Before Angelina- The Women Who Outplayed Cancer

DivaDebbi Time.com 10/28/13
Photo by Miller Mobley

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by my friend Sue Friedman, founder and Executive Director of FORCE, an online support group for women who are at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer due to family history.  She told me that Time was putting together an issue for the final week of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on women, "before Angelina". Angelina of course does not need a surname  introduction. Might I be interested in participating?

Angelina Jolie, one of the most beautiful women in the world had gone public in September, with her decision to do a prophylactic double mastectomy and reconstruction, due to her BrCa 1 mutation. Her mother had died of ovarian cancer and a month after her surgery, her aunt succumbed to breast cancer.  Angelina, mother of 6, was not going to let this be her fate. 

I was moved by  her bravery, not just as a woman who understands it from the inside out, but because she just as easily could have kept this private. Her decision I believe was motivated by her desire to inform and educate.

Bravo Angie.

Cure Diva: A Timely Website to Share

CureDiva co-founders Dan Vigdor, Ester Gofer, Giuliana Rancic, and CureDiva co-founder Efrat Roman 

DD and Giuliana Rancic

On Thursday, I attended a lovely luncheon for a new website called Cure Diva, on the rooftop of the Bryant Park Hotel. It was an intimate event for press and bloggers. We were introduced to co-founders Ester Gofer and Efrat Roman, who shared the inspiration and behind their timely site.

The key concept here is, "Stylish Living Through Breast Cancer". As survivors, they were thrust into a world where information is readily available, but not organized in one place to help women through different stages of diagnosis and treatment...queue Cure Diva. 

Additionally, it is filled with quality products that you will hopefully never need; soft sleep caps for bald heads, shower shirts that accommodate surgical drains, post mastectomy bras etc..., If you did,however, it is great to have them available on one site for the first time.

Lastly, there is the ability to connect on the website with other women, going through the same  treatment, fostering a sense of camaraderie among women, who know exactly what each other is feeling.

Brava Ladies! 

We also had the pleasure of being introduced to Giuliana Rancic, TV personality and co-anchor of E News and Fashion Police.  Giuliana was diagnosed with small breast cancers in both breasts nearly two years and opted to undergo a mastectomy and reconstruction.  

I Wear Pink For Them (and EDNY for Me!)

I Wear Pink For Them by divadebbi 

Red shirt, $13 / Carven pink mini skirt / Armani Beauty pumps / Mulberry tote, $2,490 / Dorothy Perkins black bow belt, $15 / Pier 1 Imports white flower centerpiece / Bobbi Brown 'French Pink' Breast Cancer Awareness Collection (Limited...


I created this set for a Breast Cancer Awareness contest on Polyvore.  It truly sums up why I do what I do, for this worth cause.

I feel a tad guilty that I did not put together a round-ups, of companies who are committing funds and raising awareness with special products this month. It's a bit beyond my tech scope.

Fortunately, The Tend Team, a division of Glam Media, who publishes my blog, featured a great one from the site Style Blazer.

For those of you who wish to shop for a great cause, please follow this link to their site.

And while you have that CC firing, my lovely friend Lisa is extending her Friends and Family 30% discount off her fabulous shirts from Elizabeth Daniel New York.  (Ends tonight 10-6 at midnight, Monday 10-7, for DivaDebbi followers).

I'm crazy about these tops, that layer beautiful, wash and dry to perfection and travel like a dream.  There is always one in my suitcase, anywhere I go.

I'm particularly love one her newest styles which features a lovely bow that is easily slipped on or off with a loop at the neck.

Elizabeth Daniels New York Blouse

Simply enter the code Friends30 at check out.

Happy Sunday.

xox,
DD

Breast Cancer Awareness Month:Touch the Ta Ta's

I Wear Pink for All Women! by divadebbi 

October, International Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great thing. Cities, all over the world alight and align for this cause that effects 1 in 8 women each year.

It also brings with it, a certain wariness for survivors.  Believe me, it's not that we are not grateful for funds raised and donated, but it resonates at times like a sledge hammer and sometimes, rings a bit hollow.

Since August, I have received dozens and dozens of PR pitches to promote products that are donating proceeds from sales of specially issued products.  Forgive me for being weary, it just brings a lot of difficult memories to the fore.

The photo of me above, with my sister Loren, was taken at last years Breast Cancer Alliance of Greenwich annual Luncheon and Fashion Show. 

For the last several years, my employers, the Mitchell family, have generously underwritten part of this event and provide the fashion show.

Last year, I was asked to share my survivor story, which I did, in front of many special friends as well as over 900 other women and men.  It's taken me a year to write about it...