I am so proud to be associated with the Boobie-thon, as a participant, a donor, and photo editor. What began as a lark has turned into something that inspires hope on many levels.
*For Immediate Release: Bloggers bare all for breast cancer research!*
October 1, 2005 --Boobies. Although they come in all shapes and sizes (large, small, saggy and perky), they have one thing in common: The ability to develop cancer.
Even though there is no cure yet, the fourth annual Blogger Boobie-Thon is doing its part to make cancer a thing of the past.
From October 1-8, bloggers from across the globe can submit pictures of bare and covered breasts to raise money for breast cancer causes.
Four years ago, Robyn - of (the now defunct) Tampa Tantrum and Shutterblog.com - began a little fundraiser to bring a friend down to Florida for Thanksgiving. A few photos of cleavage were posted as enticement for donations. I participated. In fact, I was the first Pay-Per-Boob. What the hell, it wasn't like many people were going to see the photos, right? Little did anyone realize that the cost of the plane ticket for Robyn's friend would be greatly exceeded. The excess funds were donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Cut to the following year - everyone wanted to know if there would be a repeat of the Boobiethon. There was, and even more money was raised. This time, however, there were no plane tickets involved. This was about breast cancer. This was serious business, but we all got to participate in a very fun, light-hearted way.
The third year, last year, was the biggest and best event thus far. Over $8,000 was raised in about two weeks. The Boobiethon had received some press at that point, giving much more exposure to breast cancer awareness.
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Article comments
1 - Temple Stark
I'll be there to support you - and lend a hand.
2 - Joanie
That's what I like to hear - an uplifting offer, Temple!
3 - Kansasman
I wonder if maybe the boobiethon effort might go a step further and produce a calendar with the profits (100%) going to the foundation to fight breast cancer.
4 - Heather
I put a boobiethon link on my lj and buzznet blogs (not that many stop by though). I hope that's okay. :)
5 - diana hartman
thank you joan, and my mother thanks you from where ever she may be (i have good reason to think she may be hovering over tibet as this is somewhere she often spoke of going)...
6 - Bob A. Booey
Your mother was one righteous hippie, which is cool :) Free Tibet.
Is that your rack above, Joan?
This is an interesting idea, but are people really paying to see boobs? I'd imagine most of the money comes from women, actually.
Men could have a similar thing for prostate cancer, but no one wants to see that part of the body. And if there's a niche market for it, I'm scared to think of who it would be.
That is all.
7 - diana hartman
i frequent the spa here in stuttgart, the most relaxing and fun parts being the nude areas (the clothed area only gets a pool and a heated grotto)...naked women of any age, size, color, scar, stretch mark, birthmark, missing parts -- women don't bother me in the least...it's always a relaxing, soothing ladies-day out...i think nudity is the great equalizer...
the men, though, oh goodness...i thought germany was the greatest place until i was in the spa for the first time and looked over at the heat lamps to see 12 naked men sprawled out on the wood beds in all their glory...any age, any size, any race, it doesn't matter how fit or good looking -- it prompts an "oh, that's just wrong!" every time...
i know i'm not the only one as playgirl (and other things like that) doesn't sell as well as its counterpart...that and the german women will tell you "nicht nackt mann bitte!"
8 - Joanie
Diana, Thank you for sharing your mother's story.
9 - JayBee
Daina, the spa at the Hotel Foantana in Vaihingen? I spent about five months living there, and being around a "textile free" environment is truly different for this American. But I did learn to appreciate the overall beauty of all forms.
10 - diana hartman
i go to the spa in the SI Centrum in möhringen and i go with the USO to the spa in baden-baden (super nice one there)...
i didn't know the foantana had a spa but i'm going to go check it out because i live in vaihingen...but i do know where all the bakeries are ;)
my mother would have loved these spas and i did get her to one a couple of times but in the states they're so expensive...i haven't paid more than €30 ($35) for the whole day to include a nice lunch of salmon, salad, and wine...i don't usually get a massage but those are only an additional €7...
i'd never been to a spa until i got here...i sent my mom but that was all i could afford at the time...the doctor said it would be good for her, and she did say she preferred the spa to her pain medications...if i could've, i'd've sent her at least once a week...
11 - DJRadiohead
Cheers to the brave women confronting this head on and to the folks who've got their back.
I had never heard of this event. Thanks for posting it and bringing it to my attention.