Bleeding Espresso

7 September 2009

Teal Toes Contest for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and dedicated readers are probably guessing that another O Foods Contest with Sara of Ms Adventures in Italy might be coming up. Well, you’re right, but that won’t kick off until next week.

Stay tuned, and if you want to donate money to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund in the meantime, please go to our donation page at First Giving, which you may also remember from last year.

You can also indirectly donate through Seventh Generation: Let’s Talk Period simply by signing up for free registration on their site; Seventh Generation will donate $1 for each new registration, up to $22,000 (each year 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer).

Why make a big deal of ovarian cancer awareness?

Well, because ovarian cancer is often known as a silent killer because many women don’t discover they have ovarian cancer until it spreads somewhere else; their survival rate is 45%. But the survival rate jumps to 93% when the cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, which only happens 19% of the time.

This is why it’s so important for women to know the dangers of ovarian cancer as well as the symptoms and signs, which often mirror those of irritable bowel syndrome, because ovarian cancer is not actually silent, it just whispers softly. *You must listen!*

We’ll talk more about this as the month goes on as well, but for now, please also be aware that recent studies have closely linked breast cancer and ovarian cancer through the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Check out Sloan-Kettering’s great FAQ on these genes.

Paint Your Toenails Teal!

So, this week in conjunction with a pre-O Foods Contest contest, I’d like to re-introduce you to Teal Toes, an organization dedicated to raising ovarian cancer awareness run by Carey Fitzmaurice, an ovarian cancer survivor:

Carey came up with the idea to encourage people to paint their toenails teal in September, especially because:

Ribbons aren’t enough.
It’s easy!
It makes your toes look pretty.
Teal, the ovarian cancer awareness color, is striking enough to make people ask about it.

Carey has lots of great resources and information over at her place, including a link to the wonderful FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer), so do take a look around–especially at the page of teal polishes to get you started on your toes.

And finally, the contest. Carey has generously offered 5 bottles of OPI Teal the Cows Come Home nail polish for five lucky Bleeding Espresso readers; winners to be drawn at random.

Teal Toes Contest Rules:

1. To enter, leave a comment on this post between now and midnight on Friday, September 11, 2009 (Italy time).

2. For an extra entry, become a fan of Teal Toes on Facebook and send me a message at michellefabio5(at)gmail(dot)com to let me know you’ve done so.

That’s it!

I’ll choose the winners at random on Saturday morning and announce them here.

And by the by, if you’re feeling extra frisky, why not go out and get some teal polish, paint your toes, post it on your blog, and send me a link (or just send a photo if you don’t have a blog). Wouldn’t you love to see your toesies featured here and at the Teal Toes Facebook page?

Show us your Teal Toes, ladies! And gentleman! *Everyone* looks good in teal. Including blogs. Feel free to lift the ovarian cancer awareness ribbon above or over in my sidebar (smaller) for your site this month (please upload to your own server though).

Remember, just comment to enter the contest, and do spread the word!

Let’s make enough noise together to kill this silent killer.

32 beans of wisdom »

32 beans of wisdom to “Teal Toes Contest for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month”

Aimee on 07 Sep 2009 at 8:20 am #

Pretty toes for a good cause? Count me in!

Consider yourself counted, Aimee! Thanks

Aimee´s last blog ..Books, books, and more books!
Peter @ italyMONDO! on 07 Sep 2009 at 8:28 am #

What a great idea! I do a lot of charity work back home and I thinking putting those ribbons aside to instead do something unique is really fantastic. Are expat boys like me aloud to paint their toenails as well, though??

All the better, Peter! Just *imagine* the conversations you’ll spark

Peter @ italyMONDO!´s last blog ..In Search of the Undiscovered Amalfi Coast
Caro on 07 Sep 2009 at 9:24 am #

Count me in too!

