Ever wonder where your money goes when you make a charitable cancer contribution? Well, here's the lowdown on how the Susan G. Komen Foundation spends their donated funds.

For 25 years, this world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists has allocated 33 percent of all dollars for research and awards, and 29 percent for education. Fifteen percent of donations are spent on screening, eight percent on fundraising, and eight percent on administration. Finally, seven percent goes towards treatment.

Komen professionals say they are extremely careful about how they spend the dollars entrusted to their care. And that makes me happy.

I didn't think much about it when I read the invitation. Sent by an old co-worker, it urged me to participate in a fundraiser for breast cancer. For $15, I could enjoy a huge steak dinner and some alcoholic beverages while supporting a worthy cause. I couldn't make it but thought it was a good idea anyway.

But this article made me think about it further -- an unhealthy meal to support a health concern? Eating something that's been linked to cancer to raise money for cancer? Isn't that a little backwards? Isn't that like having a smoke-off to support the lung association? Okay, that's a bit of an extreme example, but I think you get my drift.

I don't blame the co-worker -- she's on a feverish quest to raise funds to support her in a walk--but the idea is a bit backwards. How about a delicious salad smorgasbord to support cancer? Or a sushi-fest? What do you think?

Eva Longoria took time out her busy acting and wedding-planning schedule to participate in the Spike for Hope charity volleyball tournament, which raises fund for PADRES Contra El Cancer (Parents against Cancer), supporting Latino kids and families that have been affected by cancer. According to Eva, she's not much of a volleyball player, but she couldn't refuse because she's actually the national spokesperson for the organization, whose motto is Yo Soy Esperanza (I am hope). That and she's naturally competitive.

I say kudos to her for helping raise some money from a worthy cause. How about you?

In Canada there is a fund-raising event for prostate cancer that is a lot of fun and also raises awareness about a cancer that men still find difficult to discuss. This event occurs around Father's Day - hence the name: Motorcycle ride for Dad.

People can sign up for the event in each participating city. In conjunction with the local police department, hundreds of bikers ride through the city with banners advertising what they are riding for. I think this is a great idea. It gets people to participate in a cause they believe in, while also reaching a demographic of the population that they might not reach through a different way of fund -raising.

This event also raises awareness about a cancer that is very prevalent (the number one cancer in Canada in terms of incidence) and a cancer that a lot of men not even know they have. When caught and treated early, prostate cancer have a 90% cure rate. More than 218,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the U.S. this year.
Most men will not have symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages, which is why it is so important to get screened. The American Cancer Society suggests that screening start at age 50, unless there are risk factors, such as a family history, in which case screening should start at 45.

Sue Padulo has always been crazy about hockey, but when she had to quit her favourite sport at 26 to undergo intense treatment for her Hodgkin's Disease, she vowed to get back on the ice. But she did more than that ... she started up Puck Cancer, a cleverly-named organization that raises money for cancer and families affected by it through tournaments, the sale of mechandise and more. The women participating in the tournament are pitted against each other, but yet united in their ultimate goal -- shutting out cancer.

Two Puck Cancer tournaments have been held so far, with another one coming up in early August. To find out more about supporting the cause, visit the Puck Cancer website. And, as the ladies at Puck Cancer say, thanks for giving a puck.

I have been posting over at our sister blog ParentDish for the past year. It has been almost exactly a year since I have posted here at The Cancer Blog, and so I probably need to re-introduce myself. I will be posting here again on a regular basis, and I am happy to be back!

I am not a cancer survivor, but I have lost people close to me who have had cancer, and another friend is having surgery at the Mayo Clinic soon to remove a mass he recently found in his groin area. One of my very dear friends works tirelessly year round in Wisconsin for her Relay team. And, I am a medical editor also.

It is the results of these experiences that gave me pause the other day when, for the first time in over a year, I realized that I needed to order new checks. I was looking at the online company where I bought my checks, and clicked on the link for activism. I didn't know (probably because I never bothered to look before) that you could order Checks for the Cure. Nine percent of the proceeds from purchasing the checks go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In the coming weeks. I will be focusing on the people, like my friend Keri, who work tirelessly to raise money to fight cancer. There are countless ways, besides purchasing checks, in which we can all make a difference. And I'm happy to do my part.

While it is true that women are far outnumbered in high level management positions in top 500 fortune companies, it is the backbone of the women in this country that lead the fund raising efforts in non profits. Women last year accounted for one out of 13 clout positions as an executive vice president or higher in the 500 largest U.S. companies. This figure was up from one in 40 as recently as 1995. Back then only one of those companies had a female chief executive officer and today seven do.

