Effective Resources For Information About Breast Cancer

Fortunately, there are many effective resources for information about breast cancer. Here’s a rundown of the best ones:

Spas where you can learn about a breast cancer prevention lifestyle that also provide follow-up once you’re back home:

• The Healing Arts Spa on Green Street, Gainesville, Georgia, www.spaongreenstreet.com

• Canyon Ranch, Lenox, Massachusetts, www.canyonranch.com

• Canyon Ranch, Tucson, Arizona, www.canyonranch.com

For instructions and diagrams detailing how to do monthly breast self-exam, visit www.breastcancer.org/dia_detec_exam_idx.html

For information about breast cancer, resources, and to make a donation for breast cancer research:

• The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (www.komen.org) operates a toll-free Breast Cancer Helpline at 1-800-IM AWARE. The Helpline answers questions regarding breast health and breast cancer and directs callers to community resources and support groups.

• The Libby Ross Foundation offers links to resources and breast cancer information on their website, www.thelibbyrossfoundation.com. In addition, Healing Lifestyles & Spas magazine will be donating $5 of every subscription sold during the months of September and October (online and using the mail-in card) to the Libby RossFoundation for breast cancer research.

• For a national directory of physicians and facilities that perform ductal lavage visit www.susanlovemd.com/lav_docs_fr.html#cal

Breast Cancer Retreats and Special Spa Programs

Several destination, resort, and day spas offer special programs and services for breast cancer survivors – some are also donating a portion of their sales to breast cancer organizations. Here are a few:

Avon Salon & Spa in New York City will be offering special Breast Cancer Crusade slippers (10 percent of sales go to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade), and on October 24, 2005, they will be hosting a spa event, which includes mini massages, makeup touch-ups, a goody bag, and more. (The $25 registration fee will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.) Space is limited to 100 participants. (888) 577-2866, www.avonsalonandspa.com

Florida’s The Spa at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami will be offering their Pink Boutique this October. A portion of the proceeds from their pink items, which include ESPA’s Pink Hair and Scalp Mud and a variety of pink t-shirts, will be donated to the American Cancer Society. (303) 913-8332, www.mandarinoriental.com

The Sundara Inn & Spa in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, will be hosting a special retreat in March for breast cancer survivors; Sundara will also be offering supporters and survivors listed with the Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation (www.bcrf.org) special Gentle Touch services and discounts during the month of October. (888) 735-8181, www.sundaraspa.com

During the month of October, the International Skin & Body Care Day Spa will be donating a portion of Tweezerman Tweezer sales to breast cancer research. They will also be hosting events to raise money for breast cancer organizations. (909) 793-9080, www.intldayspa.com

The Kimara Spa in New York, New York, will be donating 15 percent of the proceeds of their exclusive Pink Ribbon Lipstick to the Libby Ross Foundation. (800) 452-9802, www.kimaraspa.com

Blue Medical Beauty Spa in Sherman Oaks, California, will donate 30 percent of their proceeds of their Pink Ribbon O2 Facial and 30 percent of the sales of their Bio-Lift Oxygen Facial System to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s Los Angeles affiliate. (818) 783-3600, www.experienceblue.com

On Saturday, October 15, 2005, Red Mountain Spa in Ivins, Utah, will be offering their annual half-day Breast Cancer Spirit Hike to Lion’s mouth, an ancient Native American birthing area in Southwestern Utah. The $45 fee includes pink shoelaces and a box lunch. (Pink shoelaces and sports bras will also be for sale at Red Mountain Outfitters; 25 percent of proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.) (800) 407-3002, www.redmountainspa.com

Papillon Spa at Westgate Resort in Park City, Utah, will be offering a complimentary spa day for survivors. The date is to be determined. (407) 992-2938, www.papillon-spa.com

Spa Gregories in Newport Beach, California, will be hosting Greet the Day, a complimentary day of rejuvenation for nearly 200 guests who have been affected by cancer. www.greettheday.org

For a Good Cause

The following companies are donating proceeds of select products to breast cancer organizations and the American Cancer Society. Through your purchases, organizations like the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Libby Ross Foundation have raised millions of dollars toward research and outreach programs. So next time you go shopping, think pink!

