A celebration of being #FabOver40 is happening and you are cordially invited! Please rock the vote for this butterfly!

Fab over 40 is partnering with New Beauty Magazine to celebrate women over 40 around the globe! And you are definitely cordially invited to join in the fun!

At Fab Over 40 they believe that hitting 40 years of age is just the beginning. No matter if you're feisty, fit, flirty or somewhere in between, it is time to flaunt it!

Women from all over the world are invited to compete for an amazing prize while supporting an amazing cause. Beauty and Elegance have no age limit butterflies!

The Prize: One lovely lady will receive a 2-page spread in NewBeauty magazine, $40,000 cash and the spa-cation of a lifetime for her plus one!

As many of you know this year my mom, lovingly known as 'Mama Butterfly' on this site, has been battling heart issues. The day after my birthday she was admitted to the ER in acute heart failure. This year our lives have been much like a TV medical drama.. 

And with a host of my own 'invisible illnesses' - including: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sciatica, Fibromyalgia, a pinched nerve in my neck which causes alternating numbness and sharp tingles in my hands/fingers (making it challenging to motivate myself to write to say the least), I have learned to rely heavily on my online communities to find support and get great tips and advice.

When I read about this contest, I hesitated about applying. This year has been beyond challenging and I thought to myself at first 'What shot would I have?' I haven't had much time to write this year and have spent more time offline than on, I figured people surely have forgotten all about me by now. The interwebs have always been fickle and most people are only interested in the next hot thing.

Then I remembered that despite these challenges, I pursued post graduate studies at eCornell, was accepted into NASDAQ'S Milestone Circles program this fall and I haven't let anything hold me back ever, so then I thought 'Why NOT apply?' - getting lost in the landmines that is adulting doesn't mean you aren't still a kick a$$ butterfly with a ton of wisdom to share. So I *DID THE THING* and answered the questions, found a photo of me that makes me feel powerful and hit submit and here we are!

My Take:

You guys already know that all Cancer causes are near and dear to my heart (same for my two time Cancer Warrior, Mama Butterfly!) so when I found out that this contest also supports National Breast Cancer Foundation it was literally a no brainer for me. Today is actually Mama Butterfly's birthday. If you donate to National Breast Cancer Foundation already and haven't yet done so for this year, please consider making your donation HERE - if you make it through my voting link, not only are you supporting the cause but I get extra entries. A beautiful win/win! 

Remember, you do not have to donate, you can vote on that same page and just press *FREE DAILY VOTE* to vote for me. You will NOT get any spam and it takes less than one second!

Readers Sound Off: I would love for you all to share what milestone birthday you most and least looked forward to and why?

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FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received. I am an entrant in the Vote Fab Over 40 contest. This post was NOT required, nor do I get any extra credit for posting it! All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. 

If you like this article treat me to a coffee, a caffeinated writer is a happy writer! 

paypal.me/TracyIglesias or https://cash.app/$ascendingbutterfly or Venmo: Ascending1

Teaming up with @PGeveryday & @SheSpeaksUp to raise awareness & bring you a great #Giveaway too! #PGBestDefense

{CLOSED}: WINNER IS ENTRY #644 - COURTNEY RENEE, CONGRATULATIONS!

ad: This is a Sponsored Post & Giveaway brought to you in conjunction with SheSpeaks and P&G

I am honored to team up with P&G and SheSpeaks again this year for a very important cause, Breast Cancer Awareness. Last year I participated in the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action where I participated in a blogger round-table with Breast Cancer Survivor and host of E! News Giuliana Rancic, if you missed my recap to that event click HERE. That day inspired me so much that after a visit to my primary (I changed my Primary Doctor shortly after my long term hospitalizations in 2012), where I shared my Family History with Cancer, he opted to have me begin annual Mammograms earlier than I needed to, and I shared about my very first ever Mammogram HERE.

I am so proud of P&G for being consistently involved in such an important cause that directly affects so many lives. I would say too many lives. In fact One in EVERY Eight women will get Breast Cancer in her lifetime. The death rate in fact is actually HIGHER among Latina and African American women. Every hour and a half a Latina woman dies of Breast Cancer in the United States! As a Latina I find this statistic beyond alarming and if I can help in some small way to give another woman the courage to do her self exams MONTHLY, and talk to her Primary Care Physician about getting her Mammogram than I am more than happy to do so.

