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Do You Know Your Breast Reconstruction Options?

August 24, 2011 by

breast reconstruction optionsWe’re thrilled to share some exciting news with you, today! Dr. Richard Kline, Charleston breast surgeon, and the lovely Leslie Haywood, owner of Grill Charms™ and breast cancer survivor, were recently interviewed on one of our local Charleston news channels. During this interview, Leslie shares her inspirational story of breast cancer survival and how she chose to have the breast surgeons of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction perform her natural breast reconstruction.

Dr. Richard Kline of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction spoke about breast reconstruction options for women who are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer or who have had a mastectomy.

See below for the interview:

If you want to learn even more about Leslie Haywood’s story (and get a chuckle from her hilarious narrative), click here to view one of our recent blog interviews with her.

For those of you who aren’t aware of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction and what we do, here’s a brief description:

Charleston plastic surgeons Dr. James Craigie and Dr. Richard Kline specialize in breast reconstruction for women who have undergone mastectomy and those who are considering risk reducing prophylactic surgery. Some of the procedures performed by these Charleston breast surgeons include DIEP, SIEA, and GAP free flap breast reconstruction, which utilize your own tissue with no implants and no muscle sacrifice.

Our Charleston breast surgeons also perform nipple sparing mastectomy, reconstruction after lumpectomy, microsurgical breast reconstruction, and breast restoration. Visit The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction website at http://www.naturalbreastreconstruction.com/.

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor, In Her Words Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Weird Breast Issues That Aren’t Really Weird At All

August 22, 2011 by

breast changesFrom nipple leakage to uneven sizes, our breasts often confuse or scare us. Most of the time, what appears to be a breast problem isn’t a problem at all, but a completely normal occurrence. Breast information isn’t at the forefront of the news unless it’s connected to cancer, so we don’t receive much information about breast issues that aren’t serious.

The following breast issues are typically normal, even though they may seem odd. Let us stress that if you have questions about any breast issue, or feel that something isn’t right, do not hesitate to call your doctor. Always listen to your gut and intuition.

Uneven breast sizes

If you look closely at other parts of your body that come in pairs, such as your eyes, hands, and feet, you’ll see that each one of the pair is different from the other, and this includes your breasts. Some women may find that one breast is a size or two different from the other, and this is normal.

Lumpy breasts

Have you ever driven yourself crazy because you think you’ve found several lumps during a self-exam? This one can be scary, but for some women, lumps are a normal part of their breast tissue. Called fibrocystic breasts, this noncancerous condition is very common, especially among premenopausal women. Dense breast tissue tends to feel lumpy, which is one more reason to know what is normal for your breasts and do thorough monthly self-exams.

Nipple leakage when you’re not pregnant

Nipple leakage is common, and fluid can be almost any color or consistency. Some women experience spontaneous leakage, while for others, the leakage occurs only if the nipple is stimulated. Rarely, leakage signals something more serious, so check with your doctor if you’re concerned or it regularly occurs spontaneously.

Extra nipples

Some men and women are born with extra nipples, much as female animals have. According to Texas ob-gyn Michael Yang, MD, when a fetus forms, it has a milk line with several nipples that runs from the armpits down to the groin. Extra nipples typically disappear before birth, but some don’t, and their appearance ranges from molelike to actual miniature breasts.

Menstrual cycle-related breast changes

Thank your hormones for those breast changes during the month. Estrogen and progesterone increase and decrease during your cycle, which can cause breast tenderness and nipple soreness. If your breasts are unbearably sore, ask your doctor for advice on nutritional support.

Weight gain or loss from breasts

Speaking of breast changes, women often lament the fact that when they lose weight, it comes from their breasts first. Because breasts are mostly fat, it’s normal for them to change size when you lose weight.

Again, call your doctor with any breast-related concerns or questions.

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Your Questions About Breast Reconstruction Answered

August 19, 2011 by

nipple sparing mastectomyThe questions below are answered by the breast reconstruction surgeons of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, Dr. James Craigie and Dr. Richard Kline:

If a woman has flap reconstruction, are the nipples reconstructed at the same time or at a later date?

