Honeysuckle

WORLDWIDE - Since I have been working at Vera Bradley, I have been tuned in to color. It has been a wonderful addition to my formerly monochromatic world and wardrobe. Every year, the fashion world convenes to determine what is the next hot color. I am happy to announce that 2011 is the year of hot pink.

For those of us in the breast cancer community, I think I speak for us all when I say this, “Hey world, embrace your pink! And please, pretty please, give just a wee little bit of the proceeds to cancer research. Thank you!”

Elizabeth Edwards

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - "But I have found that in the simple act of living with hope, and in the daily effort to have a positive impact in the world, the days I do have are made all the more meaningful and precious. And for that, I am grateful."
– Elizabeth Edwards

Thank you, Elizabeth, for showing us grace, compassion and strength. We know that there are far worse things than cancer, and you are an example of how all of life’s tribulations can be mastered without them becoming our master. Rest in Peace.

Editor's Note: Please take a moment to view this inspiring video. http://bit.ly/i2waik

Missouri!

MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – “No time limit shall be imposed on an individual for the receipt of a prosthetic or reconstructive surgery and it provides that if an individual changes his or her insurance, then coverage for such procedures must transfer to the new policy.”

The above is an excerpt from the SCS/SB Act from the great state of Missouri. While this may not seem like a big deal to anyone who hasn’t had to consider such a thing, to those of us currently in treatment for this very disease – it’s a whopper. The decision is huge for a patient, whether to reconstruct for appearance, self esteem or simply balance (literally!) or to postpone to see if a second diagnosis might be forthcoming.

Many women (and men) vacillate about this surgery, and in some places it could mean the difference between insurance covering that procedure or not. Research your policy very carefully so that you are aware of your potential time frame. (Here are some tips.) If you have an HR department that is compassionate about these topics, visit them to get their advice. They work with insurance companies frequently, so they might have more insight.

In the end, however, I salute Missouri. You have given the world Mark Twain and now this super-fantastic bill. Thanks!

Burden

UNITED STATES – “Cancer burden” is described as “A measure of the incidence of cancer within the population and an estimate of the financial, emotional or social impact it creates. The burden of disease is not borne equally by all population groups in the United States.” (National Cancer Institute (NCI))

There are many terms on NCI’s website that are unknown to the majority of people I personally know; and that is a good thing. Only when you or someone you love is diagnosed do you learn things like the true meanings of “life tables” and “SEER registries.”

It will be a wonderful day, worldwide, when this website becomes obsolete.