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Only 2 more days to enter the My Krooked Karma GIVEAWAY!

Go here to enter!

8 Ways to Reduce your Risk of Breast Cancer

I always hear of things that we should be doing to help lower our risks of getting cancer. However sometimes I just chalk it off as something I will worry about later, or tell myself that I am already doing this stuff. However, with the rates of women who are being diagnosed with breast cancer getting younger I am becoming more determined to do what I can to avoid the risks. I recently found this article from msnbc.com and since it's breast cancer awareness month I decided to share with you all, in the hopes that you too will start taking better control of your life and maybe helping to avoid the risks out there.

By Linda Carroll, contributor

The average American woman’s lifetime risk for developing breast cancer is one in nine. While that’s a pretty scary statistic, there are some simple things you can do to lower the likelihood that you will develop cancer. While the biggest risk factors — genes and old age — are beyond your control, there are some lifestyle modifications that you can make that will help you chip away at your risk.

The impact of a single modification won’t be huge, but some scientists believe that the benefits of these changes can add up. So, the more modifications you make, the lower your risk of developing breast cancer. Beyond that, many of the lifestyle modifications recommended for breast cancer prevention have the added benefit of protecting you from heart disease, which remains the leading killer of women in the United States.

To read the full article go here

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Have you entered the My Krooked Karma Giveaway yet?

Winner of the Bell Designs Giveaway.....

A BIG thanks to Linda at Bell Designs for teaming up with me to do this great giveaway! She has some great things over at her Etsy shop, so if you haven't stopped by yet to check it out you should.

Now onto the winner:

Krissy who said...
"Love the singing owl mirror! "

Congrat's to Krissy!! Please contact me with your info.

Be sure to enter my next giveaway from My Krooked Karma... see post below to enter.

My Krooked Karma GIVEAWAY ** NOW CLOSED**

I am happy to introduce you to Michelle over at My Krooked Karma. She makes some amazing and gorgeous tile pendants! And has graciously donated these two beautiful pendants to two winners!




The first pendant is the is the Hope scrabble tile:



The second pendant is the Faith scrabble tile:

♥ Handmade by me, using a Scrabble-like wooden tile with graphics attached.

♥ Sealed in a hard coat resin, leaving a glass like finish.

♥ Pendant measures 1" square, larger than scrabble tiles.

♥ A Sterling Silver Plated Aanraku Bail is secured to the top.

♥ Edges are sanded smooth for a more finished look.

♥ Packaged in an ORGANZA bag ready to be given as a gift.

Rules to enter:

1. Visit My Krooked Karma- then come back here & leave a comment telling me what item you liked best. (required to be entered into this giveaway)

2. For a second entry become a public follower of Nana's Box

3. For a third entry subscribe to Nana's Box

4. For a fourth entry post about this giveaway and then leave a comment letting me know where I can read about it. (fourth entry subject to verification)

5. For a fifth entry become a fan of my Facebook page

Giveaway ends 8:00 pm EST on Nov. 1, 2009

Bell Designs GIVEAWAY!! ** NOW CLOSED **

I'm very excited to introduce you to Linda over at Bell Designs. Linda's shop has some great little magnets that say all kinds of things. And these cute little pocket mirrors that I think are just genius! Linda contacted me wanting to host a giveaway and has donated this wonderful "SURVIVOR" pocket mirror to give to one winner!

*Pocket Mirror -One side is a beautiful graphic image, the other side is a real glass mirror.
* Hand assembled with beautiful images-top sealed with Mylar
* Measure approximately 2.25” in diameter
* Fits easily into a purse, pocket, or drawer
* Items come in a small gift bag, great for gift giving
* Mirrors made with glass-not intended for young children

Rules to enter:

1. Visit Bell Designs- then come back here & leave a comment telling me what item you liked best. (required to be entered into this giveaway)

2. For a second entry become a public follower of Nana's Box

3. For a third entry subscribe to Nana's Box

4. For a fourth entry post about this giveaway and then leave a comment letting me know where I can read about it. (fourth entry subject to verification)

5. For a fifth entry become a fan of my Facebook page

Giveaway ends 8:00 pm EST on Oct. 25, 2009

Bell Designs is also having a sale during this week:

BUY 3 GET 1 FREE – Oct 18th thru Oct 25th.

To receive your FREE POCKET MIRROR…..

1. Place 3 individual Pocket Mirrors in your cart;
2. List your FREE Pocket Mirror in the “Message to Seller” at checkout.

To receive your FREE 5-MAGNET SET…..