While it is sometimes possible to reconstruct the nipples at the same time, usually for various reasons it is preferable to delay the nipple reconstruction until a later time. Nipples must be positioned very carefully to look their best, and that means the final shape of the breast mound must be stable prior to choosing the nipple position. Tissue flaps must be carefully monitored for several days following the initial reconstruction to assure early detection of any problems, and temporarily leaving extra flap skin on the breast mound helps greatly with this. Additionally, FWIW, the skin that the nipples are reconstructed from, whether flap skin or native breast skin, frequently has no sensation, making it even easier to reconstruct the nipples as a small procedure in the office.

If a woman is a candidate for a nipple-sparing mastectomy, can she have flap reconstruction and retain her nipples?

Yes, in many cases. Problems arise when the breasts are very “ptotic” (droopy), especially if the flaps cannot be made as large as the breast tissue that was removed. The nipples can often be saved even in this situation with special techniques (examples include performing a delayed breast lift some months after flap reconstruction with the flap nourishing the nipple, or, in the case of a prophylactic mastectomy, having a breast lift or reduction some months before the mastectomy), but the overall reconstruction is more complicated and prolonged.

Can you explain what you mean by a muscle-sparing free flap breast reconstruction?

“Muscle-sparing” simply means that NO MUSCLE TISSUE at all is removed. This does not necessarily mean that the muscle suffers no injury, as the blood vessels which nourish the flap usually must be removed from the muscle, but the amount of damage is commonly small enough that the muscle ultimately recovers its function.

What are some criteria that may disqualify a patient for breast reconstruction?

Any serious medical conditions which would prevent a patient from tolerating 4-8 hours of general anesthesia would prevent her from having flap reconstruction. Some medical conditions, such as diabetes, increase various risks (in particular, risks of wound healing problems), but do not disqualify the patient from having reconstruction. We do not perform reconstruction on patients who are currently cigarette smokers (or use nicotine in any form) because nicotine’s effects on wound healing after flap surgery is frequently catastrophic. However, most patients will clear all nicotine form their system after a month’s abstinence. Some very slender patients do not have enough donor tissue anywhere on their bodies for flap reconstruction, but this is quite uncommon.

For more information on breast reconstruction, visit our website.

Filed Under: Ask the Doctor Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Dining Out in The Charleston Area: Mount Pleasant

August 17, 2011 by

charleston restaurantsCharleston is famous for its restaurants! From succulent Lowcountry fine dining to zesty Italian bistros, and quaint barbecue hot spots to vibrant Mexican eateries, Charleston truly is a culinary melting pot.

For many of you who are visiting from out of state, you may not be aware that Charleston is segmented into various different areas that include downtown Charleston, Folly Beach, James Island, Johns Island, Mount Pleasant, North Charleston, West Ashley, and Daniel Island (there are a few other neighboring cities, towns, and islands thrown in there, but these are the main ones). Each and every area in Charleston is home to exciting restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs that naming them all in one blog post would be way too much. This is why we’ve decided to create a series on Charleston restaurants. Each post in the series will focus on a different area of Charleston and some of the best restaurants found in that area.

This first post will focus on Mount Pleasant, which is located right across the Ravenel Bridge from downtown Charleston.

Below are just 5 of our favorite restaurants and cafes in Mount Pleasant:

Crave: Serving up artisan sandwiches, pasta, steak, and seafood, Crave provides an eclectic mix of various foods that are sure to delight your palette. The atmosphere is casual and the food is moderately priced. One of our favorite dishes is the turkey club sandwich complimented by a mermaid martini!

1968 Riviera Dr # O, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 / (843) 884-1177 / brunch, lunch, dinner

Mustard seed: For some great food, a casual atmosphere, and excellent service, take a trip to the Mustard Seed. This quaint restaurant features everything from creamy pasta dishes to fresh salads, chicken entrees to mussels and linguine, and much more. The bread that they put on your table at the beginning of dinner is also exceptional and is covered in seasoning and cheese.

1036 Chuck Dawley Boulevard,Mount Pleasant, SC 29464-4178 / (843) 849-0050 / lunch, dinner (not open Sundays)

Yamato: If you love Hibachi-style cooking as much as we do then you’ll definitely want to check out Yamato. With a fun and social atmosphere, great food, huge portions, and silly chefs, Yamato will instantly steal your heart. This restaurant is particularly great for larger groups.

