Think Pink this month and join millions of survivors, family members, and friends to help stop this horrible disease known as breast cancer. Let’s work together to help put an end to breast cancer before it claims another life.

Small ways to play a big part in ending breast cancer

1. Volunteer. Even if it’s a few minutes or hours your time spent will inspire those around you. I.e. Atlanta’s 2 day walk for breast cancer; volunteering at local hospitals; volunteering at The Komen Atlanta branch
2. Wear a pink ribbon to help promote awareness.
3. Donate. Even just a few dollars will add up if we all contribute together.
4. Always lend your support and love. Your thoughts of encouragement will make all the difference and play a role in helping a loved one win the battle against breast cancer.

To Donate please click here

Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to help.

-Your Insurance Family, “ChandCare Health Solutions”

The following information has been provided by Melissa Conder at

Email: melissac100@gmail.com

The Solo 401k is a Profit Sharing/401(k) plan designed for the sole proprietor, independent contractor, or business owner with no employees (other than family members). This plan allows such businesses the opportunity to maximize tax-deductible retirement contributions, without giving up access to or control of their assets.

• Permit pre-tax salary deferral contributions.
• Permit discretionary profit sharing contributions.
• No IRS Anti-Discrimination Testing.
• All accounts are 100% immediately vested.
• Tax-Free loans are available (up to 50% of account value, up to maximum of $50,000)
• Distributions are governed by the plan document and may be restricted.¹

• Sole Proprietors
• Independent Contractors
• Any small business with all related employees (i.e., only family members)
• Any partnership with no W2 employees (i.e., owners only)
• Family offices²

• Defer up to $16,500 ($22,000, if age 50+), through payroll deductions.
• Elective employer contributions, up to 25% of profit (max $49,000/year).
• Maximum eligible compensation: $245,000.³

[Note: Deferrals and employer contributions cannot exceed the lessor of 100% of each employee’s compensation or $49,000 per employee. Catch-up deferrals are not considered in this limit. ]

• Online account set-up and self service account management.
• Toll-free voice response account access, with transactional capability.
• Toll-free administrator assistance and help desk.
• No-Load/Load-waived access to top performing mutual funds (from more than 50 families).
• Online retirement planning software, from Newkirk’s MasteryPoint^TM Financial Technologies.
• Online investment information, from Morningstar^TM.

• One-Time Establishment Fee of $100.00⁴
• Annual Administration Fee of $250.00⁴
• Annual Asset-Based Fee (varies).  Consult your financial professional for more information.
• Optional Advisory Fee for your financial professional

² A governmental entity may not establish a 401(k) arrangement.

³ Subject to cost of living adjustments.

⁴ The Solo 401k is not designed for businesses with employees due to the additional testing and administrative requirements, mandated under Federal Law. Annual Administration Fees will be higher for a standard 401k plan, and additional fees may apply.
This information is not intended to be tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for complete information and its application to your particular situation. Unless specifically stated otherwise, any tax information presented is based upon federal income tax law. State and local income tax laws may differ from federal income tax laws. Some states may not have conformed state income tax laws to the federal changes enacted by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.

 Background

Globally, almost one in ten people is a person living with a disability and recent studies indicate that persons with disabilities constitute up to 20 per cent of the population living in poverty in developing countries. Many persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to their participation in their communities and are often forced to live on the margins of society.  They often face stigma and discrimination and are routinely denied basic rights such as food, education, employment, access to health and reproductive health services.  Many persons with disabilities are also forced into institutions, a direct breach of the rights to freedom of movement and to live in their communities.

The United Nations has a long history of promoting the rights and well-being of all people, including persons with disabilities. The Organization has worked to ensure their full and effective participation in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres on an equal basis with others in order to achieve a society for all. The Organization’s commitment to the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities is deeply rooted in a quest for social justice and equity in all aspects of societal development.  The World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities translated the Organization’s commitment into an international policy framework, which has been further strengthened by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an international legal instrument, to empower persons with disabilities to better their lives and that of their communities around the world.

 MDGs and persons with disabilities

The United Nations and the global community continue to work for the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. Although many commitments have been made to include disability and persons with disabilities in development, the gap between policy and practice continues. 

Ensuring that persons with disabilities are integrated into all development activities is essential in order to achieve internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  The MDGs can only be achieved if persons with disabilities and their family members are included. This in turn will ensure that people with disabilities and their family members benefit from international development initiatives. Efforts to achieve the MDGs and implement the Convention are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

The most critical part of a Thanksgiving meal is to plan the menu early.  It’s very important to plan a meal you will enjoy because Thanksgiving only happens once a year.  Try to incorporate some healthy dishes into your feast:  fresh vegetables, relish tray, and even a fresh fruit salad with Greek Yogurt and a hint of honey will turn your most unhealthy eaters into health loving foodies.  And if you are inviting friends and family, don’t feel ashamed to ask them to bring a couple of their specialty dishes.  This helps keep the stress down and is an easy way to incorporate a variety of different dishes.

