On Sunday September 16, 2007, The Colosseum Gym will be hosting the 1st Annual Lift for the Cure: Powerlifting and Bench Press Competition. All proceeds to help benefit the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. This will be an OPEN meet limited to 60 lifters. All weight classes will be honored, including a separate Law Enforcement Division (Top Cop Award). This will be a unsanctioned RAW meet (belts and wraps only). USAPL rules apply.

Guest Judge and exhibition lift by 7-time USPF National Champion and 6-time IPF World Champion, "Captain Kirk" Karwoski.

The $25 application fee/donation includes a unique event t-shirt, food and refreshments and the opportunity to help a great cause. Event categories include Squat/Bench/Deadlift OR Bench only. Weigh in time is 8 am - 9am. Lifting will start at 10 am. Limited to 60 lifters.

Spectators are welcome! The $5 spectator donation to The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults includes food and refreshments. Children under 6 are free. Shirt sales and vendors will be on the scene.

The event will be held at The Colosseum Gym located at 9195F Red Branch Road, Columbia, Maryland.

More on the Ulman Fund and how it came about.

This past mothers day weekend I attended the Shirley Mae Run & Gilda's Club Walk held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was a beautiful Saturday to take a stroll on the boardwalk. My dad flew in from Arizona for the event and my mom drove from Philadelphia. I'm very lucky that my parents are so supportive.

The Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Assistance Fund was started by Roy Goldberg to honor his mother, Shirley Mae, who survived breast cancer. The fund assists breast cancer patients in the south-eastern area of New Jersey with the cost of medicine, wigs, prostheses, and anything else needed to relieve financial stress so they can focus on healing and becoming survivors too.

Visit Our Heroes website to contribute to the fight against breast cancer and domestic violence.

On the website you can create your own Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Tribute Fund or a Speak Against Domestic Violence Tribute Fund.

The Our Heroes website explains why a Tribute Fund is a great idea:

• It is an easy way to honor someone dear to you and at the same time contributes to a great cause.
• It allows you to tell your story about the Honoree and why you are supporting this cause.
• It allows you to raise awareness of the importance of fighting against breast cancer or domestic violence.

Go to the Our Heroes website to learn how you can get your own Tribute Fund started!

On February 4, Jennifer Ireland, a young wife and mother of two small daughters, took her last breath after a courageous battle with colon cancer. And today, February 14 -- a day reserved for all things love inspired -- you are invited to take part in a live Kansas City, Missouri benefit in honor of this lovely woman.

Join the live webcast of Film Clips -- a celebration of Mairtin de Cogain's soon-to-be-released American film The Wind That Shakes The Barley. Not only a celebration of film, this event will also feature the clipping of every strand of Mairtin de Cogain's hair -- and beard too. Attendees can claim a lock with a donation of $10 that will head straight to the Jennifer Ireland Fund. It all happens between the hours of 11:00 and 2:00 PM on this St. Valentine's Day.

There is so much more to say about Jennifer -- and she and her husband powerfully say it all on the blog they authored throughout their harrowing yet moving journey.

Catherine Jones has breast cancer. And she needs Herceptin in order to fight for her life. But Herceptin, a targeted drug used to treat HER2 positive breast cancer, is very expensive -- and for some time, Jones was not sure how she could possibly pay for this potentially life-saving therapy.

Jones, 49 and a resident of New Plymouth, New Zealand, decided to ask for help. So she set up the Herceptin for Catherine Trust to raise the $80,000 needed for the treatment. In less than four weeks, she received $64,600 in donations.

Jones is overwhelmed by the support and says she will continue to use the trust to raise funds -- not just for herself, but for other women in need.

The New Zealand government and its drug-buying agency Pharmac does not fund Herceptin. So most breast cancer patients who medically qualify for the treatment have no means of receiving it.

Jones, who is about to receive her third of 17 Herceptin doses, thinks she can help. She is surely off to a great start.

Ho, ho, ho! Santa Claus arrives early and he is seriously underdressed for the season.

It's not the image of jolly St. Nick remembered from childhood, but it does reflect the spirit of generosity and giving. On December 16th, the sixth annual Santa Speedo Run, which started when a couple of guys thought it might be fun to spread a little holiday cheer and raise money for breast cancer charity, was held in Boston, Massachusetts.

Runners in little speedos, mostly red in keeping with Santa's signature color, donning Santa hats and white Santa Claus beards, benefited Ellie's Fund Care for the Caregiver program. The Ellie's Fund offers free support services, like daycare and meals, for local women undergoing breast cancer treatment. The Santa Speedo Run participants solicit sponsorships from coworkers, friends and family with 100 percent of the donations going to The Ellie Fund. For more holiday cheer, visit the Santa Speedo Run website here.

