On December 10, 2020, my world changed forever.

That was the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer—and everything shifted. Suddenly, I was walking a path my mother, Michele Dunbar, had already known too well. She was first diagnosed in her 40s, fought with grace and strength, and for a time, she beat it. But cancer returned, and we lost her in 2016.

This August, I’m walking 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in Boston.

I’m walking for her—and for so many others who’ve faced this disease.

I walk for my childhood best friend, Sara, whose diagnosis hit so close to home.

I walk for Judy, mom to my sister-in-law Carrie and grandma to two my seriously kick-ass nieces- Aubrey and Julianne. I miss her laugh, and I walk with the hope that no young girls ever have to face this disease.

I walk for Kathryn, a dear friend of my friend Ryan, who passed away this March and touched so many lives with her kindness.

And I walk in memory of Kelly and Beth—women I didn’t know personally, but who were part of the team I’ll be walking with. Kelly was Carolyn’s sister, and Beth was a fellow teammate who also fought breast cancer. They mattered deeply to the people I’m walking beside, and I’m proud to walk in their honor, too.

Too many are still being diagnosed every day.

Too many lives are being cut short.

It has to stop.

If you’re able to donate, I would be so grateful.

And if not, your support, encouragement, and sharing of this message mean just as much.

With much love,

Carla