Bouncing for Breast Cancer

2008-10-07T04:25:00.004+01:00

Bouncing for Breast Cancer

Dear Friend,

The YOUniverse needs YOU to play a wonderful part - your part in an international FUNdraising FUNomenon - right here, right now.

Throughout the month of October 2008, Bouncing for Breast Cancer presents
the first-ever YOU+2 FUNdraising Campaign

WHO WE ARE

In 2006, a personal campaign famously known as Bouncing for Boobs was born from the love & devotion of Priscilla Bokhara for her sister Kathleen, a single mom with breast cancer. It has since turned into an international mission.

Bouncing for Breast Cancer (also known as B4B) is a non profit organisation that provides single mothers living with breast cancer financial and emotional support to aid their treatment and recovery. Our commitment is to improve the quality of life for single mums with breast cancer by supporting their basic needs of life during treatment and recovery so they can focus their energies on healing and being who mums really want to be: their nurturing and loving selves for their kids.

Visit the B4B Forum on the website to get updates on this campaign and to read our story – http://www.bouncingforbreastcancer.org/

YOUR OPPORTUNITY

Ever wonder how amazing it would feel to be involved in an international record-breaking phenomenon for a good cause? Here’s your chance to turn your $1 into $1 million dollars right now…

Every 15 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Chances are you know someone who has had, who currently has, or who will have breast cancer.

By joining this international online, life-line record-breaking FUNdraising FUNomenon, you will become connected with like-minded successful & dynamic individuals from around the world whose passion is about contribution and creating solutions.

Take into your heart right now the gift you’re receiving knowing you will have significantly improved the quality of lives by donating just $1 or more.

Geometric Growth of a $1 donation
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
512
1,024
2,048
4,096
8,192
16,384
32,768
65,536
131,072
262,144
524,288
1,048,576

HOW IT WORKS!

What can you do in the next 15 mins to improve the quality of life for one or more of our single mums and their kids faced with the most devastating, life-threatening and dream-crushing experience?

Simple:
It starts with YOU+2. Following the Law of Compounding, simply donate $1 and inspire 2 people to do the same, who in turn donate $1 and inspire 2 people to do the same, and so on throughout Breast Cancer Awareness month October 2008. The table demonstrates how simple this geometric growth works.

It’s as easy as following this link and clicking on the donate button.
http://www.bouncingforbreastcancer.org/

… then tell 2 people to do the same and forward this FUNdraising appeal to whomever you’re thinking of now.

Thank you in advance for giving others the opportunity to feel good knowing that they too have contributed to this worthy cause and FUNdraising FUNomenon!

Imagine if you were to donate $5 dollars, $10, $25 or even $100, what would the geometric growth look like then?

What would happen if you would inspire more than 2 people to donate?

How good would it feel to pledge this on an ongoing basis?

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

This money donated by YOU and your YOUniverse of inspired givers will help to financially support a minimum of 100 single moms between now and the end of the year. In addition, our team of mentors who volunteer their time will provide regular Life Mentoring to empower these moms with greater emotional resources.

We have a waiting list of single mothers in urgent need of help and now is your opportunity to support them. Here’s an example of how donations from people like you provided subsistence for one of our families. Joy faced with stage 4 Breast Cancer and her 8 year old daughter Holly were forced to live in a run-down trailer after Joy had to stop working due to the chemotherapy treatments. She approached Bouncing for Breast Cancer and thanks to people like you we were able to pay her rent for her new home, food and utility bills. In addition, Bouncing for Breast Cancer’s network of voluntary Life Mentors provided ongoing emotional support whilst she was undergoing regular chemotherapy and medical appointments. Joy felt that the steady phone conversations were extremely helpful for her and said:” I love my mentor and look forward to our calls each week. It really helps to find greater emotional resources so I can look after my daughter and get better.”

Thank you for playing your important part in the B4B YOU+2 Campaign! Your contribution will leave a legacy that will impact generations. What’s great about The YOUniversal Law of Compounding is that is also relates to the quality of moments we create for ourselves and others. It’s just takes YOU+2.

Love and blessings xp

2008-09-28T02:16:00.007+01:00

City to Bay fun run

Last weekend, Priscilla bounced through the finish line in Glenelg, Adelaide, dressed head to toe in her favourite bunny costume. Sweating but happy, she gave an interview to a local news station before hopping off for some well earned carrots.

Here's the finish line snap. Congratulations Priscilla, well done! You inspire me because you never tire to raise awareness and help the cause of Bouncing for Breast Cancer. Even if it means to wear fancy dress in the Spring heat of South Australia.

Simultaneously, in another part of the world: A herd of bouncers gather... but that's an entirely different story...

2008-02-28T22:24:00.007Z

B4B Upgrates

We have alot to update you on since December. Whilst you might not have seen much going on by way of the blog, like Santa's little elves, we've been busy behind the scenes to make it Christmas by providing essential gifts (food and shelter) for the single mums during treatment and recovery throughout the year.

I had in my schedule to update the blog. UPDATE....hmmm. Simply to update you wouldn't do justice all the gratitude we feel for accomplishing so much in a short period of time. Simply to update wouldn't reflect the amount of heart and love that goes on behind the scenes from the board and the people of the community. So from now on, we will give you upgrates instead of updates.

A summary of celebrations...

We are NOW OFFICIALLY as an Incorporated Association in South Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HUGE THANKS to our lawyer, Christine Jankus, who volunteered her time, her talents and love for the cause.
Thanks also to Ray Wood of ANZ Castle Plaza for his help in setting up our non profit business account.
Thanks to Mark Craig, Head Mentor and Steering Committee member for his ongoing support from the very beginning...2 years ago!
Thanks to Margaret Irving and Sue Jones to your time on the biz and development plans.
Thanks to Geeta and the B4B family around the world.
Thanks to the mentors that are coming on board to be Family mentors!
Thanks to my darling husband, Christoph for your love, support, vision, talents, flexibility, mentoring, bouncing, patience and commitment to helping me help others in the world in similar situations Kathleen found herself in 2 years ago.
Thanks to Kathleen for continuing her sisterly support for the cause and mostly, for continuing to look after herself into full recovery.
Thanks to Helen Zander for your book idea, inspired by the blog of the first 100 day campaign for Kathleen. Stay tuned...it will be published in the near future! More on that later.
Thanks to all who have donated to the cause, by way of bouncing, money or talents. (ANZ BLUE WEEK success to be updated later).
Because of all this and more, INSPIRES ME and keeps me growing and moving b4b forward. I am committed to this for the rest of MY LIFE. It's a legacy that I've chosen....or it's chosen me.
Also, we are grateful to be in a position to now help more single mums that need our help. Justina, is a recent mum we met. She is a beautiful soul and I've asked her to share her journey with us on the blog, whilst she gets her website together....Below is in an introduction to Justina and her journey...

GRATEFUL - by Justina Colon (one of our mums)

Not many people can find a reason to be grateful for cancer. Not many people are diagnosed at the age of 28 with stage I invasive ducal carcinoma. And then are re-diagnosed at 31 with stage IV metastasized breast cancer. I am all of them. I am also a mom to a beautiful 8 year old daughter. Most importantly, I am a survivor…regardless of the statistics.

I am now 33 and I live with tumors throughout my skeleton system and a nice sized one in my liver. I go for chemotherapy once a week. It’s a 132 mile roundtrip for me, but I find something new every time I make that drive. A house up on a hill hiding between the trees, a new car out of some high tech magazine, or just an interesting shaped cloud floating across the blue sky. This is all regardless of how miserable I feel or how badly my bones are aching. I have to because I am alive. I have a chance to appreciate those things even though I have no true understanding of why I have this disease.

Over the coarse of the two and a half years of dealing with this I went from a successful wife and mother with a promising bright career to leaving an abusive marriage, my daughter tightly in tow to a much better place…as she calls it, “Our happily ever after.” I went from making $40,000 a year to barely $11,000 and having to fight for my SSD benefits. I’ve now had to learn how to be humble and how to reach out for help. I have found my voice down inside of not only physical pain, but emotional pain that runs deeper than any abyss. I have also had to decide between groceries and the prescriptions that I need in order to just get out of bed on some days. I have had to decide between paying a bill or making sure that I have the gas money to get to my doctors appointments.

