As many of you know, I walk the Breast Cancer 3 Day- 20 miles a day for three consecutive days in August. This year that walk takes place on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of August. What you may not know is that my fiance and I also participate in the Susan G. Komen “Race for a Cure”- a 5 kilometre walk around what Minnesotans refer fondly to as the “Mega Mess” or “Mall of America”.
This year, over 58,000 people will rise early on Sunday morning and wheelchair, run, or walk in an effort to raise awareness of a disease that can be cured when caught early enough.
So far this year, I have raised $2275 in an effort to raise a total of $5000 (more would be better!). In the process of that effort, I have been reminded how important it is to continue to raise awareness.
Too many people think that as long as they don’t have a direct family member who has fought or lost the fight, they don’t have to worry. The fact is that many people with no familial risk of cancer are diagnosed every day.
Too many people think that they aren’t at risk because they have never taken hormone replacement. The fact is that hormone replacement is only a factor in a particular type of cancer.
Too many people think that they don’t have to start checking for lumps or having mammograms until they are 40. The fact is that younger and younger women are diagnosed every day.
Too many people think that because they are MEN they don’t have to worry. The fact is that 4,000 men are diagnosed every year and roughly 10% will die of the disease because it is caught at a later stage than a woman.
I’m not out to alarm people. I’m trying to EMPOWER them with information that can save their lives.
To all of you “wearing” pink ribbon avatars, a huge THANK YOU for your ongoing support. For those of you who are not wearing one and want to, I can point you to a number of them.
5K is certainly nothing like the 3 Day. But for me, it represents another opportunity to spread a message about life.
If you would like information about how to support the Komen directly or via the 3 Day, please peer mail me. If you would like the name of a friend or loved one carried through the walks, peer me with the name and relationship. All of the names that I carried through the last 3 Day will be walking with me tomorrow.
What kind of world do you want? I want a world without breast cancer. I am willing to walk all the way there.
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