by Mindy Griffith | Apr 8, 2021 | Bag It Fundraising, Blog, Survivorship, Uncategorized
Bag It. Guiding one through cancer.
So, it’s National Read a Roadmap week, and I love a bizarre holiday that connects to many things I love and makes me smile. First, I recall being on a road trip a few years ago, and yes we had GPS on our phones and were using that, when we were trying to find maps of the area we were in just because (okay maybe I wanted to use them later to scrapbook the adventure). At the 3rd gas station we found one, it was dated and covered in dust and the employees thought my friend was crazy for wanting one but we were thrilled!
Then a friend was visiting me and in the side panel of my car I have a few maps, because you never know when you might need one. She found this hilarious and took a picture of it to post on social media asking people if they even knew what they were – she couldn’t believe that I had them in my car. (FYI: I have used them from time to time.)
Now I love technology and frequently use digital maps, but it’s always good to have a back-up plan as we know that technology doesn’t work everywhere or your might not have your phone charged or maybe you just appreciate having things in a printed format. Print makes things easier to share and more readily available (but I encourage you to order those maps in advance of your next trip).
How does reading a map and my random stories (that made me smile with the memories) connect to cancer and Bag It?
Reading a roadmap takes some practice, just like understanding cancer. The Bag It bag works as a guide to help those impacted by cancer understand more about their diagnosis and cope with the bumps along the way. When you receive a cancer diagnosis you don’t get the map (digital or print) to go with it. You don’t know the vocabulary, the questions to ask, which treatment to take, or which exit has a support network. You need something to help familiarize you with this experience. Your healthcare team is one guide and a Bag It bag is another valuable guide.
The take-everywhere binder (yep, even on that road trip) helps organize appointments and records (similar to your brochures and itineraries). The booklets provide coping tips, support information, reliable cancer information and questions to ask. It’s all in the bag! You won’t feel lost during or after treatment with Bag It as your guide.
Bag It wants to ensure anyone who wants or needs a bag has them available to them. You can order one as a gift for someone when they are diagnosed with cancer to help them cope or you can order/request one for yourself. They are a doctor-recommended resource for anyone with any type of cancer.
If you don’t currently know anyone who could benefit consider participating in our Spring 2021 Fundraiser – Gift a Bag It Bag. With a $41 contribution you can help provide a source of comfort and the printed navigation tools to help a patient throughout their cancer treatment and beyond.
by Bag It Team | Nov 11, 2020 | Bag It Fundraising
Get Moving for Bag It Virtual Celebration
You are wonderful! We are beyond THRILLED that you didn’t let this year’s Get Moving for Bag It pass you by.
With all the uncertainties and unknowns when planning this year’s event – we were a bit unsure of what to expect. We wanted to bring you a unique event opportunity while making it easy, fun and active!
We all know that staying physically active has many benefits for our health such as increased flexibility/balance/muscle strength, controlling weight, regulating blood pressure, digestion, improved mood, thinking, and sleep, just to name a few. So we wanted to incorporate physical activity while offering you daily programs that would be informative, interesting, challenge you and be all around motivating you to be active and healthy!
THANK YOU to the participants who joined this year’s virtual event! Participants from California, Texas, Cleveland, Minnesota, Indiana, Florida and New Jersey joined our Arizona friends – YIPPEE – we did reach our goal of having our friends from West Coast to East Coast!
Great News!
Your involvement helped us raise $18,900
114 Participants
REACHED the $2,500 Challenge Grant! A big thank you to all of you that helped – please know we truly appreciate your commitment!
Gift a Bag – 62 Bag It bags to someone in need to educate, support & empower those impacted by cancer.
We are sending each one of you our thanks and gratitude for continuing to support Bag It. Thank you for walking alongside us and understanding the importance of helping us educate, empower and connect cancer patients and their caregivers with the right information, right when they need it most.
by Bag It Team | Sep 10, 2020 | Bag It Fundraising, Blog, Cancer Advocates, Upcoming Events
We all know that staying physically active has many benefits for our health such as increased flexibility/balance/muscle strength, controlling weight, regulating blood pressure, digestion, improved mood, thinking, and sleep, just to name a few.
But did you know that getting regular exercise may also:
- Help you live longer?
- Ironically, reduce fatigue and increase your energy?
- Reduce your risk for developing some types of cancers?
- Reduce the risk of certain cancers recurring?
- Ease some side effects of cancer treatment?
We have so many gadgets to inform us of what level of activity we are doing down to the minute on a daily basis. We even get “scolded” if we are not moving enough! When these gadgets first came out many thought that was exactly what they were – just gadgets. Today, many feel these are lifesaving instruments. Use the great technology out there to your advantage and commit to getting fit!
