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Breast Cancer Awareness

Hi Everyone,

An estimated 40,410 women are expected to die from breast cancer this year. Because treatment is more likely to be successful when breast cancer is detected early, regular screening is vital. Although October is officially designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to take an extra month to continue spreading this important message. Of course, I looked to my friends to help me with this message: wife of Larry King and longtime friend Shawn King pays tribute to breast cancer awareness pioneer Nancy Reagan. And my best friend in the whole world Dianne Ingram warms my heart (as always) by sharing her passion for raising necessary funds.

I received a powerful e-mail that I wanted to share with you. I wish I could credit the writer, but it was one of those anonymous notes that traveled around the Internet.

A handsome, middle-aged man walked quietly into the cafe and sat down. Before he ordered, he couldn’t help but notice a group of younger men at the table next to him. It was obvious they were making fun of something about him, and it wasn’t until he remembered he was wearing a small pink ribbon on the lapel of his suit that he became aware of what the joke was all about. The man brushed off the reaction as ignorance, but the smirks began to get to him. He looked one of the rude men squarely in the eye, placed his hand beneath the ribbon, and asked quizzically, “This?”

With that the men all began to laugh out loud. The man he addressed said, as he fought back laughter, “Hey, sorry man, but we were just commenting on how pretty your pink ribbon looks against your blue jacket!”

The middle-aged man calmly motioned for the joker to come over to the table and invited him to sit down. As uncomfortable as he was, the guy obliged, not really sure why. In a soft voice, the middle-aged man said, “I wear this ribbon to bring awareness about breast cancer. My daughter died of breast cancer one month ago. She thought she was too young to have breast cancer, so when she accidentally noticed a small lump, she ignored it. She thought that since it wasn’t painful, it must not be anything to worry about.”

Shaken and ashamed, the now sober stranger said, “Oh, man, I’m so sorry, mister.”

“So, in my daughter’s memory, I proudly wear this little ribbon, which allows me the opportunity to enlighten others. Now go home and talk to your wife and your daughters, your mother and your friends. And here.” The middle-aged man reached in his pocket and handed the other man a little pink ribbon. The guy looked at it, slowly raised his head, and asked, “Can ya help me put it on?”

Let’s stay focused on breast cancer awareness all year long, not just in October. If you are a woman over age 40, do regular breast self-exams and have annual mammograms. And please encourage those women you love to do the same.

Thanks for helping me spread this month’s special BE NICE message and giving breast cancer awareness a voice.


XOXO, Winn

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A BE NICE Story
Do you have a BE NICE story to share? Send it to editor@BeNiceOrElse.com. If it appears in the newsletter, you’ll receive a BE NICE T-shirt and CD!

This month’s BE NICE Story features my best friend Dianne Ingram (right) and her sister Debie Grable. They joined 4,200 other walkers to raise $10.3 million for The Breast Cancer 3-Day (Susan G. Komen) event in San Diego, California, October 14–16. It was Dianne’s third and Debie’s second 60-mile walk, and they’re already signed up for next year. These amazing sisters have raised over $13,000 in honor of Dianne’s friend, Jeanna Paris Neely.

“Jeanna had an incredible impact on my life,” says Dianne. As teenagers, they were introduced by a mutual friend at an Osmond concert. Even though they lived on opposite sides of the country, they became instant friends and stayed in close contact. “She always called me Sis,” Dianne recalls. “Her dad was a widower and he treated me like his daughter; her grandparents were the same way. I feel like they’re like family.”

At age 28, Jeanna was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away nine years later, leaving two small children behind. Jeanna’s mother had died from the same disease. Today, Jeanna’s daughter Jennifer is 24 years old with a son of her own. Dianne says, “We walk because we don’t want to lose Jennifer. We’re trying to make a difference so Jennifer has a chance. That’s why I walk and that’s why it’s important to me.”

Participating in the annual 3-Day walks makes Dianne “feel like a better person, like I’m contributing to something,” she says. She also reaps a few side benefits: “I lost 20 pounds the first year I was training. It’s amazing! I’m in much better shape. It’s just a continued regimen; we never stop training.”

