When you are diagnosed with cancer, you find that information is everywhere. While information is powerful, sometimes it is overwhelming. Take these statistics for example:
1 out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
1 out of every 5 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
1 out of every 2 men will be diagnosed with some kind of cancer in their lifetime.
1 out of every 3 women will be diagnosed with some kind of cancer in their lifetime.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.
Daunting isn't it?
Luckily there are many who are trying to change these statistics. I know 3 of them personally. Annie Searle-a coworker at WaMu, Lisa Mocquet-a third grade teacher at my daughter's elementary school and Trude Haines-a fellow soccer mom. This is what I want you to know about the three of them. None of them have had breast cancer but all of them are willing to walk 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3 day taking place September 12-14. Between the three of them they have raised about $25,000.00 that will go directly to breast cancer research-and that is just this year. Both Annie and Trude have done this event before and raised money each year. Can you believe they walked 60 miles in 3 days and want to do it again??
I applaud each of them for their efforts and have included links on the left side of my breast cancer blog to their fundraising pages. If you have not yet donated to this great cause, there is still time and I know that any of the three of them would be very grateful for the additional donations. Being a direct recipient of the research that is done, I am also grateful.
My dad died of pancreatic cancer 19 years ago so not only have I been personally affected by cancer, I have lost a parent to it. When my dad died, I started giving money to the American Cancer Society each month out of my paycheck. Their focus is broader than Susan G. Komen as they have programs to help anyone diagnosed with any type of cancer. I have included their link here as well if you are interested in donating there.
Finally, if you turn on the television tonight to any network channel, you will find a show called Stand Up To Cancer. It is a one time fundraising event taking place tonight only.
If you want to do something super easy, I have included the link to Click to Give. This is a site that gives away free mammograms just by clicking on the website.
I support all of these efforts for the simple reason that I want cancer to go away. Not just mine, not just breast cancer, all cancers. I have lost a parent and a friend to cancer. I have personally given up quite a bit to cancer. I'm not willing to give up anything else-certainly not my life. I don't want anyone else to give anything up either.
Find yourself in these statistics. Everyone is affected by cancer.
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Thanks Traci, for the endorsement. My goal is nothing less than the eradication of breast cancer in my lifetime. My mother and my sister were both affected, I am not -- and take it from me, walking is a lot easier than going through chemotherapy!
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