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Dear Reader,
This month I have a truly eclectic mix for you!
Reflections on what is valuable in life
Even though Snopes says this piece is a 'fake' I though that it would be worth sharing! It purports to be from the late Steve Jobs who died of pancreatic cancer.
“I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success. However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death. In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of god of death drawing closer …Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth …Should be something that is more important: Perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days. Non-stop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me. What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on. Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands. What is the most expensive bed in the world? Sick bed …You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you. Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost — Life. When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading — Book of Healthy Life. Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends.Treat yourself well. Cherish others.”
After reading this "Jobs' piece (regardless of its true provenance) I am reminded to wish not only you our Jewish readers but ALL of you another year of life, love, health and happiness. (While ZBC was very busy planning a hike those of you who are our Jewish readers, donors and supporters celebrated the arrival of the Jewish calendar year 5779, observed Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement - and wished each other G'Mar Chatimah Tovah - a wish to be inscribed and sealed in the book of life for the coming year).
Making an impact with a bequest
Flushed with the success of the 16th Annual Dipsea Hike for Zero Breast Cancer we are deeply touched and honored to share news with you that we shared with the hikers a little over a week ago. It concerns a bequest to Zero Breast Cancer that you can learn more about in the next segment of this newsletter.
We love surprise gifts, but we also like to plan for the future. If you have listed ZBC in your will or trust, please let us know!
When medical practitioners forget their Hippocratic Oath to 'First do no harm"
It gives us no pleasure to read about a medical doctor being censured but in this case we feel we should share this information. Combination hormone replacement therapy (estrogen + progestin HRT) is a known risk factor for post menopausal breast cancer. 70% of breast cancers are hormone receptor positive and evidence based treatment of such existing cancers and prevention of recurrence of such cancers depends on blocking and/or reducing the levels of such hormones in the body. Replacing these hormones - whether they are artificially synthesized or bio-identical from 'natural sources' - has not been proven safe. Read more here.
A fellow breast cancer prevention non-profit is recruiting
Know anyone who might be interested in part time employment as a Study Coordinator for Community-Based Participatory Research Study on Breast Cancer Prevention, Breast Cancer Over Time? BCOT is a tax-exempt California nonprofit corporation created and controlled by breast cancer survivors and dedicated to supporting scientific research into breast cancer prevention. The job description and information on the application process can be found here. Information about the study can be found here.
Pinktober
Reader, perhaps you share some of ZBC's ambivalence about the 'pinking' of October and the arbitrariness of it being Breast Cancer Awareness month? Hopefully you will appreciate the partnerships we do promote and the activities we participate in to do our bit in an authentic and meaningful way.
Please visit our calendar and check out the ever-growing variety of events that include local supporters and businesses raising money for ZBC and a myriad of opportunities that ZBC takes advantage of to spread our education and awareness messages about ways to lower breast cancer risks in our communities.
- AIFF 1775's 5th Annual Fire & Ice Cream event at Lappert's Ice Cream in Sausalito on October 7th.
- Cavallo Point's BFF evening on October 18th - *SOLD OUT*
- Pinxav (Pink Salve) has selected ZBC as the beneficiary of a donation for every website sale during the month of October. So if you know any one with a baby in diapers who might need a really good diaper rash creme please tell them about Pinxav.
- Beautycounter is an education first B corp company on a mission to get the harmful chemicals off the shelves; parabens and phalates and other toxic chemicals are linked with many health issues including fertility issues, cancer, and allergies. For the next ten days Beautycounter is partnering with Zero Breast Cancer and 15% of sales using this link will go to Zero! Thank you Carolyn Bernstein, RN, NP and Director. Want to connect directly to Carolyn? You can contact her This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Participation in health fairs and events around the Bay Area
- Presentations at various high school lunch 'n learn events (please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like a presentation at a high school you are associated with).
Last but not least
Zero Breast Cancer is happy to announce that Lianna Hartmour has transitioned from part time Education Coordinator to (almost) full time Program Director here at ZBC. Lianna will be focusing on youth, teens and pregnant women as populations who may be particularly susceptible to environmental and lifestyle factors that may impact their lifetime breast cancer risk. Lianna will take a leading role in extending the reach of ZBC's activities beyond Marin into the rest of the North Bay in 2019.
Sports Basement has added ZBC as a beneficiary organization to its Basementeer program year round! Thank you!
It just remains for me to once more thank you for your longstanding support of Zero Breast Cancer and your ongoing commitment to the ultimate vision of a world with zero breast cancer.
Yours in health,
Rose Barlow
Executive Director
PS Its never too late to become a monthly donor to ZBC. Its easy and you can start the process here!
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