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Bag It News
April 2023
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 Alcohol and YouIt can be confusing. One day there’s a research study touting some health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption (particularly red wine), and the next day another study reports that all alcohol is bad for you. One fact that is not disputed is that the less you drink, the lower your risk for developing cancer. April is Alcohol Awareness Month and a good opportunity to take a look at our drinking patterns to decide if making different choices might be in order. Most people don’t have a problem with alcohol, but thinking about when, where, why, and how much you drink can give insights about the role alcohol plays in your life.
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| Bag It News |
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What a wonderful morning!
The 2023 Breakfast with Bag It - Phoenix was our first gathering in a couple of years in the valley and it was great to share Bag It with the many new faces and let all our Phoenix friends know about the Bag It accomplishments.
Our guest speaker, Virginia Warren shared the importance of knowing where to find cancer data and services and the importance of how to support someone you may know that has received a cancer diagnosis. Virginia stated “Bag It is that safety net that helps through that journey.”
From her experience with Bag It she shared how it provides a foundation for the patient and their family on the cancer journey, it's a great tool to support patients with all cancer types. The Bag can be utilized one piece at a time and it allows the patient and family to revisit the information and to review it when they are not so overwhelmed.
From her closing remarks - she reminds all of us:
Life is having Something to do, Someone to love, and Something to look forward to!
Ohio friends we are headed your way in May.
Stay tuned for more details on Breakfast with Bag It - Columbus. |
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| Making a Difference |
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Give the Gift of a Bag It Bag
The goal of Bag It Cancer’s spring fundraiser—100 Bags in 30 Days—is to give patients and caregivers the resources to organize appointments and records along with reliable cancer information. A crucial part of our 20 years of empowering patients has been to provide bags to everyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay.
Your donation of $50 today, provides one bag to help guide someone before and after cancer treatment. The campaign ends on May 10.  |
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| Did You Know |
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 April is Volunteer Appreciation Month Our Volunteers have been busy! Thank you for the many hours you give to support Bag It and make a difference to those impacted by cancer.
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- Handwritten thank you notes
- Attendance at Health & Wellness Fairs
- Participation in Community Events
- Research projects
- Translation projects
| - Proofreading Bag Materials
- Preparation for events
- Mailing projects
- Assistance with an assortment of office projects
- Assembling Albums of Hope
- Crocheting chemo caps
| Your time and talents are APPRECIATED! |
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| 20 Years of Bag It Impact |
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Why I Support Bag It
Darlene Brady
I’d heard about Bag It from a friend of mine who told me the story of Sherri’s commitment to make information easily available to cancer patients and her founding of Bag It in 2003. It sounded like a great idea, and it became very real to me when my daughter was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 - as soon as I told her, my friend was there with a hug and a Bag It bag. My daughter was grateful for the bag and found comfort in having reliable information put together by someone who’d been there. The bag and contents were something certain that helped us navigate our way through the uncertain times of seemingly never-ending tests and treatments. After my daughter’s recovery, I knew I wanted to give back to Bag It and I started volunteering for various events and projects as they came along. With Bag It, I’ve found a wonderful group of volunteers and staff who are positive, enthusiastic, and committed. As I Listen to stories from other cancer survivors, I know Bag It continues to have a positive impact and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
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| Share Your Story |
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 Have you received a Bag It bag? We want to hear from you.
Your feedback provides valuable information so we can continue improving the bag. By filling out a feedback form, you join others in helping to: Share your thoughts and be entered into a quarterly drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. Congratulations to our quarterly drawing winner, Robin!
The contents reminded me to continue to be assertive. I learned that doctors have limited time and it is important to prioritize your questions because sometimes not everything gets answered. -Survivor (PA)
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| Mark Your Calendar |
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Facebook Live Wellness Wednesdays - 11:30am (MST) - Join us each week as we share tips for healthy living and overall wellness. Watch Live or On Demand
Thursday, April 13th, 2023 - 2:00pm (CST)
This short 30 minute presentation will give healthcare providers a chance to learn about the valuable resources provided in the Bag It Bag, our partnership with Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), and how your organization can order Bag It Bags for your patients. Please click here to register for the event.
Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation (Online and Bethesda, MD)Patient Conference open to anyone affected by cutaneous lymphoma, regardless of where you are in your journey. Register here.
Saturday, May 20th, 2023 - 7:15am-4:00pm (MST)
This year’s Beyond Cancer conference is focused on Self Care. This one-day conference will feature sessions on men's survivorship perspective, self care activities, physical activity, nutrition, and caregiving. Register Free. Saturday May 20th, 2023 - 10:00am-6:30pm (ET)
Free conference presented by Triage Cancer. Get the details you need to navigate practical issues like insurance and work, manage medical bills and finances, and reduce stress and anxiety. Topics include insurance, work, finances, planning ahead, and more. Register here.
National Cancer Survivors Day® Breakfast (Tucson)
Sunday, June 4th, 2023 - 7:30am (MST)
Mark your calendars now to join Bag It and the Tucson Cancer Conquerors as we honor all cancer survivors. You can expect yummy food, a quick morning stretch, and some great educational/motivational sessions. Look for more info coming soon. Check out our 2022 podcasts that provide tips, tools, information and inspiration for anyone touched by cancer from those touched by cancer. Healthcare providers, caregivers, survivors, advocates - something for everyone from everyone! Check out all 12 episodes of the Bag It podcast on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, or here.
Our website shows all the upcoming Bag It hosted events and events where we will be exhibiting. |
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Bag It Educates, Supports, and Empowers those impacted by cancer.
We help patients, caregivers, and cancer advocates to Fight the Fear of Cancer through our two key programs: the Bag It bag and Escape to THRIVE. The bag helps anyone with any type of cancer to cope with their diagnosis and become active members of their treatment team. Escape to THRIVE is a national leadership conference to support cancer advocates.
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