Drive For A Cause: Test Drive A Ford & Benefit Susan G. Komen For The Cure

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen

The auto industry has been at the heart of economic discussions throughout the recent recession, but despite the current situation, Ford, the fourth largest auto maker in the world, continues to find a way to give back. Now through December 31st, if you test-drive a Ford vehicle, the company will donate $20 on your behalf to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. To participate in this e one-of-a-kind offer, register online here before going into a dealership. Personally, I recommend test-driving a Mustang; you can’t go wrong with this classic.

For the past 15 years, Ford has been a National Sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure; they have reached 1.5 million race participants at 115 events annually. Beyond this sponsorship, Ford encourages employees to participate in the race, with an astounding 50,000 plus workers responding to the request, and thousands of Ford dealers supporting local races in their area. To date, the company has donated more than $100 million to the cause.

Warriors in Pink is an initiative started by Ford to encourage survivors, family, and supporters to paint themselves in pink and participate in the Komen Race for the Cure. Symbols of the warriors include a heart, dove, feather and more, which can be found with their meanings on Ford’s Warriors in Pink Web site. The goal of Warriors in Pink is to reach beyond race participants and extend the emotion to non-racers.

I applaud Ford for their philanthropic efforts, especially in a time of economic uncertainty. This is a great opportunity to support breast cancer research and awareness while shopping for your next car, or while taking a thrill ride in a V6 Convertible Mustang. To see the vehicle line-up, visit Ford’s official Web site, and for more ways to shop for a cause, visit Uptown Liz.

Eating for a Cause: Sheryl Crow Shares 8 Family-Friendly, Cancer Fighting Foods

Written by guest blogger Melissa Long

After being diagnosed and surviving breast cancer, singer Sheryl Crow shares some family-friendly foods that help fight cancer and boost your immune system. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research recommends that at least two-thirds of your plate should be filled with vegetables, fruit, whole grains and beans. By eating nutritious foods, you live a healthier life. Here is Sheryl’s list of foods that help you beat illness:

1. Whole grains
2. Beans ( kidney, garbanzo, and lentils)
3. Berries (strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
4. Tomatoes
5. Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli)
6. Dark green leafy vegetables (spinach and romaine lettuce)
7. Grapes and grape juice
8. Walnuts

For more information on cancer, check out the American Institute for Cancer Research and to find products that benefit cancer research, shop at Uptown Liz.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Celebrates 25 Years

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen

October means pink: pink ribbons, pink products - even pink products with pink ribbons on them. The use of the pink ribbon began in1991, when the Susan G. Komen for the Cure handed out pink ribbons to participants at a New York City race for breast cancer survivors. Today we recognize this as a symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness, and this is largely due to the efforts of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM).

This year is the 25th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to their Web site, NBCAM is a partnership of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to screening services. NBCAM started with founding members American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation and CancerCare, Inc. They passed out information, spoke to the media, and testified before Congress about the need for wide-spread access to mammography. Their intention for the then week-long event was to fill the information void about breast cancer.

Today, the month of October is full of events sponsoring breast cancer awareness and research. Events include Race for the Cure (currently held in over 100 U.S. cities), Breast Cancer 2 Days, Breast Cancer 3 Days, Ride to Empower, Global Illumination, and Pink days. All events rally supporters, survivors, and activists in an effort to raise funds and awareness. Also, throughout the month of October many products “go pink” to donate money to breast cancer funds. You can find products supporting this worthy cause on Uptown Liz.

Lastly, the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Web site is a year-round resource for anyone who might need it. They encourage everyone to visit their site regularly as they update information and resources.

For today, let’s put on our pink ribbons, and recognize 25 years of awareness and strides towards a cure.

Lighting for a Cause: Streeter Place Goes Pink in Chicago

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen

Streeter Place, Chicago’s brand new residential high-rise, is helping its residents “think pink”. In conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the residential building will be lighting up pink in an effort to literally shine a light on Breast Cancer Awareness. This type of dedication, which is an inspiration for everyone impacted by the disease, towards the promotion of awareness and education is exactly what helps make National Breast Cancer Awareness Month a success!

Golub & Company just recently opened its new rental building, Streeter Place, located at 355 E, in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. The company is partnering with Lynn Stage Cancer Research Foundation to show its support for Breast Cancer Awareness and research by using pink lighting to light the building, walkways, and parking area, throughout the month of October.

For more information about Streeter Place, please go to their Web site at http://www.streeterplace.com/. For more ways to support Breast Cancer Awareness, visit Uptown Liz.

Bring on the pink!

Shop for a Cause: DriveWise Auto Drives Towards a Good Cause

Written by guest blogger Melissa Long

Wouldn’t it be nice if when we make BIG purchases, we could help charitable organizations in a BIG way? Many businesses, like Uptown Liz, sell products that benefit charities, making it easier for individuals to help the greater good. Having bought some of these wonderful products myself, I am in love with the concept! But sometimes I wish the amount of proceeds donated from what I bought were greater; I want to make a greater financial contribution than a just a few dollars. What if you bought something you already needed, and an even greater donation was made to your favorite organization in your name?

