A call to action for Ovarian Cancer Awareness month. Lets make it personal, enjoy a cup of java, snap a photo and see if WE can do this!!! Look out Starbucks here we come and we need YOU!
GOAL: To INSPIRE Starbucks to turn their straws, aprons and general colors to TEAL during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month for September 2015. Lets empower ourselves with a social media campaign during the month of September 2014 to make this happen, to make a difference.
This idea of "Turn Starbucks Teal" was inspired by my dear friend Kia Riddick-Taylor. Kia's story is hers to bravely share - so stay-tuned for more from Kia who is a kick-butt survivor of this terrifying disease.
On March 30th, 2014 Kia walked into a Starbucks near her home in Central Florida. Like any other busy busy day in the spirited life of Kia, she ordered an icy yummy beverage and when asked for her name at the register she suddenly gave the name of one of her unborn children. It just rolled off her tongue. It just happened. Whoa. Names being misspelled or misunderstood at Starbucks have been a source of humor on social media with everyone posting/sharing photos on their various sites with a giggle. For Kia this moment with a sharpie on a cup was much deeper - it took her breath away. She posted a photo of this and shared her story (photo and post above).
Quoted from Kia's Instagram: "Ovarian Cancer robbed me of my chance to name my own child. So I've decided that I will use a name from the list of baby names I never got to use - everytime I go to #starbucks. #hopeforacure #ovariancancer #ovariancancerawareness #tealzthenewblackWhen"
I saw this on Kia's Instagram (@tealribbon) and private Facebook. I was moved to tears...sobbing and all, I dialed her number and told her I had an idea. So...here we are friends of social media...WE have the power to #TurnStarbucksTeal!
During the month of September have a little prideful smirk at the register when asked for your name at Starbucks. Have hope in saying any name BUT YOURS! Share the name of someone special in your life who was affected by the disease in someway or even more profoundly please give the name of an unborn child. Heck, give the name of your secret crush! As long as we get the message out there. Please share/post these photos on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Vine (video), Youtube and use the HashTags #TurnStarbucksTeal #OvarianCancer and TAG starbucks
We all know what a Pink or Red Ribbon represents. The world is a better place due to the success of these ribbons. The Teal Ribbon which represents Ovarian Cancer Awareness is lesser known - it not only saves your Mom, Sister, Self, Friend, Wife & Daughter - but a cure, screening or knowledge of this disease will bring children into the hearts of those who are so deserving of being parents. Ovarian Cancer, also known as the "Silent Killer", is one of the most deadly cancers for women - often without symptoms and not caught until it is in stage 3! The treatment is usually not only chemotherapy but a hysterectomy which robs many women of having children.
Kia and I will personally be tracking these photos, videos, & posts with these hashtags to compile a hopefully HUGE flipbook to present to Starbucks to inspire awareness, donations and screenings. To ask the mighty SB to support this cause in the same way the NFL awesomely supports Breast Cancer Awareness.
The key to ovarian cancer survival is to catch it before it catches you! Just like ALS, no one talks about this disease, no one wants to. Let's start the conversation through photos, with pride and love in our hearts for those impacted by this disease. We'll be watching. We're thankful, hopeful and proud of you.
To learn more or to donate - please visit these sites & organizations:
Women's and Girl's Cancer Alliance
http://www.wgcancer.org
OR
http://www.ovariancancer.org/
http://www.ovarian.org/
FOLLOW US AND RT!
Kia = Instagram: @tealribbon
Kia = Twitter @TealzTheNewBlk
Leslie = Twitter & Instagram: @LeslieZCast