1. Place 3 individual Magnet Sets in your cart;
2. List your FREE Magnet Set in the “Message to Seller” at checkout.

BUY MORE AND SAVE…….
Buy 6, get 2 Free
Buy 9, get 3 Free, etc.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This offer applies to individual items only (excludes clearance items, gift sets, wholesale, bulk, etc.)

{ Cancer related GIVEAWAYS }

Have you entered the current giveaway? It's a great pair of scrapbook die cuts and a gorgeous pewter bookmark! Great gifts for any cancer survivor!

Also, be sure to go to the giveaways link at the top to see the amazing giveaways coming up in the future.... or click here!

Pink overload....

Are companies taking advantage of Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Its easy to walk into any store during the month of Octorber and find the famous pink ribbon, the signals Breast Cancer Awareness, everywhere. Now a days its on everything, from clothes, to underwear to food labels. Luckily I am not swayed into buying these products simply because they state that they support cancer research. However, many consumers are swayed into buying certain products with the understnading that they are helping to send funds to cancer research. Thanks to this article that my husband found I can confidently say that the best way to help fight cancer is to donate your green directly to a charity such as The American Cancer Society. That way you will know that 100% of your money will be used for research. And avoid the pitfalls of buying "pink" products that claim they support cancer research.... when in reality they might not.

"The reds and oranges of changing foliage may be the traditional colors of October, but pink is gaining on them fast as this month marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. NFL players are wearing pink cleats and sweatbands, pink food is everywhere, and store aisles are awash in a sea of pink products, many bearing the familiar pink ribbon that signals breast cancer awareness and fundraising. But here’s the thing: Buying pink does not always mean your green will go to cancer research."

Read the full article here

Have you entered the Wysiwigs GIVEAWAY yet??

Newest Box....

Made for Edith who was diagnosed with breast cancer and now it has spread to her lymph nodes, spine, left femur, and around her lungs. This box was request from someone who cares about Edith but doesn't know her personally..... such kind hearted people out there!

Deputy who committed suicide accused of cancer scam

This just goes to show how wonderful and supportive people in a community can be when someone they know and love is affected by cancer. This disease brings people together and shows how giving and self-less human beings can be. It is also sad and upsetting to read that someone would so blatantly take advantage of the kindness of those around them. This is not the first story I have heard about someone faking cancer. And I'm sure it will not be the last. It's sad to know that at the words "cancer" we will do anything to show support and love.... including doing it blindly.

By Randy Ludlow and Dana Wilson
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

His colleagues in law enforcement rallied to the aid of Marion County Deputy Sheriff Joe Russell as he fought repeated bouts of cancer.

A Fraternal Order of Police fundraiser brought in $20,000 to help pay his medical bills and fellow employees donated more than 75 days of unused sick leave and vacation days so he could receive treatment.

A week ago today, Russell committed suicide, shooting himself in his Delaware home. Deputies in dress uniform attended his funeral, perhaps wondering if his struggle against cancer had become too tough to bear.

Read the full article here

Did you enter the GIVEAWAY below??

Wysiwigs GIVEAWAY!! ** NOW CLOSED **

I am excited to introduce you to Jen at Wysiwigs. She has kindly donated this beautiful pair of scrapbook die cuts and this gorgeous petitie pewter bookmarker. * This lovely pair of die cuts are perfect for a survivor's scrapbook page, or use it to

make a pretty card or two to brighten someone's day.
Beautifully scripted, "Hope" measures approximately 3" high and 4" wide.

Rules to enter:

1. Visit Wysiwigs- then come back here & leave a comment telling me what item you liked best. (required to be entered into this giveaway)

2. For a second entry become a public follower of Nana's Box

3. For a third entry subscribe to Nana's Box

4. For a fourth entry post about this giveaway and then leave a comment letting me know where I can read about it. (fourth entry subject to verification)

5. For a fifth entry become a fan of my Facebook page

Giveaway ends 8:00 pm EST on Oct. 18, 2009

Winner of the Little Jags Giveaway

A HUGE thanks goes out to Cathy over at Little Jags for the beautiful necklace and bracelet giveaway! If you haven't stopped by you should.... there are some beautiful pieces over there!

And the winner is: #27

robin_titan who said...
I loved the Scrabble Tile Necklace and Chain - Pink Owl. So cute!
I really hope I get lucky and win this for my co-worker. She'd LOVE it,

especially since she's a cancer survivor :)

Congratulations robin, please contact me with your info!

If you didn't win, there is another chance..... come enter the Wysiwigs Giveaway!!

Less than 24 hrs left.....

to enter the Little Jags GIVEAWAY!!

Go here to get your entry in before the deadline!

