There is nothing unusual about a non-profit organization publishing a calendar. There is something very unique about this one. Life is a Carnival is a bold approach to mastectomy and reconstruction education.

This 2008 calendar features photos from FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered members who have undergone bilateral mastectomy -- with or without reconstruction. To retain the anonymity of the models, they are wearing mardi gras masks.

This project is meant to celebrate life after mastectomy, to showcase many types of reconstruction and non reconstruction options in a nonthreatening and positive light. The calendar contains information about the models surgery with references included to the chapters in the Breast Reconstruction Guidebook which explains each procedure. A secondary goal of this calendar is to raise needed funds for FORCE programs.

Art for Cure, a non-profit organization, was founded by Jennifer Carr Patrizio, Jennifer Tisch, and Bob Stockfield. The two Jennifer's are my friends and fellow young breast cancer survivors. I was contacted by Jen and Jen to participate in the calendar by having a photo of me appear in it! How exciting!

Jennifer Carr Patrizio is a five year breast cancer survivor and a two year leukemia survivor. Jennifer Tisch is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Together, with freelance photographer Bob Stockfield, they have created a beautiful calendar called Life Blooms Desk Calendar.

The Life Blooms Desk Calendar is a month-at-a-glance format, features breathtaking photography of pink flora and motivational prose on one side, and candid photography of breast cancer survivors on the back. You can purchase the calendar for $20.

For those of you living for the moment, you are about to lose 60 whole minutes come Sunday when Daylight-saving time strikes once again.

This may throw you off a bit if you are one to maximize every second, minute, and hour you are afforded in this tenuous life. And while I can't offer you any secrets for recapturing this lost time, I can share some thoughts, compliments of professional organizer Linda Richards of Organize and More, on how you might compensate for Sunday's lost hour.

Think about this:

• Go to bed 15 minutes earlier and get up 15 minutes earlier starting a few days before the time change.
• Move any important meetings to later in the week so you body isn't as tired.
• Snack on healthy foods such as fruits and nuts to replenish energy.
• Shorten your to-do list to your top three to five priorities.
• Print out a copy of your calendar and appointments for March and make sure your computer has a patch to handle the earlier time change this year.
  

Looking for a cartoonishly risqué way to keep track of the days in 2007? Fifteen webcomic artists have created the Tastefully Done: 2007 Nude Webcomic Calendar featuring nude versions of webcomic characters, with all proceeds going to cancer research.

The calendar showcases the work of Ivan Pope, Ali Graham, Gordon McAlpin, Charles Woolbright, Chris Jones, Bryan Chojnowski, Pontus Madsen & Christian Fundin, Chris Simmons, Philip Spence, Rich Dachtera, Robert Koch, Ramón Pérez, Rob Coughler, Ryan Estrada, and of course, webcomic characters appearing in various scenarios of nudity.

From geriatric strip poker to nude bus rides, the artists realize that the calendar might not be for everyone, but it was only a matter of time before webcomic cartoon characters joined the ranks of the nude in benefiting cancer research. It's not naked librarians, hunky firefighters, naked rugby players, naked day traders, nude village women (who started the nude calendar for cancer charity phenomenon) or topless models (who decided in being different they would remain fully-clothed), but it is a one-of-a-kind calendar in the webcomic category.

You can take a peek and purchase the Tastefully Done: 2007 Nude Webcomic Calendar through Lulu's here.

Naked librarians. Naked folk singers. Middle-aged village women posing nude. As for the anything goes as long as it's going to charity, thirteen of Britain's top topless models have said enough is enough. With tongue in cheek humor, the models hold that modeling nude should be left to the professionals.

So, in a classic tipping of a sacred cow, the models have decided to put out a calendar of their own, only no one will be taking off their clothes. Instead, the models, who will be bucking the current calendar charity trend of scantily-clad amateurs, strike a professional pose fully-clothed in Calendar Girls Get Dressed For Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Referred to as glamour girls, the women appear in layered garments of woolen jumpers, scarves, stockings, coats, hats and gloves and go domestic, as opposed to the normal nightlife lifestyle most often associated to the models in the land of model-dom.

