Several of our clients are featured in the documentary, STARTING THE CONVERSATION: Relationships and Breast Cancer, co-produced and written by me, the founder of COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH, Vanessa Echols.
Almost every breast cancer patient has thought about this issue or talked about it in private. But until now, few have discussed it openly. That all changed with this project. Several bold breast cancer warriors stepped forward to talk about how breast cancer diagnosis and treatment affected their intimate relationships.
What they have to say is enlightening, startling and in some cases, heartbreaking. I encourage you to watch and leave your comments about the issue.
www.startingtheconversation.info
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Saturday, November 2, 2013
STARTING THE CONVERSATION
STARTING THE CONVERSATION ! That's exactly what we hope happens after you see this new documentary. It was co-written and co-produced by the founder of COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS BREAST CANCER OUTREACH, Vanessa Echols.
The documentary looks at an issue on a lot of survivors' minds, but it's a topic few have been willing to discuss openly, until now: What happens to intimate relationships when some is diagnosed with breast cancer ?
This project came about because so many of our clients have experienced separation, divorce or serious marital problems while they were going through treatment.
The documentary features breast cancer survivors whose marriages collapsed during treatment, and couples who talk about how their marriages were actually strengthened after the diagnosis and treatment.
The documentary premier is Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Werner Auditorium in the Ginsberg Tower at Florida Hospital on Rollins Street in Orlando. It is open to the public.
Here's a preview:
www.startingtheconversation.info
The documentary looks at an issue on a lot of survivors' minds, but it's a topic few have been willing to discuss openly, until now: What happens to intimate relationships when some is diagnosed with breast cancer ?
This project came about because so many of our clients have experienced separation, divorce or serious marital problems while they were going through treatment.
The documentary features breast cancer survivors whose marriages collapsed during treatment, and couples who talk about how their marriages were actually strengthened after the diagnosis and treatment.
The documentary premier is Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Werner Auditorium in the Ginsberg Tower at Florida Hospital on Rollins Street in Orlando. It is open to the public.
Here's a preview:
www.startingtheconversation.info
Friday, October 4, 2013
THINK BEFORE YOU PINK
Yes, it is that time of the year again. It's October and that means almost everything you see will be pink or have a pink ribbon on it. We appreciate that so many people want to buy these products in an effort to support the breast cancer cause. But here's a word of warning for you.
There are a few questions to ask yourself before you make these purchases. One: Is a portion of the profits going to a breast cancer-related organization? Two: If so, how much is going to the cause? Three: How does that organization use its donations? How much goes to research or patients? How much ends up being used for administrative costs?
That's why we say: THINK BEFORE YOU PINK !
There are a few questions to ask yourself before you make these purchases. One: Is a portion of the profits going to a breast cancer-related organization? Two: If so, how much is going to the cause? Three: How does that organization use its donations? How much goes to research or patients? How much ends up being used for administrative costs?
That's why we say: THINK BEFORE YOU PINK !
Friday, August 23, 2013
PURSES&PRIZES
We are SO excited about a big fundraising event coming up for us Saturday night, August 24th. CBS RADIO here in Orlando is hosting an event called GIRLS NIGHT OUT. It's a party for girlfriends, moms and daughters, sisters and sisterfriends. There will be fashion, food, drinks and more fun. But there's also a charitable component to it. And there's where we come in.
At the event, COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS will be hosting a PURSES & PRIZES event. You're invited to join us. We have 22 designer purses (COACH, MICHAEL KORS, COLE HAAN, DOONEY, KATE SPADE, etc) and they're all NEW! And one (or perhaps more than one) could be yours!
But that's not all ! All of the purses come with a prize package. For instance, one purse may have a weekend getaway theme, so inside the purse will be gift certificates for a hotel stay or theme park excursions. The "pamper yourself" themed purse includes spa treatments, beauty makeovers, etc.
To win a prize, it's simple, purchase a packet of tickets (prices range from just $10 to $100 ! ). Then place your tickets in the bag next to the purse you'd like to win. You may want to put all your tickets in one bag or spread them around. That's the fun of it, guessing how to increase your odds. :)
Can't wait to see you tomorrow night !
Oh, it's not all girls. Four male members of the WFTV Channel 9 news team (Greg, Jamie, Brian and Jorge) will be there as our official purse presenters. This, you have to see.
