sirhc DeSantis: "My Friend Stopped Running Today"

Lucien Maven, in first life a.k.a. Jeffrey Miller

When I came home from work and opened my email, at the very top there was a group notice sent out by my Sergeant in Arms and friend sirhc DeSantis McMillan titled "My friend stopped running today".

The sad title of sirhc's message was explained in another group message sent out just a few minutes earlier by his spouse Mrs. Vampi Twine McMillan McMillan (honorary) where she informed us that they had received the bad news that Lucien Maven had lost his battle against cancer and passed away today.

Lucien was a wonderful, warm, sweet and kindhearted man and a stunning DJ. He will truly be missed. I was very sorry to hear of his passing.

My warm condolences to his families and close friends in both his first and Second Life. 

Your battles are now over, dearest Lucien, rest in peace with the universe. We will remember you and celebrate you.

---
P.S. Later today I learned that sirhc was quoting from the British author Richard Adams' novel "Watership Down" (1972), where the character Hazel says, "My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today."

It's A Good News Day

Today a dear friend got the wonderful news that he is a survivor of the scary Big C. I'm sure it is been a terrible and awful time living with the sword of Damocles hanging threateningly over his life. But it's time to leave that behind and rejoice, rejoice and rejoice!

Oh what a glorious and joyous day! Happy, happy day!

Last Days of Two Worthy Events

There are two benefits that have been running in SecondLife during the month of May 2016 that are coming close to their end.

The first event is the Visions of Hope, presented by Hope Haven Heroes, which is a benefit for Relay for Life of SL, and is a silent auction of photographs and sculptures donated by many of the best known artists in SecondLife. 

The event will come to a close on May 30th. 

Go there to donate and/or get your final bids in for the chance to win a work of art. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

Take me to the exhibition Visions of Hope (SLurl).

The second event is the "Benefit for Bri", presented by The Starlight Ballroom, which is a benefit to help a young woman to fulfill her dream of one day becoming a teacher. 

To help raise funds several well known and reputable content creators have donated items for sale (some with discount prices) where 100% of the price goes to the fund to support the young womans dream. 

This event closes on May 31st, so you need to get there soon to get to donate and/or buy some of the good stuff.

Take me to The Starlight Ballroom (SLurl).

Visions of Hope 2016

Randy Firebrand and Ricco Saenz are inviting us to "Visions of Hope", the 2nd annual art exhibition and silent auction raises awareness for cancer survivors, caregivers support groups and "Hope Haven Heroes", the RFL team representing them.

The opening party, hosted by Cᴜᴘʀɪᴄ Rᴏᴜᴛᴇʀ, is April 30 at 4 p.m. (SLT) and the exhibition runs through May 30. All proceeds to the American Cancer Society.

Take me to the exhibition Visions of Hope.

For Blanche and the Swedish Cancer Fund

"Blanche" courtesy of Blanche Argus

Yesterday parts of the Swedish community in SecondLife came together to celebrate our dear friend +Blanche Argus, who for a very long time was a part of the core if the Swedish community, as a creator of many cultural events and also as well-known blogger with her blog Blanche's Arena.

Some months ago Blanche revealed to us all that she had been struck by cancer in her right eye and that, as she only has loco-motor vision on her left eye, this meant that she was virtually blind and could no longer enjoy +Second Life.

Yesterday there was an event to celebrate Blanche and what she had meant for us all and at the same time a fundraiser for the Swedish Cancer Fund (+Cancerfonden).

Blanche was with us through Skype and everything that was said in local was read to her by her first life sister, Second Renoir, or by Rultan Zeppelin, one of the event organizers. 

Blanche spoke to all of us at length and told us about how she was presently doing and how much she missed SecondLife and the lovely people in it. Her love was duly returned and shared copiously, in a more substantial way, with the Swedish Cancer Fund. Everyone donated generously!

Bosom buddy Apmel Goosson, one of Blanche's closest friends

Kandinsky Beaumont

For more about this event please visit

My Avatar's Name is Apmel: Blanka's Friday and My View of Second Life (Rultan Zeppelin's blog).

#feelingnuts

I was challenged by my friend +Kahvy Sands to take part in the #feelingnuts campaign. So this is my response to his challenge.

The challenge gave me the opportunity to learn how to make poses and a bit more about simple photography (no Photoshop involved, thank you very much). My teacher was my amazingly talented, wonderful, patient (mostly), lovely, beautiful, handsome, sweet and ever so charming husband Tomais.

I am passing the buck on and am now challenging +Tomais Ashdene  and my co-bloggers Apmel Goosson (+Lennart Nilsson)  and +Eddi Haskell.

Join our movement, share #feelingnuts on Twitter and get everyone checking their love grenades

Read more about this campaign here CheckingOneTwo.

Don’t let testicular cancer take your crown jewels. Check yours today, tell us how you do it and share that you're #feelingnuts!

It´s Shadoween, Men!

Tonight's the night to bring out your razors or shavers to remove all your facial hair and make your face as smooth as a baby's ass in preparation for taking part in Movember.

The Movember movement has the ambition to contribute to improving the lives of men around the world.

To achieve this, men grow mustaches during Movember (the month formerly known as November) to spark conversation and raise funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems. 

We see success as moving the dial on progress towards:

• Reduced mortality from prostate, testicular cancer and men’s suicide 
• Men living with prostate or testicular cancer being physically and mentally well
• Men and boys understanding how to be mentally healthy and taking action when they experience mental health problems
• Men and boys with mental health problems not being discriminated against

Man, Know Thy Balls

During May 2011 there is a campaign in Sweden to raise awareness among men about testicular and prostate cancer.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men. The vast majority of patients are cured. The earlier the disease is detected, the better. 

It's good for men themselves to regularly examine their testicles so that any changes are detected quickly.

Testicular Self-exam

Decide on a fixed date each month that you feel through the testes. Take the opportunity when you stand in the shower or a bath. Hot water will relax the skin of the scrotum and make it soft and easier to investigate. 

• Support the scrotum and testicles in the palm of your hand, to feel their weight. One testicle may be slightly larger than the other, but they should be about the same weight.
• Hold a testicle between the thumb and fingers, with your thumb on top and first and second fingers underneath. Roll the testicle gently, feeling for any hard lumps. A normal testicle is oval in shape; it feels firm but not hard and is smooth with no lumps.
• Feel the epididymis, a sausage-shaped lump at the top and back of each testicle. It will feel soft and perhaps slightly tender.
• Feel the spermatic cords which lead upwards from the epididymis and behind the testicles. They are firm, smooth tubes.
• Do the same with the other testicle. 

The symptoms of testicular cancer include:

• a painless lump or swelling in a testicle
• pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
• any enlargement of a testicle or change in the way it feels
• a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
• a dull ache in the lower abdomen, back, or groin 
• a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum.

Prostate Self-Exam

It's easy for a man to feel his own prostate gland. It's a walnut-sized organ at the base of the bladder. It can be felt with the tip of a finger inserted into the rectum. Its texture and firmness should be similar to that of the flesh between your thumb and the rest of the hand when you make a tight fist. If you feel anything that is as firm as the knuckle, then that needs to be brought to a physician's attention. 

Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer. Many times, signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up. 

Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual function that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. These symptoms include:

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Painful or burning urination
• Difficulty in having an erection
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

You should consult with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms above.Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, such as BPH or prostatitis, men will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause.