Intern for a Cause: Changing the World

Written by Uptown Liz Marketing Intern Nandini Kavuri

I should probably start by introducing myself: my name is Nandini Kavuri and I am a junior marketing major at Texas A&M University. I have just recently started working as an intern for Uptown Liz and I could not be more excited. I have always been a fan of the Gandhi quote, “be the change you wish to see in the world”. I think it is a powerful statement about the transformation one person is capable of bringing.

It has always been a secret goal of mine to change the world. I never really anticipated how exactly I was going to accomplish this feat; I just knew that it was on my to-do list in life. Now I can’t say that I have come anywhere close to reaching this goal, but I can say that I have decided that I want to make this goal a priority.

As a business major, I spend a lot of time learning about revenue and profit margins. But I love when companies care about more than just their bottom line. I believe that businesses can be financially successful and still be charitable. In fact, it seems like the ideal package. As a consumer I want to know where my money is going and know that it means something.

Coming to college has allowed me to expand my horizons and figure out what I am most passionate about. I have realized that I just want to give back. I have been awarded so many great opportunities in my life and I would love to be able to help others. I believe that working with Uptown Liz is another wonderful opportunity that I have been afforded. I know that working as an intern, I will learn so much more about the company and myself. And maybe I will be one step closer to making my goal of changing the world come true.

A Whale of a Reception: Surfer Jodie Nelson Paddles for Breast Cancer Awareness

Written by guest blogger Natasha Raju

“Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous?” –Evan Almighty

Sometimes we take for granted the signs all around us that show us that God is watching over us and that he truly understands the measures we take in life. If we pray to be inspiring, does God just give it to us or does he give us to opportunity to inspire others?

When Southern California surfer, Jodie Nelson, was stand-up paddling from Santa Catalina Island to Dana Point, she was hoping to inspire her best friend who has been struggling to fight breast cancer. She was helping to raise money for cancer charities and also increase the awareness of the cancer effecting women all over the nation.

God was not the only one on her side that day. A 30-foot minke whale, which Nelson named Larry, swam alongside her board for two of the nine hours she was paddling. “To me it was a total God thing," Nelson said. "We prayed at four that morning that God would reveal his beauty and creation and nature, and allow me to endure this long trek, so for me it's not such a huge surprise that this happened."

Nelson was hoping to raise $100,000 for the Keep a Breast Foundation and Boarding for Breast Cancer, however was only able to raise $6,000. Regardless of outcome, she believes that with the help of Larry, her fundraising efforts will soon help her achieve her goal. "I can't even begin to compare what I did, to what cancer patients are going through," she said. "But I wanted to put myself out there in a dangerous and scary, overwhelming situation; something that was big and just to show people that you can win that battle with that big, scary thing called cancer.

So next time you feel inspiring, look around you … you never know when God is giving you a sign! If you would like to help Jodie with her cause, you can reach her through her page on Keep a Breast Foundation Web site.

And don’t forget to inspire others by giving back at Uptown Liz!

Donate for a Cause: Your trash is someone else’s treasure

Written by guest blogger Natasha Raju

Have you ever felt there are times when you are cleaning the house and realize you might be throwing out old items that are still in good condition, but don’t know what to do with them? I can’t count the numerous times I’ve felt guilty for throwing away clothes or old furniture after doing spring cleaning, mainly because it was less time consuming to just toss it in the trash. However, there is a solution!

Excess Access is an online web site that works with donors and nonprofits in donating and recycling items to help support public charities. They assist their mother organization, the ecological public charity Matter of Trust. Excess Access acts as a database that donates all of their proceeds to charity.

An interesting aspect of their business is that their employees are student interns, work-from-home moms, and seniors. They do not compete for funding that most charities need. Members only have to pay $5 each year to participate in the program!

They have an 81% success rate and have donated $64,266,065 plus in items! Their most popular products include desks, beds, sofas, chairs, kids clothing, toys, office and school supplies, and even hair clippings for oil spill hair mats.

Check out their Web site for more information and know that even though you might be on a time crunch, someone somewhere will gladly love to take your donated items.

And remember, for ways to support causes and shop for your favorite products visit Uptown Liz!

Diet and Exercise Can Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk

Written by guest blogger Natasha Raju


I will be the first one to admit that sitting on the couch and watching my favorite episode of Lost with a bag of popcorn would be my perfect idea of R&R. The last thing on my mind is hitting the gym after a hard day of work.

According to a recent article, women who change their lifestyle by eating less and exercising more could change their outcome of getting breast cancer. There has been a progress in early detection with mammogram screening and treatments that have slowed down breast cancer but “what can be achieved with screening has been achieved. We can’t do much more,” Carlo La Vecchia, head of epidemiology at the University of Milan, said in an interview.

He estimated that 25% - 30% of breast cancer cases might be avoided if women made the conscious effort to be healthy by changing their eating habits and exercise regime. In many cancer cases, there has been repeated health advice in areas such as diet, smoking, and sun exposure that could play a role in being diagnosed with cancer.

Quick statistics:
- Chance of getting breast cancer is 1 in 8 in women
- Obese women are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than a normal-weight woman (according to a British study in 2006)

Of course, the three major risk factors in breast cancer, gender, family history, and age, are beyond anyone’s control. However, a healthier lifestyle isn’t.

The American Cancer Society has important recommendations:
- 45 to 60 minutes of physical activity for 4-5 days a week.
- Drinking less alcohol. Having more than two drinks a day can increase the risk by 4 -10%.
- There have been studies on hormone-replacement therapy being linked to cancer.
- Watch your nutrition and find a nutritionist to discover a healthy eating regime.

Carlo La Vecchia is quoted saying, "It's hard to lose weight, but it's not impossible. The potential benefit of preventing cancer is worth it."

And don’t forget, for ways to support breast cancer awareness through shopping, browse products on Uptown Liz.