Tech Savvy Mama

Parenting in the Digital Age

Bowling for More Birthdays at Blogalicious to Celebrate Life

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This past weekend at Blogalicious, I bowled for More Birthdays with the American Cancer Society.. Bowling? Birthdays? Cancer?  Yes.  What seems like an odd combination was a fun way to celebrate life by staying active and healthy while honoring those that inspire us to create a world with more birthdays and less cancer.


For me, it was a stark contrast to last year’s Blogalicious event where, Susan Niebur, a good friend and fellow blogger shared her very personal experience with inflammatory breast cancer. There was hardly a dry eye in the ballroom as we lit candles to make a wish to celebrate more birthdays.

While we lost Susan in February of this year, her legacy to spread awareness about breast cancer and the continued need to fund research will always live on.

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer and even though October is breast cancer awareness month, spreading awareness and donating to cancer research is something that needs to occur throughout the year. Go beyond thinking and buying pink in October since only a very small percentage of your purchase goes to cancer-related charities. Instead, seek actionable items that can have a bigger impact.

Here are 4 easy things you can do to ensure that we’re creating a world with more birthdays:

  • Purchase items where 100% of the proceeds will be donated to cancer related research. American Cancer Society has wrapping paper and cards through Tiny Prints where all the money from your purchase will go towards cancer research.
  • Teach your kids to lead a healthy lifestyle. While Blogalicious conference attendees bowled, organizing a Relay for Life (@RelayForLife) can serve as a community event where all money raised will be put towards cancer research and there are many other ways to get active as a family.
  • Donate. Instead of buying the pink ribbon laden items this October, donate the purchase price for the item you would have bought directly to American Cancer Society.

I am a member of the American Cancer Society’s Blogger Advisory Council. I was compensated for assisting with the Bowl for More Birthdays event and this post.