Tag Archives: Breast cancer awareness

Woman Crush Wednesday | Breast Cancer Survivor Walks 1,000 Miles Topless

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Paulette Leaphart flaunts (yes, I wrote flaunt not bear) her scars like an Olympian flashing their medals every time she walks topless across the country.

The only difference for the Biloxi, Mississippi native and single mother of eight is the path she chose to walk down (which currently leads to D.C.) is one she was given.

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GOD Could have chosen AnyONE in the WORLD….. BUT HE CHOSE ME!! 🙏🏾 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Paulette Leaphart WALKING 1000 Miles from Mississippi to Washington D.C #Topless ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #BreastCancerMovement #Awareness SUPPORT THE JOURNEY #ScarStory #HistoricMovement #ChangeWillCome Zee Mullen, CEO of Savvy Affairs SPEARHEADING The Paulette Leaphart Story…. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• DONATE HERE: https://www.gofundme.com/PauletteLeaphart •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• BeyoncĂ© & Paulette /Lemonade Video http://youtu.be/wD6IJinfrLI •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #ThePauletteLeaphartStory #PowerFul #1000MileWalk #EmbraceYourScars #AliciaJones #NationsCapitol #Survivor #Supporters #BreastCancer #Scars #DoubleMastectomy #ZeeMullen #SavvyAffairs #LifeStylesInAction #ItsALifeStyle #UnScriptedReality #DoingForOthers #GivingBack #Lemonade #Beyonce #DrJackie #LookBook #Married2Medicine #BreastSpeak

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Leaphart set off on a 1,000 mile topless walk on April 30. Leaving her hometown of Mississippi, making stops in Atlanta, D.C. with her final destination New Orleans (projected June 30th) to raise awareness for breast cancer. And motivate more  Black women to get mammograms.

In 2014, Leaphart was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that resulted in a bilateral mastectomy without the chose of reconstructive surgery.

With two large scars replacing her breasts, all symbols of feminity vanished as well.

“What is a woman without her breasts?” Leaphart asked People. “I have always identified as a very feminine woman.”

paulettelemonade

That changed when she took the bold move to go topless at the beach. The huge applause she received led her to also post a topless pic on Facebook that garnered 100,000 likes.

beachbod

Leaphart also got the attention of Queen Bey. The ‘Get in Formation’singer gave Leaphart a cameo in Lemonade. 

Who better to symbolize making lemons out of lemonade?

To donate to Paulette’s cross-country journey, which is being chronicled in upcoming doc “Scar Story,” click here.

 

 

Feel Good Friday|The Gift of Prevention

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NFL player DeAngelo Williams is taking Breast Cancer Awareness aka Pinktober to a whole ‘nother level. Not only is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ runningback trying to extend his pink uniform of awareness–pink hair, nails, toes and clothes–until November (The NFL said no…boo hiss), but also paying for the prevention out of his own pocket.

Earlier this month, Williams tweeted he’s paying for 53 woman’s mammograms through his foundation–“53 Strong for Sandra. The life-saving donation is in honor of Williams’ mother (Sandra) who died of breast cancer.

What a great way to honor his mama and help other woman.

Black Girls Run!! ‘OITNB’s’ Uzo Aduba Ran Boston Marathon for Breast Cancer Awareness

Crazy Eyes is running and Piper is no where in sight. Image Courtesy: Facebook

Crazy Eyes is running and Piper is no where in sight.
Image Courtesy: Facebook

The city of Boston flexed its strength earlier this week during the Boston marathon. It’s the second anniversary since the Boston Bombing. Among Boston strong was Crazy Eyes. Only, in this case, they were more focused on the finish line.

“Orange is the New Black” star Uzo Aduba, a BU alum, crossed the finish line in five hours. Impressive. She told People she chanted to herself “just keep going.” That she did. But, why did she lace up her running shoes?

Two reasons: 1. To honor a close family friendly that died of breast cancer last year. She Sharpie-ed her name (Andrea) on her Dana Farber Marathon Challange running tee. And raised $10,000 for the org’s cancer research facility that studies the causes of the disease. 2. Uzo is a Boston bean and wanted to show support for the town still suffering from the terrorist act two years ago.

Here is what she told People:

It feels like the right thing to do. It still feel pretty raw, and with [the trial] it almost feels like a Band-Aid getting pulled back again. That’s where I grew up, where I learned what a marathon even was … to be a part of it, it feels particularly special.

I salute Uzo and all the runners that courageously took up the runner’s trail for those who couldn’t. Boston Strong!!