This year, the P&G Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) to educate everyone about the importance of early detection. Throughout the month of October you can visit the P&G Breast Cancer Awareness Website to hear P&G employees' who share inspiring stories about moments made possible in their lives due to early detection and also download the NBCF's Early Detection Plan App!

According to the National Cancer Institute, Early Detection is the BEST defense against Breast Cancer. The earlier it is detected, the higher the survival rate. When detected during the localized, (or early) stage, the five year survival rate is 98%!  An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure my butterflies!

I am actually due for my annual Mammogram very soon, and want to encourage my butterflies that if you have been putting it off, please don't. Schedule your appointment as soon as possible! Breast Cancer, doesn't care how young you are, how healthy and athletic you may be, and it doesn't care that you have no history of it in your family, early detection is the key to saving lives.

P&G goes 'Pink' in October and we partnering with SheSpeaks and P&G to bring you a chance to win some of their most loved products and brands in a 'Pinktober Giveaway'  full of goodies to remind you about the importance of pink!

Enter using Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Double Your Chances to Win and Join the TWITTER PARTY!

**Please Note: Ascending Butterfly is NOT a host or co-host for this party so please direct any and all questions to the host**

Join @PGeveryday and special guest @CoreyWootton for a special Twitter Party about the importance of creating an early detection plan and rallying the women in your life to do the same! (You might want to be sure you are following the hosts before the day of the party, this way if you win the hosts can DM you to get your info for prize fulfillment! and don't forget to RSVP and actively use the hashtag during the party!)

When: Thursday, October 22

Time: 3 p.m. EST

RSVP: http://bit.ly/PGbcaRSVP

Hashtag: #PGBestDefense

My Take:

Cancer has affected my family and I know first hand how devastating it is. Early detection is key for every cancer type not just breast cancer, so please butterflies do your monthly self-exam, and if you have a history of Cancer in your family speak to your primary about referring you for a Mammogram, you do NOT have to wait until age 40 if you have a history in your family or you detect a lump! Playing it safe is the best way to ensure you'll be able to keep playing at all!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored/compensated post and giveaway in conjunction with SheSpeaks and P&G Everyday. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. All opinions are 100% my own and I can't begin to stress just how important early detection is in saving lives. Ascending Butterfly staff are NOT medical experts nor do we make claims to be, always check with your Physician FIRST!

P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action #GIVEHope

P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action Poster

P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action Poster and P&G Products Table

 I did it for 'The Girls', Will YOU?

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, center, Janelle Hail, left, chief executive officer and founder National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Right, Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee, kick off the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action, by rallying women to perform a breast self-exam and create an early detection plan, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 in New York. Photo/P&G, Susan Goldman

As I mentioned in my Weekly Moment of Gratitude post yesterday I recently got the chance to participate in one of my most special Twitter Parties yet. I have co-hosted and hosted many twitter parties, but this was my first time participating in a live twitter party with a Celebrity Host! As part of the P&G GIVE Hope "Do It For the Girls!" Day of Action, I attended a blogger roundtable with Giuliana Rancic, new mom, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, Janelle Hail, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of the NationalBreast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee, who openly discussed their Cancer experiences and treatments as well as the importance of a Breast Self Exam.

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, center, Janelle Hail, left, chief executive officer and founder National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Right, Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection. Do NOT just rely on your annual doctor appointment, do your self exams MONTHLY, many survivors detected the lump themselves during their monthly self exam! And some found their lump just after meeting with their doctor who did NOT detect it.

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, center, Janelle Hail, left, chief executive officer and founder National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Right, Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee  Photo/P&G, Susan Goldman

One of the things that was discussed during the Q&A was just how differently everyone reacts to the news. There is no right or wrong reaction, there is no right or wrong way to deal with the news. One of the things discussed was whether it's a friend or family member, don't just ask 'What can I do?' - Just do it. Bring over food, magazines, arrange for a house-cleaning service to visit that person, arrange for an in home spa day for the person. Don't let that person just stay in the house, makes sure they get out! And don't under-estimate the power of just listening!

