Fighting Pretty in the news!

Gosh, it's been a long time since we've written, so first - apologies on that front!
It's not that we haven't been thinking of you, or ways to stay strong and beautiful during this crazy journey called "cancer," it's been that Fighting Pretty is getting some press so we can help even MORE women battling this vicious disease to feel good while doing it!

We've been pretty active on Facebook and Instagram with updating our latest happenings, but ask that you continue to share with your networks all that you love about Fighting Pretty so we can continue to grow. But in recap of the last couple months and even days, we would like to share!

I, Kara Dolce had the pleasure of meeting Pretty Package recipient, Ashley Bell who is currently battling a brain tumor and even writes her own amazing blog, Simply Reasons to Smile. Not only was I wowed by her outer beauty, but Ashley exudes love, strength, style and elegance. Her attitude is light and sweet and you can tell she is just in love with life. Ashley and I were interviewed by KGW and our story was featured in early October. We have become more than acquaintances. Ashley and I have a special bond, and a friendship that will last a lifetime. Check out the segment on KGW!

Ashley Bell with her Pretty Package

I also got the incredible opportunity to visit the Dr. Oz show and speak with Sandra Lee, another amazing breast cancer fighter. Sandra is on a media blitz sharing her story about how she got through the disease. It was such a breath of fresh air to hear Sandra talk about her philosophies and how she made decisions - it was very parallel to my journey and Fighting Pretty! Check out the Dr. Oz segment with Sandra Lee!

Kara Dolce and Sandra Lee on the set of Dr. Oz

Back in August, I was honored to be the Survivor Speaker at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer breakfast to share my story of how I was "Fighting Pretty" through my journey and how I now serve as a board member for the American Cancer Society and have built an organization to help other women battle this disease with strength and beauty. It was an incredible experience! You can see the speech here. And now, tomorrow 10/10, my friends in Portland, and loving hubby "Nate the Great" will walk along side me at the walk in honor of all those "Fighting Pretty!" (Pics to come!)

So all in all, I wanted to write this note to let you know we are thinking of you, sending you strength and trying our best to get the word out about Fighting Pretty! Check our website for events this month and help spread the word!

Dr. Shani: You May Have Cancer, But Cancer Doesn’t Have You

Going through cancer treatment can be a blur and a whirlwind process.   You may feel that you’re getting funneled from one treatment to the next, with no time to stop and process what is actually going on, and with no time for yourself!   Local Portland, Oregon area doctor Shani Fox has made it her mission to change this typical process.  Unlike traditional doctors, Dr. Shani takes care of you holistically.  She practices naturopathic medicine in order to fix the root cause, not just bandage the symptoms.  For example, an oncologist will take care of a tumor, while Dr. Shani will take care of the rest of the person during treatment – physically and emotionally. 

As a naturopathic doctor, she looks past traditional treatment and wants to heal the whole person.   Each person has a different individual experience while undergoing treatment, so she looks for ways to properly nourish each patient to get sufficient nutrients based on the situation.  She also looks for ways to increase energy and help you recover while finding ways to prevent future cancer so you don’t have to go through this experience again.  Dr. Shani really is a doctor for the body, mind, and spirit. 

After meeting Dr. Shani over coffee at a local pancake house in SE Portland, she was dressed in her Barre3 gear and out and about on a Sunday morning. Yet despite her welcoming and casual attire, she was extremely professional, motivating and inspirational. Her knowledge of how to treat your body while experiencing such a traumatic journey was something that I gravitated toward immediately. 

She spoke of topics that us cancer survivors think about frequently – Is soy ok for you? What kind of exercise should I be doing? Any vitamins that I should take? Am I making the right health choices? And so much more.

Dr. Shani’s mission is to put you back in control of your life during cancer treatment, which is so incredibly important.  There is a weird thing that happens when you go for your last chemo or radiation treatment and you feel – “It’s done (thank God!)…I’m so happy, but now what? How do I keep fighting this to make sure it doesn’t come back?”

When asked to provide some words of wisdom to patients, Dr. Shani emphasized the fact that “you may have cancer, but cancer doesn’t have you.”  In order to regain control during this hectic time, you have to believe in that statement and believe in a healthy future after cancer.  In believing that there is life beyond this roadblock, you can put yourself back in control of your wellness. 

We’d like to thank Dr. Shani Fox for her incredible inspiration to women fighting pretty everywhere and for showing them that they do have options to consider during their treatment.   We encourage you all to learn more about Dr. Shani’s practice, watch her video or get in contact with her, by visiting her website: www.drshanifox.com.

Feeling the Love from Sock Dreams

Going through cancer treatment is uncomfortable in more ways than one. Lying on an exam table, getting chemo or going through a radiation treatment, there is always one thing that happens: your feet are always cold!

When we started choosing what special items to include in our Fighting Pretty Packages, a pair of fun, cozy, socks was a definite. Instead of relying on the hospital to give you those ugly slipper-socks, in years past, we’ve included all types of socks – fuzzy socks, leopard socks, heart socks and more. 

In late 2014 after Fighting Pretty ventured west to Portland, Oregon, founder Kara Dolce reached out to local sock company, Sock Dreams and magic happened. The team at Sock Dreams was immediately interested in helping women feel strong and beautiful through cancer treatment by donating 100 pairs of socks for our Pretty Packages.

They created one design with three colors: pink stripes, blue stripes and brown stripes. Initially, these “Fighting Pretty crew socks” were exclusively designed for our Pretty Packages, but due to popular demand, Sock Dreams included them as a product listing on their online website and will be donating 20% of the sale to Fighting Pretty! A true win-win for all!

We cannot thank the team at Sock Dreams enough for all of their love and support for women battling cancer everywhere. As we are sending beauty and strength in our Pretty Packages, Sock Dreams is the perfect partner to send the love!

If you would like to order a pair of Fighting Pretty crew socks, you can visit the Sock Dreams website: www.sockdreams.com or Order Here. And lastly, if you would like to order a Pretty Package that will include these socks, visit our website www.fightingpretty.org and click Request Form.