"They All Matter" Let's Find a Cure Blog Hop

     Welcome to the "They All Matter"  Let's Find a Cure blog hop!  If you came to me from Christine, then you're in the right place!  If you just happened upon my blog and this hop, then you'll need to visit Lisa's blog to get started.  All of the blog posts in this hop will focus on a different type of cancer, simply to bring awareness to as many as we can.

     I chose ovarian cancer for my focus, as I lost my dear, sweet Aunt Van a few years ago from ovarian cancer.  I had intended to make a layout using a picture of Aunt Van along with a couple of pictures from her memorial service (which I unfortunately couldn't attend), but I can't locate the pictures.  :-(  I know I have them somewhere, and I'm sure I'll run across them very soon, but I stayed in the hop so I could bring awareness to this horrible disease.

     According to Wikipedia, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are frequently very subtle early on and are easily confused with other illnesses.  Symptoms may include bloating, pelvic pain, and difficulty eating.  In most cases, the exact cause of ovarian cancer remains unknown.  Diagnosis of ovarian cancer begins with a physical examination, a blood test, and a transvaginal ultrasound.  Stage I and Stage II ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose until it spreads and advances to Stage III and Stage IV.  

     Unfortunately, ovarian cancer has a very poor prognosis, mainly because it lacks any clear early detection or screening test.  In simple terms, this means that most cases of ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until they have reached the advanced stages.  Over 60% of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have Stage III or Stage IV, and it has already spread beyond the ovaries, as was the case with Aunt Van.  Many women opt for chemotherapy or radiation treatments.  

     The five-year survival rate for ALL stages of ovarian cancer is 47%, but if the cancer is diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate jumps to almost 93%.  Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer and the deadliest in terms of the absolute figure.

     We MUST find a better early detection or screening test for ovarian cancer, and we must CONTINUE to fund research to find a cure for ALL types of cancer!  Aunt Van opted NOT to take chemotherapy and radiation treatments for her ovarian cancer, as her doctors told her it might only prolong her life for a few more months.  I saw her a few months before she passed, but she was taken from us just a few short months after receiving her diagnosis and way too soon.  Please help us find a cure.

     Your next stop in the hop is Toni.  In case you get lost along the way, here's the entire lineup:

1.  Lisa

2.  Ashley 

3.  Pam 

4.  Christine

5.  Ashley W <= YOU ARE HERE!!

6.  Toni - GO HERE NEXT

7.  Jamie

8.  Jearise

9.  Lluvia

10.  Christina

11.  Pam

12.  Haidee

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to check back soon, as I'll be having a 200 follower giveaway.  I know my dear Aunt Van is looking down from above.  I love and miss you, Aunt Van!!!

Thankful Blog Hop!

     We're so happy you could join us today!  If you arrived here from Robin's blog, then you're in the right place.  If you just happened on my blog or are reading by e-mail, you'll need to visit Melanie's blog to get started.  

     This is the time of year when we really reflect on what we have to be thankful for.  One of the things I'm thankful for is scrapbooking and all the crafts, supplies, and people that go along with it.  It has been a pleasure to be in this hop with all the wonderful ladies involved, and I've really enjoyed seeing all their projects!  There is blog candy available on Melanie's blog, so be sure to check that out!

     For this hop, we were asked to make a project with the word "Thanks" or "Thankful."  I made this project at a friend's craft workshop one night and knew it was PERFECT for this hop!

The paper and leaves are from Close To My Heart, although they're probably discontinued now.  I love this project, because the things my family is thankful for can change from day to day, so we can change this board as often as we like.  We have this hanging in our dining room/kitchen area, so we can see it every day.  

     Here's the full blog hop lineup for today, in case you get lost along the way:

1.  Melanie

2.  Claire

3.  Jenn

4.  Robin

5.  Ashley <= YOU ARE HERE!!!

6.  Amanda - GO HERE NEXT!

7.  Misses Crafty

8.  Diana

9.  Jearise

10.  Sarah

11.  Charity

Thanks again for stopping by!  I hope you enjoy the rest of the hop!  Be sure to stop back by my blog in another week or so when I'll be having a 200-follower giveaway.  Happy scrapping!\

Altered Journal Blog Hop winner!!!

Well, maybe the third time's the charm!  I've posted a winner for my blog candy from the Altered Journal Blog Hop twice, but neither winner has contacted me, so I keep having to choose a new one!  The NEW winner is VICKI who said:  "Cool journal.  Great idea to let the boys add entries too.  Already a follower."  Please contact me here by Friday, November 16, or I'll choose again!  Be sure to come back tomorrow for the Thankful Blog Hop!  Happy scrapping!

Blog Hop winners!!!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!  I'm here to announce blog hop winners.  Congratulations to the following winner from the Triple Stamp Card Blog Hop:

Amanda said...

Your wreath is beautiful, Ashley!! I can't tell where you messed it up any! Thanks for inviting me to join the hop! :)

The original winner in my Altered Journal Blog Hop never contacted me, so I chose a new winner.  Congratulations to:

Cathie said...

Wonderful journal. I'm a new follower

Both of you should e-mail me using the "Contact Me" tab at the top of my blog no later than Friday, November 9, in order to claim your prize.

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by!  I'll be having a 200-follower giveaway soon, so be sure to stay tuned!  Happy scrapping everyone!