OK, I know this is going to sound kind of bizarre, but my friends and I were just hanging out this weekend, and somehow I started thinking about cancer, my family, and just generally being preoccupied about health. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I guess it’s just on my mind… because it’s also on the TV, the radio, in magazines, and ALL over the web, of course. Here’s a funny thing, though…there’s stuff about it all over, but no one wants to talk about it. I mean, I’m not obsessing over this or anything, but it seems kind of weird that I can find breast cancer mentioned 7 times in this month’s People Magazine, but if I bring it up with my friends they get freaked out and change the subject.

I guess it is kind of rare for girls my age to get breast cancer. But I know it happens. I also read that the kind of cancer that a girl my age can get is actually WORSE, so it’s really important to find out about it early. I’m not talking about going to the doctor and having a mammogram or anything, I’m talking about those self-check exams that you can do in the shower. They seem easy enough, and anyway, wouldn’t you rather…you know…KNOW? I would!

There’s so many great places on the web that discuss breast cancer, how to prevent it, detect it, survive it and what people are doing to STOP it…the best description I’ve found on how to do a self exam is the the Komen Cancer Foundation site: http://www.komen.org/bse/

Besides detecting any problems early – and getting help right away – I think it’s also a good idea to get used to what’s NORMAL for your body. If you don’t check it out all the time, how will you know if something different pops up? And no, I’m not talking about that horrifying, weekend-ruining zit that appeared before your date on Friday night, although I admit that probably caused nearly as much emotional damage!

If I ever found something weird with my body, I think the hardest part for me would be talking about it. It’s a good idea to try and find someone who you won’t feel uncomfortable sharing information with, whether its your doctor, your mom or dad, or your best friend…but do talk about it, don’t just read about it and think “It won’t happen to me”…try make SURE it won’t happen, instead!

My Aunt Josie taught me to understand the Fall. Josie was my mom’s baby sister, the youngest of her family and more of a friend to me than just about anyone! We were friends first, family second. We shared jewelry, outfits, music, and books, and our summers, hanging out at her ranch. Josie was whip smart, financially independent and a fearless horsewoman. I think my mom was half terrified and half hopeful that I would take after her.

Personally, I’ve always lumped Fall with that impending dread of school, and the end of Summer was somewhat a time of adolescent gloom. I just hated that all the leaves, flowers and grass would be dying, and the days would get shorter, and there was just that unbearable sense of ENDING. I preferred springtime, the sense of new things growing and the excitement of a Summer full of fun ahead!

Aunt Josie loved autumn. And she took it kind of personal that I didn’t. Over the course of our summers together, she did manage to convert me to appreciate the changes brought by this season of death. Renewal of the earth and all that jazz. That leaves would die in a blaze of glorious color, fall to the ground and renew the earth, so that new green leaves would appear on that tree come spring… she was really into that. She always said, spring can’t happen without fall passing before.

Those lessons of renewal and rebirth are really important to me, now, because Aunt Josie passed away 3 years ago, a victim of breast cancer. We totally didn’t see it coming, and if she knew about it much beforehand, she didn’t let on. I don’t mind saying that I was really scared, for a while…could it happen to me? I found a ton of stuff to read about detecting and preventing breast cancer, and lots of great organizations that are spending money on helping other women with the disease…but it’s still a very chilling thought.

At the end of our last summer together, Aunt Josie gave me a back-to-school gift of a necklace, a delicate glass pendant in the shape of a new spring green leaf. It was kind of an inside joke, I guess, from the Fall Fanatic to the girl who preferred the spring. When I wear it, I think of renewal, and rebirth. Instead of being sad about Josie, I try to think of the women who have and will survive to see the next Spring.

PINK is absolutely everywhere right now. But this isn’t some teenie-bopper girlie fashion trend that just hit the “cool” shops. Pink is the color which signifies a cause closely associated with many women.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the annual campaign which has been wholeheartedly embraced by the fashion industry. Even Glamour Mag has a full spread on Thinking Pink!

Wearing pink is a great way to show support for an important charity, and some products even donate a portion of the proceeds!

Joanna Schlip is a world renowned makeup artist who has put makeup on many celebrity faces. I don’t have enough room to list them all but let’s just say she’s prettied up faces from Alicia Silverstone to Zooey Deschanel and everyone in between. According to a recent interview she gave, what are her favorites? Frosty pink lipstick and hot-pink nail polish!

ACCESSORIZE

You don’t have to go pink from head to toe to look great and lend your support. From catwalk models photographed by David Bailey, to lipsticks, bags, pink brooches and necklaces, there won’t be a reason to miss the campaign this October!

Do as the celebrities are doing and don a Breast Cancer fitted T-shirt. Or funk up an outfit with a wide-range of pink jewelry available. Or a pink wallet or handbag. Scarves and hats do well with pink highlights, especially for a night out on the town.

SAVING LIVES

2006 marks the 22nd anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is designed to educate women about breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment.

Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older, breast cancer deaths have declined and the initiative has grown to be one of the most recognizable health awareness initiatives in the United States.

So show your support this month… and add a little color to your wardrobe.

This Pink Teardrop Murano Glass Pendant Necklace is only $17.99