But I’m grateful. I no longer look at the trivial things in life and let them swiftly pass me by. I embrace them. I hold them close to me and inhale the aroma of another moment that thankfully I am here to have. And yes, the larger problems of life, like the bills, the buying of groceries, the prescriptions co-pays, and just being sick and tired of being sick and tired do hit me. They hit me like the ball a baseball player hits to get that game winning homerun. Those are the days I curl up and retreat. I wrap myself tightly in my favorite blanket and block out the world…once my little girl is off to school. And by that evening, desperate to be mom, desperate to be myself…I pull it all together.

So, I bake brownies or banana bread or these really tasty thumbprint cookies. Just a little something to remind my daughter how special she is to me. Also, to remind myself how I am blessed to have her, my only one, the only one I’ll ever have in my life. Just like seeing the sun reflecting off of the mountains in my back yard remind me that I am blessed with so many things. Things that I should and am grateful for.

This would not be my tale if it wasn’t for the cancer. I learned of cancer and the evil ways of it at only 18 when my mom was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Then she had her own battle with breast cancer and a few others until it finally took her when I was 25. Too long before she could see the beautiful granddaughter I would have that every day reminds me of her. Two years after that, cancer once again came pounding on my door. My father was diagnosed with breast cancer as well. Then at the same time I was diagnosed, he was going in to have most of his stomach removed from metastasized cancer. I lost him shortly before my own re-diagnosis.
Having seen both parents through it, the ups and downs, the remissions and chemotherapy, I learned much. But not until my own cancer did my eyes truly open wide. Then with my re-diagnosis they have been glued open, taking it all in. I am going through indefinite chemotherapy now. There is no end date in site…but I’m okay with that on most days. I know my pain level has decreased, my markers have gone down, and I am here another day with my daughter and loved ones. I take in all of the good, all of the bad and all of it in between.

They say God only hands you what he thinks you can handle…I myself think that he thinks I have pretty darn big shoulders. My name is Justina Colon and I live with stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Just like the thousands of other women and men who also live with it, everyday. I am a survivor just like they are and I am grateful and appreciative for it all.

2007-12-03T22:46:00.000Z

Joe's Bounce-athon

We bounced over 4.5 marathons in 21 hours…

Family, friends, passers-by, the Red Bull gals and the community joined in on the Bouncing FUN! Better than expected turnout and we beat our bounce goal by nearly 100,000 bounces. Goal was 250,000 in 22 hours and we did 341,486 in 21 hours!!!! That equates to over 218 kilometres. That’s right, we bounced to PORT PIRIE!!!!

Saturday- 1st December

The girls took the lead…

Girls: 93,863 bounces
Boys: 79,078 bounces
Total: 172,941 bounces in 11 hours = 108.63 kilometres

Sunday – 2nd December

The boys made a comeback…

Girls: 75,547 bounces
Boys: 92,998 bounces
Total: 168,545 bounces in 10 hours = 109.84 kilometres

GRAND TOTALS FOR WEEKEND BOUNCE-ATHON

341,486 BOUNCES
218.47 kilometres

A million thanks to all who showed up, despite the heat, holiday shopping, christmas parties and weekend commitments. We appreciate that people with full schedules chose to be there. We are moved by your generosity of spirit and interest in our cause.

Total money raised is still being calculated. We pledged to bounce 250,000 times for $25,000 and the community of bouncers surpassed their goal, despite the 39 degrees on Saturday and showers on Sunday night. Indications suggest the event raised $2,000 through fantastic personal donations and we’re so grateful. Now we need more sponsors to step up and help us meet the $25,000 goal.

Sponsorship forms have been created for individuals who want to bounce at home on their rebounders or in their back yards. Contact us for your own B4B Kit to help us raise the funds for single mums with breast cancer this holiday season. info@bouncingforbreastcancer.org

Above all, we thank the Velardos family at Joe's Pizza Bar for being such fantastic hosts of this event. The remarkable story here is about the outreach this family owned business showed B4B. They presented the idea of a fundraising event on the day I decided I would raise the funds to register the company and have extra money in the account to help the women and kids we're here for. All I did was drive up front of their shop one Thursday evening a few weeks ago and order a pizza. Whilst I was waiting, they asked me what was the logo on my car (which had only been done 2 days before, thanks to Andy at Studio Signs - see previous blog). In a rare moment when I was not talkative, I very briefly described B4B. Everyone in the family listened attentively behind the counter. Within a few minutes, they offered - or rather told me they would host a fundraising event for B4B. Angelo, the son got the calendar out and said, "Which would you prefer, the 1st or 2nd weekend of December?". And the rest unfolded as if it was already planned. The event was organised in only two weeks.

Little did they know I was in tears the night before after an email with my solicitor where I had more questions than answers. Setting up a company, learning about corporate structuring, the ins and outs of tax implications, is difficult even for me at times. Yet, I am committed to find the way, because I am driven with such purpose. I learned through my sister's experience with breast cancer, that single mums have a very unique and overwhelming sense of financial and emotional challenges they face when undergoing treatment and recovery of breast cancer.

When reviewing the videos of the event early yesterday morning, I noticed one small clip made of our living room on 4th November after a series of meetings we had over the weekend. The living room was dimly lit and Christoph was filming whilst I was on the phone. I tuned into the conversation I was having and the clip ended with me holding something in my hand...

...Then it came to me. It was 9:30pm and we were too tired to cook, so I dug out a new menu we found in our letter box. It was from Joe's Pizza Bar.

Sitting on the sofa in a post-bounce daze, I thought to myself how random it was that we had a recording of the first contact with this business. However, what was an interesting twist of fate was that the next clip that followed on our video camera is the Bounce-athon at Joe's Pizza Bar only 4 weeks later.

This is one of many examples in my life how life works in wonderful and magical ways, even though we don't see it. It's reassuring to say the least! Once a decision is made, events are put action and the doors of opportunity open up. The right people always show up at the right time. There are always answers to our prayers.

Our heartfelt gratitude to the Velardos family - Joe, Paula, Angelo, Anthony, Lucy, Holly, Josey, Isabelle, and little Joseph. You were the answer to our prayers.

Blessings,

Priscilla and Christoph

On behalf of B4B family and single mums with breast cancer

2007-11-28T09:12:00.000Z

Joe’s Pizza Bar proudly hosts a FUNdraising event
for Bouncing for Breast Cancer!!!

The Event: 250,000 bounces for $25,000…on mini trampolines.

Joe's Pizza Bar is hosting a weekend long bounce-athon. The goal is to bounce 250,000 times on mini tramps over the weekend to raise $25,000. Money raised will help go towards basic household costs for single mums with breast cancer.

We'll have two teams - the boys vs. the girls. Pedometers will keep track of hourly updates. Joe's Pizza Bar have even created a special menu for the event where more proceeds will go to the cause. Plus, companies are being invited to take part in donation collecting and pizza specials for their staff on 30th November 2007 during lunchtime. To join in the team spirit, call Joe’s Pizza bar for more info.

When: 1st & 2nd December
11:30am – 10:30pm

Where: Joes Pizza Bar
415 Henley Beach Road
Brooklyn Park

What started as a personal appeal has now grown into an international mission. It began when Priscilla Bokhara pledged to bounce 10,000 times a day on a mini-trampoline, for 100 days, to raise US$10,000 to financially support her sister Kathleen, a single mother of two with breast cancer. International media and public support for the world tour appeal was so great that a team of dynamic leaders are now committed to help other single mothers, faced with these circumstances. To learn more about the story and to donate, we invite you to visit our site: www.bouncingforbreastcancer.org

We're ready to register the company officially in Adelaide as a non profit organisation and are now fundraising to cover set up costs and raise money for single mums undergoing treatment and recovery from breast cancer who need help to cover basic household costs.

A big heartfelt thanks to the following companies and individuals for supporting our mission and making this event possible.

Joes Pizza Bar
Studio Signs
Omikron
Christine Jankus, Solicitor

Call Joe’s for the best pizza in town, feeling great knowing your money is going to this worthy cause. 8443 4488 or 8443 4930

Come join us in the bouncing FUN, face painting for kids, the marathon Pizza Party and Gelatis to keep you cool!

