————

I am going to do something that most people in my position don’t do often – tell you my age. I am 39 years old. I am at an age where I realize that life isn’t always fair and that unlike fairy tales, life doesn’t always have a happy ending.

Nearly two years ago, I lost a close girlfriend to cancer. Diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at 32 years old, I remember thinking this wasn’t part of the plan. We were too young to worry about getting sick. In fact, we were supposed to be invincible.

Unfortunately, when Kristen was diagnosed she was on a health care plan that would not provide the care she needed for treatment. Just for a second, try to put yourself in her shoes. You are a few years removed from your 30th birthday, you have cancer, and while working towards accepting your diagnosis, you also have to try and figure out who is going to help you in the fight of your life.

Every year millions of women just like Kristen face choices between treatment and paying their bills. The costs associated with healthy living cause many to put off screenings and other preventive care let alone the treatments that may follow a cancer diagnosis.

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Now, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, women in Kristen’s position can be assured that their insurance plans will cover preventive care – including breast and cervical cancer screenings – without expensive co-pays or deductibles.

Too many Americans don’t get the preventive health care they need to stay healthy because of cost. President Obama’s health insurance reform law expands access to important cancer prevention tools, saving and adding years to women’s lives, and eliminating difficult choices that women like Kristen face every year.

Meanwhile Mitt Romney and the other Republican candidates for president have committed to repealing the health care law if elected. In an effort to appeal to the extreme right wing of their party, they want to take a major step backwards on women’s health. Rather than letting women make their own health care decisions, they would rather let employers make those decisions for you.

They do not think about the countless women who are forced to decide between rent and a mammogram. They are content with the medical discrimination in our insurance system and the fact that insurance companies charge women more than men for health care.

In Kristen’s name, I am asking politicians to stop playing politics with our health. Kristen knew that women just like her are saved because of these screenings and prevention tools – it’s that simple. This isn’t about politics, it’s about saving lives and protecting women’s health.

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HPV Vaccine: Are Black Girls Missing Out?

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10 Things You Didn’t Know About President Obama

This event was particularly special for us because it wasn’t a press conference in which we were mere observers. This was our event. This was powered by our  audience (ie. YOU). The questions you all provided for the administration fueled the discussion points on the panel. Which, by the way included a very impressive group of folks in the Obama administration:

• Melody Barnes, Director of the Domestic Policy Council
• Shaun Donovan, US Secretary for Housing and Urban Development
• Marie Johns, Deputy Administrator of the US Small Business Administration
• Ambassador Ron Kirk, US Trade Representative
• Jason Furman, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council

Not to mention that opening and closing remarks were made by Senior Advisor to the President, Valerie Jarrett.

We were led by Jeff Johnson from TheGrio.com on a panel that also included yours truly (Reppin’ for Team Beautiful!). We came armed with questions and each member of the panel answered with thoughtful responses that didn’t sound canned or prepared by an assistant. They discussed manufacturing in the 21st century; education reform in order to compete in a globalized economy and domestic issues such as  jobs, housing, taxes and healthcare.

We were getting our fill of policy just as expected.

And then it happened. About 53 minutes into the event, Melody Barnes politely interrupted Ambassador Kirk and said: “All of us have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with you all but I want to introduce someone now who I think is the best person to talk about these issues – THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BARACK OBAMA.”

Okay, so she didn’t shout that part. But she might as well have pulled an Oprah and shouted his name. Either way, the audience, as well as those of us on the panel from Interactive One, were elated and quite honestly astounded as President Obama entered the room. Here we were – coming from New York City expecting only an informational hour with government policy heavies – and ending up having the President of The United States join us and give us his take on the importance of our audience, our work and most importantly our support in helping him pass the American Jobs Act.

Michelle Obama Graces The Cover Of Essence Magazine

He expressed the importance of our online community (yes, that’s YOU again) and that our ability to facilitate a two-way conversation between experts and communities in need is something in which he’s very interested. (watch the video here)

President Obama spent fifteen minutes with us, during many of which he answered questions from the audience and from Twitter.

On a completely different note: Barack Obama pulled a Beyonce! Stay with me here – you know how Beyonce will pop up out of nowhere and surprise a group of kids dancing at Target, or some teen girls dancing at a block party? Well, President Obama did the political version of that. We didn’t see it coming – but damn was that a great moment.

Thanks for sticking with us Team Beautiful! We’ll continue doing big things to serve you. Maybe we’ll get Oprah to pull a Beyonce at some point too.

Here, check it out for yourself!

Interactive One at the White House from BlackPlanet.com on Vimeo.

Karla Ovalle on Twitter @K_Ova

Front Rows & Backstage! Celebs Hit New York 2011 Fashion Week [PHOTOS]

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The store associate suggested that I visit a dermatologist or naturopathic doctor, as she had gone through a similar situation and discovered that her breakouts were a result of a hormonal imbalance. Imbalance! I wasn’t stressed; I had cut down on fast food, what was the deal? Since I loathe prescription drugs I decided to opt for a naturopath to find a solution to my newly discovered adult acne.

At my first appointment with a naturopathic doctor I filled out a 5-page questionnaire. We discussed details about my diet, lifestyle, skin care routine and menstrual cycle. The doctor made recommendations on diet, lifestyle modifications and I was put on a 10 to 14 day detoxification program.

Acne problems lead me to see a naturopath, but here are five reasons every woman should consider making an appointment today:

1. Improved memory, focus and concentration- Women today multi-task more than any other generation juggling career, households and hobbies. Improved memory and concentration will allow you to stay more organized and optimize your day better.

2. PMS relief- Believe it or not, our periods are not supposed to be this dreaded awful monthly event. Cramping is intensified by a treacherous diet, and can be relieved through a naturopathic detoxification program.

3. Relief from allergies- It’s that time of the year again, wouldn’t it be nice to be free of runny noses and itchy watery eyes? Naturopaths also use acupuncture as a form of treatment, which is used to alleviate allergic reactions.

4. More energy- More energy will take you from the boardroom to bedroom with ease.

5. Optimal digestion- Through a dietary plan or with the aide of recommended naturopathic treatments your digestion will improve allowing your system to cleanse regularly.

Every patient’s receives a recommended treatment plan that is customized to your health concerns, lifestyle and family medical history. Naturopaths offer the following treatments: acupuncture, reiki, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, massage and hydrotherapy.

If you are looking for a healthy alternative to costly pill popping, consider making an appointment with your local naturopath today.

Spring Cleaning” How To Cleanse Physically, Mentally & Spiritually

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BP Member sadgyrlhush6

BP member sadgyrlhush6 open the discussion in the forum titled Workers in the S-ex Industry Deserves the Same Rights… with the statement “Can you imagine?” Weigh in with your opinion here.

When you tell even a fib, your doctor can’t diagnose you correctly, which wastes your time and money and may keep her from giving treatment that could save your life. So the next time you’re tempted to make like Pinocchio with one of the following falsehoods, here’s the truth about why you should tell nothing but.
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