The Kush Report

The Founder and CEO of Kush Co., Cathinka Chandler, attended the 2009 Hot Summer Nights event at the Playboy Mansion this past August.  During the time spent there, we made a little video to give you a sense of what we saw while we were at this Third Annual Charity Event.  Can’t wait to get back.

Enjoy!

 

 Promoting Komen Race Participants [8:46m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It is the start of another October, the month when pink ribbons adorn many apparel items and are included in retail displays nation wide. It is of course Breast Cancer Awareness Month and here at Kush Co. we continue to be year round advocates of focusing attention on funding and awareness.

Last year at this time we used this media outlet of The Kush Report to interview participants in the fight from the scientific community, including Dr. Catherine Hicks at the Charlotte Research Institute.  Dr. Hicks and Kush CEO Cathinka Chandler have held numerous conversations about the need for more fund raising, in particular during this time of economic downturn.

This year we have decided to focus our attention on the personal stories that are written, as breast cancer afflicts families and communities.  We are putting a call out to any race participant.  Please contact us at 888-OWN-KUSH or send an email to info@kushsupport<dot>com to coordinate receiving a package with a t-shirt that you can wear on race day (details here).

More importantly, we once again want to use this outlet of a widely distributed podcast and have participants willing to come on The Kush Report to talk about the race, discuss their reasons for participating, and share their personal stories in order to raise awareness of breast cancer research.

Races are held across the country each weekend during the month of October, and we are willing to talk to as many participants as are interested in speaking with us.  Scheduling is flexible and will be coordinated on an individual basis.

For race organizers, we know that you have incredibly busy schedules trying to make sure the races proceed without issue, so we are not asking for you to do anything other than pass along a link to this site, to anyone who might have a story to tell and willing to promote the race and the cause.

Breast cancer struck close to home this year.  We chronicled Aunt Nel’s battle last October and she is doing fine, however Joe’s family lost a loved one Elizabeth this past August. She was 42 years old and is survived by her husband Jerry.

We would love to hear from you.  Let us help you to tell your story, maybe in a small cathartic way, but also as a way to help spread the word about the Susan G. Komen Foundation and raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

To stay posted on what is happening with this effort follow Cathinka on Twitter @CathinkaC, visit out Fan Page on Facebook, or subscribe to this blog. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

 A Playboy Hot Summer Night [14:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week on The Kush Report, CEO and Founder of Kush Co. Cathinka Chandler gets to announce a very special event that she will be attending on August 15 .. The Hot Summer Nights party at The Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.

As you may remember we had launched a campaign targeting The Girls Next Door that unfortunately coincided with Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends Holly, Kendra and Bridget all moving out of the mansion, changing the concept of the show and taking a bit of wind out or our sails. However, we are still convinced that there is an opportunity to introduce Kush Supports to the actress and model community that congregates around Hollywood and will identify with the benefits of using a Kush Support.

Cathinka has secured a private cabana on the property, and has been assured that actress Traci Bingham will be on hand to assist in introducing the product to attendees.  There will also be a hostess at the cabana, plus silent auction and gift basket opportunities to get the product into the hands of guests at the Playboy Mansion.

Most importantly, this 3rd Annual event is a benefit for the United Breast Cancer Foundation, and we are closely aligned with Breast Cancer research at the University of Charlotte Medical center.

Having an event where a great opportunity exists to distribute information about the product, while supporting a great cause is the perfect Hot Summer Night!

There will be more conversation about the Playboy event in the weeks to come, and rest assured she has promised to take pictures including hopefully one with Hugh Hefner himself!

 

 Helping Ourselves to Health [19:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Yoga Master Pat Joslyn joins Cathinka and Joe on this final October edition of The Kush Report. In the last installment of podcasts highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness month, Pat was invited to participate as a followup to the post called Here’s to Aunt Nel.

Following her mastectomy, Aunt Nel was afflicted with the inability to raise her arm above her shoulders.  Upon a visit to the U.S. from Holland Cathinka brought Aunt Nel to visit with Pat, and through the yoga techniques that she practices, was able to eliminate the issue.

Pat worked with Aunt Nel to return the muscles and tendons to their flexibility and length that they had been prior to the surgery.  She mentioned that Aunt Nel was able to release right away, bringing her the excellent results.  She was sent home with drawings and small balls to use to assist in the ongoing process of returning to full motion.

Mastectomy patients work with Pat to release the muscles as well as deal with the scar tissue that remains after the surgery.

Pat practices with small balls and has patients roll all of the muscles in the body while lying on the floor. It provides a deep muscle massage while lengthening the muscle tissue.  She also believes using the balls can increase circulation and release toxins around the limph nodes possibly helping to prevent the development of breast cancer.

Pat can be contacted regarding her practice in Charlotte via her pdjoslyn@gmail<dot>com

Also .. we get a great product endorsement from Pat’s daughter who recently gave birth to a baby boy, and is using a Kush Support while breast feeding.  Pat witnessed that her daughter’s breast have remained firmer and not mishapen that can happen during nursing.

 

 The Power of the Pink Ribbon [17:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On episode twelve of The Kush Report we have a special guest join us.  Cameron Watson, the Creative Director for Fluid Media comes on board to share his insights into the graphic design principals that helped propel the Pink Ribbon as a symbolic icon representing the Breast Cancer Awareness movement.

