Increasing Breast Cancer Awareness in Home
by Jin Lovelace, HSM team writer
In early 2010, I met a pretty good friend at a local coffee shop who intrigued me with her style in art and fashion. Single with no kids, she was a bubbly woman for being in her mid-thirties. After the initial introductions, we’d meet a few times over a plate or two at Applebee’s with friends; the usual hanging out and whatnot amongst good people.
I couldn’t ask for a better friend, aside from what I have now. She’s as loyal as they come and was willing to help at a drop of the dime; I would wake up to my cell phone buzzing from maybe three or four text messages, with inquiries on my health and assurance of my well-being. To some, it can be annoying, but I always asked myself, “Aside from my family, who else would check up on me like this?”
Even so, I just thanked the heavens that at least I was blessed with someone who did care about my being. She was the one that, when no one else could understand me, she did. She wasn’t a gamer as much as I was; she’d dabble here and there on the Wii console, or even a few rounds of Pac-Man on the PSN, but she was aware of my hobbies on PlayStation Home, of which she had a slight fondness of the virtual world.
However, I would soon learn that very same virtual world would be my muse to express my distress on the events that arose.
After May of 2010, I hadn’t heard much from her. I didn’t really worry about it much at first; I truly just scoffed it off as though she were too busy to hang or just chat over the phone. A month later, I spoke to her brother, and sure enough, he hadn’t heard from her as well. Skeptic as I was, I tried to call several times just to see if she was okay. By the fifth attempt, I seemed to overlook my text messages that I’d unknowingly received (I would normally have my notice off, due to my distaste for the ringtone and the lack of options the phone possesses), and lo and behold, I learned she was in Miami, telling me that she would be back by September.
What a relief, right? I just laughed it off and sent her a note saying, “Okay, love you hun” and went on my merry way.
So by the end of September, I couldn’t wait to see the silly goof again. I mean, after all, she’s one heck of a tart to hang around. A friend of mine and I were out and about for a quick lunch, when I was unaware that my ringer was, once again, set to silent. So when I approached the cashier to pay for my meal, my curiosity was piqued; I reached for my phone to check for any missed calls or texts.
I only received one missed call that day; it was her, sure enough. In a voice message she left, however, was her letting me know that she wasn’t coming back home. I texted her to inquire on why.
Her response was, “I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.”
To be honest, I’ve never known anyone with this cancer, so I honestly didn’t know how to react. I couldn’t respond right away because I was in a blank state; I wasn’t aware of what to say to her because I felt horrible on missing her call in the first place. That one time where I felt it mattered the most to turn on my ringer – and ignore my distaste for the tone – and I blew it. My cell phone ran on minutes, but I disregarded it and made myself sit down and talk to her for the rest of the day, as my heart went out to her.
The month of October just wasn’t very pleasant for me. Even though I was assured that the apologies weren’t too necessary, I still couldn’t help but feel bad. She told me during our conversation, “Don’t worry; no matter what, always be happy.” And that’s what been sticking into my memory banks to this day. However, I didn’t wish to speak on this situation to anyone else; it was just between two good friends after all. But that feeling, to be honest, I just couldn’t shake it – not at all.
Normally, when the average person feels a bit low, they throw themselves into self-indulgent activities they find solace in, be it food, sewing, working out, or shopping. It’s much the same for me (particularly when it comes to shopping), but on PlayStation Home. I had some money left over on my PSN wallet, but I didn’t know what to spend it on; the aesthetics on the current items at that time just didn’t appeal to me. After nearly two hours just hanging in the Mall, running from store to store, I went back to Threads — and there was a Save the Ta-Ta’s tab you could access.
I’ll admit to it: I’ve never really contributed to a charity before. It wasn’t out of selfishness or negative thoughts about them; I just never have. But upon clicking that tab to access the Ta-Ta’s merchandise, I went ahead and — without thought — purchased the entire bundle, with the knowledge that the proceeds would go to research and studies to find a cure for breast cancer. Obtaining the items, I went on to don the Ta-Ta’s hoodie for the remainder of the month, thinking to myself, “Wow! I just donated to a good cause.”