You’re in Caro!
Cherrye at My Bella Vita on 07 Sep 2009 at 10:43 am #

You know, I was *just* looking for a new nail color … hmmm….c

And there’s still plenty of nice weather for a few trips to the beach with teal toes too
Lisa on 07 Sep 2009 at 1:25 pm #

What a great way to spread the word on ovarian cancer.

Thanks so much for participating, Lisa!

Lisa´s last blog ..Pinwheel, pinwheel spinning around…
jen of a2eatwrite on 07 Sep 2009 at 4:36 pm #

This is really a fun and playful way to get the word out on such an important topic. I’m looking forward to the O foods contest, too, especially since I now have other ways of publicizing it this year!

Yay! I’m looking forward to this year’s O Foods as well

jen of a2eatwrite´s last blog ..A Vegetarian Labor Day or Harvest Dinner
saretta on 07 Sep 2009 at 5:20 pm #

I love that you always remind us of these good causes, thanks! Teal toes? Oh my!

I’ve always loved teal; only makes sense to add it to my toes, right?!

saretta´s last blog ..Girl’s Night Out & A Contest
Suzi Peterson Steward on 07 Sep 2009 at 6:23 pm #

What a creative idea to raise awareness! I lost my mom to Ovarian Cancer 4 years ago, so this is one near and dear to me. Let’s kick it! I’m going to paint my toes teal with my daughter.

I’m so sorry about your mom, Suzi; yes, let’s kick it is right!
Jana on 07 Sep 2009 at 8:31 pm #

What a fun idea…I’ll definitely get some teal polish soon!

Woohoo! Paint the world (or at least its toes) teal!

Jana´s last blog ..some time away from it all
Lola on 07 Sep 2009 at 8:40 pm #

Thank you Michelle for once again tackling an important topic with your usual grace.

Off to paint my toes now…
Ciao,
Lola xx

Thank *you* for participating, Lola!

Lola´s last blog ..Pollo ai Peperoni
Susan S. on 08 Sep 2009 at 12:38 am #

I had my toes tealed last Friday just for the cause!

Awesome Susan! I hope they’ve been documented (photographic evidence, I mean)
Gil on 08 Sep 2009 at 1:01 am #

I’m leaving my toes alone! I’m sure I’ll donate to them again.

OK I’ll give you a pass on this one, Gil…but those teal toes sure would make for good conversation at the coffee shop
Teena on 08 Sep 2009 at 10:35 pm #

My toes are teal for Ovarian Cancer Awareness … AND I’m a fan of Teal Toes on FB!

Awesome Teena; thanks for coming by!
City Girl on 09 Sep 2009 at 6:30 pm #

I need to buy some teal nail polish Thanks for entering me ANd I am already planning O food recipes

Yay! Can’t wait to see them!

City Girl´s last blog ..{What’s Cooking Wednesday} Peperonata
Rose Marie Milcetic on 10 Sep 2009 at 4:04 am #

It is my fervent desire that the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance continues its mission to conquer ovarian cancer un”teal” a cure is found!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hah that’s great Rose Marie! Thanks
Michelle Bottalico on 11 Sep 2009 at 12:09 am #

Hey! I’m gonna look for some teal toe polish…

Good luck, Michelle; I haven’t seen any
Lavanya on 11 Sep 2009 at 2:57 am #

Thank you for this post- Awareness is sometimes the key to solving so many problems. *needs to go get some teal nail polish*.
Please enter me in the draw. Thanks!

You’re in Lavanya! Thanks for coming by

Lavanya´s last blog ..Photographing Figs
Chrissy on 11 Sep 2009 at 2:46 pm #

I love this idea- what a great way to spread awareness. Thanks!

Thank YOU Chrissy!
Valentinoswife on 11 Sep 2009 at 3:02 pm #

As a cancer survivor (total hysterectomy 21 years ago as a result when my son was only a couple months old!) I am in on this — and I signed as a fan too!
Bonnie(valentinoswife)

I had no idea, Bonnie! Thanks for participating, and you also get an extra entry for your fandom

Valentinoswife´s last blog ..September 11
elizabeth on 11 Sep 2009 at 3:07 pm #

I rarely paint my toenails, but this seems like such a cool idea! Count me in!