According to photographer Stuart White, "I wanted to let the glamour girls make fun of themselves. Their normal image is all to do with partying and the high life, which is why all the portraits show them finding their housework difficult."

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go to UK's Breakthrough Breast Cancer. As stated on the product page, "Calendar Girls Get Dressed For Breakthrough Breast Cancer is an affectionate tribute to the many recent calendars in which unglamorous amateurs have stripped off for worthy causes. It is NOT endorsed by the makers of the 2003 film Calendar Girls or previous films of the same name or those portrayed in them." Without endorsement, it is sure to get a chuckle. Going in the opposite direction and poking fun at yourself is a refreshing turn.

Copies of the calendar can be purchased here.

I will visit my oncologist on Monday for my every-three-month check-up. It's the recurring appointment that will appear on my calendar until I hit the five-year-survival milestone. I am three years away.

It's the appointment that consumes at least half of my day due to endless waiting -- waiting for a parking spot, waiting in the lobby, waiting in the exam room, waiting to pay. It's the appointment that officially begins with the drawing of my blood for lab work, continues with a check of my vitals, proceeds with a history review and physical exam with a medical student. It's the appointment that brings me face to face with the man who prescribed my treatment, the man who offers me strategies for living beyond treatment, the man who helps keep me alive. My oncologist.

And so I am preparing for this visit in the same exact way as I always do. I set aside a large chunk of time for this time-consuming extravaganza. I think a lot about the lab work and wonder if something suspicious will surface. I think a lot about the physical exam and wonder if an enlarged lymph node or mass in my breast will be discovered. And I think a lot about what I want to ask -- because this is my only very own allotted time for unraveling the mysteries of cancer with the man who knows the topic like no one else I know.

On Monday, I will ask a few questions. I will ask about tumor markers, about why I am not tested for these indicators of tumor growth, a standard option for my co-writer and co-cancer survivor Kristina Collins. I will ask about Zoloft, about how long I should continue taking this anti-depressant and how to best wean myself from this drug when the time comes. I will ask about the flu shot, about whether or not I can get one during this same appointment.

And that's all. For now. Until three more months pass and my calendar tells me it's time to return for this recurring appointment that takes me closer to the five-year mark.

Although these are important issues year-round, November is the month dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer, family caregivers, hospice care and the very important marrow donor program.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month is a national campaign to raise awareness about lung cancer. In addition to facts and resources, the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), a patient support and advocacy organization, hosts the Faces of Lung Cancer Campaign on their website featuring photos of those lives that have been touched by lung cancer.

According to facts presented by LCA, lung cancer will kill more people this year than breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer and melanoma combined. Lung cancer will kill three times as many men as prostate cancer this year. Lung cancer will kill nearly twice as many women as breast cancer this year. Although smokers are diagnosed with lung cancer, not all lung cancer patients smoked before being diagnosed. Visit LCA for ways to get involved in the month-long campaign to bring attention to lung cancer.

To read our posts about lung cancer, visit Lung Cancer.

National Family Caregivers Month is a way to say thank you, show our personal support and create community support, and help educate the public about the issues and realities caregivers face each day they lovingly care for a family member or friend in need of care.

To caregivers, Suzanne Mintz says, "If we believe in ourselves, protect our health, reach out for help, and speak up for our rights we can each improve our day-to-day lives, but also together we can change our healthcare system and our society to make it more responsive to the needs of families dealing with chronic illnesses and disabilities." The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) is an organization that supports, empowers, educates, and speaks up for the more than 50 million Americans who are caregivers.

To read our posts about caregivers, visit Cancer Caregivers.

National Hospice Month is a campaign to raise awareness of hospice care in honoring the terminally ill and their family members during a difficult time and creating the most comfortable home or home-like environment possible. The first hospice began in 1974 with the Connecticut Hospice providing palliative care using the combined knowledge and skill of a team of physicians, nurses, medical social workers, therapists, counselors, home care aides and volunteers. To learn more about hospice care, visit the National Association for Home Care and Hospice.

National Marrow Awareness Month brings public attention for the more than 50,000 Americans each year who are diagnosed with leukemia and other blood diseases and are in need of a bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant in order to survive. To learn more about this program, and how you might be able to help, visit the National Marrow Donor Program.

