Hello Family and Friends!
As most of you know, I was very active in the Relay for Life community during my time at Rutgers. Now that I’m done with school I’ve been looking for a way to get back into the cancer research and cancer fundraising realm. That being said, I’ve decided to participate in the 3-Day Susan G. Komen walk in Boston next August!
I usually talk about my Pop when fundraising, who was the pivotal person in my life who started my cancer awareness journey. However, I have some other special people in my life who have been impacted by this monster.
Anyone who knows me, knows that my mom is my best friend and role model. That being said, she tends to attract some great close friends, one of those being Debbie. My mom and Debbie have collected anything with a pink ribbon on it as long as I can remember. They lost a dear friend to the disease when I was in first grade and from that day forward, if it had a pink ribbon on it, then they were buying it (x2). I never thought those pink ribbons would become something more personal. This past summer Debbie was diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer. The irony that the woman who I saw purchase anything with a pink ribbon on it, was now the woman I would be proudly wearing a ribbon for, was unsettling. Being an advocate is important, especially for those who may not have their own supportive group of friends.
In the United States, there is a 1 in 8 chance that a female will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The current recommendation is that women should receive a yearly mammogram once they turn 45. It is estimated that only 64% of women 45 and older currently receive a yearly mammogram. Accessibility is still a major roadblock for women across the country when early identification saves lives.
I’m walking so that best friends can go to concerts together and be mistaken as my two moms ð‚ I’m walking so that loved ones can encourage the women in their life to go for regular screenings. I’m walking so that mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives have the best opportunity at fighting this ugly disease and continue to have their closest friends as support. I’m walking because I’m really sick and tired of seeing the people around me affected by this ugly disease.
I’m honored to be walking alongside Debbie next August and to continue celebrating her survivor status. I’m thrilled to be walking alongside women who are walking in honor of, in memory of, or as a survivor. I expect this event to be an emotional journey but something I strongly stand by. Please help me reach my fundraising goal!
P.S. there are a few other ladies in my life that I will be mentioning in future posts that have been influential in this journey. I’m so fortunate that I have so many strong women in my life that I can’t fit them all in one post!
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