Pink & Blue Documentary - The Updated Colors of Breast Cancer

Click to play - Video courtesy of Alan Blassberg

Although pink and blue combined make my favorite color purple, separating out these two colors for an extremely important cause is what's at hand here.

As we all know, October and the rest of the year is full of various shades of pink - pink ribbons, pink pens, pink mixers, pink calendars, yet this bright splash of color has yet to find us a cure. As for blue, it's just now stepping forward as a primary color to pay attention to and for good reason. No blue blenders and ornaments have hit the market yet, but I do believe that it's time to share the spotlight with pink and tell the men's side of this story too.

So, when I came across a film campaign and movement documentary last week, called Pink & Blue, I contacted the filmmaker immediately to see how I could help. His personal story and project grabbed my attention from the get-go and tugged at my heart strings which is why I felt compelled to share it with all of you.

In essence, an all-in-one filmmaker, brother and boyfriend, Alan Blassberg is now on a mission to get his film up on the big screen and for good reason: to inform and arm others with the knowledge of breast cancer and the BRCA gene for both women and men. And as Alan says, it WILL come into your life at some point in time - this I know is true. It did for him by touching two, very important women in his life (at the same time!) - his sister Sammy and his girlfriend Stephanie. And if that wasn't enough, he lost his beautiful, warrior sister Sammy after a 3-year battle with breast cancer. His story also shares that his grandmother took her wings from breast cancer two weeks before he was born. He is now concentrating on his own health as he tested BRCA positive and his film will poignantly take you on a personal and educational journey through his world of living among breast cancer and 'the gene.' Because, even though we have learned so much about this disease over the past decade, there is much more to know which Alan's film will attest to. Chock-full of personal stories, top experts in the field of breast cancer and many shocking statistics that may even affect you, this documentary is a must-support and a must-see!

Because Alan and his two sisters tested positive for the BRCA gene mutation, shining the spotlight on this critical film and and the new color of breast cancer - blue, has become his mission. So, please, for your own sake and the health of your sister, brother, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, mother, father, grandmother and grandfather, click on over and watch the Pink & Blue trailer and then please make a donation. Every dollar really does count. Be sure to show your support as well by following Alan and this project on both Twitter and on Facebook.

So remember, pink, blue, female, male, genetic or hereditary - this disease still needs our attention all year long, not just during October. And don't forget about blue. The men in your lives need to share the limelight with pink and have their voices heard.

Male Breast Cancer Documentary: 'Times Like These'

When I first came across these two guys, my heart just sank and immediately took me back to the early 90's to a time when a friend/colleague of mine (also named Bob) was diagnosed with breast cancer not too long after my first diagnosis. We were instantly bonded in that breast cancer way even though 'One-Boob-Bob' (his own nickname!) and I were different genders of the same cancer. We did cancer-survivor fashion shows together, fundraisers, and walks to raise awareness for the masses, but frankly, he was the only guy out there among a sea of women. And so, my first introduction to male breast cancer was born out of Bob's diagnosis.

Fast forward  20 years and a few weeks ago when I came across these two guys, Bill and Bob, on their Facebook page. I was captivated instantaneously and thought, FINALLY, someone is addressing the male side of breast cancer! The side that few are aware of or maybe even ignore. But it's for real, so here are a few stats that may surprise you but will aide in your knowledge of this female dominated cancer during the annual October Breast Cancer awareness campaign:

• There are 2000 new male breast cancer cases diagnosed every year
• 25% of men diagnosed with breast cancer will die
• Men of all ages can be affected with breast cancer

So, let's cut to the chase so you'll know how to help with Bill and Bob's campaign. First,  click here to watch the trailer of two extraordinary men who were complete strangers but were brought together through their breast cancer diagnosis. Secondly, please donate any dollar amount that you can on their Kickstarter campaign page so that they can finish this very important film 'Times Like These' and generate more awareness about male breast cancer. Lastly, know the signs and risks of male breast cancer for either yourself or loved ones.

There are only 23 more days to help fund this campaign! So, please help spread the word by forwarding this blog post, their Facebook page and their Kickstarter crowdfunding page! 

GO! DONATE! NOW!