LIFE IS WORTH BOUNCING FOR!

2007-11-13T02:00:00.000Z

B4Bmobile

Thanks to Andy at Studio Signs and Greg Smith of BEA Motors in Adelaide, we have our own branded advertisement on wheels. You guys are gems!!!

The inspiration behind this b4b idea...

On National Breast Cancer Day in Oz, Helen and I took Bart (my Smart Car, a.k.a FUN bubble) through the adventure finding a place to bounce in the rain. What's fab about this little pocket sized auto is that you can fit into any space. PLUS, two folding trampolines fit perfectly in the boot - just as if it was made for B4B.

So I decided to offer up Bart for some advertising for B4B. The first person I called was my friend Greg, as he has looked after me so well since I bought my car. He's one of those guys that makes everything all right. His reassuring, warm and friendly nature is like a guardian angel. Yes, that's Greg alright. He promptly referred me to his buddy, Andy at Studio Signs.

Andy loved the idea and was keen to sponsor us for the decalling. He took all the measurements and we spent a couple weeks getting the artwork just right.

I went in for the 'dressing' yesterday. I have never seen anything so 'cute'. It's just so perfect. Mama Bounce is very proud indeed of our new addition to the family.

Think of the places this campaign will go now?

Above all, I am proud to know these gentlemen, Andy and Greg. They have such huge hearts and are such incredible examples of greatness in this world.

If you live in the Adelaide and need and signage for cars, business, or advertising - give Andy a ring.

e: ab@studiosigns.com.au

t: 0413 317 758

2007-10-31T07:09:00.000Z

7 Sisters Story Exhibition - October 2008

Last year I visited the Flinders Ranges with my mom during a mother daughter bonding trip (turned intoThelma and Louise as we sung Tina Turner, Pink and Whitney Houston at the top of our lungs).

We had the most remarkable time and met new friends. Two in particular, another mother and daughter, Regina and Juanella Mackenie. They founded Yarta Arts, a contemporary Aboriginal Art foundation that exhibits its collections during the Brush with Arts Festival in the Flinders Ranges.

During our conversations, the topic of B4B and the Bush Bounce came up (see October 9th 2006 Blog). They were so touched that they offered to make a painting of the dreamtime 7 Sisters Story for B4B so that we can sell and use the proceeds for the cause.

What followed, was one of those magical moments of the B4B journey. When 4 women - mothers and daugthers- come together and share there dreams.

Storytelling is a large part of indigenous cultures and in the Aboriginal Culture, the 7 Sisters story is a famous one. Regina told us that cultures around the world also tell this same story. Then she suggested, "Wouldn't it be great to do an exhibition showing an interpretation of the 7 Sisters Story from different countries? All the proceeds could go to B4B. Afterall, the 7 Sisters could be the families that these single moms and their kids don't have."

This was a WOW moment that left all of us imagining what it would be like.

One year from the day we met, Regina, Juanella, my mother and I am proud to announce that B4B will be hosting the 7 Sisters Story Exhibition during National Breast Cancer month, October 2008. It will be held in Port Augusta, which is Cultural Centre for Arts next year.

Venue:

Fountain Gallery
43 Flinders Terrace
Port Augusta SA 5700

Official opening 9 October at 6 PM

Exhibition Summary

This unique intercultural exhibition is a collection of the 7 Sisters Stories interpreted from artists around the world. You will find examples of artists’ work through paintings, photography, sculpture, music and mixed media. The local Aboriginal people of Port Augusta say this is where the 7 Sisters gather. Throughout October 2008, the 7 Sisters unite to raise breast cancer awareness and support for the sisters of the world. 100% of the proceeds will go to Bouncing for Breast Cancer and national breast cancer organisations.

Many thanks to Sam Yates at Arts SA, who was open to hear about our idea and totally supported us to bringing this into fruition. We look forward to working with you and Katinka!

Mostly, my love and admiration goes to Regina McKenzie - a soul sister, who has come forward to share one of her dreams. Only during our meeting a week ago, did she say that this wonderful idea is one that she has been wanting to do for many years . She became discouraged over time because when she shared her dream, others couldn't appreciate it. They didn't believe it could happen or she could do it. What I appreciate most about Regina is that she never gives up and she continues to find a way to love those who might not see her vision. She continues to hold onto her dream until she finds the person who believes in her...or they find her first. For me, this is a dream come true to hold an event for B4B and link it to international awareness. Through arts or bouncing, it's all about sisterhood and getting the support out there for women who need it.

On our way home after the meeting, Christoph joked, "Don't ever tell Priscilla one of your dreams..."

What's the point of living if you can't turn your dreams into reality, I say.

a day full of dreams to you!

px

2007-10-30T06:55:00.000Z

Kelly Noble

I mentioned Kelly Noble, Communication Executive of SKY CITY Adelaide was a huge help to us last week during our National Breast Cancer Day Bounce. She also happens to be a fantastic woman who came to Adelaide 5 years ago and fell in love with this city. She loves to promote all thefabulous things that are happening here whether is events, social, fashion, causes or industry. Check out http://www.glamadelaide.com/. Plus she gave me lots of great tips for us using Youtube, My Space page, and Facebook - all interlinked. Check it out for what's possible with 21st century communications! Thanks Kelly and we'll continue to spread the word.

Also, through Kelly, I met Ji Wallace - Silver medalist in the Sydney Olympics for....get this... Trampoline. Ji equally has great energy and really wants to support our cause, along with the national team. Fate would have it that the National Team trains 15 minutes from my house. What a world, eh? We've since met to discuss an idea which was a project I've been waiting to release. It was intended for London, but why not do it in the great City of Adelaide?

Ji and the team are in Canada for qualifiers to Beijing. Fly High Ji !!

big bouncing love to all
xp

2007-10-29T05:58:00.000Z

WHEN IT RAINS, IT SOARS

When Monday 22nd October rolled around, I awoke to the sound of raindrops gently humming to my soul. I peered out the window to see grey clouds, grey skies and greyness of a cacoon all around. So tempting was it to go back into the warmness of my duvet that touched the dreams from the night before. I awaken to this day in slow motion, acutely aware of my surroundings, my breath, the stillness within. I was recovering from a 36 hour marathon that included a 13,000 bounce at Western hospital, followed by a 10-hour round trip journey into the Outback (38 degrees and dust stroms), a 5 hour meeting to plan out a truly beautiful event B4B is hosting during October 2008. And if that wasn't exciting enough - a haunted hotel room in the Outback definately rounded out the adventure! Whilst I was tremendously relieved the learn that it wasn't actually our hotel room that was haunted, but the one across the courtyard, I still couldn't sleep. Probably had something to do with moths the size of bats that flew around our heads, and the sudden power loss that stopped the ceiling fan from circulating the desert heat.

In any case, this Monday morning moment was mine to bathe in.

Then it the reality of the day struck me like a sudden gust of wind. Today was National Breast Cancer Day, and I pledged to bounce 40,000 times to show support for ALL WOMEN and families who have been affected by breast cancer. For a second, I thought to myself , "How will I go from being in this closet-introverted space at this very moment, to a highly energised, bouncing women facing hundreds of passersby and media in the matter of a few hours?"

The answer - MY PURPOSE!

I realised recently that I haven't been spontaneous, thanks to Juanella, a 17 year old friend who pointed this out to me in the direct birthrighted way teenagers do. Over the past few months, whilst working behind the scenes of B4B, some of the magic and miracles of the intial B4B campaign (or rather me) were replaced with protocal, creating guidelines, and setting up the infrastructure. As vitally important as it is to build on a solid foundation that enables us to serve a wider group of single moms in need and be accountable as an organisation, I admit, that I began taking life (or myself) too seriously and worrying about how things weren't all in place. Then I realised, that LIVING is what happens when things are not in place. The only thing that needs to be in place is my heart.

