Lifting Spirits and Heroism

Dear Friends,

This is Part II of the giveaway posted on 9/1 ($70 gift voucher for CSN stores), a tribute to our beloved blog friend, Lisa/Bumpkin on a Swing. Lisa was pure spunk, love, and generosity. Her blog continues to reflect her beautiful soul and spirit, much thanks to her best friend, Trish.

Many people in my life fought different forms of cancer: colon, lung (Note that many afflicted by lung cancer are non-smokers), breast, brain cancer, and leukemia. Please see my sidebar, too, with some of the blogosphere's children and families who face this disease daily. Sadly, it's rare to find someone who's life has not been touched by cancer.

While there are over 100 types of cancer, there are only a few specific screening exams for early detection (e.g., mammogram, colonoscopy). In the US, half of all males and one-third of all females develop cancer at some point in their lives. There have been successes in research and treatment, though our overall knowledge is quite limited. I'm frustrated and humbled in writing this, as so much more is needed to fight this monster.

Yet, many win the fight. Some even survive multiple fights. All who face this battle daily, with full heart and courage, are true heroes. Here are comments from you, my beloved readers, and here's to the heroes amongst us, and/or in our hearts, who've had to endure the fight.

Michelle Pixie said I want to nominate Lindsay and Jackson of http://themommarazziblog.blogspot.com/Jackson is fighting the battle now with a very rare form of pediatric cancer. I don't know if Lindsay is a follower but she is an amazing mom and an amazing inspiration to me! She has become such an important part of my life and it has meant the world to me to have another mom who has/is where I have been. She has been a lifesaver for me!

Cheeseboy said I nominate my friend at "Silver Strands" who cut off her hair in honor of her mother with cancer:http://lovely-silver-strands.blogspot.com/

Food According To Karen said My very good friend Penny was diagnosed with stomach cancer 2 years ago and I would certainly nominate her. After going thru two bouts of kemo, she thought she had it licked. Unfortunately, it had spread to her bones. She's gone thru kemo treatments galore now and can no longer receive any more treatments for awhile. She sits in limbo, her numbers just shy of being cancer free.

Marlene said I'd nominate my mom. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 1989 and underwent bilateral mastectomy. My firstborn was just 18 months at the time, and I was TERRIFIED. I thought my mother would not live to see my baby grow up.I'm happy to say that nearly 21 years later, she is STILL cancer free! I wish the outcome was the same for everyone who is diagnosed.

Belly Charms said I have 2 I want to nominate. My Sister Sandi who is battling brain cancer (http://www.sandisfight.com) and Daffy from BatCrap Crazy. She lost her sister suddenly from a brain tumor during the same time my sister was diagnosed.

Wreckless Euroafrican said USD70!!! mmm... lots of stuff I can buy with that money!!!! I nominate myself. Lost a kidney to the big C - then got bladder cancer, had 4 - 5 ops, one every 3 months, and managed to save it! been "clean" now for just over 10 years. Still spread the word that you can fight this thing with your mind!!!! Salagatle!

Bossy Betty said My friend Karen lost her husband Raul to brain cancer. I'll nominate her.

Jason, as himself said I nominate my youngest brother, Paul, who was 11 when our mother died of breast cancer.http://www.the3day.org/site/TR?px=3438831&fr_id=1469&pg=personal

Birdie said I'm not here to nominate anyone, I think this is a lovely gesture. Cancer has touched my family half a dozen times. My great-grandma and Grandmother died 2 weeks apart from different types when I was 10. I lost an uncle to kidney cancer, an aunt to ovarian and have a survivor of an Aunt (cervical & breast) My MIL also has been diagnosed. Kudos on the attention you're bringing to this fight!

Nellie said I would like to nominate Angela Getter who just recently lost her precious 6-year old daughter to Wilm's disease.

Lori said One of the girls that I work with has an incredible story I would like to share... Melissa and Dave were married in 2002 ~ young and in love they had one son and were looking forward to expanding their family. Dave had a scare with cancer in 2006, went in for surgery and they thought all was good. Melissa got pregnant again and then Dave was told that his cancer came back. With the stress of Dave's diagnosis we were afraid that she may not carry the baby to term, but then she was diagnosed with breast cancer! Two days after giving birth to the baby, she went in for surgery then for rounds of chemo and radiation. Sadly Dave passed away last year leaving a very young widow. She is now a single Mom of 2 boys, working full time and she is not yet 35. Now just 2 weeks ago she found out her cat has cancer ~ we laughed ~ not morbid but she was like what is it with me and cancer?? She has a great spirit and has been through so much ~ she is a trooper.

Plus, we all love Pat. Sorry for adding you, Pat, but we do all love you!

Now, let the games begin. I'm writing the nominees' names onto little pieces of paper, all the same size. Give me a moment..Ok, now I'm folding them and placing them into my special little pink box, as so, and scrambling them around. Can you tell I've never done a giveaway before? Watch, I'm closing my eyes now. Can you see? I can't. Let me try to find the box. Oops, that's my nose..Lower..Okay, here..I feel paper..Hold on.. Got one.

And THE WINNER IS: LINDSAY AND JACKSON NOMINATED BY MICHELLE PIXIE, A HERO IN HER OWN RIGHT!!! Congratulations, Lindsay and Jackson (his beautiful face is on my sidebar), and thank you, Michelle.

xo Thank you all. xo