Everyone should get to dance.

In 2010 about 569,490 Americans were expected to die of cancer.  That's more than 1,500 people a day.  Break it down even more and 1,340 of those deaths in 2010 were children aged 0-14.  (American Cancer Society).

I went to Penn State.  If you know anything about the university, you might know about THON, the largest student run philanthropy in the world.  THON is a weekend long (46 hour) dance marathon that wraps up a year long effort by students to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer distributed through The Four Diamonds Fund.  The Four Diamonds Fund is based out of The Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.  They support families, financially and emotionally, as well as help fund research to find a cure for pediatric cancer.  And that's only the tip of the iceberg of what THON and The Four Diamond Fund do.  

The purpose of this post however isn't THON (although check it out, get involved, donate).   I simply want to utilize THON as an example of what the rest of the world needs to do!  (I know, I'm going big here, calling the whole world together!)  THON is about finding a cure.  One of my favorite quotes over the years about THON is "one day we'll dance in celebration, until then we'll dance for a cure."  The THON dancers are all students who worked to earn a dancer spot.  While the entire fundraising effort is based off competition between organizations (frats, sobrieties, professional organizations, independent dancers, and more) to raise the most money, and receive more dancers the following year in most cases, that's just a part of it.  The big picture is thousands of students who on a normal daily basis pass each other without even giving each other a second glance.  Students who probably wouldn't be caught associating with each other usually.  All working for one cause.  While the mission of THON is to raise funds for pediatric cancer, the lesson for the world is the coming together for a cause and a cure.

The reason I, on my little blog, am addressing this issue to the world, is because in recent months there have been some calls to action/media attention that have me wondering why we make one cancer better/worse than another.  Why one cause/life is more important than the next.

First up is the call via Facebook and Youtube to Oprah to do a show on childhood cancer.  

The video is beautifully done. I loved it instantly (especially considering my ties to THON).  The video stemmed from the fb group  asking Oprah to take action and bring childhood cancer into the spot light.  I'm all for this.  The thing that caught my attention (I'm ready for the backlash for this) is when they site the amount of funding (via the National Cancer Institute) going to the various types of cancer.  Pediatric cancers receive less than 3% they report.  This is a small amount looking at the others they reference.  The issue I have is perceiving the message that pediatric cancer is more important than the others.  I don't in any way think a child's life should be anything short of playing, laughter, smiles, friends, ice cream cones and flying kites.  BUT I also don't think a child should have to live without a healthy Mom because they are fighting breast cancer, or not play catch with their Dad, or have him there to walk her down the isle, because they lost him to prostate cancer.  

The second issue that is more entertaining (simply how presented by Colbert), yet ridiculous if there is validity to it, is the claim that the Susan G. Komen organization actually trademarked and sued/threatened other organizations who used the words 'for the cure.'  The Komen foundation attempted to clear things up and implied that the issue was blown completely out of proportion and they never sued anyone.  (Their statement is here, and a Huffington Post article with sources saying they were threatened here... To give both sides as best I can.)  Colbert, however gave the Komen foundation a 'Tip of the Hat, Wag of the Finger.'  (video won't embed, but do go watch and come back!)

The issue is so tough to balance, and while I have no medical expertise whatsoever, I do understand that there are over 200 different types of cancer that we know of.  Theses cancers are treated differently and affect a person differently. However, isn't it possible that if a cure is found for one it'll lead to more cures?  Couldn't the competition between organizations to find a cure continue, but be focused on primarily finding a cure, not fighting over the same money?

This was tough for me to even attempt to address right here, and I hope it comes across not downgrading either of these two example organizations who are doing a great job raising funds and awareness.  I think everyone needs to fight the fight. Everyone should get to dance.  I just think we need to do it together.  So I do encourage you to visit www.thon.org, witness thousands coming together to fight pediatric cancer, to fight for the kids. And if you feel inclined to donate to this cause please do, but if you feel inclined to donate and join the fight against breast, prostate, lung, heart, or any other organization do it!  Fight for a cure of all cancer.  

If you're still having trouble getting my point leave this post with this image:  I'm standing on the stage and the announcer just asked me, a candidate for Miss America, what I would wish for, and I'm not saying pediatric cancer although I want it cured, I'm not saying bladder cancer because my Dad had it, or lung cancer because my Oma has it, or breast cancer because it took my Grandma's life.  I'm simply saying I want cancer cured...

-M

UPDATE:  THON 2011: Together Without Limits raised $9,563,016.09!! For The Kids! ❖

What can you remember? Super Bowl XLV Commercials

It's been a couple days since Super Bowl XLV between the Steelers and Packers ended.  While the game was a disappointment in itself for me, and something I'm hoping to forget, the commercials are something most advertisers are hoping we can still recall.

AdFreak posted a nice 2 min 24 sec. run down of all 61 commercials, in case you forgot about any.  And really, I think their abbreviated version makes some of the commercials look better than what they were!

So here's my list of commercials I give a big Kudos too.  I'll warn you, I didn't follow suite with all of the rankings... but I have my reasons.  Give me a chance... read on!