There were months that passed in silence during our move to Australia because I became afraid of what to share about B4B as I hadn't yet figured out the the answers. But did I know the questions, either? Experts were advising me how difficult this would be and said I needed to be prepared for every 'what if' scenario. And to have every answer prepared for the media. Oh and to watch out for other national or bigger charities who might eat us up or steal our great ideas. It became overwhelming and frankly "going by the book" meant I momentarily lost touch with the heart of this campaign. More importantly, I learned that going by someone else's book, I lost connection with my heart's purpose: to improve the quality of life for others. From now on, the only book I go by is the one I write. My heart, energy and focus will be to continue to trust what we do know, the people who support what we're doing and build from there. We have allowed room for B4B to be spontaneous AND have a healthy, accountable infrastructure. We will work alongside national organisations, because I believe there is no competition when it comes to providing support and love to those affected by breast cancer AND there is power in unity. There is power in NOW!

So...I jumped out of bed and started thinking about Plan B. The original plan was to bounce at Victoria Square, one of Adelaide's famous landmarks. However, on this particular day, it would be a very soggy and rather uninspiring occasion if the rain persists (and it was forecasted to). In my life and especially during B4B, I have found plan B's are even better (of course they would because Bounce begins with the letter B - as well as Boobs and Babies). Plan B means we can be inventive, use our intuition and think on our feet. Plan B's contain the magic and in our case, are totally outside the comfort zone!!!!

Soon to arrive at my house was Helen Zander, a FUNtastic woman, my right hand and the B4B administrator. We packed the car with the mini-tramp and started brainstorming alternatives. I promised Helen, that even though I couldn't tell her in advance the how, the when and the where of Plan B - I could tell her with certainty, that it will be even better than we had planned, because I knew the WHY. I told her that we would meet the right person and the right moment and the right place. AND I WOULD KNOW. When our heart is open and connected to our purpose, we always know.

Helen came up with the idea of going to the Central Train Station. My nose twitched and I knew instinctively this was the direction to head towards. We arrived at 10am and quickly did a recky inside the station. Nope, this was not the place - however just outside the station, there was covered area onlooking North Terrace with a gazillion passersby.

Standing on the pavement, next to a large glass entrance door along North Terrace was a man with a smile. His name was Mark Weinert and we had something in common. He too was showing support for Breast Cancer Awareness, by wearing a pink ribbon. PLAN B was here!!! Turns out he works for security for SKY CITY Adelaide and once he heard about our bouncing idea in support for Breast Cancer Day, he sent me to speak to Mark, Head of Security and a fantastic lady, Kelly Noble -Communications Executive for Sky City (more on Kelly in the next blog). They too were wearing pink ribbons - in fact, all the staff in SKY CITY Adelaide did too. Mark and Kelly, enthusiastically supported our request to bounce in front of their building. Additionally, they also offered to provide us drinks and nibbles to keep our energy up. This was totally amazing. A million thanks goes to Mark, Kelly and SKYCITY ADELAIDE for being such generous and friendly hosts for the National Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Day Bounce http://www.skycityadelaide.com.au/.

I started bouncing at 10:50am, and in less than one hour National TV News Channel 7 and two Newspapers arrived. It was as if all fell into place like it was supposed to happen that way. But it was supposed to happen that way... it's how I planned it on Friday. I decided this is how it would be. And so it was, despite the rain and change of venue. I learned that if you decide on a clear outcome that's linked to a big enough purpose, that no matter what - you'll reach the outcome. The rain didn't stop us, rather it lead us to something that was even better. We met new friends, and bounced to show our national support for all women and families affected by breast cancer. It was also a proud day for B4B as we launched our presence in Australia to support single mums and their young kids who are suffering from this disease and don't know where to go or the answers to their challenges. Our aim is for them to know when they ask a friend, a nurse, a doctor, or support group "Who can help me support my kids when I'm going through surgery and recovery and cannot work?" The answer will be...Bouncing for Breast Cancer.

Single mums we bounced for...

Tamy is undergoing chemotherapy and suffering the nasty side effects, yet forces herself to go to work to support her kids. Know that support is here for you. Also we recently heard about a Danish mom, who has very young children, is self employed as a landscape gardener and lives in the rural areas of South Australia. She has no family here, no private medical and struggles to get to the hospital for treatment. Pray for them and donate - they need our help.

In closing, I share with you a poem that came into my life when I was looking for an answer. This poem has been an inspiration to me during a few occasions when I thought I was lost, confused or uncertain about my path. It taught me patience and to appreciate that where we are, is the right place at that moment. It taught me that not having it all figured out just means we're learning. Or it means we're open to new ideas and ready to try something new. Or it means to trust the answers will come. When Helen asked me about B4B, "How did you get this far?", I replied in a light-hearted and confident way, "I make it up as I go along". She thought I was joking, but I wasn't. Afterall, isn't this what we're all doing in this life?

I beg you…to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live you way in to the answer…

- By Rainer Maria Rilke

Here's to living our way into the answers.
love xp

2007-10-26T16:04:00.000+01:00

B4B is on a roll!!!

October has been a spectacular month as B4B has made progress on all fronts and hit the headlines again to show our support for single mums wth breast cancer. There's so much to share - so many people to thank- and this will be done in the coming blogs as it's after 1am...

Saturday 20th October - B4B was invited to Western Hospital at their Breast Cancer Awareness event thanks to Sally Neville in Events, and Sue Spencer Lead Breast Cancer Nurse. We bounced 13,000 times, each bounce represented each women diagnosed with breast Cancer in Australia (yearly estimated 13,000)

Monday 22nd October - New b4b dream team member, Helen Zander and I rocked up to SkyCity Adelaide to bounce over 40,000 times in support of all women and families affected by breast cancer. IN fact, we ended up bouncing 42, 415 times and we were featured in the news on Channel 7, in the pages of the Advertiser.

On Tuesday morning, the roaving reporter, Tim Noonan of ABC radio came out to Grange Jetty for a bounce. The antenna couldn't get reception so it was first to do a carpark bounce. Never a dull moment...

More good news came in this week that we're confirmed for an event in Port Augusta during Breast Cancer Month, 2008 and another fundraising event in February. I'll blog about this separately.

THE GREATEST NEWS OF ALL.... thanks to Robert Jones in Melbourne - another supporter of our mission, has kindly offered his talents to update our website. Yes, that's right - the new site is here. Come check it out http://www.bouncingforbreastcancer.org/. THANKS ROBERT!!

Must hit the pillow now. However, before I retire, on behalf of B4B we're in spirit in the UK today in honour of Natinoal Breast Cancer Day.

Sweet dreams, God's blessings and happy bouncing...

xpriscilla

2007-10-01T00:09:00.000+01:00

To our Sisters - Honoring Breast Cancer Month

Throughout the month of October, we'll be honouring our Sisters - the many single mom's and other women affected by breast cancer.

I had planned to share another story for this 1st day - however, as gorgeous fate would have it, my sister Kathleen (for whom this campaign was originally created), sent me an email with a story about Sisters. It was more than touching - it really resonated with me on a cellular level about the love us Sisters have for one another and the lengths we will go for one another. This is what about what B4B is about. A Powerful Sisterhood...

"A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.

Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom ofher glass. "They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them."

"Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. "You'll need other women. Women always do."

What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grown up! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.

After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned:

THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT.........Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girlfriend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out.

Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I.

When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful I just did.

To the single mom's affected by breast cancer, to your children and families - You make our lives more meaningful.

With love and blessings
priscilla, kathleen, margaret, susan, geeta & the b4b family and sponsors

2007-08-13T05:28:00.000+01:00

We Walk the Same Line

After unpacking moving boxes recently, I was reunited with one of my favorite CD's by Everything But the Girl. Bouncing away on my rebounder, I played it over and over like a teenage groupie.

I was particularly inspired by one of the songs written by Tracey Thorn. It put into music what I have felt for Kathleen during her treatment and recovery from breast cancer.

We Walk the Same Line

If you lose your faith, babe, you can have mine,
and if you’re lost I’m right behind, cause we walk the same line.

Now I don’t have to tell you how slow the night can go,
I know you’ve watched for the light.
And I bet you could tell me how slowly four follows three,
and you’re most forlorn just before dawn.

So if you lose your faith, babe, you can have mine,
and if you’re lost I’m right behind, cause we walk the same line.

And I don’t need reminding how loud the phone can ring
when you’re waiting for news. And that big old moon lights every corner of the room.
Your back aches from lying and your head aches from crying.