To many this may seem weird; but, for me, it was a jovial feeling, knowing I did something for many who are suffering the same fate as my friend.
As a result of my experience, I went on to host a virtual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk Event, where the attendees would walk around Central Plaza to raise awareness of the cancer. Attendance numbers didn’t matter; the thought of at least one or two joining me in the walk was more than enough. But I didn’t count on over thirty — or even over forty — to attend. It was my first event I’ve ever organized and hosted (along with Home user “Central_Plaza”), and it was a very memorable experience for me. It’s something that I’ll never forget, along with the many friends I’ve met.
For the past two years now, since my time on Home, I’ve hosted this event to help raise awareness and to show support; but this year, I’m doing something vastly different. It is something I’ve yet never attempted, but I hope that everyone will have an open heart on this.
On October 20th, at 8pm EST, I will host my 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event in a form of “Think Pink!”, to which everyone just comes dressed in fashionable pink items found in various stores on Home, ranging from Lockwood (with free clothing items they’ve released in store and in the Gift Machine), and Heavy Water’s newest release of their Bombshell clothing, to oldies but goodies like LittleBigPlanet clothing (for female) in Threads. Bottom line: just wear pink items and meet me (along with my Twilight Touch group) in Pier Park for socializing, music, and to have fun.
“Upping the level,” so to speak, of breast cancer awareness is now predicated on the developers of PlayStation Home. Imagine if the items we purchase from the respective stores that sell pink items (clothing and/or furniture), regardless of developer, resulted in a donation of at least ten cents out of every dollar to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization? This would be something of an intriguing experience for the developers to try, and likely help to up the level of awareness on this issue. Personally, I believe something like this shouldn’t last only for one month; but if this is the only month that awareness should be voiced, why not do this in PlayStation Home?
This isn’t something just for the developers; it’s also for the users. There are several great items in Home that can be purchased for fashionable or decorative use, so why not share an open mind to purchase and show support? I believe that LOOT was really onto something when they released their breast-cancer-themed items in Home, and I believe many consumers have shown their interest to see more of this sort of outreach. Lockwood even made some of their pink items free to the Home community. This is all great, and thus it must be asked: what if we can just increase this level even one more notch, consumer and developer alike?
If you’d like to attend the Twilight Touch “Think Pink!” event in Home, the details can be found here. And, likewise, if you’d like more information on the Susan G. Komen For the Cure charity, click here. Every little thing that we do towards a larger goal helps us to one day achieve it — and this is a very worthy goal for us to strive towards together.
October 20th, 2012 by Jin Lovelace | 2 comments
Jin Lovelace is a machinimist and team writer for HomeStation Magazine, as well as the founder of Twilight Touch Inc. -- http://twilighttouchinc.com and http://youtube.com/twilighttouchinc. When not found in PlayStation Home, Jin studies graphic design and illustration (character design and fashion), gaming, and the culinary arts.
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Wow, I can’t believe there are no responses to this article.
Well, I think it is great that PlayStation Home has taken the time to bring awareness to Breast Cancer (as well as any type of cancer). What a great idea to bring awareness in Home with Think Pink Month.
As some of you may know, I am a 7 year Breast Cancer survivor. I was fortunate… to have caught it early. I only had a lumpectomy and it had not spread to my lymphnodes, but I still did the chemo and rads.
Early dectection is so very important! I had no family history at all. Out of the blue, it came…BAM..at 40!
So women and men (yes men are diagnosed too), remember to know your bodies and know that early detection is preventive. If caught early enough, you don’t have to do treatment.
Thank you PlayStation Home for bringing awareness to this issue.
Oh wow!! It is such a blessing to meet a survivor of seven years!
Very riveting response madam and I sincerely can’t express how much I thank you for sharing your comment. ^_^