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Jean Robb

Volunteer your remarketable gifts and become more marketable!

Volunteer and Market Yourself…Remarkably

“Remarkable Marketable Me” helps you share your remarkable gifts volunteering, making you more marketable along the way.



By Jean Robb

I didn’t have the best childhood. We didn’t have much, so if you needed something you had to find a way to get it. I started working at 11 years old selling candy door to door. I know very scary right, but at 11 years old all I knew was I had to sell a certain amount of candy before I could go home. When I knocked on a door, out came my foot and I didn’t move it until you bought a box of candy. The skills I learned from my difficult childhood, (my lemons) really became a blessing (my lemonade).

I learned at a really young age that persistence will open many doors. As an adult I have walked out on a stage with a tiger after Zig Ziglar and talked to over 2,000 people about overcoming their fears. I know you must be thinking…a tiger? I have volunteered for over 15 years with big cat sanctuaries and have learned you can do something you really love while helping others in remarkable ways. In today’s economy you hear lots of people say they can’t find a job. So what happens?

The longer you’re out of work, you start to lose your contacts. You’re not keeping up with the day-to-day changes in your trade. You’re simply out of the loop. The longer you’re in this position the more the fear sets in. What if I can’t find a job? I have so much to offer, how do I get someone to talk to me? Well as you can see, fear can really take a hold of you, it makes you feel like a deer in the headlights. How do you overcome these things?

First off, STOP listening to the FEAR and STOP making EXCUSES. Look, I’ve made many of the same excuses when I’ve let fear be a part of my life. I now realize that the answer to overcoming the fear is to replace it with remarkable things you can be proud of. Instead of asking why would anyone want to hire me, ask yourself why not me?

After volunteering you could say. Look at the change I’ve made in the lives of others. Look what I’ve learned along the way. Look at the skills I’ve been taught while helping others. Look at the great people I’ve met. They’ve seen first hand the type of passion I put into any job I take on. So how will this work? I have made a commitment to bring you a volunteering opportunity at least once a week. The process of volunteering can be more complicated than people may think.

Email me your news. I have included in each story all the information I received and the direct contacts to make it really easy for you to get your foot in the door. “Network, Network, Network” See how you can use that experience to build your resume. Most of all how did you feel about helping others today.

My goal is to get you to share with all of us your experience. Think about how much we can learn from each other. Please email me your pictures and story to remarkablemarketableme@gmail.com so I can post them each day. I will add the trademarks, video and links for you.


Jean Robb is a real estate agent in the Dallas – Fort Worth area who is committed to promoting the importance of volunteering for your community.We have the infrastructure in place with the best real estate team in North Texas, and the process for you and I, together can “give back” to those in need without costing you an extra dime. It’s a win/win for both of us. When you contact me, just mention this page and I'll donate 5% of my commission to any non-profit you want to help!

After reading the above information ask yourself “why would I choose any other realtor”?

Click on the logo located on the sidebar for the story you have an interest in reading.

Each story is interactive. Just scroll over and click on the links in the story to get all the information you'll need for that non profit. Some links will appear as a blank spot in the story. Just scroll over it to activate the link.

Please scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to see how you can follow by email and see the most popular stories.

I make my living as a Realtor. It allows me the opportunity to stay involved with so many charities. If you're in need of a great Realtor please go to http://www.jeanrobb.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Michael Brown is determined to keep fighting in Amanda's memory. He said he is encouraged by knowing that he could save a life by sharing Amanda’s story.

    



MEF Logo
http://skincheck.org/index.htm
   Click on the link above to save a loved ones life!

Hi Jean Robb here, Samantha Sarandos shared this really important and beautiful story. Please take a moment to read about Amanda Brown and her loving husband Michael. 