So if you lose your faith, babe, you can have mine,
and if you’re lost I’m right behind, cause we walk the same line.

And if these troubles should vanish like the rain at midday,
well I’ll have no doubt there’ll be more. And we can’t run and we can’t cheat,
cause baby when we meet what we’re afraid of, we find out what we’re made of.

So if you lose your faith, babe, you can have mine,
and if you’re lost I’m right behind, cause we walk the same line.

To the other single mums in the world affected by breast cancer:
When you're lost, we're right beside, cause we walk the same line with you.

B4Bx

2007-08-10T11:48:00.000+01:00

Knock Knock

I’d like to dedicate this to my beautiful sister, Kathleen.

Kathleen, out of respect for your wishes, I remained discreet concerning the events in recent months. I thank you for your willingness to share your experience – one that so many other single mums with cancer and people around the world face on a daily basis.

As I sit in a beachside café, looking over the waters, I reflect upon a book I recently read by Richard Bach, Running from Safety. It challenged my level of thinking. What I aspire to in life is not safety; it’s growth. I attach myself to situations in life until I get the lesson, even when the lesson is more important that freedom itself. Once the lesson is learned, the door to freedom magically opens. The truth that resonates in our hearts will set us free.

As I write, I religiously select the words and honour their spirit while releasing them onto the page. Only until recently did I realise how important writing the blog last year was in coping with my emotions surrounding Kathleen’s breast cancer. It was a healing way for overcoming my pain. It was a way to relate to others.

Sometimes when everything seems to be moving in the right direction suddenly, events in life nudge us in an alarming way. Catch us off guard. Stop us in our tracks.

Reality knocks on our door. Who could it be? What could it be? Why now? I’m busy with life! Do we open it or don’t we? The knock continues…We have no choice. Ignoring it won’t make it go away. We must open the door and face whatever is behind it. Brace ourselves for what’s about to enter our life.

Knock knock

In end of June, nearly one year since the 100th day of the original B4B campaign for my sister Kathleen, I learned that she found another lump in her breast. The same breast she had the mastectomy. More concerning for her and her doctors, was the itching she experienced. The same symptoms she had when the first cancerous lump was discovered. How could this be? Her breast had been removed and reconstructed. She is IN RECOVERY, right?

This was a knock on my reality. I awakened to familiar emotions, I thought I had left long behind. This was my sister whom I love dearly and would do anything for. Within seconds learning about this new lump, my heart sunk. Yet, I had to abandon my own fear for a higher belief. Fear was a luxury I could not afford. If I did, where would that leave Kathleen? Instead, I had to invest in something truly precious: Faith.

Without hesitation, I opened the door and embraced the news, faithfully. “What else could this itching or lump in her breast represent?” I asked myself. “Ok Priscilla, think of at least 25 different meanings that are more empowering than the return of cancer. And when you get to 25, keep on going.” I intuitively felt in my heart this wasn’t cancer. This was something else and it would reveal itself in time.

Kathleen shared this news only with me and one of her closest friends. She didn’t want to raise the alarm bells and cause worry to her mom, our dad or her brave-hearted young daughters. She didn’t want a disruption in her life now that’s she’s found her new normal and happiness again. She wanted to believe this cancer story was behind her for good!

A doctor recommended an MRI scan. It was scheduled for 28th June. “Honey, how are you handling this?” I asked. “I get poked and prodded all the time”, she said. “I’ve taken so many tests that I don’t get emotional about it. I deal with the facts. Priscilla, I’m okay with this.”

Wow, I admired how positive she was. But when I mirrored her optimism by sharing the probability that it could be something else, the protective wall crumbled around her heart to reveal what she was really feeling: “It’s easy for you from where you’re standing. But you’re not going through it, Priscilla. It’s tough, you know. It’s like an emotional rollercoaster. The ups and downs are a struggle sometimes.”

Whoa…where did this come from? I was confused by the mixed signals.

She’s right, though. I admit my optimism probably stung like salts to an open wound. I was speaking out of turn and only when I stepped in her shoes did I get it. The easiest way for her to cope was to deal with the facts. Acknowledging emotions at this stage was potentially overwhelming for her. She had just opened the door and was getting acquainted with the new reality.

Because the symptoms she experienced were similar to those in the past, doctors were concerned the cancer had reappeared. Naturally, it required further investigation to rule things out. However, did the doctors need to share their concern with my sister before they knew the facts? With all due respect to their experience, the past does not necessarily equal the reality of the present. It was entirely possible that there were other explanations for her symptoms.

June 28th was a day filled with irony. Gazing out into the rising sun as I flew to Melbourne (Australia) for a B4B steering committee meeting, my thoughts turned to Kathleen. She was on the other side of the world having her MRI scan in Melbourne (Florida). How strange it felt to further develop the B4B infrastructure to help other single moms with breast cancer, when my sister was uncertain about her own recovery. My thoughts were with her. My heart was with her. Every ounce of my faith was with her.

Two weeks later, the MRI results gave the all-clear, which confirmed what I already believed to be true!!!! However, before loosening the cork to the champagne bottle, her breast surgeon (another doctor) told Kathleen that the results weren’t reliable in her case because film (x-rays) did not initially show any evidence of cancer.

This was unexpected and my heart sank again. It took me a while until I could channel my energies on the probability that all was good and this was simply a process of elimination. I kept my thoughts to myself, focusing on her needs of support.

At this point, she decided to tell her mom and eldest daughter, but chose not to tell her other child. Sticking to the facts. Riding the rollercoaster, from time to time. Ups & downs. More waiting. Patiently.

The day came for Kathleen and her mom to make the long drive to Moffitt Cancer Centre in Tampa to see her doctor. He needed to examine the lump.

Words cannot express the gratitude I felt when she told me the news that the lump was not cancerous. She was so overjoyed and relieved and I was for her. She explained that it’s a fluid pocket created from the mastectomy. It’s not within the breast, rather located in the upper abdomen close to the breast. They don’t need to operate. They will monitor and drain the fluid if it doesn’t do so naturally.

The news cascaded over me like a long-awaited rain after a summer draught. Even though I believed in my heart everything would be fine, I was overcome with emotions too great to hide. The moment came when I finally shared with Kathleen that I too had faced some challenges during this time. I asked her if I could write about it.

As the sun gradually descends into the ocean on the distant horizon, I ask myself this question:

What is the lesson I have learned?

The only way to truly practice our faith is when it’s tested. When we’re willing to meet what we’re afraid of, we find out what we’re made of: a greatness beyond ourselves.

With love, xp

2007-07-23T10:37:00.000+01:00

Free Hug Campaign

an amazing hug campaign started last year that has inspired millions around the world on youtube. if you haven't seen it yet - or want to be reminded how it's growing even today -click on hug campaign link above and feel how embracing it is :). Alernatively, check out their website
http://www.freehugscampaign.org/

watch how the power of a hug brings people together for a greater good

to all the single mums with breast cancer, their kids and families... we BIG HUG you!

b4b xo

2007-07-02T08:21:00.000+01:00

B4B Steering Committee ROCKS!!!

The steering committee team met for the first time in Melbourne, Australia.

Firstly, BIG thanks to our friend and longtime B4B supporter, Tanya Schiffter for allowing us to use her offfices at CapGemini!

I am proud to welcome two fantastic ladies to the B4B core steering team: Margaret Irving (US) and Susan Jones (Australia).

WE THANK YOU -FOR YOUR TIME, HEART AND COMMITMENT.

Margaret is an extraordinary woman whose mission in life is to help people raise their energy levels to experience their dreams. She does this fantastically as a specialist in reboundology (yes, such a name exists), in addition to contributing to other life-transforming pursuits. Her talent and experience in rebounding, building corporate infrastructure, personal development, and wellness is greatly appreciated and respected.

Sue Jones is a loving wife, mother, enterpreneur and an aspiring author in the area of health & vitality. She is passionate about turning health challenges into transformational examples of vitality and happiness. She has a keen interest in the development and sustainability of non-profit organisations. As an excellant facilator, she knows how help us turn the heart of what we do - into vision, strategy AND results for moms & their kids throughout the world.

