MAKING OUR MISSION HER OWN

It's always so rewarding for us to see how people and other organizations embrace our mission.  One of our dedicated volunteers has truly made our mission her own.
     Karen Wise is a local and outstanding seamstress.  So a few months ago, she decided to make pj lounging pants for our clients.  And what a great blessing it has been to them and to us.  Karen shows up at our outreaches with her tape measure around her neck and goes to work !  The reaction from the clients is always rather amusing since some of them swear us to secrecy about their measurements.  LOL.
     It truly is a labor of love and Karen does a beautiful job.
     But one of the more interesting aspects is how she comes up with the money for the material.  But perhaps that's a story for another day, if she'll allow us to tell it.  It is quite hilarious !

HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE DO IT?

      I think that's the question we were asking ourselves after our marathon fundraising weekend.  We are SO grateful to the organizations and individuals who supported us with fundraisers during the month of October.
      One weekend was a particular interesting one.  We started the day with Cut For The Cure at Ravin Hair in St. Cloud, FL.  The stylists there donated their proceeds for the day and there were plenty of other activities and fun events for the day.  Then, there was a car show in Sanford, FL with proceeds donated to us.  After that, a Breast Cancer Awareness luncheon sponsored by the Delta Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in Orlando, with more proceeds for us.  The day ended with a mother/ daughter fashion show fundraiser for us in Lake Mary.   Whew.   And it all went off without a hitch.
     We are thankful for all who believe in our mission to give back 100% of our donations to LOCAL families walking the breast cancer journey.

PINK PARTY

You're invited to join us Friday, October 12 for a Pink Party at BRIGHTON COLLECTIBLES at the Altamonte Mall.  Party time is 4:00.  You'll have a chance to win a BRIGHTON gift card, EDEN SPA gift certificate or a pink basket of surprises.  You'll also see BRIGHTON's 2012 Breast Cancer Awareness jewelry.  And don't forget, the ALTAMONTE store is donating a portion of the proceeds to COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS. Hope to see you there!

THANKS BRIGHTON ALTAMONTE MALL

Special thanks to BRIGHTON COLLECTIBLES in the Altamonte Mall.  The store will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the breast cancer awareness collection to COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS during the month of October.  
    We had a wonderful kick-off breakfast this morning.  Thanks to all who came out to support us.

    The 2012 Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet is stunning !  
    Be sure to look for us in the Altamonte store throughout the month of October.  

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US !

COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS is celebrating its 5th Anniversary.  WOW.
It's been an incredible journey.  We started with one gift card, a gift bag and one meal for our first client.  Now because of such faithful and generous donors, we're able to provide financial help for utilities and mortgages, along with gift cards, gift bags and many other services.
     And we've been blessed with the opportunity to meet some truly incredible breast cancer warriors and their families.
     We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us over the past 5 years, with your financial donations, in-kind services, prayers and heavy lifting when needed.

GOLF ANYONE?

WWW.PARKSQUAREHOMES.COM/GOLFCLASSIC

We'd love to have you join us for this event at the beautiful course at Harmony.  Thank you PARK SQUARE HOMES for your continued support of COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS.  See you on September 15th.  For more information, click on the link above.

DIRECT HELP

One of the things we are most proud of is that 100% of our donations stay LOCAL to help LOCAL patients and their families.  We love it when, for example, someone donates a gift card and we're able to show them the person who received their donation.
   Now a friend of COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS has created a short video to show you some of the people who  have benefitted from that generosity.
    Here's the video.  And thank you Keith Watkins.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gxmruhfz54xocb1/RD2.mp4

YOU'RE INVITED !

We'd love to have you join us in August for the 1st Osceola Woman's Show.  It's all about HEALTH, beauty and home.  It's going to be a great day of activities.  And we're so exicted that COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS Founder Vanessa Echols is the keynote speaker for the day.  And that's not all.  A portion of all ticket sales will also be donated to CHHBCO.  It's a wonderful opportunity to spread the message about our work and the breast cancer awareness cause.  Hope to see you there.  Here's more information:
http://www.osceolawoman.com/index.php/component/content/article/39-rokfeature/86-osceola-countys-1st-womans-show-coming-august-25.html

Too Young for Breast Cancer?

I'm still stunned by the number of calls for assistance that we receive from young women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  One of our newest clients is just 31 years old and the mother of a two year old daughter.  31 !  And that's not even the youngest we've helped.  That was a young woman who was 24 !  Here's what those younger warriors have in common:  They knew or felt that something was wrong, but breast cancer was not on the doctor's radar.  Fortunately these women were aggressive and kept pushing for more testing. 