You’re counted Elizabeth! Thanks

elizabeth´s last blog ..Ispriazione! (links edition)
Scintilla on 11 Sep 2009 at 3:07 pm #

My daughter’s wearing teal toes…spotted too!
Thank you for organizing this.

Oh snazzy! Thanks for participating

Scintilla´s last blog ..You know that it’s August in Positano if…
ricahrd curtis on 11 Sep 2009 at 4:36 pm #

OK, Michelle I will leave a comment but I but I will not paint my toes teal, that color does nothing for me at all….

I have numerous women in my life, wife, daughters, mentoring many ladies in recovery and I have urged all of them to be aware and stay aware of this silent killer.

They are to precious to me to ignore this situation…..I don’t just as in some other illness’s.

So anyone raising awareness in this vain is just plain “ok in my book”….

Love and Light,

richard

Thank you Richard; your support is molto appreciated
Marla on 11 Sep 2009 at 6:28 pm #

Time flies, don’t want to miss out on this event. Guess I need to root around at the market for some teal polish, time’s a wasting!

I haven’t seen any teal lately, Marla; hopefully you’ll have better luck (or just win some!)

Marla´s last blog ..Gofri, the recipe
Rosina on 11 Sep 2009 at 9:52 pm #

OK, I think I made it before midnight, Italy time. My guess is it’s 10 pm there right now? It’s almost 2 pm here in New Mexico.
Yeah, I haven’t worn wild colors on my nails in years! Maybe 30 or 40! lol.

You made it Rosina! Thanks for coming over
Bleeding Espresso » Teal Toes Winners and More Ovarian Cancer Awareness Info on 12 Sep 2009 at 8:18 am #

[...] (3) Chrissy [...]
This Week in Italy: 6-12 Sep 2009 | italyMONDO! Blog on 13 Sep 2009 at 12:51 pm #

[...] Teal Toes Contest for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Bleeding Espresso – September 7, 2009 One of the top Italian Blogs on the web is generating support for a great cause, spreading the word about September being Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. How can you show your support? Paint your toenails teal! Bleeding Espresso is even offering free nail polish for five lucky readers to help in the cause, so show your support for for this great cause and go teal! [...]
Peter @ italyMONDO! on 13 Sep 2009 at 1:03 pm #

Our link to you just went went up (See the CommentLuv below)…

We hope it helps with the cause. I’m almost slathered on some teal myself, but my fidanzata Filomena decided to do it instead!

Thanks so much! More contest fun starting tomorrow

Peter @ italyMONDO!´s last blog ..This Week in Italy: 6-12 Sep 2009
Emily on 14 Sep 2009 at 6:33 am #

Great idea! And see? It’s working. I had no clue that this was Ovarian Cancer Awareness month until I came here. Thanks!

Yay! See, every little bit helps

Emily´s last blog ..Isole Eolie
My favourite PestO for Ovarian Cancer on 19 Sep 2009 at 2:01 pm #

[...] winner chosen at random will receive a Teal Toes tote bag filled with ovarian cancer awareness goodies that you can spread around amongst your friends and [...]
J.C. on 21 Sep 2009 at 4:53 pm #

I like your ideas on spreading the awareness…
I love that teal toes…

Lots of great stuff here this month, J.C.! I hope you’ll stick around

J.C.´s last blog ..Ovarian Cysts Pregnancy
Melinda Kowaleski on 21 Sep 2009 at 11:45 pm #

“Caring Together” Walk/Run, Albany, NY 9/13/09!:)

Thanks Melinda!
Bleeding Espresso » 2nd Annual O Foods Contest for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Roundup Part 1 on 30 Sep 2009 at 5:34 pm #

[...] Information on Teal Toes [...]