We celebrate our meeting highlights:

Everyone was there to serve and we were connected to something much bigger than ourselves.
Did well at creating, building on and connecting in our team relationships
Fantastic ideas were born to support the cause even more moving forward
Very fluid energy
We understood our higher purpose – 360 degrees
We all have love, mindset, competencies and experience to contribute to this worthy cause
It was FUN and real – feminine, magical, creative

An exciting development is the 360 approach we'll be taking in the area of emotional and physical wellbeing for single mums with breast cancer, their kids and even relatives. This will include finanical support and other key resources for them. Whilst this has been a component of B4B in the past, the scope just became more powerful and designed to last.

The most inspirational part of this meeting was getting to know these women at the level of the heart. I was more than moved by their mission in life to help others. Equally enchanting, was the coincidences (or not) that surrounded us during our time in Melbourne. It turns out Tanya and Sue went to school together over 20 years ago and we know alot of the same people. If you are familiar with 6 degrees of separation...we represent more like 2 degrees!

This was a gentle life reminder that we are in the right place , as the right people show up just at the right time.

Before powering down my laptop, I looked around the room to see walls of diagrams, words, phrases and action plans. I was proud and grateful to see more evidence of the B4B dream come true. I realised it's not just my dream anymore... it's become OUR dream.

As I headed into the Melbourne suburbs on the train, I looked out into the distant horizon and I quietly remembered the journey here... a former distant horizon. I gave thanks to all those people, especially Kathleen, Christoph, Shona, Sandra, Laura and our supporters who inspire us to continue. I caught my reflection in the window...How many blinks did it take to realise this dream?

YOUR DREAMS ARE JUST A BLINK AWAY...
love from the B4B Team x

2007-06-25T08:55:00.000+01:00

A Single Mum needs your help!!

I had a lengthy conversation with a single mum, who asked to be called "Laura". She is desperate for help.

We offered her emotional support until we would have the funding to help her financially. But she gratefully declined at the time.

This was a BIG learning for us and Christoph made a key distinction. When we helped Kathleen, we addressed her financial worries FIRST, which put her mind at ease, enabled her to relax more and focus on her healing. This opened her to the emotional support, knowing she could continue to feed and shelter her kids.

So, what's Laura's story?

Imagine you are a healthy, happily married mother with three beautiful young children. You are proud of your personal accomplishments, including a Masters Degree. You live a modest and financially responsible life.

Suddenly, the rug is pulled from underneath your feet without warning!

In the span of 5 years, you've been diagnosed with breast cancer, had a double mastectomy, received a full round of chemotherapy, over 45 radiation treatments, a hysterectomy, and were continuously weak from all the post cancer medication.

And it doesn't stop here... During this time, you suffered two car accidents, a painful divorce, you were a Hurricane Catrina victim in Louisiana (you had to move away from your kids to another state for several months to continue medical treatment), you lost your job (including medical benefits) as a result of these circumstances and accrued nearly US$50,000 of debt.

However, the bright side is that you were one of the lucky ones who found a job again after it was safe to move back into Louisiana. And being lucky means you are earning almost US$20,000 a year (despite the masters degree).

The most painful result is that your kids can only live with you 40% of the time because you now live in a bedsit (studio apartment) and work full time. Including your daily commute to work you are away from home over 60 hours per week. This means you're rarely home and when you are, you need to sleep and continue to heal. You couldn't even afford a babysitter for your kids if they lived with you.

You don't have enough money to cover basic household and food expenses - let alone to begin paying back the financial obligations you've accrued in recent years. And when you have your kids to stay, they all sleep in the bed and you sleep on the floor.

As much as you try to be positive, the prevailing worry is "Am I going to live long enough to see my kids turn 18?" and "Will my breast cancer come back even though I've taken all measures to prevent that?"

All you want to do is to be the loving, healthy and happy mother you were before - who nurtures and protects her children as moms instinctively do.

What meaning would you give this? How would you feel if your life, happiness, identity, children and well being were taken away from you and you were living on the edge physically, emotionally and financially? How could you see the positive in any of this?

Bouncing for Breast Cancer helps experience the positive in a seemingly impossible situation. Our mission grows out of a genuine love and caring for single mums whose diseases place their lives and their kids' lives precariously on the edge. Meeting them at that edge and gradually escorting them back to life and to their future, is the challenge and our call to action.

This single mom - OUR SISTER - is in need of YOUR HELP. Help us, help them and together we will sleep better tonight, knowing these moms and their kids are, too.

TO HELP LAURA, visit our website http://www.bouncingforbreastcancer.org/ and click on the donate button.

Thanks and God Bless

2007-06-22T08:39:00.000+01:00

From my sister, Kathleen.

I received an email today from Kathleen. She shared with me a true story - a thoughtful and inspiring reminder that we are indeed "all in this together"

A few years ago, there was a story on the front page story of the SF Chronicle, about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a web of crab traps and lines.

She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, and a line even tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate Bridge) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was in such a state, that the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. A very dangerous proposition - One slap of the tail could kill a man. The rescue team worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers reported that she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each one of the team, one at a time, and nudged them, and pushed them gently around --- she thanked them. Some said it was the most beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

love, Kathleen and Priscilla

2007-06-10T07:12:00.000+01:00

B4B's Future is in your hands

I'm updating the blog with a few entries over June and into July. There's been a lot of cool stuff happening, heaps of learning and we want you to be up to speed...

I travelled from Australia to London in late May for meetings re: B4B. As such, I have spent the past two months sowing new seeds, watering them and being patient. As in life, these seeds grow roots beneath the earth, before breaking through to new ground. B4B has broken through to new ground!

Firstly, I must thank the dedicated team of supporters in London who have been patient with us in our growth and new season.

These are - Amanda Prosser (Public Zone), Geeta Tailor (Your Bloody Health), Pa Joof (Making it Happen Now), Heather Macrae (Venture Thinking), Callum Bridgeford (Energise for Life), Per Wimmer (Wimmer Space), Alistair Crooks (The Secret Combination), and friends and family.

I had a fruitful meeting with Paul Sacher of the MEND Programme (http://www.mendprogramme.org/) to understand how he started . He is a great guy who shows what's possible by helping children with obesity. He has successfully run the MEND programme as a social enterprise project for over 5 years.

This, in addition to other research, convinced us that the business form "social enterprise" is the way forward, and not becoming a charity. In addition, Gordon Brown likes social enterprises, too.

What is social enterprise?
Basically, it's a private company with social aims. B4B will run itself on a non profit basis, with all collected donations going to the cause (minus minimal admin costs). However, there may be a profit-making arm of the organisation which will feed its revenue to the cause as well -providing even greater financial help.

Why not a charity?
Bottom line is that whilst charities are very worthwhile, becoming one and maintaining its status requires lots of resources = time and money. We decided early on that the majority of our resources should be invested towards those who need it - not in administration, paperwork, salaries, i.e. high overhead costs.

Above all, we do not see ourselves in competition with the existing Breast Cancer charities. We understand the needs of a specific group - single mums with kids - and are offering financial, emotional and wellbeing support. As such, we may partner with those charities in raising awareness for both, emotional support and research for all those affected by breast cancer, not just single mums and their kids.

How can you help?
We need seed funding and a team in London to help moms that need support NOW because they are in desperate circumstances (see Laura's appeal). email us at info@bouncingforbreastcancer.org

Making this distiction towards our organisational form gave clarity and was the critical step in identifying how we actually structure ourselves and build a strategy to reach our outcome.

I boarded the plane exhausted - yet euphoric and satisfied that I acheived what I set out to do in 5 days. I've not had this clarity since the day I began this personal campaign for my sister in Feb 2006. This mission is the single most fulfilling and challenging thing I've done in my life and I am totally committed to the cause. It's one of the reasons why I get out of bed in the morning. I think of those moms who have first contacted us for help. They inspire me, along with Kathleen. I also honour those few single moms who have passed away in the meantime.

As we taxied down the runway for takeoff, tears of gratitude ran down my face. We are one step closer to helping moms with breast cancer and their kids.

Thank you, all for believing in us... for believing in them! What's most important is that the quality of these lives will be improved by removing the obstacles that cause emotional and financial distress so they can focus on healing, recovery and being a family.

with love, priscilla

2007-05-09T05:01:00.000+01:00

The Journey Starts Within

Throughout the B4B journey, I have collected stories of women we met along the way and the meaning they gave to their experience was incredible. Even my sister Kathleen, now understands that her breast cancer served a higher purpose.

