Grab a girlfriend, share a story and throw a Sleep Pink

 

I think that many women can agree that we cherish our girlfriends. When we're having a bad day, need a moment to laugh or just time to be ourselves, the women in our lives are there to share in the experience.

Since my friends and I are often overwhelmed with nighttime activities, our time together is when the kids head off to school and we meet for coffee. These monthly, or more often, get togethers are they way for us to just be ourselves away from all the daily craziness.

Today's gathering brings a lot of cathing up. From one friend who is going back to work after having a baby to my insane sports schedule, there was plenty of conversation over coffee and pastries.

Throughout the nation, women are coming together to host and attend Sleep Pink parties. These parties are another way for women to come together to celebrate their friendships and support a worthy cause, Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Due to my friends schedules and circumstances we had a morning Sleep Pink party!

Just looking around the table at my friends, it still shocks me that all of us have been affected by various forms of cancer. Each of us have had a relative who has been diagnosed with a type of cancer. As women and mothers, knowledge about prevention, treatment and recovery from cancer is a concern for all of us.

Last year my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a series of tests, her form of breast cancer was treatable through radiation. With several months of treatment and follow-up care, she is in recovery. The prognosis was a great relief to everyone in the family.

Watching her fight and overcome her illness was encouraging as well as scary. We often hear about the treatment methodology and the success rates. What isn't discussed are the side-effects and isolation that this disease causes.

First the side-effects. Did you know that many drugs used to treat breast cancer can cause your teeth to fall out. My mother-in-law had major dental problems post-radiation. Granted, having dental problems is a small price to pay for being in cancer recovery. Still, it can be a psychologically disheartening side-effect. Who wants to feel ill and watch your appearance crumble in the mirror? In the end, my mother-in-law is well and back to her old self. It was a long journey, but well worth the results.

When it comes to breast cancer, women need to raise our voices to support one another during diagnosis, recovery and prevention. Many companies are funding the fight. During October, breast cancer awareness month, pink is everywhere. From the NFL to clothing stores and everywhere in between, young and old, men and women are wearing pink to show their support for the unsung heroes of breast cancer affected women.

This October think about gathering your girlfriends for a Sleep Pink party. You know that the ladies in your life will be there for each other. Raise a glass, raise your voice and raise your awareness during October's Breast Cancer awareness month.

During the month of October, Estroven is providing women with the necessary tools to host a Sleep Pink-themed party on SleepPink.com. The site will allow party hosts to upload photographs of their events, and for every photo, the company will pledge $100 to benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It will also provide information to help organize the Sleep Pink parties including downloadable invitations, menopause-friendly drink and food recipe suggestions, as well as décor and entertainment ideas.

To find out how to host an Estroven Sleep Pink-themed party and raise funds for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.SleepPink.com.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Estroven. The opinions and text are all mine.