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, radiation and surgery and the side effects that go along with it all – spiritual, mental and physical ones. It’s not as hard as getting bad news at your latest scan or even the worry and anxiety that is felt with the anticipation of each upcoming scan. It’s not as hard as saying goodbye. And that’s why I know I have to do this. That’s why I’m walking and why I’m raising money – to end breast cancer forever.
My personal story: My beautiful, strong cousin, Erika Powers, lost her courageous battle with breast cancer in May 2020. She was only 41 years old when she passed away. It is hard to believe that she will have been gone for 4 years this May. But my story also includes survivors – women that are living with this diagnosis every day. My grandmother was diagnosed when she was in early 50s. She is almost 90 years old. One of my closest friends was diagnosed in 2012 when she was in her 40s - our sons are best friends. Guess what? She remains cancer free today! Yay! My aunt was diagnosed this past fall 2023. I won’t give her exact age (for fear that I would be disowned from the family) but let’s just say that she is not yet 55. Within two months of her diagnosis, a very dear, close college friend received her diagnosis and she had just turned 50. And finally, there is Hannah Powers, Erika’s daughter. I have had the pleasure of loving her and being more a part of her life over the last four years – but I'm not her mom and there is no way that I could ever fill the incredible void that she now has and what breast cancer has deprived her of but I will spend the rest of my life being there for her in whatever way that needs me to be. She was a senior in high school when Erika passed away. While her mom will always be right there with her, she could not be there to help her get ready and move to college her freshman year. She won’t be there when she graduates college or to see her walk down the aisle or hold her children or any other of life's precious memories. As a mother, the thought of not being there for those moments of my childrens' lives that is unbearable.
So it is for these beautiful, strong women and all of the other women (the mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, nieces and friends) and let's not forget the men and for these reasons that I walk. These women and men are the real heroes. And it is for these beautiful, strong women and men that I humbly ask you to make a donation. Thank you.
If you are unable to donate online, please print out a donation form.