Survivors of childhood cancer less likely to marry

The title of this article immediatley caught my eye. What a sad thing to read about. Seriously, after having to deal with such a tramtic and life threating disease you are more likely to spend this life as a single person? Cancer really affects more than just your physical body, but the mind and soul as well. Makes me realize, a bit more, just how terrible this disease really is.... at any age.

By: CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Thursday Oct. 8, 2009 12:30 PM ET

Childhood cancer survivors are 20 to 25 per cent more likely to remain unmarried than their siblings or people in the general population, a U.S. study has found.

Lead researcher Dr. Nina S. Kadan-Lottick, an assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, Conn., says many survivors survive the physical effects of cancer but struggle with the social effects

"Many childhood cancer survivors still struggle to fully participate in our society because of the lasting cognitive and physical effects of their past cancer therapy," she said in a news release from the American Association for Cancer Research.

Read the full article here

Have you entered the LITTLE JAGS GIVEAWAY?!?

Little Jags GIVEAWAY!!! ** NOW CLOSED **

I am excited to introduce you to Cathy over at Little Jags. She has graciously donated this beautiful bracelet and necklace set. A perfect gift or any cancer survivor in your life.

* Swarovski Crystal and Pearl Sterling Silver Jingle Bracelet
Crystals, Pearls, Sterling Silver, and Tiny Bells, what an elegant match.

Tiny sterling silver bells gently dangle and jingle on this sterling silver bracelet.

Each one is customly hand-made to perfection and polished to give it lots of shine!

This item can be worn as a bracelet or anklet and will be custom made just for you!

* Scrabble Tile Necklace
This "Think Pink, Ribbon" tile is the perfect accent to any outfit. Each tile is made with heavyweight designer paper, and is coated with a thick waterproof resin, to give it lots of shine.

Each tile has been lightly hand-sanded and the edges have been rounded to give it a more polished look.

The pendant is attached to a sterling silver bail and comes with a sterling silver plated 16” chain.

A 16” black velvet or pink satin choker can be substituted for the chain.

Rules to enter:

1. Visit Little Jags- then come back here & leave a comment telling me what item you liked best. (required to be entered into this giveaway)

2. For a second entry become a public follower of Nana's Box

3. For a third entry subscribe to Nana's Box

4. For a fourth entry post about this giveaway and then leave a comment letting me know where I can read about it. (fourth entry subject to verification)

5. For a fifth entry become a fan of my Facebook page

Giveaway ends 8:00 pm EST on Oct. 11, 2009

Winner of the Designs by Best Friends Giveaway

A HUGE thanks goes out to Designs by Best Friends for their wonderful donation and support of Nana's Box!!! If you haven't stopped by to check out all the fabulous things they have you need to!

The winner of the Antique Silver Hope Earrings is:

Tracy who said...
The Cure Affirmation Ring Necklace with Pink Crystal Drops is my fave!

I'm also a follower!

Congratulations and please contact me with your info.

Also, be sure to enter our Little Jags giveaway!

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

In honor of breast cancer awareness month I have decided to post some of my past {Fabulous Feature Friday} stories of brave women, both old and young who have fought this terrible disease. Read and enjoy! And be inspired!

And remember...... early detection is the key.... check yourself today!

The Butterfly

A husbands story

Breast Cancer at 25

A daugthers story

PS have you entered my Designs by Best Friends GIVEAWAY? It would make a perfect gift for a breast cancer survivor! Come enter here

A Malignant Melanoma Walks Into a Bar...

In the News:

They say laughter is the best medicine right? Does that include laughter when suffering with cancer? To me it seems like something that shouldn;t be laughed about or joked around with. But as I read this article found on msnbc.com I started to think differently:

Cancer kills more young people than any other disease, and survival rates have not improved in more than 30 years for people in their 20s and 30s. How some patients are using humor to fight back.
By Iva Skoch Newsweek Web Exclusive
Crammed inside a subway car in Manhattan—feeling remarkably generous, as I often do these days—I smiled at a young woman with a fancy black ponytail hairdo who was intensely staring at me. She didn't smile back. She said: "This is the second time you stepped on my shoe."

It was quite possible that I stepped on her foot. I'm a little clumsy nowadays. Almost three years ago, at age 29, I was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer The chemotherapy treatment that followed left me, among other keepsakes, with neuropathy in my feet, numbness and tingling similar to what advanced diabetes patients experience. One day I walked two blocks barefoot before I noticed my missing sandal.

"I'm sorry," I said, then whispered, "I know this will sound strange, but I can't feel my feet."

She rolled her eyes.

It was funny. In this crowded train, nobody was paying attention to my cancer, and it all seemed surreal again: my numb feet, my uncertain life expectancy, the loneliness, all coupled with gratitude for being alive, even if it means sharing a world with this bitch on the 1 train.

read the full story here