Tig Notaro Live

Tig Notaro's CD Live will be available on Louis CK's website starting 05 October. Part of the proceeds will go to breast cancer charities.

NBCAM

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Olivia Newton-John and the cast of Grease will distribute LIV-AID kits to female audience members after the October 7th performance. The kit is a device that helps women perform their BSE (breast self exam) properly and comfortably.

Oh yes it's ladies' night

In association with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), 24 October is Ladies Night Out on Broadway. Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman from "Xanadu" are the spokespersons. There will be a raffle to benefit the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative of the Actors' Fund of America. You can get discounted tickets to shows like "Legally Blonde", "A Chorus Line", "Stomp", "Spamalot", "Mamma Mia", "The 25h Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", as well as restaurant and parking discounts. With the purchase of a "Ladies Night" theatre ticket to any of the participating Broadway or Off Broadway shows, you can get into a free theatre themed party at Spotlight Live from 5-7:30 PM. There will be gift bags, Broadway Karaoke, Women-in-Theatre discussion panels, etc.

I am paying closer attention to NBCAM events this year. I found a lump on my right breast 2 months ago. After a mammogram and sonogram, the doctor recommended a biopsy. The biopsy was probably the most unpleasant experience of my life (soo faaar...said Homer Simpson). After the long preparations, the fire alarm went off as I was laying there like a pin cushion. Someone knocked on our door and told us it was a mechanical problem and we didn't need to leave. Of course, they had all been evacuated at that point. As the procedure went on, I started feeling very warm and nauseous. Thanks to some pranayama, I got through the whole thing. In the week that it took to get the results back, I went through the five stages of dying. By the 7th day, I had already picked out hats to wear in case I needed chemotherapy (yes I know, drama queen.) Thankfully, it's only a benign fibroadenoma and no surgery is required.

8 out of 10 women do not do breast self exams (BSE) for fear that they will find something or because it is frustrating not knowing what they are feeling. So the more you do them, the more you'll know what is normal for you. Be breast aware ladies. *steps down from my pink soapbox* And enjoy your night out on Broadway!