Husband endeavors after losing wife alt text

April 20, 2009 by Haley Etchison
Amanda Brown lost her life to melanoma, Michael Brown determined to educate others
Husband endeavors after losing wife
Michael Brown kisses wife Amanda at a formal. Amanda Brown lost her battle with melanoma in April 2006. Courtesy Photo
Michael and Amanda Brown were the perfect couple – through the tears in her husband’s eyes, it is clear. And the ring she placed on his finger the day they were married is still there, three years after her death.
Amanda Brown started writing down the story of her battle with melanoma. She talked about her childhood, coming of age and meeting her soul mate and about finding her cancer and fighting for a miracle.
On April 8, 2006, one week before her death, she wrote, “Lots going on lately and it’s become difficult for me to be on the computer for any length of time because of the tumor on my tailbone.” Michael Brown finished her story, explaining that he typed as she dictated, too much in pain to do it herself.
Brown
Photo of Amanda Brown’s RebelCard from her years in UNLV administration. Photo by Ricardo Estrada
“I have been in more pain now than I have ever dreamed I could withstand. The Morphine just doesn’t cut it anymore,” he transcribed.
The account ends, “I don’t know what to do. I’m just trusting in God. I know he’ll take care of me. Just the same though, God, I want to live! Please God, I want to live!”
Michael Brown, still in love with his wife and more determined than ever to fight for life, now talks to young people around Nevada, sharing his and Amanda’s story.
Not long after his wife died, Michael Brown contacted the Melanoma Education Foundation. Soon he had begun an MEF chapter in Southern Nevada, called Amanda’s Message.
“Our whole goal is to educate high school and middle school children about melanoma and sun safety,” he said. “I have 43 schools signed up so far in all of Nevada. I want them all, though. I have to have them all.”
Brown
Michael Brown poses at the front of his booth outside the Student Union Thursday. He has raised more than $72,000 to fund education for middle and high school students on melanoma and sun safety. Photo by Ricardo Estrada
Michael Brown explained that 90 percent of people who die from melanoma could have been saved if they had only known the facts that he and his wife found out too late.
 “Amanda started getting a mole on her shoulder that she thought was just a beauty mark. Then it started getting like a pencil eraser and they cut it off and found that it was melanoma and our life turned around right there,” he said. If he had known the warning signs that could mean a mole is cancerous, Michael Brown said he could have helped save his wife.
Michael Brown is determined to keep fighting in her memory. He said he is encouraged by knowing that he could save a life by sharing Amanda’s story.
“She went to heaven for a reason and this has got to be the reason,” he said. “I have to make it that way because my heart is still hurting.”
Reaching out to the UNLV community, where Amanda was a member of the faculty,  Michael Brown presented a talk about melanoma Thursday and hosted a booth in Pida Plaza, handing out information to students and inviting them to look in a screening machine to see the sun’s damage to their skin.
“I wanted to be a grandfather,” he said. “I wanted to be a father but I don’t think I’m going to be one right now. But if I could save another husband from feeling the pain that I do… then I’m good with that. That’s another hole plugged in my heart.”
“A lot of people who have lost loved ones want to fight back,” said Steve Fine, president of the MEF. He explained that Michael Brown’s choice to pursue melanoma education primarily, rather than focusing on raising funds for research, reflects his desire to help save people right away.
“The education aspect is more likely to help people in the short term than research is,” Fine said. “There’s a big payoff.”
Fine said that people who have seen loved ones die of melanoma and realize that a little more knowledge could have prevented their tragedy are, like Michael Brown, making strides toward helping young people avoid skin cancer.
Even the education route to fighting melanoma is expensive, though.
Sha Na Na, a jazz band where Michael Brown plays saxophone, put on a benefit concert for Amanda’s Message two years ago raising $17,000 for the cause. Michael Brown said, “Now I’m down to 200-something dollars. I need to have another benefit or some kind of donation or something because as soon as that happens I’m going to rock and roll again. I’m not going to stop.”
Saying how he hopes to find support within the UNLV community, Michael Brown said, “I need help because I’m kind of by myself doing all of this and I’m trying real hard to keep things going with it.”
Listen to Michael Brown’s song With All My Heart here:

Click below to listen to Michael's beautiful song. 
With All My Heart by Michael Brown
The Melanoma Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization devoted to saving lives
from melanoma, a common skin cancer that is often deadly unless detected early before
there are any symptoms. The Foundation increases awareness of melanoma three ways:
  • Trains high school and middle school health educators and provides them
    with student materials and lesson plans.
  • Provides complete information about early self-detection and prevention of
    melanoma in a user-friendly website.
  • Conducts talks and facial skin analyzer screenings for area organizations
    and businesses.
For information on providing skin cancer education for high schools and middle schools
in your state, please contact us. 