Women account for a higher percentage of executive positions in larger, self staffed non profit organizations. In 2005, the Non-Profit Times' "Power & Influence Top 50" list named the 50 top senior level executives in the non-profit sector and 26 were women. The role of women in non profit organizations was alive and well long before the concept came to exist. In the United States, the non profit sector encompasses an enormous range of organizations engaged in education, health care, research, the arts, religion, the environment, civil rights, and human services. The historical role of women in these sectors has always been significant and has evolved as the resources of the nonprofit sector have expanded and become formalized.

Women affirm their belief in humanity by providing services to millions of people every year, day in and day out. Many of the executive directors, board members, staff, and volunteers of these human services organizations are women, and they provide the backbone support for our community services.

As the major season for fund raising kicks off to bring in funds for cancer research and awareness, my many applauds to the multitudes of women, and also the men, who take their efforts seriously and have a strong commitment to community and a better quality of life to us all.

Indie Music For Life non profit raising funds for cancer research and for educational awareness of music as therapy for cancer patients has launched a new entity of their non profit called Laughs For Life. Indie Music For Life works with independent singer songwriters in fund raising concert events and producing yearly compilation CDs. Laughs For Life will work with comedians and will produce comedy events and comedy CDs. Comedian Shelly Ryan in Atlanta Georgia was "MC" at a combination dinner and music fund raising event in Georgia last year and the idea was spawned to start including comedy into the shows and to also set up separate comedy events to bring in funds.

Indie Music For Life just finished the submission process for artists to send in songs to be considered for the 2007 compilation CD project and the selected artists will be announced soon. The CD will go up for sale at online music locations soon.

Shelly Ryan is heading up the comedy CD project and working on events for the Southeast region and can be reached at shellyryancomedy@yahoo.com if you are interested in becoming a part of this project. For more information on music happenings and getting involved with the music event fund raising you can contact indiemusicforlife@yahoo.com.

I guess I've just assumed that breast cancer organizations happily accept every donation they receive and joyfully funnel all charitable gifts into their noble endeavors. I mean, without money and research and programs and services and education, where would we be? We'd be uninformed and lagging behind the force of this disease instead of gaining momentum on its trail. That's where we'd be.

Now, I've never assumed these organizations accept money obtained through illegal measures. But I've also never assumed they'd turn away money just because it came from a group of women whose profession and means of fundraising might be considered unacceptable. I suppose I shouldn't make assumptions. Because I seem to be wrong on all accounts.

The Breast Cancer Society of Canada has officially rejected a donation from a group of Vancouver strippers because of the controversial nature of their fundraisers. Exotic Dancers For Cancer these women call themselves, and for four years they have been raising money in honor of another dancer who lost her battle with terminal cancer.

Trina Ricketts, founder of the exotic dancer website nakedtruth.ca and recipient of the letter rejecting the donation, is shocked that people consider this contribution dirty money. And she is so bothered by this unfair judgment that she has been contacting the media and outting the Breast Cancer Society of Canada's discrimination practices. Her protests are working.

In a supportive turn of events, Ricketts has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response -- and she now has several organizations willing to accept all donations she wishes to offer.

This story is not nearly as simple as presented here. It's so much more detailed and touching and moving when told by Ricketts herself -- who happens to share her inspiring journey right here.

CORRECTION: Trina Ricketts reports that she did not seek out the media to out the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.

"The decision to go public was not in the interests of outing the Breast Cancer Society of Canada, but rather to seek out charities that would be willing to accept our donations," she said.

There are a few household and personal items I like to refresh now and then. I am a big fan of new kitchen and bathroom rugs. They brighten my surroundings and give my rooms a whole new look without the expense of redecorating. I also like new bedding. In fact, just today I retired my flowery burgundy-colored comforter for two new black and white quilts that sit layered on my bed at this very moment. I can't wait to melt into the new fabrics that have rendered my bedroom crisp and clean and fresh.

I also love purses. And if it weren't for the new one I just purchased, I'd be dashing right over to my local Vera Bradley retailer to pick up my very own breast cancer awareness bag in the latest greatest print -- Pink Elephants.

Since 1994, Vera Bradley has raised more than $4 million for breast cancer research. And 10 percent of net proceeds from the sale of Pink Elephant products -- and last year's Hope Toile products -- will be donated to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.

The next time I'm in the market for a little reinvention, and a little fundraising too, I know exactly what I'll be buying -- pink elephants, in the hipster style with a long strap for across-the-body wear. I love everything about this bag -- especially the message inherent in its design.

As Vera Bradley creators say, "with trunks raised for good luck and hope, these whimsical pachyderms symbolize our passionate efforts to find a cure for breast cancer."

