Earlier last year, I witnessed firsthand what it was like for a community to lose a beloved pillar. 

My wonderful girlfriend, Carla Martin, lost her aunt, friend, and mentor, Patty Gillette. Patty passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. I never had the chance to meet her in person, but I felt like I knew her nonetheless. The animated manner in which Carla always regaled me with stories of Patty taught me about what a great person she was. I learned about Patty’s love for family, caring heart, sharp sense of humor, and what a positive force she was to whomever she met.

She was vivacious, steadfast, courageous, and very loved. She was taken from this world far too early. I attended her memorial and watched as her colleagues and friends brought her to life. They told wonderful and humorous stories of her brutal honesty, shenanigans, and endearing tales of her seemingly endless generosity. 

She was someone whose glow made the world a brighter place, and her passing was such a horrible cosmic injustice, but one that we can put an end to. Which is why I’ve chosen to join Carla and her teammates in the San Diego Komen walk this November.

Please support me as I commit to an incredible challenge. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. It will be hard, but it’s not as hard as breast cancer. It’s not as hard as chemo. It’s not as hard as getting bad news at your latest scan. It’s not as hard as saying goodbye. And that’s why I know I have to do this. That’s why I commit. That’s why I’m walking and why I’m raising money – to end breast cancer forever, so nobody else ever has to lose a Patty from their life.