Here are a few things to keep in mind during this holiday season:

1. Go light when filling up your plate. The temptation to overload is quite easy when you have a whole variety of food waiting for you to sample.  Remember, you can always go for seconds.
2. Offer more fresh vegetables. Yes, it’s very tempting to load up on turkey, gravy, mash potatoes, and so forth but try to incorporate more vegetables into your holiday diet.  Items like fresh steamed broccoli with a hint of sautéed garlic and olive oil, a vegetable relish tray filled with tomatoes, onions, cucumber, and other fresh vegetables is a great way to complement your meal.  As well, try to sauté yams with brown sugar and light butter as another healthy and delicious side.
3. Wait approximately 15 minutes before round 2. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to let your brain know that it is satisfied.  You may realize that you really didn’t need that extra turkey leg or slice of pie.
4. Leftovers. If you are thinking about saving the leftovers perhaps keep a plate or two for the week and send the rest of the food home with Friends and Family.  The more food you keep the more of a chance to add on additional weight.
5. Eat More White Meat. It is proven that dark meat has much more fat than white meat.  If possible, try to stay away from the dark turkey meat and opt for selecting lean white turkey meat.

Most importantly, the main focus on Thanksgiving is the time spent with Friends and Family.  It’s not how much food you have or the style of your decorations, but the whole meaning of being together.  Thanksgiving means exactly how it sounds, Giving Thanks.  You will almost always remember the time spent with Friends and Family and the joyful conversations spent around the dinner table.  So, focus on having a healthy meal and spending time with your loved ones and you should have a fabulous Thanksgiving Holiday.

Each October, the country celebrates National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the form of walks, speeches, fund-raisers, and other fun filled events during this important month of reflection and awareness.  All of us have been touched by cancer in some form or another. The fight against breast cancer will never end.  We can simply do our part and remain educated and work together to finally find a cure to stop this devastating disease.

All of us have been touched by cancer in some form or another.

Understanding the basics of breast cancer:

Definition of breast cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2009:

New cases: 192,370 (female); 1,910 (male)

Deaths: 40,170 (female); 440 (male)

National Cancer Institute

Screening and Testing:

Many changes occur in your breasts during the course of a lifetime. So, it is important to understand the structure of your breast and the signs to watch for in case there is anything abnormal. If you are uncertain, please read these signs:

• A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
• Bloody discharge from the nipple
• Change in the size or shape of a breast
• Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
• Inverted nipple
• Peeling or flaking of the nipple skin
• Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

When to see a doctor

If you find a lump or other change in your breast — even if a recent mammogram was normal — make an appointment with your doctor

- The Mayo Clinic

To promote awareness and celebrate life, here is list of events in October in the Atlanta Area:

• “Pink Passion for Bridal Fashion” gown sale will donate proceeds to the Susan G. Komen for Cure Greater Atlanta. The sale runs 1-6 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Holiday Inn in Roswell. Admission is $5 in advance, $10 day-of.
• Whole Health Expo will include mammograms, heart health screenings, flu shots, children’s activities and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. It’s free, but individual checks might cost or require pre-registration. It runs 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 5, and benefits the American Cancer Society.
• “The Pink Party: A Celebration of Survivorship,” features health screenings, shopping, music, kid’s area and survivor parties. Admission is $25 and it runs 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 10  at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
• VIPink Fri, Oct 16 – VIPink will be the hottest, most vibrant, private event in Celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Atlanta. Make sure that you don’t miss out on being a VIP.
• Tour de Pink is a one-day benefit bike ride for the Young Survivors Coalition. It rolls out from Perimeter Mall on Oct. 17 with different races and rides for different skill levels.
• “The Softer Side” show opening explores the technique and inspiration of women artists, including Lorraine Christie, Nancy Franke, Marti Somers, Angie Renfro, Lisa Meyer Kairos, Susan Spies, Peggy Everett, Christina Doelling and others, and serves as a fund-raiser for breast cancer awareness. The free opening is 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Huff Harrington Fine Art in Atlanta.
• Party in Pink Sat, Oct 24 – Pink Heals Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young women regain confidence after the completion of cancer treatment, is set to host their first fundraising event on October 24th at Aurum – the first big event at midtown’s newest hotspot.

*ChandCare Health Solutions will be walking around the city of Atlanta in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We will be dressed in pink and contributing to the National Cancer Society.