Getting Started
Check in with your doctor for guidance on how to begin an exercise routine that’s right for you. If you have no health restrictions, gradually build up to 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity). Take it slow at first and if you miss a day just try again the next day.
Aim for a combo of cardio and strength training. (You can do strength training with or without weights)
Besides the obvious forms of exercise like walking, running, hiking, biking, swimming, aerobics, activities like dancing, gardening (digging, raking), household chores (vacuuming, mopping, washing windows, sorry!) or actively playing with children can be just as effective.
If you can’t do full 30-minute sessions some days, break it up into 2 or 3 sessions of 10 or 15 minutes each. It all counts!
Make it easy and fun! Change it up and do a variety of activities you enjoy by yourself or with a safely-distanced buddy.
Crankin’ up the tunes while you work will actually make you move faster and with more intensity.
Join us in our 2020 Get Moving for Bag It Fundraiser, Oct. 16-25, for a variety of activities to get you motivated.
Learn More and Register Here!
by Bag It Team | Aug 13, 2020 | Bag It Fundraising, Blog, Cancer Advocates, Upcoming Events
Calling all Bag It Friends across the country – WE NEED YOU!
As the planning began for the 17th Annual Take a Hike for Bag It and with the ramifications and uncertainties of COVID 19 it became apparent that the format of our annual event would need to be changed. A few things that we needed to keep in mind: how to have a financially successful fundraising event and still keep the integrity of the annual hike that the participants would love and continue to support. After much research, input from our hike volunteers, past participants, board and staff it was decided that the 17th Annual Take a Hike for Bag It become Get Moving for Bag It.
This year’s event let’s you hike, bike or whatever you like on your own time and on your own turf.
Bag It is reaching out to all our loyal friends as we NEED your continuing support. We have created a unique fundraising event as the annual Take a Hike for Bag It in Tucson is on hold this year. We are hoping to have ALL our friends from the West Coast to the East Coast join us and support this year’s annual fundraising event as it is essential for Bag It to continue to fulfill its mission.
Get Moving to support Bag It’s mission to educate, support & empower those impacted by cancer.
Your participation helps raise funds to continue to provide the Bag It bag at NO CHARGE to those impacted by cancer. The contents in the bag helps patients and caregivers talk to their healthcare providers, know what questions to ask, and serve as the most important advocate on their healthcare team. Will you help empower the expected 1.8 million new cancer cases to be diagnosed this year in the United States?
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It’s simple: Sign up and Get Moving!
Register Today!
Once registered you will have full access to the Get Moving information, daily activities, and be entered into drawings and contests.
by Mindy Griffith | Feb 15, 2019 | Bag It Community Partners, Bag It Fundraising, Bag It News, Bag It Sponsors, Upcoming Events
Bag It is honored to be the beneficiary of this fun 24-hour bike ride, put on by Epic Rides. Visit the Event Page for more details.
by Annettra Farrington | Jan 28, 2019 | Bag It Community Partners, Bag It Fundraising, Bag It News, Blog, Cancer Advocates
TAKE A HIKE + YOU =
A great fun filled Sunday morning at Catalina State Park celebrating 15 years of Take a Hike for Bag It ! Whether you joined us for a beautiful scenic morning, sponsored a bag from home, or were with us in spirit, we appreciate your support!
Dan Marries, Tucson News anchor, welcomed our hikers back to the Ramada that was rocking to the music from LatinoBazaar and encouraged them to join in on all the fun and activities! Guests enjoyed their meal choice from Gigi’s food truck, a chance to win fabulous prizes in the Raffle, Silent Auction, and Spin the Wheel and played “Where’s the Bag It bag.” Sandra Valenzuela, a volunteer that has been with Bag It from the very beginning shared about how she got started and why she continues to volunteer and support Bag It. We were able to say a big THANK YOU to founding board member, Dr. Don Brooks, who recently stepped down after 15 years of board service (don’t worry we’re going to keep him involved in some aspect) and acknowledged eight sponsors who have supported Bag It for all 15 years. With the help of 55 wonderful volunteers, 150 awesome attendees, and 19 generous sponsors, Bag It was able to raise over $38,000 to help EDUCATE, SUPPORT & EMPOWER those impacted by cancer.
SPONSOR A BAG
These donations help ensure that anyone who wants a Bag It bag can receive one at no charge. If someone does not receive a bag from their medical provider and are unable to make a suggested donation they can call us and because of YOU we are able to send them a bag to help them be informed and feel empowered to be their own advocate.
Thank you for providing 60 individuals with cancer a bag through your Sponsor a Bag donations.
And the winner is . . . Rosa Rousseau. Congratulations Rosa! We hope you have a great time when you journey to Phoenix.
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