30th November 2008

Dear Friends.

From challenge comes opportunity.

I have recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and had a bilateral mastectomy on the
30th October. My mother died of breast cancer and my sister has also had breast cancer.

My next path on this journey takes me through a course of chemo. This will see me
challenged by the loss of my hair, something that is the by product of such treatment but
the up side is that it will help secure a long term and happy prognosis for me.

I have been fortunate to have access to the best possible care in my journey. Even so, my
cancer was not discovered easily despite regular checks and the best of professional
expertise. In Fiji the access to care and facilities is not available and it would be most
likely if I was limited to this care my prognosis would not have been a happy one.

So....... I have decided to be proactive and seek sponsorship from friends and colleagues,
to have me shave my head! My first chemo is scheduled for the 5th December.
I do not think that I could bear to see my hair fall out in clumps... my plan would be to
shave my head before the second treatment.

Money raised would be donated to Fiji for their Breast Cancer care program.

Donations
would be
made payable
to The
Savusavu
Community
Foundation,
and receipts
can be issued.
This is tax
deductible in
the USA. Any
amount would
be greatly
appreciated.

For something positive to come out of my journey will be a blessing.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Karen Taylor
Jean Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
 30th December 2008

Dear Friends.

Well...my first treatment with chemo has been and gone... and so too my hair!

Yes it is all OFF. Hats are the order of

the day and I am sporting a variety to
suit any occasion!

The pledges of support from you all

has been totally amazing with many
having already made their
contributions. I feel privileged to
receive your generous support of my
quest to see the local Fijian
Community benefit from my journey.

The Fiji Breast Cancer Association are delighted to hear of my fundraiser and will support
the work of Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, and me by taking an outreach
medical team into remote regions of Fiji not currently serviced by medical support. They
will provide an education forum on Breast Cancer to the women in these villages, and will
also undertake breast checks. This is where your donation will be going!

In addition, I am sure you will be pleased to know that the plan is to offer all female staff at
the resort a free pap smear.

In Fiji currently mammograms at Suva private cost $120. Breast check kits are $55 and
pap smears can be arranged at $10 -$15. But you have to get to Suva or Nadi before you
can even access these services!

For something so positive to come out of my ongoing journey is indeed a blessing.

For those of you who have been patiently awaiting details on how to make your payments
the following are suggestions which will minimize the cost of bank fees on conversions to
Fiji dollars. In all cases if you can advise me by email of your payment and the amount I
will follow up that they are posted to my Breast Cancer Fund in Fiji.
Receipts can be issued upon request. Please note with your payment that it is for The
Savusavu Community Foundation, with a memo for Karen’s "Breast Cancer Fundraiser".

Fiji - You may pay direct into our account or send a check to the following address.
Attention Karen Taylor Director Savusavu Community Foundation
Breast Cancer Fund
c/- Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
Private Mail Bag
Savusavu Vanua Levu
Fiji Islands

cont’d...../
 30th December 2008

Australia -You are able to deposit the funds into the Resort Account in Australia which
will then be directed to Savusavu Community Foundation in Fiji. Direct payment to
Account:

Canyon Makare Ltd

Westpac Bank - Camberwell Branch.
BSB: 033039 
Account number: 475290 
Swift code: WPACAU2S

USA - Please post a check made out to

Savusavu Community Foundation
c/o Director Savusavu Community Foundation - Ken Barasch
10682 Dorothy Circle
Villa Park, CA 92861 USA
Contributions in the USA can be claimed as it is a registered NFP in the USA

Or
Make a credit card payment if you prefer. Phone Fiji 679 8850188 Ask for Greg or Ty
and make your payment over the phone.

It has been a little longer than I would like to have sent this update to you. You can
imagine that with having to set up an apartment in Melbourne, Christmas, Resort items to
attend to and my chemo... so it has been pretty full on!

Thank you again for your support.

I have my next round with chemo tomorrow.......the upside is that I enjoyed my first family
Christmas Day at home for many years!

I hope you have or are enjoying a great Christmas break and that the coming year is one
that will bring you lots of joy and happiness.

Fiji hugs to you all. Take care.

Karen Taylor
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
 Fundraising Update - Breast Cancer Fiji
Dear Friends
It has been awhile since I have
last been in touch with you on
the progress of my own journey
with cancer.
I am blessed to be both happy
and well. As you can see, my
hair is coming back with a
vengeance. I am re-learning
what to do with hair! Truth is it
is a lot easier without it, but
vanity prevails!
Last June I commenced a new
position as Resort Manager for
RACV Cape Shanck Resort
which is located on the
Mornington Peninsula a
beautiful spot surrounded by
one of Australias top 100 Golf
Course, and have been busy
ever since! Great staff and lots
of challenges. Me in my
element!
I would love to hear from you if
you have time.
Please stay in touch email me
at fiji4fun1@mac.com
Should you feel able to make
further contributions to keep
this program going you can
contact Ken Barasch on
kendonna@earthlink.net
or Greg Taylor
pointfiji@connect.com.fj
I hope you and your family are
in the best of health and that
2010 is a good year for you all.
Take Care
I have been wanting to let you know how your generous donations
to my fundraising efforts have been utilised but lacked anything new
to offer. Till now! Savusavu Community Foundation President and ,
and long time friend, Ken Barasch, has just provided me an update
which I am delighted to now share with you. It is extremely gratifying
to know my journey helped set up this program for the remote
villages of Fiji, but only because of your help and the support of the
Jean Michel Cousteau Resort.
Dear Karen,
The short answer is yes - with a great beginning!
At last count, thanks to your efforts, about $4,500 was raised in the
U.S., $3,450(FJ) in Fiji and $2,850 pledged in Australia, for a total of
nearly $8,000 (U.S.). Most of those funds
were used on meds and transportation for the 2009 clinic. SCF
plans to expand these clinics into major women’s health programs
over the next few years, including coordination with the Fiji Cancer
Society. In 2009, SCF and the resort hosted its first Obstetrics-
Gynecologic clinic. This three day clinic was run by three ob-gyns
from Melbourne and Sydney, Australia and their nursing team.
While primary emphasis was on exams, near-term treatment and
med distribution, plans were made for future surgeries requiring
specialized equipment and preparations. The clinic included breast
exams and many pap smears. This clinic morphed into a pediatrics
clinic as many of the women seen also had children with various
medical maladies with them.
We are also working with a women's health specialist group from
Santa Monica, California which has performed extensive women's
health and cancer screening clinics in Uganda. They have
expressed interest in conducting similar clinics in Savusavu. In
addition, we have submitted several grant applications to get a
mammography machine, which would become the only one
available for public use in Fiji.
Thanks again for your tremendous effort in getting this part of the
SCF program rolling!
Best regards,
Ken
To everyone of you who made this possible. Vinaka vaka levu. On
a sad note I just learned a week ago that a dear friend Kara Lasa
from Vuaki in the Yasawas passed away from Breast Cancer at just
fifty years a short 6 months after being diagnosed. She will be
missed for her amazing fun loving and caring spirit, by us all.