Farah Jadran - TV News Reporter/Anchor & Magazine Editor Demo Reel

I'm sharing more than eight years of experience in print and broadcast journalism, public speaking, and also digital and social media platforms. 

This newsreel is a short compilation of my media management roles as a magazine editor, TV news anchor and host, reporter and producer. 

Find out more at farahjadran.wix.com/farahjadran or email me at farah.jadran@gmail.com. 

Until my next post, be beautiful and genuine ― in other words, be you.

Farah F. Jadran is the media spokeswoman for Hope for Heather. She shares her interests on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Vine and Pinterest — @FarahJadran.

Not just a crow... 'Beacon' of hope

"Beacon"

Meet "Beacon"... 

Just before 8 o'clock  this morning, I was leaving the bank drive-through when I came around a turn to see three large crows pecking at something on the ground. 

At first I thought it was some food or trash feast they had found, but after a closer glance, I stopped my car. It was not a piece of trash, it was a smaller crow (which I am now calling "Beacon") and he was still alive. Beacon was moving his head around, trying to get off his back and letting out a desperate caw. 

I was horrified by this sight. 

I must preface that the only reason I took a photo of Beacon while he was lying on his back was because the wildlife rehabilitator had advised me to do so. It was important to her that she confirm it was indeed a crow I had found. Apparently, crows do not usually attack one another – in fact, it's unusual, she said. On my own account, I believe that the three larger crows came upon a smaller injured crow and the commonality of the species was no longer a factor. Again, that's my opinion from what I witnessed.

I noticed right away that Beacon's wing had been broken and he was pinned to the ground by the three other crows. Sadly,  it appeared he would be eaten alive. Inside his bad wing joint I saw blood and some exposed bone from the pecking. 

I parked my car and scared away the crows, and then contacted a wildlife rehabilitation number to see if they took in birds of all kinds, which thankfully they did. The reason I asked is because I didn't want to hear that no one would take the bird because he didn't fit the traditional wildlife categories I found on the website.

I stayed with Beacon for more than 30 minutes while I secured a place that would take him. My fiancé, Niko, arrived shortly after with a box for Beacon's transport. I used a small blanket to cover him before moving him in to the box and making sure he was not on his back anymore. 

Niko drove Beacon to the rescue and since arriving to work this morning, I have learned that he's going to make it. They are certain his wounds and the wing will heal.

Why am I sharing this? Because all animals deserve to be helped and deserve to live until it's their time to pass on. 

I named him Beacon because after a run-in with a road-rager on my to the bank – this little guy appeared to me as a "beacon of hope and life." It baffled me that some people wake up and have that much angst over a four-way stop not "going their way" – or whatever triggered this person (with a young child in the car) to flip me off with an exceptionally "mean" look on her face.

I couldn't just drive by and forget about his pain and suffering while the other crows attacked him.

And the more I look at this photo, the more meaning I see in his extended broken wing...

Again, Beacon shouldn't be viewed as "just a crow" – it's an animal with a life and all animal lives should matter, no matter what.

For whatever reason, I was meant to drive by and witness this, and yes, this out of the ordinary of what I normally write about  here, but I am a lover of all animals and that includes Beacon. 

Until my next post, be beautiful and genuine ― in other words, be you.

For more of my daily posts, follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Vine and Pinterest at @FarahJadran. 

Tell a woman because it could save her life

Tell a woman because you love her. Tell a woman because she means the world to you. Tell a woman because it could save her life.

Ovarian cancer symptoms are all too common. Along with these common symptoms comes our tendency to put others first. We may ignore our bodies and our health altogether. I have been guilty of this many times.

In my nearly three years of working very closely with the organization and its volunteers at Hope for Heather Ovarian Cancer Awareness, I have come to learn the importance of being an advocate for my own health. Also, it's become a part of my everyday life to encourage others to do the same.

These common symptoms include bloating, difficult menstrual cycles, headaches, unusual weight gain, sleepless nights, sense of urgency or higher frequency to urinate, abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly. Sound familiar?

These symptoms have happened to all of us. I know I've experienced a few here and there. If you have experienced these, did you think anything "more" could be happening? I've had many women tell me, "I thought it was just common to go through these things...we're women. Isn't that normal?"

At times, it could be "nothing" ― but at other times, it might be "something" more.

I have lost track of the number of women who told me that a symptom card from Hope for Heather saved their lives, or that hearing testimony from a survivor gave them a push in the right direction.

Inspiration is powerful. I know firsthand that inspiration has prompted many women to finally take a look at their own health and maybe even recognize some lingering symptoms. Regardless, they took charge. I took charge.

We only have one body. We only have one life.

For all of us, there are many people who are counting on us and people who care about health. It is important to pay attention to our health the way that our loved ones do and we must be ready to fight if we are sent to a battle.

Tell a woman because she has one body. Tell a woman because she has one life. Tell a woman because it could save her life.

Until my next post, be beautiful and genuine ― in other words, be you.

Farah F. Jadran is the media spokeswoman for Hope for Heather. She shares her interests on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Vine and Pinterest — @FarahJadran.