I am grateful to be carrying on the team name “A String of Pearls” to honor the memory of young Bridget Spence. Diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 21 with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, one week after graduating top of her class from Boston University, Bridget lived a full 8 years and 10 months that included marrying her childhood sweetheart and partnering with Dana Farber and the Susan G. Komen organization.
My personal story involves 3 of my sisters and other family members that have faced breast cancer. Their stories were all personal, difficult and different. Some have been able to put breast cancer, cautiously in the rear view mirror.
My niece, Debbie is still in the fight for her life. She was diagnosed at 38 years old with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer. She lives her life fearlessly - in short increments, usually 3 months between scans. As most of us plan ahead she grabs the moment, and grab the moment she does! She and her husband, Tony have seen their children all graduate high school and on to college. and this past year celebrated the wedding of their son, Tyler while dealing with all that involves this stage of breast cancer! She is a positive person who gives so much to her family & community.
Debbie has now been on this path for 16 years. She continues to pray to be part of finding new drugs and a cure for breast cancer! She is my hero!
Bridget’s grandmother hated seeing her granddaughter going through treatment but supported her the only way she knew how. She lovingly advised her to keep getting up, “put on your string of pearls” and go face the day!
So for my sisters, for my nieces, for everyone that is in this fight, I walk! So someday my granddaughter will live in a cancer free world, I walk!
I made the commitment years ago to walk in 15 Avon Breast Cancer walks and I now will continue my small part in walking 60 miles for a cure! In 2019 I walked my 1st Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk in Boston. And as long as my body doesn’t fail me, I will continue to fight with everything I have!
Nothing about these walks is ever easy. As rewarding as they can be, at times the pain on my body is excruciating. But, as Bridget’s grandmother advised, I just tie up my sneakers, put on my string of pearls, and continue to fight!
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’m walking and why I’m raising money – to end breast cancer forever.
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