Saturday, September 24, 2011

Frocktober

I have always wanted to raise money for a good cause. Now I know that sounds naff, but being able to do something or say something that will encourage others to support not only me, but also a worthy cause has always been a small dream of mine. I thought about running a fun run, but seriously... who runs? (This lady does, and does it with style and an excellent flair for writing). I also contemplated making things to sell, and donating that money, but that was WAY too much effort on my part. 


I'd all but given up hope (really? Mostly I was getting on with my life), when I discovered Frocktober. Frocktober is about raising money for ovarian cancer research and awareness. They support the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. Ovarian Cancer is not something I know a great deal about, but considering I have ovaries, I felt it a good opportunity to learn. Did you know that ovarian cancer affects over 1200 Australian women each year, with almost 800 of those cases being fatal? I didn't, and this number shocked me. I also didn't know that most cases of ovarian cancer are not discovered until the late stages, where it becomes about short term treatment and not prevention. There is currently no early detection test.

Early stage ovarian cancer may not have obvious symptoms but the following may occur:
  • Vague abdominal pain or pressure
  • Feeling of abdominal fullness, gas, nausea, indigestion – different to your normal sensations
  • Sudden abdominal swelling, weight gain or bloating
  • Persistent changes in bowel or bladder patterns
  • Low backache or cramps
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Unexplained weight loss                  (From the OCRF website)
While women who present with these symptoms don't always have cancer, I can see that there is a massive need for an early detection test, especially when many of these symptoms are often associated with normal "girly time". 

"Frocktober aims to help improve the outlook for women with ovarian cancer by supporting the quest for a suitable early detection test through fundraising for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation."

According to the OCRF "one woman dies every ten hours of ovarian cancer in Australia." I need to help lower this number. 

All the grisly statistics aside, Frocktober is about fun. For me it is about doing what I do best; wearing dresses/skirts. I would say that nearly 80% of the time I am wearing a dress, so why not kick it up a notch for October, and raise some money while I'm at it. Besides, and Spring gets into full swing the Perth weather seems to be warming up to just the right dress temperature! My aim is to wear a dress everyday of October, blog about my outfits, and most importantly raise $20 for each day in October. Now if you are not a maths nerd, then all that amounts to is 31 people donating $20 each. Doesn't seem that hard to me. My target for the month is $620 and I would really like you to help me out.

If you have been inspired already to donate, then please head along to my fundraising page, and donate till your little heart is content. If you would like to wait until you start to see the outfit blogs, you are more than welcome. Please help, I, and countless Australian women would be so very grateful. 


Thank you in advance. 

E x

1 comment:

  1. brilliant idea Em, I will be sure to donate at some point xo

    ReplyDelete