• Dodge Chrysler Town & Country minivan - This commercial is on my list because it was different than all the other car commercials.  The announcer was whispering.  Such a simple, minor concept, which surely turned viewers at louder venues away.  The commercial made you pay attention.  While the exact volume of the dialog was comparable to other commercials, because it was in a whispering tone,my house stopped, we glued our eyes to the TV (believe me this is tough when you have four kids under 6, two dogs, and four adults in a house) and paid extra close attention. The whispering demanded it.  Plus, the commercial theme was making safety standard and not an option.  Who doesn't want to be safe!?  So props to the Town & Country for not just showing they're another sleek, non-soccer-mom, mini-van that's cool to own.
• This commercial... I'm guilty.  I'm not 100% positive whose it was. BUT I thought it was creative and different, so it deserved to be discussed.  The Confer's Jewelers (local for my area, finally figured out for sure who it was!) was creative and different and deserves to be discussed.  It was a jewelery commercial.  However, there was no sound.  The screen was white with black text, that changed repeatedly, until at the end they tell you all the things they've been telling you to do (kiss your wife, tell her you love her, etc.) they can help you say better.  I thought it was classic!  Again, sticking with the Town & Country idea, it demanded you pay attention.  You had to read it.  While this surely lost a lot of viewers who didn't have the attention span, or concentration this late in the game, to do so, it was different.  They took a risk. While I don't know if it really paid off (perhaps not since even I can't confidently tell you who it was) it was a hell of an effort to keep it simple and unique from all the others.

Watch the video here on their Facebook page.

By now you should have noticed that I didn't link either  one of these commercials.  There's a reason.  I can't find them  it....  This you're thinking is predictive of how good they were.  But I challenge you to not just look at the humor factor, the celebrity factor, or the cute factor, but also the creative and risk taking factor these two advertisers took on a big scale.  I was impressed by their efforts.  But was impressing one twenty-something year old girl worth the $3 million for a :30 sec spot (Reuters)...

Here's the 'made national lists' funny and cute ad's I enjoyed most!

Only thing that has this one listed 3rd is that they showed it on some commercial preview on Friday night.  For me that ruined me counting it as 100% SuperBowl new!

3 R's and a W.

This is going to be my speed blogging test!  But I think it's a good topic to try it out!

The Superbowl is this weekend, in case you didn't know!

While millions of viewers tune in for the game, I would bet just as many if not more tune in for the commercials. <Insert all the facts that if I weren't speed blogging I would put in about how many viewers watch annually, and how many millions it cost for a 30 second spot costs>

Over the past month I'm compiled a brief list of commercials I've watched.  I present to you 3 Rs and a W.

1. Ridiculous.  The commercial winning this title had this concept... You want to know what you should name your baby.  You can't decide.  So you pick up your phone, text your name, your significant others name and what the sex is to ###### (pretend that's the number) and taadaa!  Your babies name will be sent to you!... Ya, and they are somehow making some money.  Enough to buy a :15 second spot!

 (I'm thinking it was so ridiculous that no one wasted the time to put it up on youtube.  But I will keep searching and possibly bring it to you later!)


2.Respectable.  I've never really loved Domino's pizza.  When you live in a town with 5 or more pizza places, you have your choice and aren't stuck with the same pizza all the time.  Maybe I never tried it enough.  But all-in-all, I've never been a big fan.  BUT that doesn't mean I don't respect their commercials as of late!  The most recent that I think is great is their focus group commercial where they're in the tomato field.

This to me show's they are making a great effort to stand behind their product.  They are trying to understand what people don't like, and in turn, show them the truth.  Kinda makes me want to try their pizza again sometime. And it's entertaining to boot.


3.Really Annoying.  The Schools on Demand commercial is cheesy.  Let's face it.  The song is probably what ruins the commercial because its so dang annoying... yet catchy.??  Even after just typing the commercial name the song is stuck in my head.  Maybe that means they've accomplished their goal... but still it's a REALLY annoying commercial.

This isn't the commercial but some girl singing the song.

 (Again, I'm thinking it was so really annoying that no one wasted the time to put it up on youtube.  But I will keep searching and possibly bring it to you later!)

Finally the W.
W = Wrong.  The Ladders Irresistible commercial.  In case you don't know what Ladders is, it's a website for job searchers that has a lot of valuable resources. The concept, if you can look past the oh so wrong images in this commercial, is good.  Make yourself irresistible to employers.  But really... this is wrong no matter how you roll the dice in my opinion.

So that's my speedy quick blog, I'll surely have to come back and edit when I have more time!  BUT hopefully get's you pumped for Superbowl commercials, and well... I'm sure all but Domino's is wishing they weren't on my list here!

(edits: 1... we'll keep a running tally!)

Groundhogese and Magical "Groundhog Punch"

America is a beautiful wonderful country.  People are allowed to practice their own religion.  Speak their chosen language.  And celebrate the most ridiculous holidays ever as if they were completely and ultimately the most logical celebration ever.