From the days of World War II and the first Gulf War, yellow ribbons were used to honor and recognize the soldiers who were doing battle against a fierce enemy.  During the early 90’s the Breast Cancer Awareness Movement picked up on the ribbon concept and incorporated the use of the color pink that had been used by the Susan G. Komen Foundation on merchandise at fund raising events.  At that point, a lasting graphical representation of the effort was created.

Cathinka discusses how the use of pink as part of the Kush Support graphic platform was intended to help represent the product as feminine, plus to show a definitive relationship with raising awareness for breast cancer research.  We discuss how it was effective to incorporate the pink ribbon into marketing materials for Kush Support due to the fact that the colors integrated so well.

The pink ribbon is instantly identifiable for what it represents in a wide variety of applications ranging from hats, t-shirts and lapel pins to billboards, banners and even now as Facebook Applications. Through maintaining brand integrity of the icon, color, and application …. all of which can be applied to brands …. the movement has created a worldwide image that defines the effort.

Kush Support is proud to help increase awareness of all of the efforts being made in the field of breast cancer research.

 

 Here's To Aunt Nel [15:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Breast Cancer hits all families across the globe.  It is estimated that there will be over 182,000 diagnosis of new cases of invasive breast cancer during 2008 in the US alone, and 40,000 women will die of breast cancer.

Kush Co. honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month beyond the simple business aspects … we honor it because it is a personal matter.  The CEO of Kush Co. and inventor of the Kush Support product Cathinka Chandler honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month on behalf of her Aunt Nel, who is a breast cancer survivor living in Holland.

During 2006, Aunt Nel was diagnosed with breast cancer in her right breast and almost immediately had a mastectomy.  Cathinka was able to book a flight to Holland to visit during her recovery from surgery and just prior to undergoing chemotherapy.  Subsequently, Aunt Nel required further surgery having a lumpectomy on her left breast.

Cathinka recounts the strength and courage of her Aunt following her surgery, including her joking with Cathinka about never having the chance to be a Kush Support customer!  Cathinka’s entire family has provided tremendous support for Nel throughout the process and benefit themselves by seeing her strength and perseverance.

Read Aunt Nel’s own words on the Breast Cancer Support page of the Kushsupport.com web site.

Here’s to Aunt Nel!

 

 A Partner for Breast Cancer Research [15:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is a special edition of The Kush Report. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month we are focusing our attention on the topic of breast cancer research and we are pleased to have as a guest Dr. Catherine Hicks. Dr. Hicks is the Director of Life Science Ventures for the Charlotte Research Institute at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.

The Charlotte Research Institute is a portal for business-university partnerships at UNC Charlotte. CRI was set up to support and promote the research functions on campus, and to identify and support area business partners including new research ventures, regional and national enterprises, and spin-off companies created from UNC Charlotte research results.

Dr. Hicks works with UNC Charlotte life science researchers in the College of Arts & Sciences, Health and Human Services, Information Technology, and Engineering as well as multidisciplinary research centers for Bioinformatics and Biomedical Engineering Systems.  She is coordinating funding efforts, program marketing, and business development.

Catherine points out that many are still not aware of the fact that UNC-Charlotte does cancer research, liver research, development of medical devices and health services practices, among many other efforts.  They focus intently on achieving applications for their research in industry or the community, operating as an inter-disciplinary applied research institute.

Kush Company is dedicated to supporting the University’s efforts in breast cancer research, and the latest research scholar to join the staff at UNC Charlotte is Dr. Pinku Mukherjee who is focusing on some groundbreaking therapies targeted directly at breast cancer tumors.

The 7th Annual Charlotte Biotechnology Conference will be taking place on October 28th to provide insight into current activities and opportunities within the university, research, business, investment and economic development sectors.

There are a variety of ways to get involved in supporting the research efforts that are taking place at the University.  If you have interest you can visit the web site at www.charlotteresearchinstitute.org. Or contact Dr. Hicks at 704.687.8422 or contact her via email.

 

 Kush Breast Cancer Awareness Support [12:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it kicks off today on The Kush Report with a discussion of how Kush Company has partnered with the University of North Carolina Charlotte to begin the process of funding an endowment dedicated to the breast cancer research program at the University.

Kush Supports have been purchased by customers who are going through the final stages of the breast reconstructive process following mastectomies.  The product helps support the new tissue during sleep, in order to avoid the neck and shoulder aches that can accompany the late stages of recovery and beyond.

Actress Christina Appelgate has appeared in many media outlets including a vist to Oprah to discuss the diagnosis of finding the BRCA gene, which is an indicator of a patient’s susceptibility to breast cancer.  Applegate decided to have a double mastectomy and is now going through the very public process of raising awareness by telling the details of her experience.

Cathinka relates a personal anecdote about her Aunt Nell who during a previous visit here was overwhelmed with the widespread initiatives regarding breast cancer awareness, and compares it to efforts in her home country of Holland.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is taking place in Kush Company’s home town of Charlotte on October 25 – 26th.

Kush Company is offerring a 20% discount to our affiliates and anyone who purchases during the month of October with the coupon code BCA – for Breast Cancer Awareness.  The discount is valid through the web site at kushsupport.com or by calling 888-OWN-KUSH