In honor of my dear friend who is currently fighting breast cancer I'm doing something completely different for my birthday this year. My heart is breaking over what she is going through. She's been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer - she's already had two surgeries and will soon be starting chemotherapy. I'm more motivated than ever to be there for her and to do what I can to help make a difference. Please consider contributing to The Foundation for Living Beauty, a non-profit very near and dear to her heart. Living Beauty provides free services to help women living with cancer and cancer survivors address the stresses that extend beyond their medical diagnosis. Instead of those fantastic birthday lunches, coffees, dinner, drinks, cards or presents (which, of course, I love and appreciate), please take the amount you would've spent on me, click the donate button, and let's contribute to Living Beauty. #CacaoCancer Together, we can make a difference for these precious women, this local charity and of course, my friend. Seeing your generosity will greatly encourage her. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and this is a very real and relevant way you can "pay it forward." Thank you in advance for your thoughts, prayers and contributions - in ANY amount. I love you all. WHY YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED As the second leading cause of death in the United States, the effects on those afflicted with the disease cannot be ignored. In 2012, over 1.6 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States and over 48 percent of these will be women. The Foundation for Living Beauty acknowledges the seriousness of cancer among women and is there to provide activities, services, and resources to help. The issues that women with cancer and cancer survivors confront each day are complex. Living with cancer and the harsh treatments that often accompany the disease are known to lead to inhibition of emotional expression, decreased physical ability, altered physical appearance, depression, high stress, anxiety and other detrimental effects that hinder the physical, mental, and even spiritual well-being of women with cancer and cancer survivors. The Foundation for Living Beauty care about each individual woman, and applies our wrap-around approach to helping women regain their senses of femininity, self-worth, beauty, and emotional stability after coping with the taxing affects of cancer and chemotherapy. MORE ABOUT LIVING BEAUTY The mission of The Foundation for Living Beauty (FFLB) is to empower women to reduce their cancer risk and increase their self-esteem, physical wellness, and emotional stability after coping with the taxing affects of cancer and chemotherapy. It is the belief of The Foundation for Living Beauty that empathy, compassion, and sensitivity to the human condition are what first, above all else, allow us to truly and selflessly help others. We also believe that our integrity and determination to empower our Living Beauties in their battle with cancer guides us in our service to them. In all of our endeavors at The Foundation for Living Beauty, we will uphold these core values. The Foundation for Living Beauty is a 501© (3) non-profit organization, functioning as an activity and service-oriented organization dedicated to uplifting the lives of women living with cancer and cancer survivors. We call our participants "Living Beauties", because we feel this title best represents who they are. By offering innovative solutions to the inner and outer beauty challenges that women living with cancer and cancer survivors face daily, The FFLB is able to realize its mission. To follow Cacao Cancer, please tag all tweets, FB status and Instagram updates with the #CacaoCancer hashtag. XO, -Shannon

Jill Skinner

Clara Hughes

Kristen Lynn

#LatinaGeeks

Steve Broback

Denise Sonnenberg

Denise Garciano #amp; Jonathan Nafarrete

Carolyn Baker

Kathy #amp; Bob

Calvin Lee

Michael Pilla

Melanie Nichols

Amy Kramer

Susan O'Shea

Eric Vonheim

Kim Rondon

A birthday wish... #CacaoCancer 

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