Kathleen is feeling stronger and more vibrant with each new day - yipee!!!! The other day she said that she's ready to get more involved with building B4B in the US. We both knew this day would come along sooner or later when she had more energy. I was WOW'd that it was this soon!!!!

I asked what seems like an obvious question - yet it is an important one. And here's why....

When I asked Kathleen why she wanted to get involved, she said, "I want to give back to help single mums who have no one to support them. I am just now awakening to the power of my experience. Through your personal campaign for me, I now understand what it means to be truly loved and to how to RECEIVE that love. I never did this before."

This brought tears to my eyes. All of her life, she was a giver and couldn’t receive, because she didn’t love herself. She spent 47 years of her life not loving herself and now at 48 she knows self love. She experiences self love. She practices self love.

She said, "Priscilla, I now realise that the journey starts within. Thank you for giving me my life back."

Whilst I was profoundly touched by her words, I thought for a moment to myself. "It was not me to give her life back -she's always had it. She has just now awakened to another level of her soul."

Just imagine what loving herself will bring her for the rest of her life? Imagine what her kids will learn and how they will grow out of the gift of self love.

In fact, with this self love, she has the desire to do something even more fulfilling with her life. Recently she way laying sleepless in bed flicking through possibilites in her mind, like pages in a dream magazine. She thought of returning to school to complete her degree. The next morning she woke up and said, "I love who I am! I don’t need a degree – I can do anything I want! I CAN make a difference, because I HAVE made a difference so many times before in my life."

And she has and she can! She has made a difference in my life -was a loving big sister to me when I was a little girl with curly golden locks. She comforted me when I was sad, she played and laughed with me (alot), she hugged me and loved me unconditionally. Even today, through her experience, I have found an even greater purpose to my life.

Kathleen has volunteered for so many charity, church events and community organisations. She is a leader and a connector. She is a great mom, sister and daughter. And she does this out of love. Her journey now continues into a compelling future filled with even more love and possibility - for she knows how to receive it from herself and from others. What a blessing.

I am so proud of Kathleen and the many other women who have come out the other side of breast cancer with a more empowering meaning and purpose to their lives. You inspire me and the rest of the world.

with love and honour to you all!
priscilla x

2007-04-21T23:20:00.001+01:00

Happy New Beginnings Day

Happy and warm greetings to you. It's a pleasure to be blogging again and I want to thank you for your patience over the past few months. Bouncing for Breast Cancer has been working behind the scenes to develop our foundation and exciting path forward to help single mothers affected by breast cancer. Additionally, I have moved my home to Australia with my husband, so it's been a further growth for me on how to bring this mission forward.

Truth is, to go from a personal campaign to a larger organisation requires a new strategy. I have never done anything like this before, so I just need time to find the right people to advise us. This meant that we needed to really assess our needs, such as infrastructure, roles, steering committee, criteria for funding, and much more than I could have imagined. Futhermore, we didn't want to set up just another charity. We wanted to really understand the needs of single mums that we intend to help. Whilst one of our functions is to provide financial support, our heart mission is to provide outstanding emotional support and share useful resources.

Today, we celebrate our new path. Over the next 12 months, we will be launching our dream teams in the UK, America and Austalia. Specifically, we commit:

spread further awareness of the unique situations faced by single mothers and their kids when going through treatment, recovery from breast cancer
host fun and exciting community bouncing events in local communities
raise funding for the cause
distribute our top quality personally branded trampolines
provide the emotional support to help single mums find an empowering meaning in their situation and most importantly, a compelling future for themselves and their children
share wellness information on nutrition and exercise.
and much more

I celebrate today even more because of the amazing support we've received so far from many people throught the world. Most importantly, I celebrate my sister Kathleen, for whom this personal campaign was originally founded.

For those who have been following the story, Kathleen is doing well in herself and her kids have been brilliant throughout all of this, receiving great marks at school. She is taking a course of Herceptin for a total of 12 months. In the meantime, she regaining her vitality each day. Finding her new normal has been a great learning for her and she is happy to be looking towards a bright future full of love, faith and gratitude.

There is so much we too have learned since our last blog in October and i will share those valuable gifts in the coming days.

with love and appreciation

priscilla

2006-10-05T07:24:00.000+01:00

B4B Hightlights

Hello again and sorry there's been no updates for about a week. Soo many exciting things are happening and it's finding time to keep you posted. Check back with us on the 9th October for the lastest and greatest:

B4B becomes unified to a greater cause with new logo
Adelaide bounce
Kathleen update - herceptin is proving the new challenge
Celebrating breast cancer awareness week
Aussie Outback Bounce
the Xfactor producer's fab involvement in London
championing the cause of Shona, another single mum in need of our help

...and more.

with blessings

2006-09-25T01:57:00.000+01:00

Our Mountain Awaits Us

Over the weekend, Christoph and I went cycling on a sunny and fresh morning before breakfast. Being a cycling enthusiast, he reminded me of his goal of riding up Mount Lofty before we leave Adelaide in October.

Now, I'm all up for challenges - however, when I first heard his idea a month or so ago, an image came to mind. It is after all MOUNT Lofty, as in ...nice steady incline over 20 miles to a hilly mountain range that culminates to a summit. Visions of me red faced, huffing and puffing, like scenes from The Little Engine That Could, playing over and over in my head. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!”.

Admittedly, over the past few weeks, I've been psyching myself up for it. Then, on Saturday morning, as we rode up a [gentle] incline in central Adelaide, I began doubting my abilities to take on Mount Lofty. In fact, instead of facing this graciously, I started hurling criticism at Christoph. I accused him of being irresponsible to cycle up a mountain without 'proper training' (whatever that means????). To his defense, he responded "but I've been cycling all my life". "Yeah, right", I snorted, "If that's the case why don't you just sign up for the Tour de France tomorrow?"

Now, it doesn't take brain surgery to figure out that my behavior was not only totally over-the-top, but what a bitch I was! It's no excuse to say that I hadn't had any breakfast - normally resulting in me being un peu fragile until I get something in my tummy. So, I had to pull up my big girl's pants and do the right thing... apologize.

What was about to transpire, was a profound breakthrough...

When we sat down for breakfast, I looked at Christoph sincerely and apologized for my rude behavior. It was so unfair of me to impose my insecurities onto him. If he was ready and felt certain of his abilities to conquer Mount Lofty, more power to him. Who was I to ridicule his aspirations? Frankly, just then did I recognize the 'smallishness' behavior I displayed moments earlier.

I told him, "Of course, we can cycle up Mount Lofty. After all, it's not about reaching the top, it's about...."

Christoph interrupted. He said, "It's about reaching the bottom. You can't reach the top of the mountain, without first reaching its bottom."

How true this is…

He turned to me and said in his wise and gentle way... "Priscilla, you can stand at the bottom of Mount Disappointment looking up - or you can start climbing Mount Remarkable."

All too often, we create targets that seem out of reach or might require lots of huffing and puffing to get there. We mustn't forget, that if we first see the mountain range in the distance and challenge ourselves to climb it - that's an achievement in itself.

If we go the distance to reach its bottom, then that too is a great achievement.

And if we start the ascent to the summit, at any point along the way - that too is an even greater achievement.

Our journey is the preparation for the mountain that awaits us.

Will it be Mount Disappointment or Mount Remarkable?

2006-09-22T03:19:00.000+01:00

HOT OFF THE PRESS...

Congratulations to Martha Miller and her team at Meredith for launching their Premier Issue of BEYOND. Martha used to be the Health Editor at Better Homes & Gardens and has a real 'get-up-and-go' mindset & passion about her current venture. She's a mom and seems to take life and her successes in stride, effortlessly. This lady is a natural talent and role model for many professional moms and women out there (including me).

