My Buried Treasures: Breast Cancer 3 Day

My sister has decided to do the Breast Cancer 3 Day walk and has asked me to share her story:

I have taken on an incredible challenge. This September I'll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days, camping out at night with thousands of other women taking this journey with me.

It's for an event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. They are working hard to build a future without breast cancer, and I plan on raising $2500 to help bring us closer to that goal.

The reality of breast cancer is shocking. In our lifetime, one out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In the United States a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every THREE minutes and a woman dies from breast cancer every 13 minutes. It is estimated that 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in 2009. And only 5-10 percent of breast cancers are due to heredity. The majority of women with breast cancer have no known significant family history or other known risk factors. If those numbers were not sobering enough,I'm going to throw in a personal story. Breast cancer hit too close to home for me last year.

While I was in nursing school, a classmate, and very close friend, was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was very shocking to find out someone the same age as me could be effected by breast cancer. A close circle of friends in this class came together to support her through this horrible situation. She was able to finish nursing school while seeking treatment for the cancer. Less than 4 months after having surgery and recovering, she developed a second cancerous lump in the other breast. As she works through her second round of treatment, the same group of friends found it necessary to become part of something that not only shows our commitment to supporting our dear friend but also to help fund research to find a cure for breast cancer. Through this event we also hope to share our message for women of all ages to be proactive in doing monthly breast self-exams. If our friend was not as diligent in doing hers, there is a good chance she would not have had as great of an outcome.

Without a cure, one in eight women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer. That's why I'm walking in the 3-Day. Because everyone deserves a lifetime.

I am asking everyone to take a stand against breast cancer with me by donating $15 (more if you feel inclined). One $15 donation could be a week without that daily mocha, not eating out for lunch one day, or watching a movie at home instead of the theater. What seems like such a small gesture, can mean a lifetime for someone else.

Just follow my link HERE to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. If you don't want to donate online, please download and print a donation form and mail it to the address on the form. Or you can call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone. I would like to reach my fundraising goal by July 1st, so don't delay!