1993 Riviera Drive, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466 / (843) 881-1190 / dinner

Red Drum: With somewhat of a Tex-Mex thing going on Red Drum will add a flair to your night. Serving up excellent culinary masterpieces such as lamb shank, fresh seafood, and enchilada appetizers this elegant restaurant is sure to knock your socks off. Note that Red Drum is considered fine dining and we suggest calling in advance to book a reservation.

803 Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 / (843) 849-0313 / sunday brunch, dinner (closed Mondays)

Mozzo: This deli is a must when visiting the Charleston area. With a huge selection of artisan sandwiches, pasta salads, cole slaws, and desserts, it can be easy to go overboard when dining at Mozzo. They’re a deli that definitely knows what they’re doing. Some of our favorite sandwiches include the Roma, The Godfather, Fusion, Dig the Fig, and Fat Boy.

730 Coleman Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 / (843) 388-5755 / breakfast, lunch

Some other Mount Pleasant restaurants that we love include Opal, Langdon’s, Jacob’s Kitchen, Basil, Next Door, Sette, and Uno Mas (great margaritas).

Have you ever been to Mount Pleasant? What’s your favorite restaurant in the area?

Filed Under: All Things Charleston Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

What Are My Reconstruction Options After a Lumpectomy?

August 12, 2011 by

DIEP flapThe below question is answered by The Center For Natural Breast Reconstruction team:

What are the options for reconstruction surgery after a bilateral lumpectomy?

Great question! Your options would be very similar to those you would have if you had a mastectomy. Keep in mind that if your lumpectomy was followed by radiation, the behavior of the radiated skin and tissue can complicate a reconstruction procedure utilizing implants and your best option may be to use your own tissue to restore your breast size and shape. Nonetheless, it’s your plastic surgeon’s responsibility to tell you all of the options available to you and let you choose how to proceed. Also, discuss with your surgeon any procedure that may need to be done on your unaffected breast to achieve symmetry.

Here’s my short list of options:

1. Tissue expanders and subsequent replacement with permanent implants. Ask about silicone vs. saline implants. How about the use of a skin and tissue replacement like fat or a dermal matrix (like Alloderm)?

2. Autologeous reconstruction with latissimus flap (back). Will implants be needed, as well?

3. TRAM flap (transverse rectus abdominus muscle). Uses the muscle, skin, and fat of the abdomen to rebuild the breast. Make sure you have been told of the risks involved in removing this muscle.

4. DIEP, SIEA (deep inferior epigastric perforator or superficial inferior epigastric artery). Uses the skin and fat of the abdomen to rebuild the breast but leaves the muscle of the abdomen intact.

5. GAP (gluteal artery perforator). Uses the skin and fat from the upper (inferior) or lower (superior) buttocks. Like the DIEP, no muscle is removed for this procedure.

6. TUG (transverse upper gracilis). Inner thigh donor area, utilizes skin, fat, and muscle of the upper inner thigh.

7. Intercostal perforator. Utilizes skin and fat from under the arm.

8. Maybe you’re happy with the size of your post-lumpectomy breast but would like the shape addressed. Procedures such as mastopexy or reduction mammaplasty on the unaffected breast may be the procedures to investigate.

9. If it’s a small defect, a simple fat transfer from another part of your body may remedy the problem.

Best Wishes,

The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction Team

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Tips for Post Surgical Clothing for Breast Reconstructive Surgery

July 29, 2011 by
breast reconstruction

Chris Murakami RN, CNOR, & Christina Hobgood Naugle, PA-C

The below question is answered by Chris Murakami RN, CNOR, & Christina Hobgood Naugle, PA-C, of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction.

I am having a SGAP breast reconstruction in a few weeks. Do I need to buy post op surgical bras? If so, which kind and can I get a prescription for insurance purposes? Also, I heard people use various bras / camisoles with pockets for drains. Have you heard of those or think they are helpful? Do you think button down shirts are something I need to get? Anything else?

No need to buy any special bra, vest, or camisole in advance. Our hospital, East Cooper Regional Medical Center, provides a soft cotton vest with drain pockets as well as a surgical bra that acts as a post operative surgical dressing. Let them know if you feel like you need an extra for when you leave the hospital and they are great about sharing another with you.

Absolutely, I would make sure I had button down shirts and loose clothing that you can easily get in and out of. You’ll have some limitation of lifting your arms above your head so button down shirts are easiest to get on and off without lifting your arms. Some women choose to wear loose sundresses; others track suit pants or cotton shorts. Whatever you are comfortable in is fine, but keep in mind we won’t want you wearing anything right away that could potentially put any pressure on your suture lines.