That’s what’s so great about DriveWise Auto! When you purchase or lease a car from this Los Angeles based car dealer, a portion of the price of your new car goes to the charity of your choice! You get more and give more! And the best part: if you don’t have a favorite charity, DriveWise Auto will work with you to find a charity that best fits your interests. Not only are they dedicated to serving the less fortunate and filling the gap between businesses and charities, but they always think of their customers first. To date, DriveWise Auto has donated more than $25,000 to multiple charities.

This is one company where customers can drive away knowing that they have made a difference. This charity driven business definitely goes the extra mile; DriveWise Auto is the road map to a better world.

To shop for a cause, be sure to check out Uptown Liz for products that benefit charity.

Macy’s Shop for a Cause: Saturday October 17th

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen

Saturday, in Macy’s department stores across the nation, millions of dollars will be raised for national and local nonprofit organizations. Macy’s Shop for a Cause day originated in 2006, and has since raised over $28 million for thousands of different charities, making it one of the biggest retail philanthropy events ever!

You can participate by purchasing a $5 ticket from the organization of your choice now, or you can get your ticket in-store the day of the event. Nonprofits will have tickets at their physical location to purchase, or to pre-purchase your ticket online, click here; tickets bought in-store will benefit Macy’s chosen national charities. Don’t forget to take your ticket and shopping pass with your when visit the store, because customers with tickets will receive 20% savings store-wide!

Participating organizations are given a minimum of 50 tickets to be sold for $5 of which they get to keep 100% of the profits. If you would like to be a participating charity, click here to register.

You now have permission to shop ‘till you drop. Saturday is a great day to cash in on store-wide deals, and support a local charity while alleviating any shopping remorse you might feel. Purchase your ticket now and be a part of one of the biggest days for giving back this year!

For other ”shop for a cause” opportunities, visit Uptown Liz.

Click For A Cause: Your Favorite Charity Could Win $10,000

Written by guest blogger Bethany Bowen

You can help your favorite charity win up to $10,000 with just a click of your mouse. Christie Cookie Company is currently conducting its $25,000 Charity Giveaway. You can vote for your favorite nonprofit through Thursday, October 15th. The most nominated charity will receive a check for $10,000; the runner-up wins $5,000, and the next 10 will receive $1,000. The list of charities to pick from is virtually endless, and if you don’t see the charity you are looking for, there is a spot to add your own.

Christie Cookie Company is a bakery that thrives in retail, mail order, and online. You can shop for special occasion gifts, holiday tins, and personal packages. Like many businesses, the thought of Christie Cookies started as a childhood dream. In 1983, when Christie Hauck’s orders got too big to fill in his apartment kitchen, the company was officially founded. Two decades and three retail locations later, after baking and selling millions of cookies, the company has come to be known for elegant gift packages and unique corporate gift packages, and now for its philanthropy.

Don’t miss this opportunity to help earn thousands of dollars for your favorite organization. Visit http://www.ilovechristiecookies.com/contest/form.asp to nominate the charity of your choice. There is only one vote for each e-mail address, so chose wisely, or create multiple Yahoo accounts.

For other ways to give back to charity, shop by cause or by product at Uptown Liz.

DESIGN-HER GALS™ 3RD ANNUAL VIRTUAL WALK TO RAISE FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR STAGE IV BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Stage IV breast cancer is a cause very close to my heart. My sister, Liz, was diagnosed "terminal" with stage IV at the age of 26 after being misdiagnosed at 23 years old. She lost her battle just two years later.

What many don't know about Stage IV breast cancer, is how sick the patients are and how much suffering they are enduring, all while knowing they have less than a 15% chance of survival. That is why the tireless work of the champions behind the comapany Design-her Gals, which was created solely to support the Gal to Gal Foundation, is so meaningful.

Please join me, along with Kristin Chenoweth, Marg Helgenberger, Lisa Rinna, Denise Richards, Stephen Covery and more as we virtually walk across the United States in the third annual Gal to Gal Walk. The foundation, which is dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Stage IV breast cancer patients and their families, hopes to raise $250,000 in 31 days.

This year’s Walk is dedicated to Dorit Shapiro, the former President of the Gal to Gal Foundation. A freelance technical writer and mother of two, Dorit was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in 2006, and lost her brave battle in October of 2008, only a week into the Virtual Walk fundraiser.

“We are honored to have these notable individuals and companies enhance the virtual walk experience, which will unite women and men from all walks of life. This initiative will help benefit a group of individuals who are facing the most difficult battle of their lives,” commented Jeanne Fitzmaurice, founder of Design-her Gals and Gal to Gal Foundation. Fitzmaurice is a previous breast cancer “Champion” selected by Yoplait and Susan G. Komen. “As we strive to raise awareness and funds for Stage IV breast cancer patients and their families, our goal is to bring dignity and comfort to those who need it most.”

To join the walk, go to http://www.galtogalwalk.org/ and create your likeness for a $5 donation. Invite friends, share your story and receive product discounts through sponsors.