Join the Fight to Stop Breast Cancer with These Four Gift Ideas

Grill Charms pink collection

Grill Charms Pink Collection

Breast-cancer research organizations, doctors, and patients are continually amazed at how many people donate to fight this terrible disease. It’s always special when you can donate to a worthy cause when you purchase gifts, and here are four great gift ideas that help stop breast cancer.

Grill Charms:

A perfect gift for your favorite grill master, Grill Charms are dime-sized stainless steel discs with serrated stems that are inserted in food before grilling. The charm stays in place during the cooking process to distinguish each person’s food. Grill Charms are perfect for those who like their food cooked a certain way, or for those who may be allergic to certain foods or spices.

The inventor of Grill Charms, Leslie Haywood, was diagnosed with breast cancer not long after she began the company. She created The Pink Collection and donates 10% of each sale to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Yes Ma’am Tees:

“Yes Ma’am, mammograms are a must!” says the pink Yes Ma’am Tee, created by Lee McCracken of Charlotte, NC. Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer and came to us in 2009 for reconstruction. The tees are $20 and can be ordered from the website, and Lee donates 15% of the sale of each tee to help pay for screenings for uninsured and underinsured women through the Carolinas Breast Cancer Fund.

If you would like to partner with Lee to raise funds for uninsured and underinsured women in your city, contact her at sales@yesmaamtee.com.

 

Yes Ma'am Tees

CHI Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Flat Iron Gift Set:

When you purchase the CHI Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Flat Iron Gift Set, you’ll support breast cancer research. The gift set includes the CHI Pink Breast Cancer Awareness 1” Ceramic Flat Iron, a pink comb, pink sectioning clips, Pink CHI 44 Iron Guard, and Pink CHI Helmet Head.

With the CHI Pink Breast Cancer Awareness 1” Ceramic Flat Iron, you’ll add shine and cut hair straightening time in half—without frizz. The ergonomically designed flat iron heat up in 10 seconds or less and has curved-edge plates to straighten or curl. Pink CHI 44 Iron Guard keeps your hair soft while it protects your hair from damage from heat styling and helps your style last longer. Pink CHI Helmet Head provides hold that lasts and adds shine.

NFL Paraphernalia:

You may have noticed NFL players wearing pink lately to bring awareness to breast cancer. The NFL shop has launched their own program, A Crucial Check, a collaboration with the American Cancer Society to bring awareness to the importance of annual breast cancer screenings for women 40 and over.

The pink apparel worn by coaches and players, along with special game balls and pink game coins, will be auctioned at NFL Auction, with the proceeds going to team charities and the American Cancer Society. You can also support the fight against breast cancer by purchasing special merchandise at www.nflshop.com.

If you know of anyone else who is making a difference to breast cancer research, please share their information with us!

“Get Your Squeeze On!” How One Woman Is Spreading Awareness about Mammograms

When we heard that our former patient, Lee McCracken was launching her own line of tees to help raise money and spread the word for breast cancer awareness, we were thrilled!

We interviewed Lee on her new endeavor with her fabulous “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees and also discovered a little bit about her journey through breast cancer and life after cancer.

Read this inspirational interview below (NOTE: all images in this post were provided by and are owned by Lee McCracken):

1. You started the “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees. Tell us a little about this unique tee and what inspired you to create it? Where do funds go for those who purchase the tee?

I admit it—I NEVER liked getting a mammogram. But then I discovered I disliked breast cancer even more! I’m a two-year survivor and a former patient of The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction. This year, my girlfriends and I decided to be a little more organized for the Komen Race for the Cure in our home city of Charlotte, NC. We needed a name and a T-shirt.

So, I began brainstorming.

I tried to think of a fun phrase that was upbeat and also inspirational. “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” popped into my head one day in May. Of course, the apostrophe in ma’am is the pink ribbon! My girlfriends encouraged me to merchandise the tee on a local, regional—and, dare I say, national—level.

The face of the under-insured and uninsured woman has changed. Given this economic climate, many women, naturally, are putting their children first before seeing to their own healthcare needs. I want to help fund mammograms for women who don’t have health insurance. Locally, 15% (or $3 of every $20 tee sold) is going to the Carolinas Breast Cancer Fund to help women who are qualified by the Mecklenburg County Health Department.

Individuals, groups, and retail outlets who sell the tee in other cities may designate a charity in their community to receive the funds. Anyone interested should connect with me via e-mail: sales@yesmaamtee.com.

yes maam tees

2. What do you hope to accomplish through selling the “Yes, Ma’am!” tee? In other words, what is your vision for the future of the tee and its effect on women?

Wouldn’t it be fun if women all over started wearing their “Yes, Ma’am! mammograms are a must” tees to the coffee house, grocery store, and gym? It makes a sassy statement in Southern style, and people take notice. I’ve seen women look at my tee and then kind of shake their head, almost to say, “Oh yeah, I need to schedule that.”

The Facebook page is generating interest from all over the country. The tee has fans from California to Oklahoma and Florida to Vermont.

A cancer nurse once told me that when breast cancer is caught in Stages 0-1, treatment can be so much easier and survival rates soar. Let’s strive for 100% early detection!

3. What inspired you to start your own freelance writing / editing business, Joyfullee Written, at the age of 49 and what do you provide others with through this business?

I’ve been writing and editing for more than 25 years, sometimes as a freelancer and other times on staff with a local lifestyle or parenting magazine. The formal launch this summer of Joyfullee Written was my birthday gift to myself. I will turn 50 in October and, not only have I survived breast cancer, but I have also survived several other heartbreaking losses. I’m also working on a book—an inspirational memoir about self-discovery and spiritual preservation through motherhood and menopause. Joyfullee Written comes from the fact that all my inspiration and strength spills from the fountain of God’s grace.

Joyfullee Written provides professional writing / editing services to magazines and businesses. I enjoy meeting people and helping them reach their audience through a well-crafted, targeted message. And, with a passion for lifelong learning, this is helping me to keep discovering new things every day.

4. What is the one thing you want all women to know about breast cancer?

The earlier it’s detected the more treatment options women have! I HATE when I hear someone say “I’m a year overdue for my mammogram.” My Stage 1 breast cancer was caught by a mammogram, and I was fortunate not to have to endure chemo or radiation. I know everyone is busy and mammos sometimes are uncomfortable, but it’s crazy to take such a risk.

All my family members and friends know: Get Your Squeeze On!

lee mccrackenAbout Lee McCracken:

Lee McCracken lives with her husband, Stuart, of 28 years in Denver, N.C., a suburb of Charlotte. She has a 19-year-old daughter, Megan, and a 10-year-old Bichon Frise, Benny. She enjoys gardening, photography, reading and traveling. Lee’s girlfriends keep her sane!

Love the Yes, Ma,am! mammograms are a must tees? Buy one today and help spread awareness for mammograms!