Here are more helpful hints:

If you are having a DIEP breast reconstruction, abdominal swelling limits clothing choices. Wear loose-fitting garments to the hospital. Women should avoid fitted, zippered pants and skirts because they probably won’t zip when it’s time to leave. Even clothing with snug elastic waistbands may be uncomfortable. A loose chemise or drop waist dress or jumper is a good choice.

Slacks or skirts with elastic in the back and a smooth band in the front may be slightly more comfortable than those with a totally elastic waistband.

Consider clothing that doesn’t wrinkle easily. Resting and naps are necessary while recuperating.

Cotton underwear breathes and is absorbent and comfortable next to the skin. Cotton’s fiber ends help the fabric stand away from the sensitive incision area rather than hug it, as some textured, synthetic fabrics do. If you don’t already have cotton briefs, buy a pair a size larger than your normal size. A little extra room adds comfort during recuperation. For waistline incisions, bikini cut styles may be better, while full cut panties and shorts might be preferred for incisions in the lower abdomen and buttocks.

Loose-fitting nightgowns and nightshirts are comfortable, especially when made from absorbent, breathable cotton or cotton-blends. If you prefer pajamas, select those with drawstrings. Elastic waists may be less comfortable for some people depending on swelling, tenderness, and location of incision. Sweatpants or crew pants are a comfortable change from bed wear, especially those with drawstrings, which allow some flexibility at the waistline.

Flat soled shoes that slip on your feet rather than tie are great to have, too, as you may be limited in your ability to bend over and tie your shoes.

If you do need to have a special bra after your incision lines have healed, we are happy to provide a prescription. We’ve had lots of our patients rave about Nordstrom’s for post mastectomy bras. Not only do the kind folks there provide a professional fitting for mastectomy patients, but they also handle the insurance paperwork for you too!

—Chris Murakami RN, CNOR, & Christina Hobgood Naugle, PA-C

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Having a Positive Outlook on Life Before, During, & After Breast Cancer: Interview with Leslie Haywood

July 27, 2011 by
Leslie Haywood

Leslie Haywood

We are SO excited to share with you Part II of our interview with Leslie Haywood, creator of Grill Charms™. For those of you who have not yet read Part I of this interview, Leslie shared her story as a breast cancer survivor and explained how she started a successful company while undergoing treatments.

We absolutely love how Leslie can be so inspirational and funny at the same time!

If you missed Part I of this interview, click here.

See below for Part II of our exclusive and highly inspirational (not to mention, hilarious!) interview with Leslie Haywood:

1. Your first Grill Charms™ sale was somewhat unexpected! Tell us where you were and how you sold your first Grill Charms™.

Oh yes! My most memorable sale to date! I was in the office for my final “procedure,” if you will. I was in The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction office for my nice pinkish brown tattoo. As you can imagine, I have known all the folks at Dr. Craigie’s office  for over a year by then (and  pretty intimately I must say), so in an effort to help me think about anything other than what she was doing, the nurse asked about how my brand new business was going. Her distraction technique worked! I instantly forgot the discomfort and gave her the complete rundown of Grill Charms™, ending with: “I have a set to show you in my purse over there!”

By the time the nurse was done waving her buzzing magic wand all over my reconstructed girl parts, she said “I need 5!”  I immediately jumped off the table (still half dressed), showed her the set out of my purse, and right then and there, with my cell phone calculator (yep, still topless) I totaled up everything plus tax and she wrote the check on the spot. After our business transaction was done, she helped me with the bandage / pad etc. and I put my clothes back on. I can’t imagine any other sale being quite as “interesting” as this one. Obviously I’m not opposed to be doing business topless, but thankfully I have not had to resort to that since!

 

Grill Charms pink collection

Grill Charms Pink Collection

5. How did you decide which type of breast reconstruction surgery you wanted?

Because of my family history, I feel like I was at an “advantage” (if you can call it that!). I have had YEARS to consider and decide how I would handle a breast cancer diagnosis. Back when my mother had her treatment and reconstruction, there were very few options and she pretty much did what she was told (mastectomy and implant).

