1 October 2010

Thirty-one days of the Forties

| thedarlings
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You may already have encountered Frocktober, a fund-raising and awareness-raising initiative for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation.

A striking statistic is that, across Australia, “One woman dies every ten hours from ovarian cancer… for many women with ovarian cancer, the disease is already well advanced when they are first diagnosed”.

Unfortunately, there is currently no screening test for ovarian cancer. Frocktober aims to help improve the outlook for women with the disease by supporting the quest for a suitable early detection test, through fundraising for the OCRF.

Canberra-based vintage charm and deportment teachers Darla and Blossom of The Darling Sisters, who can also be seen around town selling vintage-style fashion and accessories at events such as the Fash’n Treasure Markets, have decided it would be wrong not to participate in such a good cause.

As we both own a good number of frocks (some would say too many – but they would be wrong), we have decided to bump up the challenge level by spending the whole of Frocktober in the Forties. This is in recognition of our female forebears who coped with a very difficult time with courage and style – and Frocktober definitely celebrates the courage and style of women during difficult times.

Apart from the fashion, we have decided to road-test aspects of the forties lifestyle. Making Do, Eating (and gardening) for Victory, doing our best to save precious resources.

You can follow our daily adventures on our blog at www.thedarlingsisters.com. And if you see two ladies walking the streets of Canberra looking like extras from The Sullivans … come and say hello.

At the end of the month, look out for a fantastic public clothing swap, hosted by the Darling Sisters and some of the fabulous Frockettes from Canberra’s collecting institutions. Bring your old secondhand clothes (gentlemen’s, ladies’ and kiddies’ all good), pay an entry donation and rummage, rummage, rummage to your heart’s content. Who knows what treasures you’ll find? Darla will be running a Make Do and Mend workshop to help you revamp and customise your treasures, plus live music, a photo booth and other delights to keep things fun.

Watch this space for more information …

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There is a screening test – it’s called an ultrasound. Commonly available and easy but doctors don’t tend to refer women for this test unless they have symptoms of pain or discomfort – which in the case of ovarian cancer is much too late. There is also a blood test which you can ask for.

Moral of the story for women is get an annual check up and ask for an ultrasound and don’t take “no” for an answer when the stupid doctor says you don’t need one.

Prostate Cancer is a serious concern and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (www.prostate.org.au) is a serious organisation that does excellent and important work. We can all host a lovely BBQ for the PCFA, especially now the weather is beautiful.

And the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation also does excellent, important work, as do the wonderful ladies who have organised, and are contributing, to Frocktober.

Nemo, we’re so sorry for your loss. It’s true that money raised for the OCRF will contribute towards the development of an early detection test, and Frocktober also raises awareness, as well as celebrating the strength and diversity of women. We think that’s all pretty worthwhile.

I agree 100% Sepi.

Just because more people die from prostate cancer doesn’t mean that the lives of those suffering from other cancers are insignificant.

I lost my mum to Ovarian cancer a month ago.

The mortality rate of Ovarian cancer is extremely high because there is not a reliable early detection test – which I believe the money raised from Frocktober will be used towards developing, among other things.

There is a group of Canberra girls who have organised Frocktober events in Canberra. The facebook group is here
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=122330067815354&ref=ts

It isn’t a contest between Ovarian and Prostate cancer. If you are concerned about prostate cancer researchtne organise your own fundraiser.

georgesgenitals6:55 pm 01 Oct 10

A Noisy Noise Annoys An Oyster said :

Four times as many men die from prostate cancer than the number of women who die of ovarian cancer.

Which is why this is promoting fashion for those with taste up their arse.

A Noisy Noise Annoys An Oyster5:14 pm 01 Oct 10

Four times as many men die from prostate cancer than the number of women who die of ovarian cancer.

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