Principles of Medical Ethics 

Before You Donate

Think very seriously before donating to any breastcancer organization, or fundraising program until you read their Annual Report to see who their top contributors are, and if they have a product that appears frequently in the message the organization sends to the public. That would be unethical and its illegal. The same applies to a request that the public buys products, but does not receive a "donor receipt" for tax-deductible purpose. Read any and all food labels that breastcancer "non-profits" are promoting to raise money. Some organizations tell the public to help them raise money by asking you to visit their websites, but that only gives them "hits" to increase their sponsors.

Another tip, "signing" an online Petition is not acceptable, so don't fall for such antics. An ethical non-profit, or professional will not request your visit to their website, nor use "cookies" placed on your computer when you visit their site.

Purchase the Breastcancer Postage Stamp, the Post Office will always give you your charitable deduction receipt. Its a valid form of fund raising.

 

Can we prepare for a crisis

like illness, in advance?

What can be done?

How vulnerable are we? Can we prepare in advance?

What can we do now that we are already ill?

These were questions posed to me by a twenty-five year old kindergarten teacher who has read this website. Lara openly asked me "How have you survived this financially? How can we, as single people 'make it? Can you put that on your website, too?" Later, Lara wrote a ballad for me from being with me during very shattering months on my journey. "Sister" is now in English and Spanish and we are hoping someone will record the CD—Lara has done it but to raise money to prevent breast cancer we'd like it done professionally. It will when the time is right.

It reminded me of a wonderfully uplifting message I received from a dear friend who's known me for years, and experienced cancer, too. As I approached my second mastectomy, with no small amount of anxiety, I turned to her in open grief. Her response was:
 

"I KNOW you do not fear death or dying. You have been a good and faithful servant, and know that you will be welcomed into the kingdom.  It's LIVING that presents the challenge.   But, it's LIVING that is your present responsibility. No one can do the job for which only you were created."

As I wiped the tears from my eyes, I realized the real source of much of my worries, fears, anxieties...how do we live through this, and how do we get back into life if we conquer this disease?

As we get older we think about retirement savings, illness, disability, accidents...and if we are single parents, we may not have an opportunity to dare to think of such things until our children are grown.  But, we have to.  I did not, without reading volumes on how to save for retirement, mutual funds, etc.

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