In the land down under tongues are wagging over the new Naked Rugby League calendar being sold to raise money for breast cancer charity. Seems the boys are baring it all and one of the players left little to the imagination in the position of hand to -- well -- private parts.

The NRL has gone very public over the fact they do not want to be associated with the nude shenanigans of players Johnathan Thurston, Justin Hodges, Paul Whatuira, Brent Webb, Ben Ross, Amos Roberts, Ashley Harrison, Riley Brown, Stuart Webb, Greg Bird, Michael Witt, Liam Fulton and Nick Youngquest.

Although all the players are nude, Youngquest has stirred the pot and is taking most of the heat, as he draped his hand in such a way as to reveal more than some consider good taste in nudity. The calendar's photographer Pedro Virgil insists the shots are provocative but tastefully done.

The Naked Rugby League calendar went on sale yesterday. The spokeswoman for the breast cancer foundation that the calendar will benefit has said they had nothing to do with the making of the calendar. I visited the online store, where many pink products are featured, and the Naked Rugby League calendar is not one of the featured items. If the charity does include the calendar in its online store, I will retract and update that last observation. In my opinion, seems they could have come out a wee bit stronger in their support for the calendar if they are the primary -- and only -- benefactors.

This story almost reminds me of another story earlier this year, when a woman died from breast cancer and her coworkers got together to honor her memory by raising money for breast cancer charity. Because they worked as exotic dancers, the first year they held a fundraiser they could not find a breast cancer charity who would accept the donation unless the dancers agreed to donate anonymously. The women had enough self-respect to decline the conditions for donation. The second year, a national breast cancer organization told the dancers they would proudly accept the donation from the fundraiser, and publicly announce affiliation with this group of women wanting to help with breast cancer research.

Not all London traders are signing on to pose nude for a calendar to benefit the KatCanDo charity. While reported not to be a shy and retiring group, an unnamed trader is quoted as saying he will not be publicly stripping down to the nude for a calendar. "I think I give the world enough amusement without taking my clothes off."

In 2004, the KatCanDo charity was founded by Kate Coles, who was diagnosed with colon cancer three years ago and passed away this last March. Her husband Stephen Coles assures everyone that this is a serious project that will be done with the utmost taste. Each person appearing in the calendar will be discreetly covered in all the right places.

The KatCanDo has published two other calendars, the 2005 calendar, Doctors Uncovered, and a 2006 calendar featuring drawings by children who have been treated for cancer and leukemia.

In addition, they have hosted a Charity Ball; they had runners in the Reading half-marathon and the London Marathon and five runners completed the Great North Run for the charity. KatCanDo has been chosen as the Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd Sports and Social Clubs Nominated Charity for the next year and they have been chosen as the British and Commonwealth Women's Club of Brussels British Charity for 2006. The efforts of the charity has assisted local cancer patients in a number of ways. For more information on the charity, visit KatCanDo -- and if you are a trader in London -- they still have a few open months left in the upcoming calendar.

Cancer has helped me slow down -- a little. I am more patient in the moment without racing to the next task I think is waiting for me. I can better manage my priorities and can offer the most important things the majority of my time. I am better at passing on opportunities that are low on my wish list. And I can typically say "no" if I don't have the time or energy to devote to a request. I know that I have to be healthy and happy and fulfilled in order to operate effectively and joyfully in this world. So I try to enjoy peaceful moments and put priorities first and not overextend myself and slow down. I'm not completely there -- yet. But I plan to keep practicing. And I'm going to try these seven strategies -- offered by a freelance writer, wife, mother of two, and reformed over-committer -- in an article I stumbled across in a local family magazine I picked up this week.

When your loved one is diagnosed with cancer, you will find many friends and family members will come forward and ask what they can do to help.

Lotsa Helping Hands has provided a way for the caregiver to coordinate volunteer services of friends, family, and neighbors that want to help with a private online group calendar -- as a one-stop webpage. All you have to do is sign up for a free account and using pre-designed template screens, enter information about the need for help with meals, rides, respite -- whatever your needs might be where others could pitch in and help.

