Hundreds of artists were interested in supporting PledgeForMoms.org, but I think the main road-block was trying to figure out how exactly I wanted to leverage a network of over 200 artists into a positive and relevant force to help make a difference for women. Pledge for Moms is not driven by donations, or even by actual pledges of service to the site or to anyone. No! The site was never a supposed to be a preachy blog based on widely-known, ambiguous statistics… but it is a call for compassion. No matter who you are, you came from a mother. Each of us had very distinct experiences with our mothers (some not at all), but if you cannot bring yourself to feel compassion for women in need, then pledge to make a difference just because you love the woman who gave you life (even if you never met her). Ultimately, we are all children of women, and we are all connected through this most basic association. With this in mind, I decided to allow Artists for Moms to become an open source project: open to any individual wishing to participate, and open to interpretation and discussion. I have made various galleries to accommodate different issues and views suggested by the members of the project; I have also been approached about doing auctions to benefit charities for cancer research, reducing maternal mortality, and other worthy causes.

The motivation behind the site was to raise awareness, and I achieved this to a certain extent by syndicating this blog on Yahoo and making it widely available via RSS and email subscriptions (in addition to starting Twitter and Facebook accounts, which have had some success as well). However, Artists for Moms has helped me gain a clear perspective and vision for the site – let’s come together to support and celebrate women, mothers, femininity, innocence, and wisdom.

I am proud to feature some of our new artists for January in this post!

Glazzdoll, Canada

Mshindo I. Kuumba, United States

Gonzalo Martínez, Spain

Anastasia Saidova, Malaysia

Hans Martin, Spain

Sumi, Italy

Tiffany Mills, United States

madmoiselleclau, Mexico

Abhimanyu Vyas, India

Kinsey Past, United States

Vassantha, France

titouri, Andorra

shera-li, Germany

Amy McDonald, United States

“Breast Cancer Awareness02″ by Bryce Marck Photography

Breast Cancer Awareness month celebrated its 25th anniversary this year with a multitude of highly successful campaigns and events. Millions of women and men came together to support the research for a cure – hundreds of websites went ‘pink’; thousands of dedicated articles and promotions circulated the internet; millions walked, ran, jumped, swam, threw, and sang to honor the victims and survivors of breast cancer. The Artists For Moms project takes a moment appreciate the journey so many women and families had to endure. November’s Artists For Moms contributors featured in this post and the pink gallery can be found below – thank you for helping to raise awareness of this terrible issue year-round with you love and artwork.

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Lead a Preventative Lifestyle
You can reduce your chances of getting cancer if you try to live a healthier lifestyle. So what does NuitritionData.com have to advise on maintaining a good balance?

1. Maintain a healthy weight because excess weight can lead to elevated estrogen levels which can play a role in breast cancer development.
2. Exercise regularly because exercise has been shown to reduce hormone levels and helps to maintain weight.
3. Enjoy fats in moderation, especially saturated fats found in meats and full-fat diary products. A lower fat diet (30% of calories or less) from foods such as nuts, seeds, or avocado, can help in the prevention of breast cancer and help in maintaining a healthy weight.
4. Eat your fruits and vegetables because they are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients which may help prevent cell damage. Fruits and vegges are also part of a low fat diet which can help with weight loss.
5. Limit your alcohol intake because studies have shown that one or more drinks a day can increase breast cancer risk. Although alcohol has been shown to be good for your heart more than one drink a day is not beneficial.
6. Enjoy some soy but not in the form of supplements. Eating tofu, edamame, tempeh, or soy yogurt in moderation may lower breast caner risk. If you have had breast cancer or are at high risk for breast cancer speaks to your doctor about consuming soy products – you may be recommended to avoid soy products.

Find Support And Give Support

National Breast Cancer Coalition
Toll-free number: 1-800-622-2838
Web site: www.stopbreastcancer.org

National Cancer Institute
Toll-free number: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
Web site: www.cancer.gov

Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Toll-free number: 1-877-465-6636
Web site: www.komen.org

Breast Cancer Network of Strength (formerly Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization)
Toll-free number: 1-800-221-2141, 1-800-986-9505 (Spanish)
Web site: www.networkofstrength.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Toll-free number: 1-800- 232-4636 (1-800-CDC INFO)
Web site: www.cdc.gov

Resources

After Diagnosis: A Guide for Patients and Families
Bone Metastasis
Breast Cancer Early Detection
Breast Prostheses and Hair Loss Accessories List
Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy
Chemobrain
Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know
DES Exposure: Questions and Answers
Exercises After Breast Surgery
Fatigue in People with Cancer
Genetic Testing: What You Need to Know
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
>Is Having an Abortion Linked to Breast Cancer?
Living With Uncertainty: The Fear of Cancer Recurrence
Lymphedema: What Every Woman With Breast Cancer Should Know
Mammograms and Other Breast Imaging Procedures
Medicines to Reduce Breast Cancer Risk
Non-cancerous Breast Conditions
Pregnancy and Breast Cancer
Sex and the Woman with Cancer
Talking with Your Doctor (also available in Spanish)
Understanding Chemotherapy
Understanding Radiation Therapy (also available in Spanish)
When Your Cancer Comes Back: Cancer Recurrence

Reading:

Breast Cancer Clear and Simple
Caregiving: A Step-By-Step Resource for Caring for the Person with Cancer at HomeCouples Confronting Cancer
Lymphedema:Understanding andManaging Lymphedema After Cancer Treatment

Podcasts:

Medical Update on Breast Cancer from the 2009 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
Breast Cancer and African American Women
Caring for Your Bones When You Have Breast Cancer
Update on Metastatic Breast Cancer from the 31st Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
The Latest Developments Reported at the 31st Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium
Young Women with Breast Cancer: Treatment-Specific Choices, Fertility and Careers
Advances in the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Medical Update on Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer: Update on Clinical Trials for Aromatase Inhibitors
How ER (Estrogen Receptor) & HER2 Status Help Determine Treatment Options for Women Living with Breast Cancer
I Have Had Many Treatments for Metastatic Breast Cancer. What’s New for Me?
Caregivers of Women Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer: Spouses, Partners, Parents, Daughters, Sons, Sisters, Brothers, Families and Friends

Artists For Moms Project
So what is Artists For Moms? For the past year, PledgeForMoms.org has been recruiting talented artists of every discipline to contribute to our galleries and allow this website to raise awareness of issues facing women around the globe in a very unique way. With the help of their wonderful artwork, we are able to attract the interest of people just like you, as well as that of like-minded organizations and sponsors by spotlighting issues alongside amazing art. Anyone can take part! PledgeForMoms.org is looking for pencil artists, painters, writers, poets, sculptors, photographers and any person with the willingness to help.