After Jeanna died, Dianne spotted a sign that read: I was waiting for someone to do something important, and I realized I was someone. That sign was her wake-up call, and she’s been part of the breast cancer fight ever since.

If you’re waiting for someone to do something, let this will be your wake-up call. Remember that you are someone and you can make a difference.

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Monthly Audio Message



This month’s message comes from Heather Harvey, manager of patient programs for Look Good, Feel Better in Ontario, Canada.

“The cosmetic industry as a whole has decided to offer this free public service program for women who are living with cancer,” Heather explains. “We offer tangible support to help them cope with some of the appearance-related side effects they may encounter.”

To contact Look Good, Feel Better in Canada, visit www.lgfb.ca. In the United States, visit www.lgfb.org or call 1-800-395-5665.

 Listen to Heather Harvey’s heartwarming message and learn more about Look Good, Feel Better.


If you enjoyed this month’s audio message, you’ll love our MASTERS Audio Club. CLICK HERE for more information.

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People Profile

In October 1987, America’s First Lady Nancy Reagan was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. In Nancy: A Portrait of My Years with Nancy Reagan, Michael K. Deaver wrote, “As first lady, Nancy didn’t have the luxury of privacy, so she did the next best thing: used her diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy as a kind of national teachable moment.”

Shawn King, our good friend and wife of CNN’s Larry King, was one of the women who learned what Mrs. Reagan was trying to teach. She remembers, “Back at the time when Nancy Reagan went public about her breast cancer, it was one of those things most people kept secret or were even embarrassed about. Nancy Reagan brought it to the forefront and probably saved hundreds of thousands of lives, simply because with her encouragement women finally started getting breast exams.” Shawn didn’t know the first lady back then, but she certainly recalls the event. “My family, friends, and I were all talking about it and we considered it a huge wake-up call. The wonderful legacy of Nancy Reagan is that she had the courage to step forward and let people realize that breast cancer can strike any woman in any family–even the first lady of our country.”

Thanks to a screening mammogram, Nancy Reagan’s breast cancer was detected early. Please follow her example, learn the lesson she courageously shared, and practice regular screening.

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Do Something!
TAKE ACTION – HERE’S EXACTLY WHAT YOU CAN DO!


1. Volunteer!
Most national organizations have affiliates in cities across America and they welcome volunteers. Find one near you and volunteer your time.

2. Be an Advocate!
Send letters to your Congressperson to support funding of breast cancer research.

3. Shop!
Many organizations sell gifts and educational materials. Your purchases support research, education, screening, and treatment programs worldwide.

4. Educate Others!
Wear your pink ribbon, bracelet, or scarf with pride. When someone asks about it, share information about breast cancer awareness and encourage them to support the cause.

5. Party!
Most national organizations have local chapters or affiliates. Visit their Web sites to find upcoming fundraising events near you. You can have fun and make a difference at the same time!

6. Donate!
CLICK HERE to download a list of organizations that provide medical, nonmedical, and research support in the fight against breast cancer.

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Corporate Corner

I work in an industry and have a company that’s 80 percent women. I realize that not all industries are like that; your company could be the exact opposite. However, it doesn’t really matter what percentage of women work in your organization. Becoming highly sensitive and informed about women’s issues—including domestic violence and breast cancer—is just good business.

Perhaps you could empower a team of people within your organization to find ways for your small or big company to get involved on an ongoing basis, not just a once a year or for a one-time event. For example, you could participate in Look Good, Feel Better or any of the other organizations we profiled in this month’s Do Something download.

As a business owner or leader, it’s important to remember that the people who work with you have kind hearts. They want to give back. But unless you give them permission, pat them on the back, and tell them you’re proud of any and all efforts, they may not do it. It’s up to you to lead the way. That’s this month’s home-play assignment. Are you up to the challenge?

CLICK HERE to learn more about the joys of volunteering.

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Quote of the Month

“In every community there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it.”
       – Marianne Williamson

Walk the talk and wear the talk. CLICK HERE!

Winn Claybaugh’s Be Nice (Or Else!) The Newsletter!
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