I saw what 20 years had done to her reconstruction and had always wanted better for myself. I didn’t like the idea of an implant being in me for all eternity and also knew that I wanted “symmetry” for the rest of my life, so both boobs would HAVE TO GO! The fact that my “baby pooch” would be used to make my new breasts and the fact that I’d have the stomach I used to have in my 20’s, was a BONUS!

Oh, another little story about the surgery (**For those of you who know me, you know I’m the queen of TMI, so you’ll have to excuse my “frankness” when it comes to what some might view as sensitive topics. I apologize if my candor and tone offends anyone.).  Okay… so when the decision was made and we knew that “natural breast reconstruction” was the way to go, and that “belly fat” was where my new breasts were going to come from, I talked to my husband about “size.”  He said “porn star, please” and I said “NO WAY,” but I did want something to show off.  I really wanted to make sure that Dr. Craigie had enough “material” to work with, so I went on an 8-week eating FRENZY!

My family would watch me getting 2nds and 3rds of my favorite food, STEAK! They’d say “Leslie . . . slow down there girl!” and my reply was always the same, “Shut up! I’M MAKING BOOBIES!” For those 8 weeks, food and I had a magical relationship! Ahhh…. I miss those days!

Now what I DID NOT take into account with natural breast reconstruction was how my breasts would look after the surgery. With my tummy flat and my new natural breasts a fabulous B+ maybe C, I wanted do right by my “second chance” and  eat right and exercise to keep it. I have never been more fit in all my life! BUT, because the new breasts are “all natural,” when I started to lose all that “boobie making weight” and toned everything up, my new breasts acted exactly like my old ones. There was a little shrinkage factor! So now I’m more like an A+ to a B-, but I have never been happier with my body and I have never been more in shape in my entire life! Just look how awesome they are! THANKS Dr. Baron for saving my life and thanks Dr.Craigie for making me look and feel better than ever!

6. What would you tell women who have had a mastectomy or are planning on undergoing one about natural breast reconstruction?

You owe it to yourself to at least learn about natural breast reconstruction and fully understand this option. Knowledge is power and you will never regret finding out about what you don’t know. There has not been a single SECOND that I wish that I had done things any differently. Natural breast reconstruction was the absolute best option for me, NO QUESTION!

About Leslie Haywood and Grill Charms™:

Leslie Haywood is founder and President of Charmed Life Products, LLC, and inventor of Grill Charms™. Leslie was a stay-at-home mom when a very spicy light bulb moment thrust her into the entrepreneurial ring. During the start up phase of her company, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but still managed to launch her product on store shelves within 18 months and is now sold in over 400 stores internationally. She has been featured numerous times on CNBC, various local and regional news programs, as well as ABC’s prime time reality TV show Shark Tank seasons I and II. Her story and product have publicized in such magazines as Everyday with Rachael Ray, Parenting magazine, Health magazine, Inventors Digest, and was also featured on The Today Show. All the while she is mindful of “the cause,” whether it’s giving back through “The Pink Collection” of her gift and grilling accessory Grill Charms™, or her work as Honorary Chair for The Race for the Cure .

Leslie’s Special Offer:

***Put “natural” in the coupon code of www.grillcharms.com for 10% off!***

If you loved this post as much as we did, share it with your friends on Facebook.

Filed Under: In Her Words Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

How One Entrepreneur Didn’t Let Breast Cancer Get In The Way of Her Success

July 25, 2011 by

Leslie with her girls.

When Grill Charms™ creator, Leslie Haywood, agreed to participate in a guest interview for our blog we were ecstatic to share her story with our blog readers. We KNOW you are going to love her story.

We’ve known Leslie Haywood for over a year now and, to date, she has been one of our favorite patients! When Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer, she came to the team at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction to receive a breast reconstruction procedure from Dr. Craigie. And something sort of funny happened. She made her first Grill Charms™ sale topless in the doctor’s office! But I won’t spoil the story for you (and there’s even a SPECIAL OFFER, just for you, our blog readers, at the end of this blog post!).

Read below for Part I of our exclusive interview with Leslie:

1. You are truly an inspiration to women who have been affected by breast cancer! You started your own company, Grill Charms™, and had mommy responsibilities, all while you were undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Tell us how you managed to stay positive and what inspired you to keep moving forward with your business during this difficult time.