THINK PINK!!! Meagan Good, Kim Coles on Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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I’ve never been a fan of the color, but I salute the cause. It’s officially breast cancer awareness month; unleash your pink…anything. This year holds special meaning for me with my aunt and mom battling it and fiercely (*knock on wood*) defeating it. Unfortunately my Nana wasn’t able to survive the big C over a decade ago. The harrowing reality that cancer cut her 60-year-old life short is disheartening, at times. But, it’s a reality in which millions of families experience each year. According to Susan G. Komen, 40,000 people are estimated to die this year from breast cancer.

And despite the  rumor that breast cancer is strictly a white women’s disease, it’s only partially true. Yes, we are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, buuutttt, this is a big but, so pay attention, Black women are more likely to DIE from breast cancer compared to white women. Sorry I’m being so morbid in this post, but I think it’s necessary to shatter any myths circulating around breast cancer. It gives us the chance to actually talk about it and band together to cure it. With that said, I highlight (using my Pink Sharpie) three celebs that are cleverly raising awareness for breast cancer.

Meagan’s Goodies Commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness

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Meagan Good took to Instagram to accept the Harley Davidson Pink Challenge by wearing the firm’s signature tee. The famous hog dealers have a clothing collection–Pink Label– to honor breast cancer survivors. Any pink label gear you purchase a portion will be donated to the National Cancer Foundation and Young Survival Coalition. The Think Like a Man star urged others to accept the pink challenge: “Le’t express our support for the one in eight women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year…let’s take the Pink Challenge and spread awareness!!!”

Kym Coles WooWooWoo’s Survivors of Breast Cancer

woowoowooSpeaking of tees, comedienne Kim Coles has reignited her famous catchphrase–appearing on sisterhood sitcom “Living Single”–to plaster on some tanks. The WooWooWoo (written in pink letters) tanks  are being sold online to raise money for breast cancer awareness cause. Kim is relaunching the tank in honor of her friend and her sister, who is a survivor. Purchase one while supplies last…it’s only for a limited time.

Team Cancer Free

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One half of the original 106 & Park show host, Free, an advocate for breast cancer awareness, made her annual ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’ 5K walk in Boston last weekend. The walk is to raise awareness and money  for a cure for breast cancer. Free’s team dubbed ‘Team Cancer Free’ has raised over $4,000 so far. Their goal is to reach $5,000 that’ll go towards American Cancer Society’s research in treating breast cancer. There is still time to donate to the cause. If you wish to give click here.

Let’s think pink, y’all.

EXCLUSIVE: RHOA’s Kenya Moore, Vivica Fox & Keshia Knight Pulliam Join Trump’s “Apprentice” for Charity

Team Infinity posing on a handout. Image Courtesy Moi

Team Infinity posing on a handout.
Image Courtesy Moi

I exclusively spotted the twirl queen aka “Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” Kenya Moore making herself dizzy for charity at Manhattan’s PieFace bakery, while “The Cosby Show” star Keshia Knight Pulliam and “Sharknado’s” Vivica Fox were swiping customers’ credit cards. The roving cameras gave away the best kept secret: competitors for latest round of “Celebrity Apprentice” have been chosen.

Although it hasn’t been officially announced, it was pretty obvi this was a team challenge. Also rounding out the group that’s pegged “Team Infinity” are talk show host Leeza Gibbons, snowboarder Jamie Anderson (she waited on me, such a sweetheart.), “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” Brandi Glanville (we chatted about how amazing the food smelled), gymnast Shawn Johnson and “Jon & Kate Plus Eight” Kate Gosselin, who was surprisingly friendly.

Keshia Knight Pulliam ringing people up. She worked hard for Kamp Kizzy. Image Courtesy: Moi

Keshia Knight Pulliam ringing people up. She worked hard for Kamp Kizzy.
Image Courtesy: Moi

So, here’s the scoop. Customers buying a pie could take a snapshot with a celeb. So, after Rudy, er Keshia rung me up, (and in the process I took many candid shots of her) I hauled ass to Ms. Twirl, who pranced around the shop like a ballerina on steroids, to take a cute pic together.

Me and Kenya Moore. I got #piefaced. Image Courtesy: Kate Gosselin

Me and Kenya Moore. I got #piefaced.
Image Courtesy: Kate Gosselin

It was hard to tell who was the team captain, but if I had to guess it was either Kenya or Kate because they weren’t working as hard as the ladies behind the counter, which got me thinking what charities are they shilling pies for.

