Boobs for Babes: Giving a big FU to the big C

Nearly 14 years ago, my mom and one of her coworkers were diagnosed with breast cancer within a month of one another. The two women shared an oncologist, similar prognosis, and nearly identical treatment plans. Both underwent radiation, chemotherapy, and radical mastectomies. And both were given a clean bill of health at the same time. But today, my mom is alive and Carmen is not.

Carmen's cancer came back, metastasized to her brain. Multiple surgeries and endless treatments later, Carmen's husband and daughter watched her slip away. Her daughter was less than 10-years-old when Carmen died. She had spent years of her young life watching her mother's losing battle.

That's some fucked up shit right there.

But it's hardly a unique story. It's estimated that about 12% of women (approximately 1 in 8) will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. The diagnosis comes with a 22.8% mortality rate. Along with my mom, my aunt has been forced to undergo the boobie knife. So has my great-uncle. (That's right. My great-uncle.) My cousin was diagnosed shortly after her youngest child was born.

That's some more fucked up shit right there.

I don't like fucked up shit, so when fellow West-Seattlite, Joslin Bernard, asked me to help promote Babes for Boobs, I was more than happy to do so. Joslin, along with her sister Darci, founded Babes for Boobs in honor of their mother, a breast cancer survivor. They gathered together a group of Northwest women in 2010 - most of whom have been affected by breast cancer in some way - to create a 2011 calendar with the help of photographer, Derek Johnson. They're currently busy with production of their second calendar (2012, obviously) - again partnering with Johnson - which will be available in time for the holiday season.

A couple teasers/out takes:

Model Shannon, photographed by Derek Johnson

Model Joslin, photographed by Derek Johnson

To support the cause and give a big middle finger to breast cancer, "like" Babes for Boobs' Facebook page, share with your friends, and keep your eyes peeled for calendar purchase information. You're definitely going to want these beautiful babes and their beautiful boobs hanging on your wall.