In October We Wear Pink

Halloween tends to overshadow the fact that the month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The movie Mean Girls reminds us that "on Wednesdays we wear pink", however in October we wear pink in support of and in solidarity with Breast Cancer patients, surviors, those who lost the battle and as an important reminder that early detection is key. 

In January of 2023 I found out while doom scrolling one night that a good friend from high school had lost her battle with breast cancer. Stacey was just shy of 40 years young.

 Back in high school we were two peas in a pod in a most tumultuous way induced with heavy underage drinking, Marlbro Lights and lots of late night romps. As teenage girls we grew up in the early 2000s before the Me Too movement, before thearapy talk of toxicity in relatonships or trauma, when body positivity was not a thing. It was anything but an empowering enviroment for budding little women and while I was secure in all of my insecurities, Stacey was the opposite.
With her blonde hair and curvy body she flaunted her confidence and it seemed that she usually got what she wanted.

Whether it be: a local punk rock show at an obscure venue, a night out of town for Motocross or Monster Trucks, a house party, camping, leaving a concert early to get a show poster,  making up choreographed dances to "Forgot About Dre" in the middle of the night, wreaking havoc around our hometown in her yellow cabriolet with the top down, dancing Thursday nights away at Popscene, going to underground raves, or dressing in a Moulin Rouge-esque outfits at a Country themed school dance, if I was in, Stacey was down.

Stacey was living her best life way before that was a popular moto. She wasn't even 18 yet and I was right by her side. 

When I found out about her passing it hit me hard, literally knocking the wind out of me.
We had an unhealthy falling out a while ago but I never had ill-will towards her and all of the memories we shared over the years. I couldn't help but think of all time spent together partying and sharing cigarettes. As cliche as it sounds, it could have been me but it wasn't, it was Stacey.
Stacey was young and lived fast and hard and big, anyone who knew her in our high school years knew that. I like to imagine she did after our friendship faded, too. 
 All of a sudden the phrase live fast die young made too much sense in a moment when nothing made sense.
Stacey died of Breast Cancer. 

When I saw that SusieCakes has Breast Cancer Awareness cupcakes I saw it as an opportunity to pay tribute to my old friend who lost her battle with the disease at such a young age and to help spread awareness to other women, young ladies, girls and families.

 

For the month of October SusieCakes teamed up with Susan G. Komen, the world's leading breast cancer organization, to create a recipe for change in an effort to make days better for those affected by Breast Cancer. From October 1st through October 31st SusieCakes has a few different options of Komen Cupcakes and cakes and throughout the month will donate $1 of every Komen cupcake sale and $5 of every Komen cake sale to Susan G. Komen to help find a cure. 

There are a few different ways your sweeter side can support Breast Cancer Awareness month with Susie and Susan: 

Komen Cupcake: your choice of chocolate or vanilla cake topped with a natural pink buttercream frosting complete with the signature SusieCakes swirl and sprinkled with natural pink sugar.
- $4.99 each 

Komen Ribbon Cupcake 4-pack: two chocolate cake and two vanilla cake cucpakes topped with the same natural pink buttercream frosting only these ones are decorated with a pink ribbon stencil and bordered with natural pink sugar. 
- $23.96 for the four pack (24hr notice required)

Komen Ribbon Flourless Cupcake 4-box: four flourless chocolate cupcakes topped with natural pink buttercream frosting decorated pink ribbon stencil and boardered nautural pink sugar. 
- $25.96 for the four pack (24hr notice required)

Komen Cake: A delicious 6-inch vanilla cake with pink buttercream frosting. This cake ships nation wide and comes with a complimentary candle, match box and you can customize the message on it. 
- $94.00 (shipping prices are included in the price of the cake)

All SusieCakes treats are baked fresh daily and 80% of the team at SusieCakes are female. One on every eight women in the United States will confront a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, SusieCakes' founder Susie Sarich is one of those 1 in 8 women.

Breast cancer isn't just a satistic, it is a harsh reality. Susan G Komen is the world's leading breast cancer organization, dedicated to saving lives and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and one day cure breast cancer. The goal of this sweet partnership is to create a recipe for change and make days better for those affected by breast cancer. 

If you got your fill of cake but still want to donate to raise awareness you can donate directly to Susan G Komen . 

The American Cancer Society offers a Breat Cancer screening guidline you can share with loved ones to spread awareness about breast cancer and early detection even further. 

The National Breast Cancer foundation offers insight on Breast self exam, explaining what they are, how to do them and when to do them. You can download a free early detection guide for yourself, friends and family. 

Another valueable resource for women's health is Planned Parenthood where you can also get information about Breast Cancer, awareness, prevention, etc.
Utilizing services offered at Planned Parenthood is where I was advised to get a second opinion from a primary doctor which resulted in my first mamogram before the reccommended age of 40 for annual mammograms. Subsequently this led to my first bisopsy which never would have happened without without a visit to Planned Parenthood. 

Don't forget to wear pink this month and share this post with friends and family!