Yes, two months into starting my company I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I can’t say it was much of a surprise. My first introduction to breast cancer was 1989 when at the tender age of 16 my 30-something-year-old parents told us that my mother had breast cancer. By the time they caught it, she was stage IV and the doctors told her she had 6 months to live.

In the months that followed,  my parents along with their best friends stayed up nights and weekends trying to figure out how my father, who was a master chief on nuclear submarines in the Navy, and only home 6 months out of the year was going to raise his 10, 12 and 16 year- old daughters alone. I had been living with the reality that there was a high probably that someday; I too might be facing this disease. The fact that it happened shortly after I started on my quest to conquer the world one cookout at a time, was a bit of a nuance however!

It wasn’t long when the sentinel node biopsy showed that THIS cancer would not kill me. We knew early on that I would not have to make plans for my daughters’ lives without a mother. I think it was during this time that people started thinking I was in denial. Here I was, diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34 with 1 and 3 year old daughters, a brand new company and yet I was truly the happiest women on earth. “You mean to tell me doctor, that I have breast cancer and you didn’t give me an expiration date??!?!”

Non terminal breast cancer . . . what a precious, precious gift I was given! Now that it is all said and done, I’ve got two brand new pieces / parts (and let’s face it . . .  after nursing two babies, they weren’t much to write home about anyway), a bonus tuck (THANK YOU DR. CRAIGIE!) and most importantly . . . I get to live. I always viewed them as a pair of B-sized ticking time bombs anyways, so good riddance. There was certainly no time to dwell on THAT, I had steaks to save and taste buds to rescue! By the way . . . about my mom . . . the doctors underestimated her… my mother is still here, 23 years cancer free!

2. Grill Charms™ are adorable and perfect for individuals who love to host outdoor parties. What are Grill Charms and how do they work?

Why thank you! Grill Charms™ offers an entirely new concept in outdoor entertaining. They are dime-sized solid stainless steel charms that are placed in your food BEFORE grilling. The serrated stems hold them in securely while flipping, moving, and grilling food like you normally do. Grill Charms™ are you use in food prior to cooking to distinguish spices and flavors, steak temperatures, or to avoid health or allergy issues. Grill Charms™ identifies your food before, during, and after grilling so when dinner comes off the grill, simply look for your Grill Charm™, and everyone knows which one is theirs. With four collections for different purposes, they are the perfect gift for Father’s Day, birthdays, groomsmen, Valentine’s Day, other holidays, and housewarming or hostess gifts—you name it!

3. You started a Pink Collection of Grill Charms™, which we absolutely love! Tell us about these charms and where the proceeds go.

For a truly unique grilling and dining experience, The Pink Collection has six different charms so food can be personalized prior to grilling to distinguish spices and flavors, to avoid health, or allergy concerns or for any reason you can dream up! There is a hot new party trend with this collection, and that is the “Season Your Own” cook-out. This is where the host provides the meat, the guests pick their Grill Charm™, then choose from a variety of sauces or rubs that the host has set out. Guests flavor their meat any way they wish and nobody, including the grill master, needs to know or care how it’s seasoned.

 

The Pink Collection

The Pink Collection of Grill Charms™

When the food is served off the grill, folks simply look for their Grill Charm™. With people watching every penny, it’s more important than ever that when they splurge on buying that filet, or carefully choose that chicken breast to spend their hard-earned money on, that it’s cooked and seasoned exactly the way they want it.  And with The Pink Collection, I donate 10% of the proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, as well as my local Komen Foundation.

This collection also helps with health or allergy issues. With Grill Charms™, if someone has a specific health or dietary need (such as needing a no-sodium, low-sugar, or possibly a gluten-free spice alternative), Grill Charms™ makes it easy for people to identify their food before, during, and after grilling, without any confusion or effort on the part of the grill master.

About Leslie Haywood and Grill Charms™:

Leslie Haywood is founder and President of Charmed Life Products, LLC, and inventor of Grill Charms™. Leslie was a stay-at-home mom when a very spicy light bulb moment thrust her into the entrepreneurial ring. During the start up phase of her company, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but still managed to launch her product on store shelves within 18 months and is now sold in over 400 stores internationally. She has been featured numerous times on CNBC, various local and regional news programs, as well as ABC’s prime time reality TV show Shark Tank seasons I and II. Her story and product have publicized in such magazines as Everyday with Rachael Ray, Parenting magazine, Health magazine, Inventors Digest, and was also featured on The Today Show. All the while she is mindful of “the cause,” whether it’s giving back through “The Pink Collection” of her gift and grilling accessory Grill Charms™, or her work as Honorary Chair for The Race for the Cure .