Vivica putting in work at Pie Face. Image Courtesy: Moi

Vivica putting in work at Pie Face.
Image Courtesy: Moi

Well, I’ve come up with a few guess-estimates. Keshia Knight Pulliam will more than likely throw her Kamp Kizzy non-profit into the ring. It’s a mentoring camp for young girls. Vivica’s charity is a little hard to narrow down. She’s supported so many over the years, but if I were a betting woman I’d put it on Breast Cancer Awareness or Sojourn, an LA-based safe haven for domestic violence survivors,  because of her public support of the charities in the past. And finally Kenya Moore would be honoring who else? Kenya Moore, lol. I can bet my hat she will try to pull in money for The Kenya Moore Foundation that offers young girls  from her alma mater, Cass Technical High School, educational scholarships.

The upcoming season of “Celebrity Apprentice” looks to good to pass up. So, I’ve decided to recap each episode. Stay tuned, my loves. And let the games begin.

Mary J. Blige Donates to Susan G. Komen for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

Mary is pretty in pink for Breast cancer awareness. Photo Courtesy of: Getty Images

Mary is pretty in pink for Breast cancer awareness.
Photo Courtesy of: Getty Images

Do you ever hear a statistic and just can’t wrap those numbers around your noogin?

Well, if you haven’t here’s one for you: Susan G. Komen estimates that there will be over 27,000 new cases of breast cancer among African-American women this year.

The scary part isn’t just the big number with the triple zeros, it’s the thought that these women across the country will have this illness and not know it. My aunt didn’t discover the lump on her breast a few months ago, her gynecologist did when she went for a mammogram.

I wonder how many woman will be as fortunate with early detection…and sadly how many won’t. I guess we will continue to wonder while we pray/wish/and anxiously wait for a cure.

Queen of R&B Mary J. Blige is doing her part by launching a partnership with Cricket Mobile to donate $10,000 to Susan G. Komen’s for the Cure in San Diego. Mary will also be releasing new songs through Cricket’s music service Muve Music. Downloaded tracks will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure until November 3rd.

Music is powerful and healing in so many ways, and having the right information at the right time is also important. Across the country, African-American and Hispanic women are not getting the care and treatment they need often because they are uninformed,” said Mary J. Blige. “An alarming number of these women are dying, and we can help to improve their chances of survival. I am working with Susan G. Komen and Cricket during October to help inform women about powerful early detection measures, such as getting a mammogram. Please join me in supporting this worthy cause, and let’s find a cure.”

To follow Mary’s movements with Susan G. Komen search hashtag #Muve4theCure. Keep up the good work, MJB.

Beyonce Paints Nails for Breast Cancer Awareness & Former 106 & Park VJ Hosts Cancer Free Walk

Happy October, Everyone!! It’s the season for orange and brown leaves decorating sidewalks and crisp breezes…SIKE!! It may be Fall but I think Mother Nature missed the memo because I’m writing this in 83 degree weather while wearing a tank top. If this Autumn weather is wrong, please mama nature don’t get it right.

Anywho, what has officially started is Breast Cancer Awareness month. And it has greater meaning for me this year because my Aunt had lumpectomy surgery last month. A huge scare for our whole family, but proves how tantamount it is to get regular mammograms and self exams. Sorry for preaching, but it’s necessary ladies. Please take note.

Photo credit: Beyonce Instagram

Photo credit: Beyonce Instagram

So to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month, Queen  King Bey aka Beyoncé wants us girls to paint our nails. Not all of them. Come on, you know BeyoncĂ© comes harder than that. She urges us to paint our pinky pink. BeyoncĂ© is supporting Nails Inc. of London’s customized pinkie pink color to raise ÂŁ50,000 ($81,000 US dollars) for UK’s largest breast cancer research foundation. To purchase pinkie pink click here.

Meanwhile…

 

Photo Credit: ACS website

    Photo Credit: ACS website

 

 

Photo Credit: ACS website

Photo Credit: ACS website

Remember former 106 & Park VJ Free? Well, she’s taking Breast Cancer Awareness a step further. Literally. Free has organized a  team for a cancer free walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event (whew, that was a mouthful) this Sunday.

Free writes on the ACS’s website that she chose to get involved for personal reasons.

My reason for walking in the Making Strides event is personal –just like every other walker’s story. We all walk because we’ve been affected by breast cancer in some way, and because the Making Strides event gives us the power to make a difference and fight back.

The Making Strides walk will be held this Sunday in Boston. To join Free’s team or donate to the cause click here.