Studies have shown that having even just one alcoholic beverage per day can increase your breast cancer risk. With New Year’s coming up its no surprise that most people will be out with friends and family indulging in the night’s festivities. We at the Maurer Foundation encourage to have the safest and happiest New Years possible. If you are going to drink, try to do it in moderation.

Your estrogen levels go up with how much you drink, regardless of the type of alcohol. Seeing as how most breast cancers are estrogen related you want to try and keep your levels low. What the mechanism is that actually makes estrogen levels spike up when alcohol enters the system is something that is unknown we simply know that it correlates with how much you drink and for long you’ve been drinking. Bing drinking (5 drinks or more in one sitting) can increase breast cancer risk by up to 75%!

So have a safe and healthy new years but don’t for get to have lots of fun as well!

Take Care,
Helen Galarza
Bilingual Program Educator

Click here to make a tax deductible donation.   Â

Donna

New drug-free wristbands called Psi Bands (pronounced “sigh”) are providing relief for nausea due to pregnancy, travel, anesthesia and yes – chemotherapy.

Created by two fashion forward moms, Carla and Romy, the bands are FDA cleared and latex free.  They come in five different designs and are available online and at local pharmacies.  Click here to see more about these clever little wrist bands and read testimonials on the effectiveness of acupressure.

Recently, Americana Manhasset did a month long program where $5 from each gift certificate sold throughout the month (of October) would benefit The Maurer Foundation along with Manhasset Womens Coalition Against Breast Cancer.  The program was very sucessful netting us alone close to $4,000 to benefit breast health education.   We are very grateful to have the continued support of The Americana Manhasset.  So as the holiday shopping season moves along, purchase gifts for a cause and support merchants that give back to charities!   

P.S.  Remember “Giving Kids” grow to become “Giving Adults!”

Wishing You Many “rich” Blessings this Holiday Season and a Prosperious 2010!

Kathy, Director of Development

Last week I attended an American Business Associates meeting and met Sheri Lapidus, the co-founder of Mitzvah Market.  MitzvahMarket.com is a place where anyone who’s planning a mitzvah should begin.  I invited Sheri to visit us at the Maurer Foundation.  During our meeting this morning, I learned that the Mitzvah Market and the Maurer Foundation has so many collaborative opportunities, one of them being the Mitzvah Project.

Many children are required to do a Mitzvah Project in conjunction with their Bar/Bat Mitzvah.  The Maurer Foundation offers them the opportunity to satisfy that requirement by getting involved in our life-saving message through our programs and community involvement.  If you know of anyone who may be interested in working with the Maurer Foundation please contact me and we can discuss some ideas.  scampbell@maurerfoundation.org

Happy Chanukah!     Merry Christmas!     Happy Kwanzaa!     Happy New Year!

Safiya

Recently Dr. Oz did a show on foods that will help you reduce your risk of cancer.

By making smart decisions every time you visit the grocery store, you can greatly reduce your risk of hormone dependant cancers like breast, ovary, uterus and prostate. This simple daily diet contains foods rich in antioxidants, fiber and isoflavones.

 Berries, Yogurt and Green Tea-Blueberries are believed to be one of the most powerful antioxidants; they also contain ellagic acid, which prevents carcinogens from latching onto your DNA. Yogurt contains the healthy bacteria lactobacilli, which stops enzymes that turn healthy cells into cancer. Green tea is another powerful antioxidant that you should be drinking at least once a day.

 Quinoa-From Peru in the Andes, quinoa is a whole grain rich in fiber and antioxidants. Fiber stimulates the good bacteria in your colon to produce cancer-fighting compounds; it also lowers your risk for cancer by sweeping carcinogens through your colon.

 Flaxseeds-Flaxseeds contain lignans that block natural estrogen, which can feed certain cancers like breast and ovarian.

 Garlic & Onions-Garlic and onions, from a family of vegetables called allium, are powerful cancer-fighters. Studies have shown them to stop cancer growth in the stomach, colon, brain, lung, prostate and breasts. Additionally, one garlic component named diallyl disulfide was shown to kill Leukemia cells in the lab.

 Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Squash & Broccoli-are other cancer-fighting vegetables  that are packed with antioxidants. Broccoli detoxes the liver and beans are rich in fiber. Tumeric in curry has been found to suppress tumors.

Donna

Everyone continues to talk about the U.S Preventative Task Force’s decision to change Mammogram guidelines that used to be recommended for women beginning at the age of 40 to now beginning at the age of 50. Although The Maurer Foundation and The American Cancer Society still stand by beginning at the age of 40, I am constantly still asked at programs about the benefits of Breast Self Exam every month and Mammograms starting at 40 years old.

There’s a lot of controversy as to why the guidelines have been changed and even though we do know that the risk for breast cancer not only increases with age but the highest incidence of the disease occurs in women in their 70’s, we also know that early detection is the best form of prevention. Although most lumps at not cancerous it is important to be your own health advocate and bring any changes that you might see or feel to the attention of your doctor.

On February 28th 2010, the Young Survivors Coalition will be hosting their 10th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected By Breast Cancer in Atlanta, Georgia. This event is catered to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 45. I have been privileged to represent the Maurer Foundation at this conference for the past 2 years. and every year the conference grows and grows. Nearly 1000 people showed up for the conference last year in Dallas, Texas! I have met so many amazing people through this conference and whenever I think about how frustrating it is to fight for early detection, I think about all the courageous women I’ve met at these YSC conferences and how their voices deserve to be heard. Keep up the good fight!

Take care everyone,
Helen Galarza
Bilingual Breast Health Educator

It’s December and we all know what that means……It’s time to go shopping for those holiday gifts!!!

Here at The Maurer Foundation we’d like to help you relieve some stress from the crowds, the lugging of bags, the list that never seems to end and suggest you do all your shopping online. When you shop online there are never any fights over the sales rack, you don’t waste time searching for a parking spot and you never have to wait in one those LONG cashier lines.

Right about now we know you’re probably thinking that Maurer Foundation is so informative and helpful on so many levels, what can I do to give back to them. Well here’s your answer:

When you’re in the comfort of your own home or at your desk in the office, and you’re ready to do your online shopping, login to either OneCause or GoodSearch and register The Maurer Foundation as your charity of choice. These search engines donate 50% of their revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users and they partner with most if not all of your favorite online stores.

So sit back and make your holiday stress free while giving back to cause that saves lives!

Last night was our annual holiday shopping event at Marshs in Huntington.  Despite the misty rain, it turned out to be a wonderful evening!

The jewelry set out by Temple St Clair and Paul Morelli were gorgeous, the special “Pinktini” drinks were delish and the staff was attentive.  Best of all, Marshs will be donating 10% of last night’s purchases to the Maurer Foundation.

A big thank you to everyone that participated to make this event a great success!