That's a simple lesson for us all.  YOU are your best advocate when it comes to your health and your health care.   Often those who aren't aggressive aren't diagnosed until it's too late.  Don't let that happen to you.  Breast cancer can strike us at any age, at any time.  It is no longer an older woman's disease. 

THERE ARE NO "SMALL" AMOUNTS

We're received several donations lately from people who feel the need to tell me they know their donation isn't much, but they hope it can help.  My response is always the same.  With us, there is no such thing as a little donation.

One of the many joys of our grassroots organization is that we're able to see exactly where our donations are going.  Maybe a $25 donation doesn't have a huge impact on a charity with a multi-million dollar budget, but for our clients, $25 could mean the difference between having enough gas money to get to a medical appointment or having enough money to buy food for the family's breakfast tomorrow.

We appreciate every donation, no matter how large it is.  :)  Thanks to all who support our efforts.

Vanessa Echols
Founder

A VERY SUCCESSFUL MAY

We wrapped up May with our last BURPEES FOR BOOBIES event at CROSSFIT COUNTRY in Oviedo.  It was an awesome day to end an awesome month.  We even invited our new client/friend Aileen to join us.  It was great for the athletes to meet one of the survivors whom their donations will be helping.  Here are some video highlights from the BURPEES event.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CHHBCO1?feature=mhee

Thank you Luis Rodriguez, Dave Raith and Amy Raith for making May such a huge success for us and the wonderful breast cancer warriors we are so blessed to help.

BURPEES FOR BOOBIES


This weekend is our last BURPEES FOR BOOBIES event for May.  You're invited to join us at CROSSFIT COUNTRY in Oviedo.  It's going to be fun.  See for yourself.  Here are some highlights from our 1st event earlier this month.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnM4gt-6Moo

PAY IT FORWARD

     We are always humbled when we see examples of paying it forward.  We recently experienced that in an amazing way.
      The sister of our client, Liz, organized a family yard sale.  But instead of keeping the money for the family, they decided to donate it to COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH !  It is their way of thanking us for all we've done for Liz and her family.
      Then today we got an e-mail from the friend of another client/friend.  She's decided to donate the money she was going to spend on Mother's Day to us, with her mother's blessing of course.  :)
     Pay it forward is not just a catchy slogan.  We're blessed by those who take it seriously.  

BURPEES FOR BOOBIES

For all of you who've been asking,  "What's BURPEES FOR BOOBIES?"  Here's your answer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbG1bV7M2ww&feature=youtube_gdata_player

MEN WHO WALK, MEN WHO STAY

      Today we shot the first part of our video project about how a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment affects relationships.  It was an emotional day for survivors willing to share such an intimate part of their lives with us.   
      Two of our survivors opened up about how and why their marriages didn't survive.  In both cases, the husbands agreed to stay while they were being treated, but made it clear they would leave as soon as treatment was over.  And they did.
      But we also heard from two couples who say the cancer journey made their marriages stronger.
      We hope this video will spark a discussion about a topic affecting so many couples, but so few want to talk about it honestly and openly.
      It took courage for these survivors to come forward.  And we thank them.

You're Invited To Join Us !

WHAT A DAY !

It's been quite a March for us.  We had a first this month, FOUR outreaches in one day.  Yes, one day.  Frankly I'm surprised the volunteers are still speaking to me.  LOL.
    We began the day visiting the first new client, Donna.  She's just beginning the breast cancer journey.  Before treatment begins, she's having a hysterectomy.  Like many who embark on the cancer journey, she's overwhelmed with all the information to digest.  We hope we made her day brighter with all the gifts and financial help we were able to offer.  
     From there, we traveled to VOLCANO ISLAND mini-golf for an outing with some of our clients and their children.  The wonderful folks there offered free golf  for them for the day.  They had an amazing time.  It was nice to bring some cheer to children who are facing some tough challenges.
     After that, we went to the home of our 2nd new client, Audrey.  She's a nurse, who has now found herself as the patient.  We had a wonderful visit with her and she loved her surprises as well.
     The final stop for the day was another new client named Donna.  She's battling breast cancer for the second time.  On top of that, she recently discovered mold in her home.  
     It was a long, but rewarding day.  I'm thankful for volunteers who accepted the challenge and changed some lives, all in a day.
Vanessa Echols
Founder

MEN WHO WALK

One of our volunteers has written a compelling article about a subject that has been troubling us lately, the men who choose to leave their wives and girlfriends after they are diagnosed with breast cancer.  We'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.
http://thewellwrittenwoman.com/2012/02/16/i-have-a-question/

TOUGH WEEK

Yes, it has definitely been a tough few days for the COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS family.  One of our clients passed away last Wednesday.  Paula Crow was Tim's wife and 4 year old Ashton's mother.  She was also a Tavares, FL police officer. 

