June Greetings from BB!
Dear Friends of BB!,

 

 

June is known as the month of grads and Dads.  We celebrate our grads as they march into the next phase of their lives, and we celebrate our Dads for being there every time we enter a new phase of our lives.  Some of those new phases, such as graduation, are anticipated and some, such as a breast cancer diagnosis, are not.  I am fortunate to have two amazing Dads in my life - my own father and the father of my three sons, my husband.  I am grateful to my Dad for helping to shape me into the woman I am today, for teaching me compassion, love, and respect for the people who share this planet with me, for always listening and never lecturing, and for demonstrating that the best way to impact the world is by making a positive difference in my little corner of it.  I am grateful to my husband for being my biggest supporter, for accepting me as the woman I need to be instead of the woman he may want me to be, for teaching our sons what it means to be a loving husband and dedicated father, and for doing ALL the laundry every week.  Both of them were there for me from the moment I was diagnosed, through treatment, and beyond.  Fathers and husbands are often overlooked when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, but for many of us, they are a critical part of the healing process. They set aside their own fears to help us conquer ours, and they set aside their own needs to make sure ours are met.  To all the Dads out there, we celebrate you for making our little corner of the world a better place.  Thank you, and may your Father's Day be filled with all of the love and devotion you deserve.

 

 

Hugs, Mary Beth Gibson


Because Father's Day is June 21, we are dedicating the whole month to the fellas in our lives - husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. Whether they are offering words of encouragement, attending medical appointments, or donning a bra to raise funds for the cause, the men of BB! are stepping up to offer Boobers! their unwavering support.

 

In the weeks to come our BLOG will highlight the stories of several men in the BB! universe. Join us as we give thanks for the men in our lives and the important roles they play in treatment, recovery, and beyond. Let's hear it for the boys! 
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BB! News
 

BB! at YSC

 

This year our! fabulous "Not Your Typical Support" group facilitators headed to Washington D.C. to the first Northeast Regional Symposium sponsored by the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). The symposium had several sponsors that allowed us to attend for just the small cost of registration as all lodging and food were covered by YSC. The all-day conference offered several amazing speakers who focused on resiliency and life after a breast cancer diagnosis. In May, BB! and Lucy McKay, Ms. June,  started a support group in Northern VA to reach the young women in that community. At the symposium, we were able to meet many new women and welcome them to the BB! sisterhood while making new connections for our Richmond, Southside, and Northern VA groups. Next year, we hope to bring more Boobers! along so that BB! can share even more love with other young women diagnosed with breast cancer in our region.

BB! News 


Boobers! About Town

New Boober! And Beyond Boobs! volunteer Kerri Cook dropped by American Pride Automotive in  Toano for its most recent Family Service Day, and found much more than she was expecting. The employees at American Pride volunteer their time to inspect and do small repairs for free for families in need, but it's more than just a quick peek under the hood, Kerri said. They cleaned the gunk off her spark plugs, changed the radiator hose, showed her that her timing belt needed replacing and explained some simple car maintenance to her - but more than that, "they were so nice, they took time out to talk to me and hang out, they make you feel like you're part of their family." American Pride owner Charlie Marcotte had fun meeting Kerri, too. She "was so much fun to joke around with, she became comfortable enough with us that she climbed into 'Big Mack' and pulled off her scarf for the picture, she was absolutely great!" he said. Aside from Family Service Day, American Pride also donates money to local charities for every state inspection, and through the end of June, Beyond Boobs! will be the recipient of their generosity. http://www.americanprideautomotive.com/

If you're a "Boober About Town" and have a story to share about a fun event or experience you had in the town where you live, let us know about it, and your story could be the next one we share with the Beyond Boobs! family - just email us at dgparker02@hotmail.com

BB! News

Are Your Favorite Products Safe?

 

How safe are your favorite cosmetics and personal hygiene items? You can check the Environmental Working Group's cosmetics database to find out; it's searchable and it's FREE! Our friends at EWG have taken the guess work and homework out of trying to decide if a particular product is safe. Just download this free app to your smart phone and that's all! Anywhere, anytime, you will have this handy tool as you shop. Click here to find out more or search 'Skin Deep' in the app store.
June Calendar Model of the Month

Lucy

47, Diagnosed at 42 and 45
Immediate Family History -
No known genetic mutation

Director of Finance, wife, and mother of two young sons, Lucy learned she had stage 2, triple negative breast cancer following a routine mammogram.  Having two failed lumpectomies and chemotherapy, Lucy opted for a double mastectomy with reconstruction. Three years later, a routine follow up appointment revealed two lumps that led to her second diagnosis, a local recurrence of triple negative breast cancer, stage 3. Treatment included more surgeries, more chemotherapy, and radiation.  During these latest treatments....  Read more and hear Lucy's story here...


Are you an Amazon online shopper? 

If you use Amazon, shop through the portal www.smile.amazon.com and .5% of every purchase can be awarded to Beyond Boobs! at no cost to you. Simply click HERE, and type in Beyond Boobs! and that's all!
Happy Shopping!

A Calendar to Live By 2016 Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Help us save lives by becoming a sponsor in our breast health guide disguised as a calendar.
Click HERE to view many ways to help! 
Buy Your Own Day Today! 
Honor a loved one by purchasing a day in A Calendar to
Live By 2016 with any available day for just $50!  

June Sponsor of the Month

SAVE THE DATE !

Old Dudes Motorcycle Club Poker Run for BB!
June 20, 2015 
Newport News

Click  HERE for a full page flyer! Motorcycles and cars welcome!
gala
The Pink Carpet Gala to premier A Calendar to Live By 2016
September 19, 2015
at
DoubleTree by Hilton  Williamsburg

Tickets on sale soon
include dinner, drinks, dancing, live auction, prize drawing, and an inspiring presentation.


5K/10K Run For the Hills Fall Fest presented by 

October 17, 2015
at Sanford B. Wanner stadium Williamsburg

Online registration will be available soon!

Recipe of the Month

Peach  Salsa

An easy snack recipe courtesy of   The Health Journal

We have exciting news to share with you - our Beyond Boobs! family is going to be growing soon! We'll be ready to share more information in the coming weeks, so stay tuned by liking our Facebook page, following us on Twitter, and keeping your eyes open for an email from us with the big news. We can't wait to tell you!

Not Your Typical Support Systems

Did you know that Beyond Boobs! now has 15 Not Your Typical Support Systems in four states?
For a listing of support systems, click HERE !
Special Thanks to This Year's Sustaining Sponsors
      

If you are interested in becoming a sustaining sponsor, call our office at 757.645.2649

Beyond Boobs! is dedicated to healing and saving lives by supporting young women diagnosed with breast cancer while providing breast health education for all.