How Silly!

Washington referees may face ban for charity pink whistles
By Cameron Smith

A group of high school football officials in Washington state were trying to support breast cancer research while working this week's games, so they made a pledge to donate all game checks to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Then, to top off the charitable gesture, they announced they would all use pink whistles during the games. Now there's a chance those whistles could cost the refs a chance to work state playoff games.
According to KING 5 News -- with thanks for the news report above -- and the Associated Press, officials who are part of the Pacific Northwest Football Officials Association who worked games on Thursday night were informed by the chair of the Washington Officials Association that they could face a two-game suspension for using pink whistles. The playoff ban is possible because the colored whistles violate the uniform protocol for state high school officials. Those uniforms allegedly call for black whistles only, and the WOA claims that no officials asked for permission to use pink whistles for their designated charity games.
The chair of the WOA, Todd Stordahl, told KING 5 News and MyNorthwest.com he has little choice but to discipline officials who used colored whistles. He claims that letting them continue without punishment would send the wrong message to student athletes.
"They chose not to ask for permission, not to go the right route," Stordahl told KING 5. "It sends the wrong message to kids that are playing the game. 'If they broke the rules why can't I do the same.'"
Though no discipline has been decided upon, Stordahl indicated it was likely that pink whistle-blowing officials would be suspended for two playoff games. That would not only keep the referees from working at the annual pinnacle of their sport, but also cost them two game checks.
Considering that the referees were already donating one game check to charity, that would leave them with three fewer checks than in a typical season.
Meanwhile, MyNorthwest.com is reporting the PNFOA is arguing the dress code for officials does not technically specify that only black whistles be used, which means any suspensions would be unwarranted. That follows a Tuesday PNFOA meeting in which the group's president, Mike Livingston, said the board voted unanimously to use the colored whistles, regardless of penalty.
The officials themselves seem to be on board with the PNFOA decision, due to a commitment the referees felt to both breast cancer awareness and each other. There's little indication that the threat that came Thursday night from the WOA will keep them from using the pink whistles they intended.
"A lot of the guys in the association have been touched by breast cancer in some way," referee Jeff Mattson told MyNorthwest.com. "So we decided to take on the Susan G. Komen Foundation."

Mesothelioma

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Lots of contests, but are you in?

My friend Pelf is running contests during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and wonders why there are not more people joining in, so I thought I would give her blog a plug and see if it helps :) Here is her post:
You know what’s funny?

I am running a series of simple-to-play and fun contests on the official Pink for October website, but why aren’t YOU participating? We are giving away a lot of attractive prizes throughout the month, plus, it’s for a good cause! Did you know that by participating, you are actually reaching out to your readers and increasing awareness on this deadly but preventable disease? :D

So let me tell you more about the contests that I’m running:

Every Monday and Thursday, I will announce a word, and you are supposed to find or take a picture that best describes that word and blog about it. After that, you should drop by and leave me a comment and link on the post. It’s that easy! On Oct 31st, I will randomly pick a lucky winner from all those who leave me a comment. Which means that the more you play, the higher your chances are of winning something :D

On top of that, there are also those month-long contests. You could either share a breast cancer related true story, or you could design a Pink for October button/banner/badge, and and on Oct 31st, I will randomly pick a winner.

Seriously, MY CONTESTS are definitely easier than those that ask you to write a 5000-word essay about your first love, or why you like to watch rainbows, no?

Come and join us! :vodka:

Lowering The Risks

Continuing with the theme of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I give you an article I found over on breastcancer.org.

Every woman wants to know what she can do to lower her risk of developing breast cancer. If you have no personal history of the disease, you want to do what you can to stay clear of it. And if you have had breast cancer, you never want to get it again. You want to know how to lower your risk of the cancer coming back, and you want to reduce your risk of getting an unrelated new breast cancer.

The best defense against breast cancer is a good offense. There are no perfect solutions, but you can do many things to reduce your risk.
Regular screening tests for breast cancer, such as an annual mammogram and a breast exam during your annual checkup, allow you and your doctor to ensure that your breasts are as healthy as they can be. Screening also increases the likelihood that your doctor will find breast cancer early, when it's most treatable.



Donate Today!

Giving Hope A Chance

Continuing onward with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have a great site for you to visit, showing you some real heroes. And a number of videos to watch, as well as the chance to send someone a ribbon of support :)
So, go here http://www.sharingcourage.com/index.aspx

To check out the videos, click HERE


Remember, THINK PINK!!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If this doesn't mean anything to you, it should! Breast Cancer kills way too many women each year, and you should be concerned, as it could affect you, or a loved one. So, you should be doing certain things to help yourself or your loved ones.
Here is your tip for the day, to kick off this very important month:

Recommended Frequency for Breast Cancer Screening
All women should start conducting monthly breast self-exams when they are in their 20s. Clinical breast exams are usually performed by your doctor every two to three years while you are in your 20s - 30s, and every year when you are over 40 years of age. (This is assuming you keep your yearly appointments with your OB-GYN for your Pap smears and pelvic exams.) The recommendation for yearly mammograms usually begins when a woman turns 40, largely because younger breasts are usually too dense and fibrous to reveal much during a mammogram. Always follow your doctor's recommendations for regular screening. You should never be too busy to keep an appointment that could save your breasts, or your life. If you are younger than 40, and concerned about a high risk for breast cancer, talk to your doctor about the possibility of alternative breast cancer detection methods, like MRIs, that can take the place of mammograms until 40 years of age.

So, remember...THINK PINK!