August 2017 Newsletter

Dear Reader,

Somewhere between the unrealistic exuberance of "Pink Washing" and the dark frustrated anger of "Seeing Red" on the topic of breast cancer lies a middle ground and its color is on the Blue-Green Spectrum.  The cool (headed) colors.  The anti-stress, calming colors connected with nature and science.  

Nature and science.  In the service of breast cancer risk reduction.

You can be among the first to learn about new research findings!  Dr. Mark Powell, along with Dr. Chris Benz (Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato), both members of ZBC’s Scientific Advisory Group, confirmed that women who experienced preeclampsia in pregnancy and have a common genetic variant are at a much lower risk of breast cancer. Their work built on intriguing findings from the Marin Women’s Study. This research was conducted with the California Teachers Study, with collaboration from the Cancer Prevention Institute of California the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade funded the study and Zero Breast Cancer provided fiscal sponsorship. These study results may help us better assess who is at risk for breast cancer and Drs. Powell and Benz are working to use this information for prevention with collaborators at the University of California San Francisco.

No doubt its been busy for you as August (and summer) comes to a close! Please take a few minutes and absorb this newsletter.  Scroll down below for more information and links on the following items.

• You are invited to a free event on 9/7/17 at the Sweetwater in Mill Valley to learn more about harmful chemicals and how to reduce exposures. Registration is required. The Eventbrite link is in the next segment below.
• Did you sign up yet? Hope you do!  Hike. Fundraiser. Volunteer for the Dipsea Hike for Zero Breast Cancer on 9/23/17. Please click on the Hike image above to register or donate.
• Do you want to be moved? Read a guest blog and latest book review both reflecting the experiences of younger women dealing with the messy, non-linear realities of cancer not only on body but on emotions, psyche and spirit.
• You will be inspired by teen Sofio O who chose to interview ZBC ED Rose Barlow to learn about breast cancer risk reduction steps that young people can take. Sofie shared what she learned with her classmates in fulfillment  her 6th grade service learning project. See photos below. Sophie and 6 of her dear friends have formed a team and and are raising money to support ZBC at the Dipsea Hike in celebration of Sophie's 12th birthday which falls on the same day as the Hike!
• Last, but by no means least, read about the importance of volunteers in making the Dipsea Hike safe, fun and successful and please sign up to help!

For those of you in Northern California stay cool and hydrated over the next few days.   REMINDER: You should drink your water out of ceramic, glass or metal rather than plastic.

Read more. Learn more. Do more.  

Yours in health,

Rose Barlow 

Executive Director

Chemical soup is not good for your health! 

Learn about the Six Classes Approach to Reducing Chemical Harm!

(Free) Registration required by Labor Day!

The Green Science Policy Institute and Zero Breast Cancer invite you for an evening of food and drink, live jazz by The Isoji Wizards and more to celebrate the launch of a short videos series explaining how reducing toxics can make you healthier.

When: Thursday September 7th, 2017 at 6 p.m 

Where: Mill Valley, California

Click on the image above for more information and to register!

Near the end of the book the author quotes a cousin who lost a spouse to cancer; “living with a terminal disease is like walking on a tightrope over an insanely scary abyss. But that living without disease is also like walking on a tightrope over an insanely scary abyss, only with some fog or cloud obscuring the depths a bit more – sometimes the wind blowing it off a little, sometimes a nice dense cover” (page 243). This resonated strongly for Nina Riggs and this insight and perspective goes a long way to explain why her aggressive metastasize breast cancer never paralyses her, never robs her of her essential life essence or humanity.

Oftentimes the reviews on dust covers of books are generically effusive and somewhat predictable. In this case the reviews are genuinely heartfelt, specific and right on point. “Gorgeous and brave….” Dr. Lucy Kalanithi. “Magical. Unforgettable.” Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author of The Middle Place and Glitter and Glue. “Profound, absorbing and often even funny…” Gretchen Rubin, New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better than Before.

“Nina Riggs writes gorgeously and with astonishing clarity. She never shies away from describing the terrible sadness and messiness of her own dying, but also manages to suffuse this book with a miraculous blend of light and joy. This is an emotional journey told with raw honesty and also a sly sense of humor. The Bright Hour is an instant classic…. A book about dying that has powerful lessons for everyone about how to life.” Will Schwalbe, New York Times bestselling author of The End of Your Life Book Club and Books for Living.

We could not say it better ourselves and highly recommend this book.

To read our full synopsis click here!

Early in 2017 we received a delightful email; 

"Hi Rose! I hope that everything is going well for you so far this year.  I wanted to touch base with you to see if it might be possible to bring my 6th grade daughter into your office to speak to you about the prevention programs you have for young girls.  She’s doing what’s called a “ROPES” project this year (Right of Passage Experience) and has chosen the “Service/Advocacy” challenge.  “A challenge to identify a human need for assistance and provide it –to express caring without expectation of reward. For this challenge you are encouraged to research existing community organizations to learn what services they offer to those who access their assistance and how private citizens may support their efforts.”  I told her a little about your programs and she would love to work on this with your organization.  If you remember, we lost a very close friend to metastatic bc and this made a very large impact on both of my girls.  Let me know if we can schedule a meeting with you.  I was thinking she could do some online research on your website first and then could come in to interview you if you have time."

Of course we were very pleased to spend time with Sofie and answer all her really excellent questions! Sofie presented her project to her peers at the end of the last school year.

Editor’s Note: Please visit our web-site here to see the posters and flyers that Sofie featured in her project pictured above.

Did you know it takes at least 80 volunteers to make the Dipsea Hike for Zero Breast Cancer successful and some are hardy regulars?  

This year we are planning to say a special thank you to our 10-year 'long service' volunteers.  

Jeff is back for his third year as our step-and-repeat photographer. You can spot him by the fact that a) its early b) he is eating breakfast c) he is touting his tripod and camera and d) he has the shirt and the button! 

Its not too late and we still have some spots to fill so please sign up here!

We could also use some leads.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you can connect us with folks who might be able to help.

• Someone with a pick up truck who will loan us their truck - and their time and labor - to haul stuff to and from the hike location on Friday September 22nd and Saturday September 23rd.

Thank you!