Enter February 2... aka Groundhog Day.

In a small town, population less than 6,000 in 2009, lives a groundhog.  His name is Phil.  According to the official website of Groundhog Day Phil has been alive for as long as Groundhog Day.  First one was in the 1800's.  He manages to surpass the life expectancy of 6-8 years for a groundhog by taking "a drink of a magical punch every summer during the annual Groundhog Picnic, which gives him 7 more years of life."  Every year on the morning of February 2nd, between 7 and 7:30 a.m. Phil comes out of hibernation to predict when spring will arrive.  It's either just around the corner, he doesn't see his shadow, or there will be six more weeks of winter.  (Fun fact: In the past 10 years he didn't see his shadow one time, 2007.)  One year it was recorded up to 18,000 people turned out to see ol' Phil's prediction live.  

I have been one of the, uhh... lucky? ones to experience Groundhog Day live from Gobbler's Knob.  And the experience is something I would recommend to any and everyone.  It's a once in a lifetime experience (because I can't believe anyone would want to experience it more than once!).  And it is also an experience that I have determined to be an experience I love to hate.  

To begin to describe my experience I'll start with a quote from the 1993, Columbia Pictures, Groundhog Day.  (Really, they did make a movie about the holiday.  I couldn't even begin to make this stuff up.)

Rita: You're missin' all the fun! These people are great! Some of them have been partyin' all night long! They sing songs 'till they get too cold and then they go sit by the fire and they get warm, and then they come back and sing some more! 

Phil: Yeah, they're hicks, Rita! 

I attended Groundhog Day 2006.  My senior year of high school. (Don't tell my h.s. though, my mom wrote on my note that I wasn't feeling well enough to go to school that day, bc I convinced her that really who ever feels well enough to go to school :) ! )...

Going to bed at a friends house around 12 a.m., only to wake up to leave by 3 a.m. to make the 50 minute drive to Gobbler's Knob, the journey begins!

We arrive before 4, and say to ourselves "Hey we're h.s. seniors, we have no money!  Let's save $5 and just walk the mile or so up the hill!  No big deal!"  (How young and naive we were.)  Around half-way up were tired and cold.  The sun hasn't even began to wake up yet.  

We arrive at the top, with a little bit more jump in our step as we see some classmates, and a giant (55-gallon) drum bursting with flames.  

(It was some time ago, but I'm fairly certain it looked something like this!)

We rejoice in the expereince for about... 5 minutes.  Then we realize if we really want to get a good view of Phil himself we better go claim our spot.

(I didn't take this picture... I credit it to Google Images)

That's a pretty accurate depiction of what it looks like without the people....

This is more accurate with people.  So we claimed our spot by 5:30 a.m.  About 40-or-so yards from the fire drum.  Also, away from the, I-wouldn't-dare-imply-this-would-occur-on-such-a-beautiful-holiday-but-hypothetically-speaking, intoxicated crowd.  

We are entertained and wooed by the magic of the morning.  (By a quarter 'till 6 I was ready to go home.)  There are girls on a stage.  Four or five, calling themselves Phil's squad ,or something of the sorts, who cheer and dance every hour.  What do they cheer and why do they dance you wonder?  I'm still wondering the same thing 5 years later.  There are fireworks and a band at some point.  (While seeing them was impossible I'm positive they were neat.)

Eventually the moment we had all been eagerly waiting for arrived.  The crowd was buzzing.  And a group of older fellows, calling themselves the "Inner Circle," appear on stage dressed to the nines, and do their thing... for an hour before Phil even appears!!

ESPN

Finally on February 2, 2006, "Phil saw his shadow while wearing his Steeler "Terrible Towel" at 7:25 a.m.  The temperature was a balmy 38 degrees."  And then.  At 7:26 a.m. thousands of people walked back down Gobbler's Knob.  Some in satisfaction, some in disbelief.  Others in handcuffs.

While for me the morning ended there, as my parents had implied I should return back to school.  But the fun doesn't stop there.  The town continues to celebrate the day with breakfasts, sales, and events galore.

But if like me, you drive straight out of town you can't help but notice the numerous groundhog statues all over town.  I've heard it being a challenge to go and count them all...

So if you can't make it out to this glorious holiday, celebrate at home, or sometime throughout the year visit Punxsy, PA.  Some suggestions can be found here of things to do.  Or check out the Groundhog Day website for live footage, or even to have Phil text you... personally I'm sure.

UPDATE: 7:54 a.m. (2/2) - Phil didn't see his shadow... spring is on its way.  And there is only about half an inch of ice on my car this morning.  So I'm betting he's right.... 

Explanation/terminology: Phil predicts the weather by telling the handler if he see's his shadow or not.  He does so because the handlers and Phil all speak Groundhogese.

*Also, if you paid close attention, you noticed none of those pictures were actually my own work... that's just the fun of being on a hill, in the cold of winter, with thousands of other people, in an area I'm going to throw a wild guess on as 50 square yards.