I feel like I'm spreading a little hope when I wear my Brighton breast cancer bracelet. It catches others' attention and allows me to explain what all the dangling charms represent. That's hopeful. The dollars I spent on the bracelet help fund breast cancer research. That's hopeful. And the bracelet inspires me personally. It reminds me of my journey, of my path ahead. That's hopeful.

So this hopeful piece of jewelry turns out to be a perfect accessory. And so does the Color of Hope ovarian cancer bracelet -- a new, exclusive, charming piece created as just one of many items in a fundraising campaign for The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Presented by L'Oreal Paris, the bracelet features an "O" toggle clasp -- a symbol of love, endurance, life, and "O"varian cancer.

The Color of Hope bracelet, available in sterling silver with cubic zirconia or 14K white gold with diamonds, is available online for a limited time.

Other L'Oreal Paris fundraising products -- sporting the ovarian cancer color teal -- include make-up items for the eyes, face, and lips, a body lotion, and a teal RAZR phone program.

Because You're Worth It has been the L'Oreal Paris slogan for more than 30 years. It represents a celebration of women and was created as part of a mission to give back to women and to empower them as they make educated choices about their well-being. And so in the spirit of well-being, the company strives to help women fully understand a disease that strikes about 20,000 women each year in United States -- and kills nearly 15,000 of them.

L'Oreal Paris honors women and the pursuit of their health through The Color of Hope initiative. Because they're worth it.

Glenn Close is the 2006 Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) ambassador to the Saks Fifth Avenue Key to the Cure campaign. Oscar de la Renta is the 2006 designer of the Key to the Cure t-shirt -- available now at Saks Fifth Avenue stores for the price of $35. For each t-shirt purchase, $31 will benefit EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund. T-shirts are available on-line and in retails stores everywhere.

All Saks Fifth Avenue retail stores and Saks.com will contribute to Key to the Cure by donating 2 percent of all profits during October 12-15. Off Fifth stores will donate 1 percent of profits during the same time period to benefit local and national women's cancer charities.

Key to the Cure is a women's cancer initiative founded in partnership with EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund. The program receives on-going support from Mercedes-Benz USA -- set to donate one million dollars to the cause. EIF is the entertainment industry's leading charitable organization and has shared hundreds of millions of dollars in support of critical issues facing our society. Like breast cancer.

Pink Pony is the catch phrase for Ralph Lauren's initiative in the fight against breast cancer. Not only does Ralph Lauren support the fight by donating 10 percent of the proceeds from Pink Pony products to charity, but he has his own charity -- The Pink Pony Fund for Cancer Care and Prevention.

The Pink Pony Fund is a worldwide philanthropic effort. In the United States alone, Pink Pony recipients include Women's Cancer Research Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Breast Cancer Research Foundation in New York City, Prevención, Inc., and Nina Hyde Center, both in Washington, D.C.

One of the premiere services provided by the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention is the patient navigator -- a concept created by Dr. Harold Freeman, medical director of the Center. Navigators assist patients and family members with access to health-care services and help them move with ease through the medical system. Navigators help patients with communication barriers, financial concerns, insurance difficulties, emotional issues, and more.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to the pink pony. It is not merely a fashion statement that happens to kick a few dollars toward breast cancer research. It is a statement of true compassion and concern and commitment. It is a symbol of one man's hard work over the past 15 years to make a difference in the lives of women everywhere.

The Jimmy Fund upped it's total by $2.8 million this Saturday -- thanks to celebrities Donald Trump, Ben Affleck, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jon Cryer, and others who helped raise funds for this cancer-fighting charity through a Boston radio-telethon. Established in 1948 to support cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, The Jimmy Fund has been the primary charity for the Boston Red Sox since 1953 and has been the beneficiary of this same radio-telethon for five years now. Since 2002, the telethon has raised more than $5 million to support research and care for both children and adults. This year's goal was to raise $2.6 million. With generous donations, the goal was reached -- and exceeded.

Trump -- who threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox-Yankees doubleheader on Saturday -- donated $60,000 to the charity. His donation jumped this year's total ahead of last year's $2.3 million. Red Sox owner John Henry donated $30,000, and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner gave $10,000. Massachusetts Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry also sent in donations during the 18-hour fundraiser that aims to strike out cancer.

Beginning in October, Mercedes-Benz will sell 1,000 of its special-edition E350 to benefit women's cancer research. The company will donate $1 million dollars through the sales of the special-edition E350 to support Saks Fifth Avenue's Key to the Cure. This is the fourth year Mercedes-Benz has released a special-edition vehicle to benefit cancer research for women.