For the Bath

The Fenomenole Oil by Bath by Bettijo was designed to make Breast Self Exams (BSE) easier for women to perform on themselves each month. For every bottle sold, Bath by Bettijo donates a quarter of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society. (703) 671-8422, www.bathbybettijo.com

The Pomegranate Sugar Scrub by Body Systems, features sweet almond oil, white sugar, and pomegranate seeds, which exfoliates and moisturizes even the driest areas of your body. Body Systems is donating 20 percent of their proceeds to the American Cancer Society. (605) 484-6742, www.body-systems.net

The new Pink Hope Lip Temptations lip tint by Jason Natural Products is both sexy and soothing. From September 2005 – June 2006, Jason Natural Products will donate 10 percent of every purchase to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. (877) Jason-01, www.jason-natural.com

Nature’s Baby Products are 100 percent natural and made from such moisturizers as olive oil and shea butter; they contain no fragrances, sulfates, or parabens. In October, 1 percent of the sales of their shampoo, conditioner, and body wash will benefit the Komen Foundation. (888) 902-BABY, www.naturesbabyproducts.com

Essie Cosmetics introduced their limited edition Essie Pink Ribbon pink nail polish to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They will be donating a percentage of proceeds to the Libby Ross Foundation. (800) 232-1155, www.essie.com/pinkribbon

For the home

It’s About Eve, a compilation CD of 13 indie female artists, is donating 100 percent of its sales to charity. A portion of these sales will be donated to the Libby Ross Foundation. www.itsabouteve.org

Mary Phillips Designs, known for their whimsical stationery and gifts is donating part of the proceeds of their Pink/White Ribbon Collection to the Komen Foundation. Mary Phillips Designs has promised a minimum donation of $10,000 by January 2006. www.maryphillipsdesigns.com

Xéla Aromasticks Soothing Nursery, featuring the essential oils of chamomile, patchouli, jasmine, violet, and musk, will leave your nursery lightly scented, not overly fragranced. From October – December 2005, Xéla will be donating ten percent of the proceeds of each Soothing Nursery bottle to the Komen Foundation. www.xelaaromasticks.com

The Republic of Tea’s Sip for the Cure has raised more than $350,000 for the Komen Foundation. Their pink offerings include such delights as pink grapefruit green (available in decaf) and pink lemonade green teas. The Republic of Tea will donate seventy-five cents to the Komen Foundation for every regular tin purchased and thirty-six cents for every traveler’s tin. (800) 298-4832, www.republicoftea.com

Surrounding Flowers, a New York floral boutique is offering two special bouquets for breast cancer awareness. They will be donating 10 percent of the sales to the Libby Ross Foundation. www.surroundingflowers.com

For an Active Lifestyle

Spiritual Fitness Wear, a funky and fun line of workout and loungewear that lets you wear your “heart on your sleeve” through a variety of positive affirmations, is donating 30 percent of the proceeds of their “Be Fit, Be Strong, Be a Girl” t-shirt sales to the Libby Ross Foundation during the month of October. www.spiritualfitnesswear.com

Lace up for the Cure with New Balance’s Pink Ribbon Collection, a pink-inspired sportswear collection featuring apparel and athletic shoes. Make a purchase of $25 or more from May 1 – November 30, 2005, and New Balance will donate $5 to the Komen Foundation. www.newbalance.com

Books

Lisa Holtby, an Affiliated Anusara Yoga instructor at Seattle Yoga Arts and the creator of the yoga program for Cancer Lifeline in Seattle, promotes the healing powers of yoga. Her book, Healing Yoga for People Living with Cancer (Taylor Trade Publishing, 2004) includes photographs, clear explanations, and safety guidelines for people in active treatment. Her focus on the breath, and her postures are designed to be a moving meditation, allowing the practitioner to truly relax and enjoy the restorative effects of a healthy yoga practice.

In certain situations coming up with the right words, or any words for that matter, seems nearly impossible. One of those situations is when a close friend or family member is diagnosed with cancer. What do you do? What should you say? In her book, Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know (Ten Speed Press, 2005), Lori Hope, a cancer survivor herself, interviewed other patients and survivors, caregivers, therapists, and doctors to find out how you can really help those you love. The book covers everything from how to set up a prayer group to why animals can be healing. It also features a list of silly movies for people with cancer to see and a list of things not to say.

Free!! The first 25 readers to log on to healinglifestyles.com will receive a free copy of Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know by Lori Hope (Ten Speed Press, 2005).

To make a donation or to reach any of the charities listed here:

American Cancer Society, (800) ACS-2345, www.cancer.org

Libby Ross Foundation, (212) 831-9592, www.thelibbyrossfoundation.com

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, (800) IM AWARE, www.komen.org

September/October 2005