Once you have your webpage set up and information entered, members of your Lotsa Helping Hand group calendar automatically receive an email about the site and the needs that have been listed. They can see the group calendar, and volunteer for whatever fits their own situation. Volunteers receive automatic confirmations and reminders of their commitments.

Lotsa Helping Hands and National Family Caregivers Association donate part of their profits to supporting women's health education and researching novel approaches to the early detection and treatment of women's cancers.

To honor and support former 1995 Hooters Calendar Cover Girl, Kelly Jo Dowd, who is battling a recurrence of breast cancer that has spread to her organs and bones -- during the 10th Annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant in Las Vegas, Hooters gave her a check for $135,000 and announced a $1 million dollar breast cancer research grant in her name through the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Dowd, who is 40, successfully went into remission the first time she was diagnosed with breast cancer, only to have the cancer return, is the only woman to climb Hooters restaurant chain's corporate ladder from waitress, to manager, and to general manager. She is also the proud mother of golfing teen phenom Dakoda Dowd.

The V Foundation was launched during the last year of NC State basketball coach and ESPN broadcaster Jim Valvano's life, when he was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma, and told he had a year to live. He spent the last year as an advocate in raising cancer awareness by sharing his personal experience as someone facing life and death with cancer. Valvano's message in the fight against cancer was "Don't Give Up ... Don't Ever Give Up!"

Dowd is fighting for her life, and Hooters has stepped in to help her, and other women facing breast cancer and fighting for their lives, in never giving up in the battle.

I have committed myself to only one breast cancer fitness event at the moment. I hope to one day branch out a bit and walk and run in different festivities, in different cities, for different purposes. But for now, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer -- sponsored by the American Cancer Society -- is my cause. Last year was my first time participating in Making Strides. I raised about $3,500 to help fund research, education, advocacy, and patient services -- and I walked the average five mile course that wound me through a quaint neighborhood in my city of Gainesville, Florida. This year, I plan to raise even more money and to run the same course. But not yet. The walk does not take place until October 14 -- which leaves me plenty of time to work on my fundraising goal and my running goal and plenty of time to help kick off this year's Making Strides.

I received my official Making Strides Kickoff invitation in the mail today -- an invitation to attend a dinner celebration where I can learn about the latest in breast cancer news from leaders in my medical community, listen to an inspirational personal story from a breast cancer survivor, and learn more about early breast cancer detection. So my calendar is marked for August 22 when I will attend this party-of-sorts that will jump start a major event in the major fight against breast cancer -- the disease that will one day touch the life of everyone is some way. Like it has already touched mine.

It is good to express a matter in two ways simultaneously so as to give it both a right foot and a left. Truth can stand on one leg, to be sure; but with two it can walk. -- Nietzsche

Integrated medicine combines mainstream western medical practices with complementary and alternative therapies -- two ways simultaneously -- giving medical treatments both a right foot and a left, in providing optimal outcomes. Seek a second opinion, and a third opinion, and a fourth opinion, if necessary, until you are comfortable that the chosen course of treatment feels right for you -- and is one you can believe in completely.

When John Richard Baker, Assistant National Park Officer for the Yorkshire Dales, died in July 1998 from leukemia, his wife Annie and her best friend Chris got the ladies of the local Women’s Institute together with the idea of producing a calendar to raise money for cancer charity. Each month would feature a different woman in the women's group, doing ordinary things like making jam, flower arranging, or knitting. The traditional idea had a radical twist -- the women would appear nude. The calendar gained international attention which eventually led to the filming of the Calendar Girls movie.

When Baker was diagnosed with cancer, he began growing sunflowers and gave them to friends and family --hoping to live long enough to see them fully-bloomed. Unfortunately, he lost his life to cancer before that happened. The sunflower has become the cancer charity fundraising activities symbol for his family and friends.

Wearing bras decorated in sunflowers, the Calendar Girls, together with friends and family, are now training for London's Playtex Moonwalk, a cancer charity fundraising event in which thousands of women walk 26.2 miles through the night wearing elaborately decorated bras.  While the past efforts of the women's group have raised more than £1m total for leukemia research, this walk will be for breast cancer charity. In addition, the Calendar Girls recently launched a 2007 calendar. Profits from the calendar will continue to go to leukemia research.