovarian Cancer Awareness month! One of our beloved #yogahomies, Maureen, is a survivor and advocate herself and an active volunteer for the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation and head of Team Teal Six.  This month our initiative is around educating our community about the signs and symptoms of Ovarian cancer and providing opportunities to donate to research!

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Teal – The New Pink

When was the last time you saw a pink ribbon and did not think of breasts?  Inundated with “save 2nd base” magnets and “save the TaTa’s” bracelets, pink ribbons and balloons, women in pink tutu’s and tee shirts proclaiming I ♥ boobies, pink  has become synonymous with breasts.  With this onslaught of awareness, countless lives have been saved.  Early detection is now the norm.  With this awareness has also come money for research. Breast cancer tumors are now classified by stage and the hormones that feed them.  More is known about each individual breast tumor than all ovarian cancer tumors combined.  Say what you will about the Susan G Komen foundation – they’ve done amazing work.

It is our mission to do for Teal what has been done with Pink.  We want the color teal to evoke thoughts of ovaries, and a quick reminder of the symptoms.  We want you to see something teal and think “hmmm….bloating, urinary urgency, change in bowels, abdominal pain and difficulty eating…..does my neighbor know this?  Does my sister know?  Who can I tell?”.  We want to see the day that the question “does she know the symptoms” is no longer necessary.  We want to help create the day that more women are diagnosed in stage 1 than stage 3, that money pours into research and prevention, that kids wear bracelets that say “I ♥ ovaries”.  I want to live to see cute little phrases created, a day in which we can talk about our ovaries and “private parts” with no embarrassment or shame.

In my advocacy work I’ve learned the importance of “the ask”. The clarity with which we deliver our ask can make the difference between gaining support and being ignored.

Put some teal ribbons around your house.  Wear a teal shirt.  Turn your margarita teal.  Buy teal shoes.  Wear a teal bracelet or necklace.  Better yet, wear both!  Then, tell people about it.  Post it on social media, and include hashtags like:

Create your own hashtags!  Do what my son and I do – sneak out at night and put teal ribbons in random places – then post about your covert missions.

a donation yoga class benefiting Sandy Rollman Foundation on September 28th, 7-8:15pm! Register here!

Go Teal on your Mat!

Tell everyone you know that there is no definitive test;  women are not being screened for ovarian cancer.  Spread the word that women need to be their own advocate, and insist on a CA125 blood test and vaginal ultrasound if having symptoms.  When your friend complains of one or more of the symptoms, go with her to the Dr. and help her advocate for herself.  We also have cards available at the studio you can give to friends and family and post in local businesses.

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As we approach the 5th September since my, I feel an incredible sense of purpose, and I hope that you join me and my son.  Maybe this September will be the month that you save the life of a woman you love.

More information can be found at sandyovarian.org & post, post, post!

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