FOR HEALTH EDUCATORS

The SkinCheck® Class for High Schools and Middle Schools
Alternative High School & Middle School Resources
Elementary Schools
Colleges and Universities
Order a Tan to Die For Poster or a Knowing Your Skin Could Save Your Life Poster

The SkinCheck® Class for High Schools and Middle Schools
Background: Most high school and middle school students are not well-informed about melanoma. A 1996 CDC survey found that 74% of adolescents and young adults had little or no knowledge of melanoma. Nearly 50% of the general public shared this lack of knowledge. While most students realize that their skin cancer risk is increased by overexposure to sun the impression many have is that skin cancer is "no big deal." Many students also believe they will not develop skin cancer if they change their habits to limit sun exposure and that indoor UV tanning is a safe way to tan. A 1999 nationwide survey of nurses' children found that 7% of 14 year old females and 35% of 17 year old females used UV tanning beds regularly. Our experience is that health teachers are generally not well-informed about melanoma and often do not include the subject in their health courses.
Reality is that melanoma is common, causes the majority of skin cancer deaths, and the most damaging sun exposure has already occurred, and cannot be reversed, by age 18. In addition, at least 30% of melanomas are believed to be unrelated to sun exposure. Sun-protection is ineffective when used as the primary basis of skin cancer education for high school and middle school students!
The SkinCheck® Class is a single-session class on early detection and prevention of melanoma for students. It is easy for educators to learn and easy to teach.
SkinCheck® Lesson Summary
1. Brief discussion with class to see what students know about melanoma.

2. Show student video (different videos for middle and high school).

3. Brief post-video discussion with class to assess knowledge/attitude changes.

4. Distribute student melanoma bookmarks and go over them with students.

5. Assign students to take bookmarks home and teach their parents about melanoma.
Health educators who watch a 45 minute teacher-training video receive a lesson plan, student-video, teacher-resource CD, and student hand-outs that are replenished each year. Over 800 schools have adopted the teacher-friendly class. The teacher-training video and classroom supplies are free for grade 6 - 12 wellness educators in the following areas:
All New England States
Nevada
New York Counties of Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates.
The training video and classroom materials are free for high school wellness educators in:
Arizona Grades (9 - 12)
Washington State (Grades 9 - 12)
Other States - High Schools (Grades 9 - 12) by invitation but we will accomodate other high schools
to the best of our ability and resources on a first come first service basis.

Services and Materials Provided:
  • Melanoma teacher-training DVD with 45 minute narrated Powerpoint presentation for health educators. The DVD has been designated as a 2010 Gold Triangle Award winner by the American Academy of Dermatology
  • Detailed one-session classroom lesson plan for health educators.
  • "Should've, Could've, Would've,” a new (2008) DVD video about melanoma produced for middle school students by the Melanoma Education Foundation. Three young melanoma survivors share their experiences, educating viewers about the mistakes that nearly cost them their lives. The video received a 2009 Gold Triangel Award from the American Academy of Dermatology.
  • "My Melanoma Vlog," a new (2008) DVD video on melanoma produced for high school students by the Melanoma Education Foundation is about a student who attends a high school health fair, becomes concerned about skin cancer, searches the internet for more information, and shares what she learns via the popular medium of video blogging. The video received a 2009 Gold Triangle Award from the American Academy of Dermatology.
  • “See Spot” bookmarks for all health class (or related course) students each year. The bookmarks, produced by MEF, complement the videos and focus on early detection of melanoma. Bookmark size is 3.5 " x 8.5".
  • Quiz / homework exercises, questions and answers.
  • A teacher-resource CD with PowerPoint images from the teacher-training presentation, printable classroom documents, and supplementary information.


Teacher-Training Video
T-DVD
"Teaching the SkinCheck Class" is a 45 minute narrated PowerPoint presentation that wellness teachers watch as a prerequisite for receiving free classroom materials. The DVD video was selected as a 2010 Gold Triangle Award winner by the American Academy of Dermatology.