I received a call from her within 2 hours of returning from my visit with Kathleen in June. She heard about our story and wanted to include it in this first issue. We are so grateful to sit within pages of such a special magazine, alongside other great stories and articles of incredible individuals. I believe in the value of this magazine and how it's purpose is to help those affected by breast cancer to LIVE and THRIVE afterwards with confidence and hope for the future. I urge all of you in the USA to go to your nearest newstand and pick up a copy. In the meantime...read all about it:

BEYOND: LIVE & THRIVE AFTER BREAST CANCER

Meredith Special Interest Media Debuts the First-of-its-Kind Magazine for
Breast Cancer Survivors

DES MOINES (September 19, 2006) — Meredith Special Interest Media, part of the Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP) announced today that it is introducing Beyond: Live & Thrive After Breast Cancer, a semi-annual publication that provides women who have or had breast cancer, the support and latest information on treatment and recovery.

The Fall/Winter 2006 premiere issue hits newsstands September 19th 2006, with a $5.99 cover price.

“Since more than two million American women live with breast cancer, we wanted to provide this community a resource of support, inspiration and hope,” says Martha Miller, editor of Beyond.

An advisory board of leading experts in the breast cancer field contributed to the premiere issue of Beyond. They include: Susan Brown, the health manager at Susan G. Komen Foundation; Carolyn M. Kaelin, director of Comprehensive Breast Health Center and breast cancer survivor; and Lillie Shockney, Administrative Director at Johns Hopkins Breast Cancer.

The premiere issue provides honest, heartwarming profiles, inspiring stories and practical advice. In the cover story, Dallas Mayor Laura Miller recounts her journey with breast cancer and why she looks forward to a much simpler life.

Also included are the “Pink Pages,” a resource guide and calendar of upcoming races and products that support breast cancer, fashion tips on how to look and feel your best and nutritional information on foods that may help patients in their fight against cancer. Beyond also offers the most up-to-date medical information and, real-life stories on how to battle stress, fatigue and other side-effects of the disease.

“Beyond is packed with tips on how to feel sexy again, how to get your body back after treatment and how to find a sense of normalcy,” says Miller.

Among the articles in the premiere issue include:

To Do or Not To Do: Reconstruction is a big decision. Provided are real options and risks associated with surgery. Also featured are real-life accounts of two women who opted for and against surgery, and answers to common questions about reconstruction.
Chemo Brain - It’s Not In Your Head: Studies show links between chemo and thinking impairment. While doctors still search for answers, featured are coping mechanisms for survivors struggling through the mental fog.
10 Super Foods That Fight Back: The best foods to fight off breast cancer and tips on how to prepare them.
Can We Talk? Sex and Intimacy After Breast Cancer: Practical solutions to feeling confident and sexy in the bedroom.
A Definite Maybe: Your mother had breast cancer, but will you? Examine your family tree to find out if breast cancer is a threat to you.
Feel Your Best: Breast cancer survivors who exercise in moderation are 50 percent less likely to die from the disease than inactive women. Provided are solutions to battling the breast cancer bulge.
Ways to Glow: When treatment wages a war on your skin, fight back with these simple steps to reduce signs of aging and boost your skin’s natural radiance.

Beyond is part of Meredith Special Interest Media’s health group which also includes Diabetic Living and Heart Healthy Living. The health group is committed to providing its readers with the most up-to-date medical and nutritional information.

Meredith Special Interest Media is the largest collection of newsstand publications in the world, with approximately 200 issues a year in the areas of building and remodeling; decorating and design; cooking and entertaining; gardening and outdoor living; health and nutrition; and crafting.

Meredith (www.meredith.com) is one of the nation's leading media and marketing companies with businesses centering on magazine and book publishing, television broadcasting, integrated marketing and interactive media. The Meredith Publishing Group features 25 subscription magazines - including Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Ladies' Home Journal, Parents, Child, Fitness, and American Baby - and approximately 200 special interest publications. Meredith owns 14 television stations, including properties in top-25 markets such as Atlanta, Phoenix and Portland.

2006-09-21T03:23:00.000+01:00

B4B family grows

We'd like to welcome Evelyn Mackintosh to our B4B family. She has just arrived in Australia from the UK, heard about our cause, and wanted to get involved. She is instrumental in helping me get the database set up, doing research, injecting fresh ideas and handling alot of the day-to-day stuff that needs to be done. What a blessing AND perfect timing!

Thanks a million, Evie!!!

2006-09-20T06:07:00.000+01:00

33 HEALTHY WAYS THE BODY RESPONDS TO REBOUNDING

Health is a cause and effect relationship. What one focuses on, where one lives emotionally, the quality of what one eats & drinks, and the frequency one moves their body ALL FACTORS into this. As the old cliche goes, the whole is greater than the sum of all parts. For individuals wanting to be at cause for creating healthy effects, rebounding is one way to acheive this. In doing research into the benefits of rebounding, I have found reports that suggest it can even prevent cancer. The following shows benefits that ultimately improve health at a cellular level.

By Dr. Morton Walker and Albert E. Carter

The study of the human body is fairly interesting. The moment it becomes no less than amazing is when we understand what happens as the body is placed under the demands of movement and resistance we call exercise. Rebounding is an effective exercise that reduces your body fat; firms your arms, legs, thighs, abdomen, and hips; increases your agility; strengthens your muscles overall; provides an aerobic effect for your cardiopulmonary systems; rejuvenates your body when it's tired, and generally puts you in a state of mental and physical wellness. In fact, there are at least 33 fascinating ways the body responds to regular rebounding, detailed below:

Rebounding provides an increased G-force (gravitational load), which strengthens the musculoskeletal systems.
Rebounding protects the joints from the chronic fatigue and impact delivered by exercising on hard surfaces.
Rebounding helps manage body composition and improves muscle-to-fat ratio.
Rebounding aids lymphatic circulation by stimulating the millions of one-way valves in the lymphatic system.
Rebounding circulates more oxygen to the tissues.
Rebounding establishes a better equilibrium between the oxygen required by the tissues and the oxygen made available.
Rebounding increases capacity for respiration.
Rebounding tends to reduce the height to which the arterial pressures rise during exertion.
Rebounding lessens the time during which blood pressure remains abnormal after severe activity.
Rebounding assists in the rehabilitation of a heart problem.
Rebounding increases the functional activity of the red bone marrow in the production of red blood cells.
Rebounding improves resting metabolic rate so that more calories are burned for hours after exercise.
Rebounding causes muscles to perform work in moving fluids through the body to lighten the heart's load.
Rebounding decreases the volume of blood pooling in the veins of the cardiovascular system preventing chronic edema.
Rebounding encourages collateral circulation by increasing the capillary count in the muscles and decreasing the distance between the capillaries and the target cells.
Rebounding strengthens the heart and other muscles in the body so that they work more efficiently.
Rebounding allows the resting heart to beat less often.
Rebounding lowers circulating cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Rebounding lowers low-density lipoprotein (bad) in the blood and increases high-density lipoprotein (good) holding off the incidence of coronary artery disease.
Rebounding promotes tissue repair.
Rebounding for longer than 20 minutes at a moderate intensity increases the mitochondria count within the muscle cells, essential for endurance.
Rebounding adds to the alkaline reserve of the body, which may be of significance in an emergency requiring prolonged effort.
Rebounding improves coordination between the propreoceptors in the joints, the transmission of nerve impulses to and from the brain, transmission of nerve impulses and responsiveness of the muscle fibers.
Rebounding improves the brain’s responsiveness to the vestibular apparatus within the inner ear, thus improving balance.
Rebounding offers relief from neck and back pains, headaches, and other pain caused by lack of exercise.
Rebounding enhances digestion and elimination processes.
Rebounding allows for deeper and easier relaxation and sleep.
Rebounding results in better mental performance, with keener learning processes.
Rebounding curtails fatigue and menstrual discomfort for women.
Rebounding minimizes the number of colds, allergies, digestive disturbances, and abdominal problems.
Rebounding tends to slow down atrophy in the aging process.
Rebounding is an effective modality by which the user gains a sense of control and an improved self image.
Rebounding is enjoyable!

People who rebound find they are able to work longer, sleep better, and feel less tense and nervous. The effect is not just psychological, because the action of bouncing up and down against gravity effectively stimulates the lymphatic system without trauma to the musculoskeletal system. This unique discovery is central to the reasons Rebounding has become one of the most beneficial forms of exercise ever developed.

Happy Bouncing and Healthy Living.

-pb