Editor: Thank you so much for bringing attention to Breast Cancer Awareness Month by including facts about breast cancer in last week’s Sun. The chance of a woman having breast cancer in her life is less than one in eight according to the American Cancer Society. That means there isn’t one of us who hasn’t been touched in some way by this illness. More alarming than that, is that girls as young as 10 years old have been diagnosed. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women under the age of 40.
I have worked very hard over the last five years to raise money for Keep A Breast. Recently, the organization has been in the news a lot due to controversy in schools over the “I heart boobies” bracelets. Students have faced suspension over refusing to take the bracelets off. Of course, being the “Save the Boobies” advocate that I am here in Sonoma, I have been bombarded with questions regarding the subject of using the word boobies in my campaign. I would like to take this opportunity to tell everyone my answer at once.
Started in 2002, the name Keep A Breast is a double entendre. Because prevention is the cure, we strive to ultimately help women keep their breasts. The name also means to stay informed and to keep people informed on ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer.
The organization targets a younger audience to encourage early detection. One of the group’s most successful campaigns has been “I love boobies!” According to KAB, the campaign’s purpose is “to speak to young people in their own voice about a subject that is often scary and taboo.” The slogan is an awareness-raising tool “that speaks directly to our target audience in a way that is authentic, inspiring and refreshing.”
The Keep A Breast Foundation says that “boobies” is not a four-letter word. The Board of Directors and Advisory Board are made up mostly of survivors and every message is approved by all in the group before going out to the masses. Most survivors and supporters find this approach refreshing. As with all subjects, there will be people opposed to our approach. If the slogan causes a conversation to begin, it has done its job.
The success of KAB is shown in the testimonies received from young girls all over the world who learned from the educational programs and detected their cancer early. Huge numbers visit the website everyday to learn about prevention, share feelings, connect, and learn how to cope with either the fact that they are suffering or a loved one is. I encourage everyone to worry a little less about the words used and keep themselves abreast of news and preventions. Visit keep-a-breast.org today.
Thank you Sonoma Valley Sun for remaining on the cutting edge of life in the Valley!
Cat Smith
Sonoma
Thank you so much Cat for all your hard work with Keep A Breast. Thank you for helping to destigmatize the word “boobie”. There is nothing wrong with the word and if there is then someone should tell my toddlers that. Keep up the good work!
October 24th at 11am come downtown to the plaza with your decorated strollers, wagons and bikes adorned in Pink and cruise the square together at the Babies for Boobies march. Then let’s have a fun playdate at the Little Kid’s Playground. Bring a snack to share and BYOB (Boobie or bottle). Not just for babies either: toddlers, kids, moms & dads, Grandmas & Grandpas…Come one come all. Event is on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=166966843320761