Beating one of the worlds deadliest diseases at Cleavage Creek. Now I’ll drink to that.

We are indeed living in dark days . With what can only be described as a shameful healthcare provision for the women of this country maybe it's time to start taking control into our own hands. No pre natal medical consultation (for up to 7 months in some instances) when expecting a baby is a stressful situation, especially for first time mothers, but not nearly as stressful as the shocking circumstances thousands of Irish women face every year when diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast cancer is a disease which not only shatters the lives of women, but its fallout wreaks devastation in the world of the silent sufferers, children, husbands, parents.

And so, when Arlene Brown , 48 years married to husband Budge lost her battle with the disease in 2005 his total devastation turned to anger. So angry was he that he became totally driven and determined to do what ever he could to find a cure for breast cancer. He says he doesn’t want what happened in his life to happen anyone else, he says it's time to do something about it. And so, in 2005 American farmer Budge Brown purchased a wine label with a difference - Cleavage Creek Wines.

In 2007 the first vintage of Cleavage Creek Wines was launched at Pope Valley vineyard, Napa Valley, California . The 2nd vintage of Cleavage Creek wines was released on October 4th, 2008.

The Cleavage Creek look is distinctive and significant. The label of each bottle of Cleavage Creek wine features the image of an actual breast cancer survivor whose story is told on the Cleavage Creek website. “Putting a face on this disease and telling the stories of those who are dealing with it personalizes this and hopefully inspires everyone to take on the fight,” says Brown.

Although making a donation to the charity of his choice might make more sense to some people, Brown believes that Cleavage Creek wines will have much more of an impact. “The world is full of people who enjoy good wines,” says Brown. “When they buy Cleavage Creek products, they can select from award winning wines while helping to find a cure for breast cancer. Everybody wins. When people learn about Cleavage Creek and the motivation behind it, well, if it reminds one person to go for a checkup, do a self-examination, or become more informed, we’re accomplishing my goal of saving lives. The cure for breast cancer may not come in my lifetime, but the mere existence of Cleavage Creek could bring it along sooner rather than later. Job done.”

“I am very proud of the quality of our Cleavage Creek wines,” notes Brown. “Wines from our two years of operation have won a multitude of medals in the most prestigious national and international contests. These are seriously good wines doing seriously good work.”

A special meditation flower garden overlooking a lake has been built to honor the late Arlene Brown. Her favorite flowers are planted there, including over 120,000 daffodils, 10,000 iris, California poppies, a host of wild flowers, thousands of tulips, and roses. “I want people to visit Cleavage Creek and celebrate life and health,” says Brown. “There’s no better way to do that than with a fine wine and the company of those who are a part of the fight.” Brown looks forward to hosting events and celebrating survival. “We have to move forward,” he insists. “The optimal way to do that is by focusing on a cure. It can happen, and it will happen.”

Budge Brown has grown crops of grapes, apricots, and almonds for well over 40 years. But his current cultivation, spearheading a search for a cure for breast cancer, may very well be his greatest harvest. 10% of the gross dollar amount of this operation is donated to cutting edge research to fight breast cancer. To date, Cleavage Creek and Budge Brown have donated over $55,800 to breast cancer causes.

How could this approach translate for us here in Ireland? If fighting breast cancer is a vital woman's cause, what are the learnings we could take and apply from Cleavage Creek Wines?

We don’t produce grapes but we do drink a lot of vino. Could a collective of women approach an Irish wine importer about the possibility of donating a percentage of their profit to breast cancer research? This donation could be branded on the back of the wine labels that take part of the initiative giving them the deserved kudos.

On a smaller scale, maybe us girls could consider donating a token sum of money every time we have a great ‘night in’ with the women who we value, cherish and laugh with until we cry.

Or, how about lobbying restaurants to donate corkage charges to breast cancer research?

Has anyone else any ideas on this initiative?

I don't know the solution to the failing healthcare system for women in Ireland. But I do know that us Irish girls enjoy our wine, and I do know that the time has come to start taking action together to make Ireland a better place to be a woman. What a good place to begin while sipping a crispy cold pinot!

www.cleavagecreek.com