I feel like I'm spreading a little hope when I wear my Brighton breast cancer bracelet. It catches others' attention and allows me to explain what all the dangling charms represent. That's hopeful. The dollars I spent on the bracelet help fund breast cancer research. That's hopeful. And the bracelet inspires me personally. It reminds me of my journey, of my path ahead. That's hopeful.

So this hopeful piece of jewelry turns out to be a perfect accessory. And so does the Color of Hope ovarian cancer bracelet -- a new, exclusive, charming piece created as just one of many items in a fundraising campaign for The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Presented by L'Oreal Paris, the bracelet features an "O" toggle clasp -- a symbol of love, endurance, life, and "O"varian cancer.

The Color of Hope bracelet, available in sterling silver with cubic zirconia or 14K white gold with diamonds, is available online for a limited time.

Other L'Oreal Paris fundraising products -- sporting the ovarian cancer color teal -- include make-up items for the eyes, face, and lips, a body lotion, and a teal RAZR phone program.

Because You're Worth It has been the L'Oreal Paris slogan for more than 30 years. It represents a celebration of women and was created as part of a mission to give back to women and to empower them as they make educated choices about their well-being. And so in the spirit of well-being, the company strives to help women fully understand a disease that strikes about 20,000 women each year in United States -- and kills nearly 15,000 of them.

L'Oreal Paris honors women and the pursuit of their health through The Color of Hope initiative. Because they're worth it.

Monday night is Courage Night, hosted by the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), national sorority Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA), and Lifetime television. It's a night when Lifetime's Original Movie Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy will air, when crowds will gather in communities and on college campuses across the nation for special screenings and viewing parties of the movie that brings glaring attention to the issue of breast cancer.

Courage Night was created in 2004 by Geralyn Lucas, author of the book Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy, as an evening of celebration in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It was also a celebration of the publication of her then-new book.

Lucas, diagnosed with breast cancer at age 27, recounts in her memoir every step of her cancer journey, including her bold application of red lipstick just before her mastectomy. She knew from the day she was diagnosed she would speak out to help others, to raise awareness, to make a difference. Now 39, a mother of two, and an executive for Lifetime, Lucas is still making waves. And Courage Night lives on.

Courage Night has grown into a national grassroots event that honors breast cancer survivors and those lost to the disease. Event fundraising will benefit YSC -- the only organization dedicated to the special issues of young breast cancer survivors.

Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy, starring actress Sarah Chalke, will air Monday, October 23 at 9:00 PM.

When a question or concern or worry related to breast cancer pops into my head, I typically find myself parked in front of my computer in search of instant answers, instant comfort, instant wisdom. There are several different websites I consult -- each one different from the others, each one complementing the others. They are my reference tools, my handbooks, my encyclopedias. They offer me a clear picture of a confusing, cloudy disease. And here they are -- seven super websites that have been become staples in my life.

Teenager Abraham Cherrix made national headlines recently with a legal battle that earned him the right to fight cancer on his own terms. Cherrix, 16, who chose to treat his disease with alternative treatments after traditional therapy failed to cure him of Hodgkin's disease, was told by the courts that his choice was not acceptable -- that he must undergo higher doses of chemotherapy in combination with radiation and followed by stem cell transplant. Cherrix ended up a winner in court and is currently receiving the therapy of his choice. But despite the legal win, Cherrix and his family are losing financially.

The Cherrix family owns a kayak company in Virginia, and spring and summer are peak seasons. Since the family had to close shop on many occasions due to court appearances, profits suffered. So on Sunday afternoon, local musicians headlined a fundraising concert -- billed as Voices for Choices -- to help with medical and court costs. Cherrix could not attend -- he's in the midst of treatment in Mississippi -- but the show went on. And while the money raised is not enough to cover all outstanding bills, it is enough to remind the family of all the caring people in the world.

Reports from family indicate Cherrix is doing well with treatment and that his tumor is shrinking. If he continues to make progress, he may be able to return home soon -- so he can thank those whose support is so much more than money can buy.

Tomorrow -- Monday, September 25 -- is the day when every dollar you spend at Chili's restaurants will be donated to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. So treat yourself to a meal out tomorrow -- and treat the kids at St. Jude's to some hope for a healthy future.

Donate All Our Profits Day is Chili's way of creatively conquering childhood cancer. This fundraising effort will benefit the development of Chili's Care Center -- a St. Jude's building dedicated to groundbreaking research on brain tumors. The center is scheduled to open in Fall 2007.

Chili's doors will be open for lunch and dinner tomorrow. So abandon your plans for cooking today and let Chili's cater to your every wish -- while you sit back, relax, and quietly make a difference in the lives of sick children.