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.
"A Message to My Loved Ones, Friends, and Doctors"
(From the newly diagnosed person)
At this point, when I am most vulnerable, raw, in shock as it were, and in a new psycho-social group—I have a few things that I want to share with you.
First, I have decided to share my condition with only the people whom I believe I can trust, right now, and whom I believe care about me. In that regard, I want to be wholly open, and honest with you, to the best of my ability. That does not mean that my feelings won't change in a few hours, or a few days, or months, but for now, this is my decision.
What I need from you are just a few qualifications, for you to be on my new Team, in life, for now.
-
Please respect my decisions, and help me to maintain dignity in the weeks ahead.
-
Always acknowledge my condition, realizing that right now I am still at the stage of perhaps referring to this disease as "it." So, help me be open when I need to be, and let me know if you are willing to listen, or talk to me about how this news, decisions, treatments, and my feelings are affecting me.
-
If I have chosen you to be on my cheering squad, or on my team, be you a loved one, friend, or physician, please respect my privacy, and do not share my plight with anyone else.
-
I may not realize it now, but I may need to have my decisions dignified, with support, regardless of your feelings. I know that may be, at times, difficult for you, painful in fact, but at this time, especially, your respect for my individual choices will help me greatly.
-
Accept the fact that I appreciate you. If you are one of my doctors, please be prepared to always seek second, and third opinions before progressing with your treatment options. Its imperative that I know you can be trusted. I feel that I must have doctors around me who have similar concerns to my own, yet the expertise to permit me to begin this new journey with the reality that my body will respond only as it can, and that you are one of the "watchdogs" over this process. If you cannot do these things, please let me know so I can seek out other physicians.