Should've, Could've,
Would've Video (DVD)
My Melanoma
Vlog Video (DVD)
"See Spot" Bookmark
(Side 1)
Student Videos
Two student videos produced by the Melanoma Education Foundation were completed in September, 2008. Extensive student focus group input was utilized at every step of the video development process. Middle school and high school students were asked what they liked and disliked about other health videos and then they evaluated alternative approaches to health-related message delivery for maximum impact and credibility.
In the middle school video, "Should've, Could've, Would've," three young melanoma survivors and their families share their experiences, educating viewers on how to avoid mistakes that nearly cost the survivors their lives.
"My Melanoma Vlog," the high school video, is about a student who attends a high school health fair and becomes concerned after learning about melanoma and the danger of tanning beds at a skin cancer exhibit. After searching the internet for more information she shares what she has learned with friends through the popular medium of vlogging (video-blogging).
The videos received a 2009 Gold Triangle Award from the American Academy of Dermatology.
A preview of "My Melanoma Vlog" is available. "Should've, Could've, Would've" may be watched on-line. Scroll about one third of the way down the page.
Teacher Comments About the Lesson
"I cannot remember a time when one program has had such a positive impact on the health of my students."
M'Lena Gandolfi, Physical Education/Health Teacer, Manchester-Essex Regional High School, MA.
"This material has been excellent. The students really respond to the bookmarks and the videos."
Diana Walker, Physical Education & Health Department Chair, Sanford High School, ME.
"The melaoma video "My Melanoma Vlog" is very powerful. Students watch it intensely and refer back to it in the follow-up discussion. Most high chool students have the false universal understanding "it will never happen to me."We feel this curriculum has an invaluable effect in that it changes their false understanding."
Lise Nielsen, Helath & Physical Education Department Head, Nauset Regional High School, MA.
"I recently taught skin cancer to my upperclassman and your materials are great. The VLOG is most effective.... the students really stay engaged throughout the whole video. Last class someone cancelled their tanning appointment. I can't thank you enough for providing us with materials that are easy to use and so effective.
Tory Sullivan, Chairperson, Physical Education & health, Brien McMahon High School, CT.
"I must say that I was so impressed by the teaching CD and personally learned quite a bit that I didn't know. I have for many years taught kids about the "general" danger of sun damage, but nothing like the extent to which your material offers. Living here in AZ, where the weather makes it all too easy to tan, I feel that we have a huge responsiblity to educate our students to the many dangers of melanoma."
Nick Cornell, Physical Education Department Chair, Campo Verde High School, AZ.
"A former student came up to me recently and said that the bookmark he showed his mother, saved her life. She noticed a similar mole and it was successfully removed."
Patricia Dodge, Health Teacher, Essex Middle School, VT.
"I talked about melanoma and showed the high school dvd today.  Students were very receptive....I suggested several students see a dermatologist to check spots that they showed me today.  Several students told me that they are not getting another tanning package again.  The video and discussion session was very sucessful! I definitely recommend this for all health teachers!"
Linda Conti, Health teacher, Grove City High School, OH.
"I just used your Melanoma DVD and instructional program today and found it extremely valuable. I teach 5 Health classes comprised of about 30 Sophomore students in each class. Approximately 90% of each class told me that they had no idea that melanoma was such a serious health threat and they intended to change their behaviors immediately."
Lani Worthington, Health Teacher, McCutcheon High School, IN.

How to Order SkinCheck Materials

If you teach in an area eligible for free materials (see above) you may submit an on-line request for the free 45 minute teacher-training video or click here to download a mail/fax request form. The video will be accompanied by a form and instructions for ordering free classroom materials by mail or on-line.
For high schools and middle schools in other areas teacher-training packages containing the components itemized above and 100 "See Spot" bookmarks may be purchased.

Click here to order educational materials on-line.
Click here to download an order form to mail or fax.
The next page lists schools utilizing the SkinCheck® program.

"GET A TAN TO DIE FOR" POSTER

Copyright © 2005 Melanoma Education Foundation. All rights reserved.
The 11" x 17" poster warns about the dangers of
tanning beds; posters are shipped first-class in stay-flat mailers.

"KNOWING YOUR SKIN COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE" POSTER

Copyright © 2009 Melanoma Education Foundation. All rights reserved.
The 11' x 17' poster shows normal and atypical moles, illustrates the dangerous
vertical growth phase of melanomas and explains with photos how to recognize
different types of melanoma; posters are shipped first-class in stay-flat mailers.
Click here to order posters on-line.
Click here to download an order form to mail or fax.