We had a wonderful outreach with a new client who is Stage IV.  The cancer has now spread to her brain.  She's a single mother of three beautiful children.  Her attitude is amazing !  She's the definition of warrior.

Two of our clients also experienced setbacks in their journey, new tumors discovered.  Sigh, just a great big sigh.

So this week has been a cruel reminder of how ugly, unfair and relentless cancer can be.  But it's also a reminder of how grateful we should be if we are out of treatment and doing well.  We can not take it for granted.  There are people right now who are in the fight of their lives. 

If you've beaten cancer, you are blessed.  But recovery is also a call to action, to do something to help the next patient.  Pay it forward isn't just an expression.  It's a mission.  It's why there is COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH. 

VANESSA ECHOLS
FOUNDER

UNEXPECTED BLESSING

Rarely am I speechless.  Today was a rare day.  


Community partnerships are very important for grassroots organizations like ours.  We have a VERY generous partner.  PARK SQUARE HOMES held a unique fundraiser for us in October.  They agreed to donate a portion of every home sold during the month to COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS.  I was thinking, in this housing market, that's probably going to be a small donation.  LOL


I am pleased to report I was wrong.  VERY WRONG.  Today three execs from the company, including the CEO, came by for the check presentation.  The expected small donation turned out to be a very generous check for $8000.  For a small organization with a dedicated band of volunteers, this is HUGE !!!


It's so exciting for us as an organization.  But more importantly, it's going to help us change the lives of some local breast cancer patients and their families.  We're looking forward to what this will allow us to do !


Vanessa Echols
Founder

HEALTHCARE FRUSTRATIONS

**SPECIAL NOTE:  This post  is from one of our COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH clients.  She beautifully and eloquently describes the frustration many patients feel as they navigate their way through the health care system during their treatment phase.

I never imagined when I quit my job and relocated my family from Seattle to Orlando to attend law school, that nearly one year to the date, I would receive the most devastating news of my life. On July 18, 2011, my life changed forever when I received the phone call that every woman dreads; my physician called and told me that I have breast cancer. I was in shock; I am only 31 years old. However my shock quickly turned to anger as I began to navigate the healthcare system.

My journey started on June 3oth when I visited the ER after experiencing extreme swelling of my right breast. During my ER visit I was told that I likely had a breast infection and I was given antibiotics with directions to follow up with an Ob/Gyn. During my appointment with the Ob/Gyn she told me she felt a lump, and ordered an immediate diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. During my mammogram and ultrasound the radiologist found two suspicious lumps and an inflamed lymph node and ordered a biopsy.  Four days later was told that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very rare form of breast cancer. Only 1-5% of all women diagnosed with breast cancer are diagnosed with this form of cancer. 

One year ago I was employed, working at a major Seattle hospital, and through my job I had superb health insurance that covered my entire family for little cost. However, my husband and I decided to give up our careers and relocated over 3,000 miles so I could pursue my dream of becoming an attorney and attend law school. While we both planned to secure employment after relocating, due to the state of the economy we were forced to apply for state Medicaid assistance in order to have health insurance benefits for our children (ages 6 and  4) as well as for ourselves. During the course of one year I have successfully completed my first year of law school. I have also applied for hundreds of jobs, yet despite my education and skill level, I still remain unemployed, and because of this, my family and I remain on Medicaid insurance. 

After receiving my diagnosis I quickly learned that the type of insurance you have greatly affects how you will be treated. Due to my status as a Medicaid recipient, and despite my terrible diagnosis and prognosis, I was repeatedly turned away by doctors because they did not accept my insurance. I was even told by one doctor’s office that they did not care about my diagnosis, because my health is not their concern, they need to get paid, and Medicaid does not pay full cost. I could not believe that a doctor’s office was not worried about my health; is this what America has become? I felt that because I have Medicaid, the doctors that turned me away felt I was not a person worth treating. Was my life suddenly not worth saving? I even asked my sister, “should I die because I have state issued insurance”?

 While I am very grateful for the wonderful and caring doctor’s that have accepted my insurance, and are trying desperately to save my life through chemotherapy, a surgery, and radiation; I am still angry and hurt that because of my state issued insurance I was turned away when in need of life saving treatment. I cannot help but to break down in tears because it is difficult to accept that because of my insurance, my life is viewed by many doctors as less important than the life of someone who has “good” insurance.  Is my life less valuable now that I’m a Medicaid recipient than it was one year ago when I had “good” insurance coverage? I certainly do not think so. No matter what I am still a mother, wife, daughter, sister, law student and friend despite my insurance status; and there are many people that would miss me if I were gone, and to them my insurance status doesn’t matter, they want me to live; and be healthy. I just wish the doctor’s that turn people like me away would focus more on caring for patients than making money.