Adversity is one of those special occasions that can bring you closer to the people in your personal and professional network. You only need to have the courage to connect and to tell them what’s going on in your life that’s not so great. Then and only then can they help you get through it. And they will!

I found this to be true and powerful with my recent diagnosis with ovarian cancer. I remember being in the hospital after surgery and hearing the bad news about cancer. I asked myself: “What is my communication strategy? Do I keep this to myself? Do I share the news with my clients and network? Who will want to hire me after they hear this?”

I reminded myself that I wasn’t Steve Jobs and that I wouldn’t be risking shareholder value or people’s jobs. It was just bad news that needed to be shared. I would most certainly benefit from people’s love and support.

And so, I shared my news. First with close members of my family. Then with my Facebook friends. Next with my marketing motivator e-newsletter community. Now, publicly on my web site. Ahhh… I feel whole.

In going public with my private hardship, I have re-discovered a few powerful things:

1. People in my business network really do care about me, not just what I can do for them;
2. People in my network have amazing resources – connections, referrals, ears, hearts, ideas and  healing chicken soup recipes;
3. People in my network get joy out of giving back to me and helping others. I need to be able to receive their help and kindness with grace and dignity. I am now in the receiving position.
4. If you are going through a hard time, you might as well help others along the way…

I’m shaving my head for charity

So here’s what I’m doing to turn my adversity into something good for the world. On May 13, 2011, me and a few friends (including my husband Byron and  girlfriend Kathleen Oyanadel) will be shaving our heads for charity. We hope to raise $3,000 or more for the Kibera School for Girls located in Africa’s largest slum in Nairobi.

• Download this event FLYER_Hair Raiser_bald is beautiful, but educated is gorgeous

If we can accomplish this hair raising goal, we will be able to help the school to build a new classroom -allowing them to help more girls positively change their lives, families, villages and the indeed world. (have you seen the video The Girl Effect and it’s sequel – The Clock is Ticking video)

I learned about the Kibera School for Girls from my networking friend Eva Hausman who was so inspired by the book Half the Sky, she connected with its author Nicholas Kristof and started the MothersDayMovement.com. Eva’s goal was to redirect some the $14 billion spent in the USA on mother’s day  to make a help mothers world-wide, thereby making Mothers Day more meaningful, not just another Hallmark moment.

Your networking GOAL for this week:

When life hands you lemons, the first thing you need to do is to contact the people in your network and ask for the best recipe for lemon meringue pie. Then you must invite them over to your spiritual kitchen to help you make the new creation.

I invite you to enjoy a slice of my pie by making a $25 donation or more to this worthy cause.

I know that many of you reading this blog article will not be able to attend our Hair Raiser event in person, but don’t let that stop you from contributing to the charity that is making a positive difference in the world of women and girls. Bald is beautiful, but educated is gorgeous!

You can make an on-line financial donation to Shining Hope for Communities, the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that runs the school in Kibera at the web site: www.MothersDayMovement.com (just type in MDM-Kathy McAfee in the Purpose box)

• Help spread the word about this Hair Raiser by downloading /sharing this event FLYER_Hair Raiser
• Let me know what you think of this networking tip by sharing your thoughts at NetworkingAhead.com/facebook
• Thank you for all of your love and support you are sending my way as I heal from cancer.