At the event, COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS will be hosting a PURSES & PRIZES event. You're invited to join us. We have 22 designer purses (COACH, MICHAEL KORS, COLE HAAN, DOONEY, KATE SPADE, etc) and they're all NEW! And one (or perhaps more than one) could be yours!
But that's not all ! All of the purses come with a prize package. For instance, one purse may have a weekend getaway theme, so inside the purse will be gift certificates for a hotel stay or theme park excursions. The "pamper yourself" themed purse includes spa treatments, beauty makeovers, etc.
To win a prize, it's simple, purchase a packet of tickets (prices range from just $10 to $100 ! ). Then place your tickets in the bag next to the purse you'd like to win. You may want to put all your tickets in one bag or spread them around. That's the fun of it, guessing how to increase your odds. :)
Can't wait to see you tomorrow night !
Oh, it's not all girls. Four male members of the WFTV Channel 9 news team (Greg, Jamie, Brian and Jorge) will be there as our official purse presenters. This, you have to see.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
STARTING THE CONVERSATION:
COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS recently embarked on producing an important video project. We've become increasingly disturbed by the number of clients whose marriages become a casualty of the breast cancer fight. We were curious about why. So we're sitting down with breast cancer survivors to have a frank and honest conversation about the nitty gritty of what happens to the marriages when cancer enters the picture. How does it affect intimacy, sex and every other aspect of the relationship? It's a subject most breast cancer survivors talk about privately with their family or friends. But now, we're bringing it out in the open and STARTING THE CONVERSATION.
You can see a preview of the video project here. (Just click the arrow near the top of the page )
www.startingtheconversation.info
COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS recently embarked on producing an important video project. We've become increasingly disturbed by the number of clients whose marriages become a casualty of the breast cancer fight. We were curious about why. So we're sitting down with breast cancer survivors to have a frank and honest conversation about the nitty gritty of what happens to the marriages when cancer enters the picture. How does it affect intimacy, sex and every other aspect of the relationship? It's a subject most breast cancer survivors talk about privately with their family or friends. But now, we're bringing it out in the open and STARTING THE CONVERSATION.
You can see a preview of the video project here. (Just click the arrow near the top of the page )
www.startingtheconversation.info
Sunday, April 14, 2013
A RECORD BREAKER
We're quite proud of ourselves today. We broke a COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS record on Saturday, April 13, 2013. We had an outreach for FIVE, yes FIVE breast cancer warriors.
They are all in different phases of the journey. They're either just beginning the battle, right in the thick of it or in it for the second time.
We're constantly amazed at what happens when we bring together a group of breast cancer patients who don't know each other. They come to us shy, sometimes uncertain and often apprehensive about what's in store. But it doesn't take them long to realize they have so much in common. They have similar experiences and feelings. And they speak the same language: breast cancer patient medical speak.
Our gatherings are always mixed with the right amount of tears, laughter and encouragement. We are blessed to be able to provide substantial financial assistance for these breast cancer warriors. That's important. But sometimes the best medicine for them is just to know that someone cares. That's important too.
Fight on Wanda, Fredda, Blanca, Jennifer and Tami ! We love you !
They are all in different phases of the journey. They're either just beginning the battle, right in the thick of it or in it for the second time.
We're constantly amazed at what happens when we bring together a group of breast cancer patients who don't know each other. They come to us shy, sometimes uncertain and often apprehensive about what's in store. But it doesn't take them long to realize they have so much in common. They have similar experiences and feelings. And they speak the same language: breast cancer patient medical speak.
Our gatherings are always mixed with the right amount of tears, laughter and encouragement. We are blessed to be able to provide substantial financial assistance for these breast cancer warriors. That's important. But sometimes the best medicine for them is just to know that someone cares. That's important too.
Fight on Wanda, Fredda, Blanca, Jennifer and Tami ! We love you !
Thursday, March 7, 2013
AND WE'RE OFF !
I was thinking the other day that I've been too busy to blog. In this case, that's a good thing because it means COMPASSIONATE HANDS AND HEARTS is busy fulfilling its mission.
But every now and then, we encounter situations that break out hearts. One of our clients has postponed treatment because her husband doesn't want her to have a mastectomy. I still don't understand that. Women feel forced to choose between their husband and their lives. Seems like an easy choice for some, for others, it is not.
Not sure how we can help these women. Part of me wants to hit them over the head and ask, "Are you crazy?" The other half just wants to wrap my arms around them, even though I don't have the words to say.
Heartbreaking.
Vanessa Echols
FOUNDER
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