Alternative High School & Middle School Resources
A lesson plan for a one and a half class unit to teach high school and middle school students about skin cancer utilizes a Jeopardy® TV show format and is based on this web site. Click here to download it as a pdf file.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Project SAFETY has produced outstanding sets of materials for educating students in high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools about skin cancer and sun safety. The sets, available on CD ROM, consist of videos, still images, teacher guides, handout masters, and test questions. The video, "SunSpots" (produced in 1993) features a teen and young adults who developed melanoma. SunSpots may be purchased separately as a 16 minute VHS tape; for ordering information send an e-mail message to smadigan@mdanderson.org.
The Mollie Biggane Foundation has a DVD video, "Dark Side of the Sun." that may be downloaded at http://www.molliesfund.org/eduMaterials_DVD.htm.
Elementary Schools
Unlike high schools and middle schools, sun protection and awareness of UV radiation damage should be the predominant theme in educating elementary school students about skin cancer. Although MEF does not provide direct services to elementary schools there are some excellent resources available. A combination of the 10 minute video, "Gear Up for Summer ," produced by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Project Safety, and EPA SunWise programming materials is highly recommended.
The video may be ordered for $5.00 (including shipping) using an order form that may be printed from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Project Safety web site.
EPA SunWise programming materials include grade-appropriate classroom lessons and activities and is free for participating elementary schools. Complete information and the SunWise School Program Guide is available at http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/.
There are several other organizations and foundations that provide excellent elementary school skin cancer support services. Among them:
The Sun Safety web site of the Environmental Health Center of the National Safety Council
includes a downloadable Sun Safety Activity Guide with activities suitable for grades K-6
The SunSmart web site, operated by the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria (Australia),
includes downloadable teaching materials for primary, middle, and high schools.
The SHADE Foundation (Arizona and other states)
The Coalition for Skin Cancer Prevention in Maryland has a well-organized educational site with free
downloadable curriculum materials for Maryland elementary school teachers and students.
Download "The ABCs of Sun Protection for Children," an outstanding article
published in the December, 2005 issue of Dermatology Nursing.
L'Oreal Sunshine is an exceptionally good web site for children (and adults) to learn about the
effects of sun exposure, skin types, the body's natural defenses, and protective measures.
Colleges and Universities
During college-age years vulnerability to melanoma increases dramatically but the majority of college students know little or nothing about melanoma and their susceptibility to it. Like high school students, many college students realize that too much sun causes skin cancer but most do not realize that the type of skin cancer most likely to strike them is common - and deadly if not caught early. Many colleges and universities include skin cancer education as part of annual health fairs but the focus is often on sun avoidance and fails to effectively warn students about their risk of melanoma and the need to check their skin regularly.
Improving Melanoma Education in Colleges & Universities
1. Redundancy is essential. No single method of communication is likely to be entirely effective by itself; try at least two ways of reaching students each academic year. If skin cancer is part of a Spring health fair, consider a Fall e-mail message or article in the campus newspaper urging readers to visit www.skincheck.org.
2. Avoid focusing only on sun protection; aim for balance by first creating an awareness of melanoma and the need for regular self-skin examination, then discussing sun-protection. Otherwise students will ignore sun safety warnings because they don't fully appreciate the consequences. And, although sun protection will reduce additional risk, most melanomas in college-age individuals develop because of past exposure or hereditary factors.
3. If e-mail or other suitable means of communication are available include faculty, staff, parents, and alumni in the distribution of melanoma information. Nearly half of the members of these populations also have little or no knowledge of melanoma.
4. Health information in academic web sites is not likely to be read by a significant fraction of the academic community unless members are driven to the site by independent means of communication such as e-mail or articles in college newsletters or student newspapers. Phrasing of the message is of critical importance because readers will tend to visit the site only if they perceive the reason applies to them individually. If the message only mentions "skin cancer" and/or "sun protection" it may be perceived by readers as non-essential because of previous misconceptions.
5. For community colleges and other commuter campuses in which students lack e-mail access, consider including information in a regularly scheduled mailing. Posters placed in stalls of campus rest rooms also draw attention.
6. Avoid scheduling outdoor athletic events between peak sunlight hours of 10 am and 3 pm. Be especially vigilant in promoting melanoma awareness and prevention to outdoor athletic team members.
Rcommendation for Melanoma Presentation at Colleges and Universities
Melanoma survivor Meghan Rothschild is available for student awareness presentations on college and university campuses. She is a skilled speaker and is passionate about the cause.
She was diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma at age 20. After 2 ½ years of baking herself in indoor tanning beds, she discovered a dark, itchy mole on her stomach. She thought nothing of the spot, but had it removed anyways. A week later her doctor called her back into the office to remove stitches. It was here that she first heard the "C" word. She spent her sophomore year in college battling cancer.
Since her diagnosis, Meghan has spent the last 6 years spreading the word about this deadly disease. She became a National Spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology in May of 2008. She has been featured on national news programs such as World News with Charles Gibson, The Mike and Juliet Show, and Inside Edition. She has posed for Fitness Magazine, WebMD, Marie Claire, and is being honored by Cosmopolitan Magazine.
Contact her at MRothschild@SurvivingSkin.org or visit www.SurvivingSkin.org for more information.

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