Figs for Bri Fundraiser

Hi everyone
Even though I've never met Bri, I stumbled upon her blog, Figs with Bri through Wandering Chopsticks foodblog (who's linked through San Diego's MMM-Yoso ). Even though I've never met Wandering Chopsticks either, Bri's story appealed to me. It's for a good cause and also one that I've been dealing with personally these past few months, breast cancer.

Yeah you heard that right. That is a BIGASS reason why I haven't been blogging as faithfully. Hearing something like THAT made me realize I had more important things to take care of instead of blogging. I'll be honest with you, it FKG sucks especially since I'm so young (just turned 39, but I look and feel young!), but cancer is indiscriminate towards age and doesn't care who it hits. The most important thing is that the cancer was caught early enough and it was treated. Having one less boob is a small price to pay for having my life. They say cancer changes your life and that it has. As cliched as it sounds, I am really looking at my priorities and life in a more reflective manner and being as positive as I can about this experience. That's my only choice because I can't afford to wallow in negative thoughts.

Since the "news", I've taken time off work since my diagnosis in late March (I'm in Stage 2-A). I had my mastectomy on my left breast in mid-April (yeah, happy late birthday to me!) and and have just completed my third round of chemotherapy a few days ago. I have one more treatment to go, then it's five years of Tamoxifen and hopefully no more of this bitch of a cancer.

Had my head shaved last month because it sucked seeing my hair all over the place. I had TC with me and the trooper that she is, took photos of her mommy getting her head sheared. No more cool rocker chick haircut. Now I look like GI Jane. But not as buff( I wish!)! Please, no Mrs. Clean or Sinead o'Connor jokes! I'd like to be as hot as Persis Khambatta (Lt. Ilia in the Star Trek - The Motion Picture, 1979) or Natalie Portman in "V is for Vendetta". Although I have 3 different wigs to play around with (one is black and looks like my old hair, the other two are dark brown - a bit of a conservative "Posh" bob and what I call my very tamed Robert Smith of the Cure shag), I rock the bald look at home. I hope my hair grows in to at least Billy Idol length by the time I plan to start work again, which I haven't yet determined the date.

Physically and mentally I'm doing pretty good, but I haven't really written about my experiences on my blog since I am normally a very private person. However, I wanted to somewhat break my silence about my condition to help Bri. This blog will still be about food and quirky things that amuse me, but I really need to expend my time and energy on healing, and spending quality time with my family especially my daughter. I won't be posting too much of my personal matters here unless I feel the need to. (update on 7/9 - I've broken out of my shell and posted a few newer posts about my experiences with cancer...guess I wanted to vent!)

But enough about me, and more about Bri. Hopefully foodbloggers out here or any random readers, especially in San Diego can help Bri reach her goal of raising money for her alternative treatments. She's almost at her goal - 97%! (update on 7/9 - Looks like the fundraiser was successful! She has surpassed her goal of 100%, which is EXCELLENT! However, the fundraiser will still go on to July 15, so it's not too late to donate for Bri!)

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This is an appeal on behalf of a group of food bloggers who are friends of Briana Brownlow @ Figs With Bri.

Bri was diagnosed with breast cancer two and half years ago. A mastectomy, chemotherapy and two years of relatively good health later, the cancer is back. It has metastasized to other parts of her body. At the age of 15, Bri lost her 41-year old mother to the disease. Now, she’s waging her own war against breast cancer. More about it here.

She is going through intensive chemo and other treatments and needs to focus single-mindedly on healing and finding what treatment works best for her. Her health insurance, unfortunately, does not cover holistic alternatives which she would like to try. Bri and her husband Marc have enough on their plates right now in addition to worrying about her medical bills.

The team organising the JUNE edition of CLICK at Jugalbandi has organised a fundraiser to help Bri and her family meet her out-of-pocket medical costs for ONE YEAR.

CLICK is a monthly theme-based photography contest hosted by Jugalbandi. This month’s theme is: YELLOW for Bri

Yellow is the colour of hope. Through the work of the LiveStrong Foundation, it has also come to signify the fight against cancer.

The entries can be viewed HERE. The deadline for entries is June 30, 2008. The fundraiser will extend until July 15, 2008.

The target amount is 12,000 U.S. dollars. We appeal to our fellow bloggers and readers to help us achieve this. Bri deserves a chance to explore all options, even if her insurance company thinks otherwise.

There’s a raffle with exciting prizes on offer. After viewing the list, you may make your donation HERE or at the Chip-In button on any participating site.

Your donation can be made securely through credit card or Pay Pal and goes directly to Bri’s account.

This month’s photo contest also has some prizes. Details HERE.

You can support this campaign by donating to the fundraiser, by participating in CLICK: the photo event, and by publicising this campaign.