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, center, Janelle Hail, left, chief executive officer and founder National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., and Right, Allison Maxwell, breast cancer survivor and P&G employee

And speaking from my own experience from my Medical Nightmare this year, if a friend or family member is hospitalized, please VISIT them in person. Unfortunately the reality of most hospitals is that the person with the most visitors gets the best treatment because the staff knows someone is always watching. The person with very few visitors is often-times cared for way less. It's a very sad reality, but indeed true! (and I always say treat others the way you'd want to be treated. If it were YOU, would you be OK if your loved ones didn't bother checking on you during a hospital stay?)

After the Roundtable - The Twitter Party!

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, particiaptes in a twitter party and kicks off the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action, by rallying women to perform a breast self exam and create an early detection plan, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 in New York. Photo/P&G, Susan Goldman

What's a Twitter Party without 'The Official #TwitterPartyDJ' right? I was live tweeting from the "Kardashian Suite" at the Gansevoort Park Avenue (@HotelGansevoort) where the roundtable took place along with Celeb Guest Tweeter, @GiulianaRancic, Main Hosts  @SheSpeaksUp, @NBCF and sponsor @PGmyGIVE.

I was tweeting great quotes and pictures from the Roundtable, here are a few pictures from my camera that I couldn't live tweet:

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, particiaptes in a twitter party and kicks off the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action, by rallying women to perform a breast self-exam and create an early detection plan, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 in New York. Photo/P&G, Susan Goldman

Giuliana Rancic, E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor, particiaptes in a twitter party and kicks off the P&G GIVE Hope Do It For the Girls Day of Action, by rallying women to perform a breast self-exam and create an early detection plan, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 at the Hotel Gansevoort in New York City.

@GiulianaRancic (Left) tweeting during the #GIVEHope Twitter Party!

How YOU Can Get Involved:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Please perform a regular breast self-exam. For more information, visit earlydetectionplan.org and click here to find out how to perform a breast self-exam.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You can save money while giving back by redeeming coupons in the P&G brandSAVER® found in your local newspaper. For every September 30 coupon redeemed, a 2¢ donation will be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and for every October 14 coupon redeemed, a 1¢ donation will be made.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A $1 donation will be made to the National Breast Cancer Foundation for every hand image created on the PGmyGIVE Facebook app.

MY Take:

Breast Self Exams are CRUCIAL. Please perform them monthly without fail, some people find it easy to remember to do in the shower, some prefer lying down in bed, whichever method works best for you use it! Remember, Breast Cancer does not discriminate, and being young doesn't prevent you from being afflicted, so if you have a history of breast cancer on either side of your family, discuss a game plan with your doctor about mammograms, if there is a history in your family, you are NOT too young to get a mammogram!

Here are some shots of me:

Ascending Butterfly wearing an Adrianna Papell Dress (oddly enough I won this dress from an E! News  Fashion Contest and I wore it for the first time to interview E! News own Giuliana Rancic!)  Boots 'Dinka' by Naturalizer

Ascending Butterfly in the Kardashian Suite at the Gansevoort Hotel for the #GIVEHope Twitter Party, I am wearing  a dress by Adrianna Papell, the jewelry is my own, the Boots are 'Dinka' by Naturalizer

Below is a shot of all the bloggers included in the Roundtable with Giuliana Rancic!

Second from Left ME! @Ascending1, then it's @barrettboys, @MomMostTraveled, @SweetiesSweeps,  Center: @GiulianaRancic, Far Right: Allison Maxwell (in pink dress) she is a P&G Employee and Breast Cancer Survivor!

Have you done your Self Exam this month? Have you battled Breast Cancer? Has someone in your family battled it? Feel free to share your experiences with us!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, no monetary compensation has been received. I was a VIP Guest of SheSpeaksUp and was the provided the opporunity to participate in a special roundtable, questions and answers session, light lunch, and twitter party. All Opinions are 100% my own. I do feel Breast Health Awareness and Self-Exams are critical!