"Cause I Can" Judith Cantor's fundraising projects

Fancy a trip to the vineyards?

On 18 July I'll be meandering through the vineyards of the Hunter Valley as part of the Winery Wander for Camp Quality. I'm really excited. Not only will I get to enjoy the scenery, the fresh air and the promise of a good drop of red, I'll also be surrounded by a few thousand people who are passionate about helping kids with cancer.

Do you want to come along? 

If you're up for the challenge - both the 6.25km walk and fundraising for this worthy cause - why don't we get a group together, hire a minivan to drive us there and back, and enjoy a sumptuous lunch and wine tasting afterwards? Maybe we'll even have time to stop off for some chocolate and cheese too!

If you're not too keen on leaving the warmth and comfort of the couch on a blustery Winter's morning, please support me by making a donation to Camp Quality i? 

Camp Quality's mission is vital to children with cancer and their families - bringing them optimism and happiness through fun therapy. They have created fantastic events like Liquid Laughter and esCarpade, and have regular programs dealing with education, recreation, family support and hospital.

I baulk at these stats from Camp Quality's website every time I read them:

- Cancer costs Australia $3.8 billion in direct health system costs
- There are approximately $15,000 children between 0-18yrs with cancer in Australia 
- On average one child is diagnosed with cancer every nine hours in Australia

It works out that, even if you can only spare $1 towards this cause, you will be saving $2.17 in health expenditure. That's massive! So, by making a donation, not only will you be paying for a dose of fun therapy for children with cancer, but you will really be helping shape the future of the Australian medical landscape. Visit www.mycause.com.au/WanderthroughthewineriesforCampQuality now.

Remember, all donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible.

Big thanks.

P.S. If you're interested in doing the Winery Wander together, drop me a line? 0402 257 655 or judith@judithcantor.com or @judithcantor

A day of red and white

MS Australia couldn't have planned it better. Not only were there thousands of people clad in their corporate colours to walk the 2010 MS Walk route - 5.5km, 9km or 16km - but so were many others in Sydney CBD in support of the Sydney Swans for the AFL match! A match made in heaven? *hint, hint*

We were incredibly lucky with the weather. After flash floods only a couple of days before, we were greeted with a dry and intermittently sunny day. It was freezing, mind you, but Fitness First were on hand to lead the participants through warm-up aerobics and so after a while we didn't feel it.

The 9km route took us through Hyde Park, down Martin Place, across to Millers Point, round the promenade at Circular Quay and the Botanic Gardens, past the Art Gallery of NSW and back to the starting point.

It was a wonderful chance to be part of an enthusiastic crowd supporting the cause. There were people on foot, in wheelchairs, and children in strollers, on scooters and strapped to their parents' bellies.

It also gave me the chance to see parts of Sydney that I would normally not notice if I were driving past in a car. In fact, I couldn't believe how many photos I took with my wee phone camera!

Thank you for your support and donations. May they only lead to the speedy discovery of a cure for multiple sclerosis!

Four of 100,000 supporters

Last Sunday, my mum, my sister, family friend from Norway and I joined 99,996 people across Australia walking or running for breast cancer research in the Mother's Day Classic.

We couldn't have asked for better weather or a friendlier, more welcoming community event. It was wonderful. And to have been able to share the experience with three mums on Mother's Day made it even more special.

Some of the tributes we read tacked on to people's backs made us teary but it was the sheer joy and celebration of the women who had not only survived, but thrived, that set the overall tone. What an accomplishment! What a battle to have won.

And, contrary to my initial thoughts, I know a few more people who have (had) breast cancer. Tanya, Marilyn, Heather, Sheila and Ziona, our 8km walk was for you!

Thank you to everyone who sent me words of encouragement and support. They meant so much to me. My fundraising page is still active so if you are able to, please make a donation so that we can make significant change together - both to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and society in general. Visit http://sponsor.eventarc.com/sponsor/view/1987/judith-cantor today.

Blessings.

A mum and her girls

Every year I'm reminded of how many women are affected by breast cancer. How many people know people who have survived it, have it, or have died from it.

I'm incredibly lucky that only a handful of people I know have had to fight it. Thankfully two of them - my aunt in South Africa and my hairdresser of 12 years (and therefore long-lasting friend) - are doing really well. One in remission and one currently undergoing chemotherapy but standing strong.

But it could have gone the other way. Quite easily.

Can you imagine if we found a cure?
That's why I take part in the Mother's Day Classic. In hope.

This year, for the first time, I'll be walking the 8km track with my mum and sister! I'm excited. I'm even thinking I may be able to coerce my nieces into foregoing their teenage ways and getting up early to join us!

