Shades of Pink

Breast Cancer Awareness;
Kallysten

Every year in October - my birth month - I try to have a special event. I have received tremendous support in my writing in the past years, and this is my small way to give back.
As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year, I was honored to help raise $250 for the National breast Cancer Foundation through giveaways and games on my site. This year, I teamed up with 32 other authors. All of us contributed a short romance story to an anthology titled ‘Shades of Pink’ in reference to the common thread to all the stories: something pink. We offer the ebook as a token of thanks to everyone who donates to our fundraiser until November 15th. After that date, the anthology will not be available anymore.
The authors who contributed to this ebook are Kate Baum, Brei Betzold, Jean Booth, Catherine Bowman, Perci T. Brooks, Rose Caraway, Bethan Cooper, Sarah Daltry, Vivien Dean, JJ Ellis, Rachel Firasek, Sabrina Garie, Amber Green, T. Hammond, Lisa M. Harley, Susan Harris, K. R. Haynes, Ellie Heller, Laura Hunsaker, Jennifer James, Torie James, Kallysten, K.A. Linde, C. Deanne Rowe, DJ Shaw, Madeline Sheehan, Eden Summers, Gill Taber, J Annas Walker, Matthew Welch, Kristin L. Wilson, Zoe York, and Angela Yseult.
Since we opened the donations page on September 15th, we have already raised over $1600 through the Stayclassy site. Other than a small processing fee taken by Stayclassy, the entirety of the proceeds go directly to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, whose mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need. We also accept donations to other breast cancer-focused charities of the donors’ choice.
We've all heard it. We are our own first line of defense. Says John Hopkins Medical Center, 40% of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump. Forty percent. The number bears repeating.
About twelve years ago, during one such exam I found lumps. Plural. Two in one breast, one in the other. And as you can imagine, it scared the heck out of me. I was away from home at the time, and it was several weeks before I could see my doctor and have a mammogram. Several LONG weeks until I was finally told it was nothing, like 8 out of 10 lumps. But of course there's those last 2 out of 10...
My general practitioner said that, since it was benign, there was no reason to take them out. My OB-GYN took one look at my expression and said of course she'd take them out. I have small scars on my breasts, but I call it fair trade for the peace of mind of NOT feeling these lumps every time I do a self-exam.
Do I do those often enough? I'm sorry to say I don't. I guess part of me is scared of finding another lump. But the alternative - not finding a lump that is there - should be scarier still. So here's my pledge. I will try to do better. No, not try. I will. I still have many stories to tell. Many experiences to live. And many friends to live them with.
If you are unsure about how to do a self-exam, here's an explanation on the National Breast Cancer Foundation site. It can even be pinned with Pinterest to keep it fresh in your mind and be shared with your friends.
This is a worthy cause, and a worthy foundation. The suggested donation is of only $5. You can learn more about the stories in the anthology, read excerpts and interviews as well as learn to donate by visiting the official page. Thank you for reading!