"We've produced this special-edition of our most popular model to help combat one of the biggest threats to women's health in this country and help bring women's cancer treatment options and prevention one step closer," said Carol Goll, General Manager, Brand Experience Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA. "Mercedes partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) offers us a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a cause that affects us all."

Funds raised for Key to the Cure will benefit programs including EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund, the Cleveland Clinic, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Nevada Cancer Institute.

I read something yesterday written by a reporter who is fed up with the treatment of celebrities in the media. She is tired of the spectacular headlines about babies born to celebrities and adoptions by celebrities and every-day struggles of celebrities that blur the fact that these same things happen to real people -- non-celebrities -- and are rarely covered in the news. Sure, some of the celebrity coverage may lead to awareness. The fact that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are talking of adopting another child may encourage others in the world to reach out to homeless children. But where is the news about hoards of women who gather and walk in search of a cure for breast cancer? And why was the coming-out announcement by former In Sync band member Lance Bass the top news story on CNN the other day? Because people pay attention to announcements like these -- and however disturbing it may be -- is causes a stir. And perhaps, like this reporter says, others will gain some strength from Bass and will tackle their own sexual orientation more openly.

A news story caught my attention the other night. Not because of the news -- initially -- but because of the names that were thrown around. Names like Kelly Ripa and Lindsey Lohan and Molly Shannon -- names that were not all that important in the scheme of the story I would eventually hear. But they hooked me. And then I learned about a great event that took place last Saturday in an effort to raise funds for ovarian cancer.

Super Saturday is a day-long summer fundraising event for the entire family -- created by Donna Karan and sponsored by In Style magazine. The day features a designer garage sale with more than 200 designers, a raffle, a carnival for kids, food and refreshments, and goodie bags. All proceeds -- from ticket sales and the garage sale and raffles -- go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Last year's event raised $2 million. And this year, the tally for the ninth annual event that took place in the Hamptons, is yet to be reported. What was reported is that the event was a success -- and celebrities were in attendance. And that made me pay attention.

Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund provides assistance to residents of Cape May County, New Jersey who have a child or young adult with cancer. Brendan was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma and lost his battle in December of 1991. Brendan was a surfer and his friends wished him high tides during his cancer battle since the high tides at the Jersey shore would bring the best surfing conditions.

The memorial fund brings high tides conditions to those who need it in the Cape May area. Services provided include professional counseling and advocacy programs to financial and material assistance.

On August 15, 2006 the Avalon Yacht club is hosting The Local Artist and Friends Art Show. All ticket proceeds and fifty percent of all artwork sold benefits Brendan's fund.

Thanks to Chris Twonley for the tip and for donating some of her amazing paintings to the show!

The Kristen Hartland Memorial Fund at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was established to help with research on pregnant women with cancer.

Kristen was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 25. She went through the surgeries and chemotherapy and was excited to find out she was pregnant when she was finished with her treatments. Unfortunately while she was pregnant she was diagnosed with a recurrence. She was then treated while pregnant with Herceptin in combination with Navelbine under the care of Dr. Richard Theriault. Her son was born healthy in November of 2003.

Dr. Theriault is a professor in the department of breast/medical oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and he specializes in the treatment of pregnant women with breast cancer.

The fund was set up by her husband and friends after Kristen passed away in June 2005. David has set up a website in memory of his wife Kristen.

David and his son Samuel have to adjust to a life without a loving wife and mother. One sentence that David wrote about this really got to me. He said "When it's just me and him in the house, he goes around looking for her, goes to our room to see if she's in bed. I just walk around the house with him and let him see that it's just him and me now."

For more information about the fund go to KristenHartland.com.

Lynne Marie Smith, a young wife married to Michael for nine years and the mother of three small children, lost her life to colon cancer after a two month battle to survive. Her husband blogs the Lynne Smith Fund, in honor of Lynne and as a tribute and living legacy of her remarkably loving life.

Lynne had symptoms that bothered her, but as she says, as most typical mothers do, she took the children to the doctor but never went in for herself. When she finally did, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.

As a result of her experience, eight of Lynne's close family and friends have insisted upon and scheduled colonoscopies. None are near the recommended age of 50. Michael reports that three out of four of the people tested so far have had polyps -- tiny bumps that can become cancerous if left in the colon. As he says, "That is a shocking 75 percent folks!"

Lynne is gone, and Michael, Benjamin, Riley, Shelby miss her every day. Michael blogs to raise colon cancer awareness and encourage every one to get a colonoscopy much younger than the age when most are told they need one. Lynne was only 37 years old.