Please support me in doing the hard yards on Sunday? They're absolutely nothing compared to what someone with breast cancer has to go through, I know but every dollar helps the National Breast Cancer Foundation, truly.

Visit http://sponsor.eventarc.com/sponsor/view/1987/judith-cantor to make your donation.

Thank you!

Love is definitely in the air

Valentine's Day is, I feel, a day of gratitude. A day to take stock of the love around us - whether it be past, present or future; based on Eros, Philial, Caritas or Agape - and take it in.

Last Friday I took part in a Facebook initiative called Write Love on Her Arms Day - a day of love and support for people with eating disorders who have depression, self-harm or are suicidal. I was amazed at how the simple act of writing the word 'Love' on my arm gave me a sense of strength, empowerment, humility and compassion. I was honoured to explain its meaning to my friends when they admired my bravery in getting a tattoo.

What are you going to do to show your love?

On Saturday I'll be taking part in the Little Black Dress Run in Centennial Park - a rather silly event with a serious raison d'etre: supporting children living with HIV Aids.

Why not show them some love in appreciation of the love you receive unconditionally? Pay it forward.

If you can, visit www.gofundraise.com.au/Cantorj and make a donation. Your gift of love will enable the Positive Kids team (a program at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick) to help the children recognise the love in their lives and thrive.

Wishing you a beautiful day filled with love whichever way you choose to spend it.

Blessings.

LBD invasion at Centennial Park

Last month I spent a day in silence in support of the White Ribbon Foundation and the work they do promoting anti-violence against women. This month I will be taking part in something a little more frivolous yet no less important. 

On 20 February I will don my own LBD and join hundreds of similarly clad men and women as they walk, run or shuffle (for those who choose to wear their heels) the 4km circuit to raise funds for Positive Kids' Camp Goodtime (an initiative of Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick).

Camp Goodtime has been running since 1990 and, according to the Hospital's site, "facilitate[s] communication between and within families living with HIV, reduce[s] the isolation experienced by the families, provide[s] a recreational and therapeutic environment where children and parents can share experiences with others in similar circumstances, and provide[s] a venue where information about the medical, social and other aspects of HIV can be shared and where new ways of coping with the virus can be learned."

If you can (and can't we all to some extent?), please make your donation via www.gofundraise.com.au/... and give both the children living with HIV Aids and their families much-needed support.

And yes, I'll have my camera with me!

Happy Mardi Gras :)

Happy as a...

pig in mud! Yup, on Saturday a week I'll be taking part in Sydney's inaugural Mud Run up at Glenworth Valley - and I've decided to raise much-needed money for RSPCA NSW.

Every year, especially at this time of year, people abandon their pets without a second thought. Often unwanted Christmas gifts, or animals that have grown up and have lost their "cute" factor. Those that are lucky land up at one of RSPCA's shelters and are re-homed.

But this can't continue without the help of the community. RSPCA NSW receives very little government funding for what is a huge undertaking.

Not only do they have shelters and vet services across the state to take care of stray animals (45,462 in 2007-8), they play an enormous role in the prevention of cruelty to animals. During that time they investigated 13,649 complaints and brought 835 charges against 129 defendants.

They even go as far as to assist women, children and pets escape domestic violence through their Safe Beds for Pets program. Now that's dedication!

Please support me as I scale obstacles and wade through 20m of mud as part of my 6km cross-country adventure. Donate today to www.everydayhero.com.au/judith_cantor_6 and be heartened by the thought of lots of wagging tails. Thank you.

And for those of you who are perhaps a little adventurous, maybe even a bit silly, why not join me? Registrations are still open for the Mud Run. No doubt it'll be a hoot!

Closure

I was recently invited to attend the graduation of some 20 or 30 teenage girls at risk who had been through Life Changing Experiences Foundations' SISTER2sister program. This was the charity I chose to support in August when I participated in City2Surf.

It was one of the most moving experiences I've had in a long time! If only I'd known to take tissues with me.

Each girl had to take to the podium and give a speech about her year in the program and the changes it had enabled her to make. Not only have some of the estranged girls reconciled with their families, but one of them who was a habitual truant and drug user is now in the top tier of her English class at school and has decided to study to be a psychologist. Talk about life changing!

Congratulations to Jess, her team and all the big sisters for making such a difference to all these little sisters, and the face of the future of Australia.

Another not-for-profit event close to my heart that came to a close recently was Sculpture by the Sea. Every year I marvel at the artists' creativity and, even after five years of volunteering, it's an exhibition I really look forward to. The combination of free art, the exquisite landscape and community is unbeatable!

I went along at dawn on the last day to take some photos. Here are a few of my favourites.