Leslie’s Special Offer:

***Put “natural” in the coupon code of www.grillcharms.com for 10% off!***

Filed Under: In Her Words Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Personal Fundraising: How to Get Involved and Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer

July 20, 2011 by

fundraiser ideasBreast cancer research can always use more funding to continue the battle, and every dollar helps. Increasingly, people are turning to personal fundraising, and often partner with well known, established foundations to raise money.

The following tips and ideas might help you get your fundraising off to a good start:

Start a webpage or blog. Share your support, thoughts, and ideas about breast cancer with others through a personal webpage or blog. They’re easy to set up and provide a place for you to post articles, share your thoughts, and illustrate your fundraising efforts.

Donate instead of gifting. Rather than buy gifts for family and friends, donate that money through your page, and let your family know you’d rather have donations to your webpage than gifts this year.

Let everyone know. Don’t be shy—send an email, post your fundraising page on your Facebook and Twitter accounts, and spread the word about upcoming events. People are willing to give when asked, so don’t be afraid to ask!

Solicit contributions from companies you do business with. Again, just ask for what you want. All they can do is say no. Prepare a short talk about what you’re doing, and give them the URL for your page. The more businesses you approach, the more money you’ll raise.

Hold a garage sale. Most of us have items sitting around that others could use, so why not declutter your home and donate to a good cause at the same time? This is the perfect time of year for yard sales, and perhaps you can encourage neighbors or friends to donate items.

Do it online. If you have items that you’d rather sell online, use eBay, Etsy, or Craigslist to sell them.

Hold your own event. Why not hold your own event? It could be a 5K, a bake sale, a car wash, a barbecue . . . the possibilities are endless. Be sure to check and see which types of promotional materials you can use and what is permissible in your area.

Loved this article and want to learn more about breast cancer awareness? Subscribe to our newsletter by entering your email address in the subscription box on the right sidebar.

 

Filed Under: Health and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Visiting Charleston? Here’s What You Should Do: Part II

July 18, 2011 by

charleston scIf you missed Part I of this post, click here.

See below for the rest of our top 10 things to see and do in Charleston list:

6. Golf: World-renowned for its exceptional golfing scene, Charleston has been attracting avid golfers to its lush greens for years. In fact, Charleston is so well-known for its golf that The PGA of America’s 94th PGA Championship in August 2012 will be held at the famous Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, located just outside Charleston.

7. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens: Explore the stunning gardens and manicured landscapes of Magnolia Plantation as you learn about the area’s history that dates back to the Civil War. You can even enjoy a trip around the plantation on a nature train or boat tour. And after you’ve explored all that the plantation has to offer, stop by their petting zoo!

8. Shopping on King Street: Boutiques galore, King Street is one of the hottest shopping districts in all of Charleston. With a variety of shoe, accessory, jewelry, and clothing boutiques to visit, you’ll always find something new and exciting that you can’t find anywhere else. In addition to one-of-a-kind boutiques, King Street also features some well-known stores including Gucci, Lacoste, Pottery Barn, Sunglass Hut, J.Crew, and more.

9. Downtown Carriage Ride: Take in the sights, sounds, and aromas of downtown Charleston on a charming carriage ride through the historic district. Whether you want your own personal Charleston carriage ride or would prefer to embark on a group tour, the option is up to you. During these tours, your guide will point out some interesting and unique facts about Charleston’s history that you would have never known by simply walking around downtown on your own.

10. Art Walks: Every first Friday of the month, downtown Charleston plays host to a delightful art walk. Depending on where the art walk is held that month, people can visit a variety of galleries (after hours between 5:30 and 8 p.m.), while sipping on free wine, cheeses, and light snacks. The artistic creations found in the art galleries throughout Charleston range everywhere from photography to colored pencil, and various painting mediums to intricate sculptures. And for art walks happening on Broad Street, keep an eye out for Zan Smith, an artist who creates unique frog sculptures that are unique to Charleston!

Have you ever been to Charleston? If so, what’s your favorite part about this wonderful city?

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