We all know the statistics—breast cancer is all too common, and if nobody in your particular circle of friends and family has had to to battle with this disease, it's probably just a matter of time, really. Not to be alarmist, but breast cancer is hardly rare.
My family has been incredibly lucky in that there's been remarkably little cancer, and I'm grateful for that. But just recently, my mother's best friend—a woman I've known for 35 years—was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a lumpectomy last week, and will be doing chemo and radiation therapy to cut her odds of recurrence from 25% to 5%. She's trying to figure out which adjunctive therapy to do first, thinking about which side effects fit her schedule when. With luck, she won't have a terrible time with either, and the cancer cells will be whipped into submission for good. But I still worry.
This is the first year I'll be doing City of Hope's annual Walk for Hope with a specific breast cancer survivor in mind—I've walked each year for the past four or five years, but now that I have a more personal connection to this cancer, I want to raise more money than I have in the past. I've set a modest goal of raising $500 before October 8.
If you can afford a few bucks* to support the cause and sponsor me in the Walk for Hope, please stop by my donation page and click the "Donate now!" button. It's a secure site, and the money will go directly from your credit card (issued by U.S. banks only, alas) to City of Hope. Thank you!
*If you're flat broke, or if you've already earmarked your charitable donations elsewhere, I understand. But keep a good thought for my mom's friend, will you?
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6 comments:
Bob makes modest annual contributions to the Cancer Society. I lost my Dad to lung cancer in 1999. I actually moved home to help my Mom take care of him during his last few months. I've seen the devastation that cancer can cause, firsthand. I hope your friend is able to kick cancer's ass to the curb, and live a long, happy, and productive life.
Check out my cancer blog "Live Strong" from a few days ago...been there, done that. Godspeed to your friend.
I will be thinking about your mom's friend and seeing what money I can scrape together to donate.
Thanks, y'all.
Hi Orange
I don't have cash to spare (anarchist graduate student don't make much these day {g}) but I will think about you and others. It's been about 7 years since I lost a dear friend to breast cancer. It's almost exactly a year since my mother was diagnosed. She's doing great but the first 2 years or so are a bit nerve racking. Odds are good that she will be fine, but one never knows. Walk strong and well.
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