October is breast cancer awareness month. Pink ribbons. Pink parties. Race for the Cure. Komen walks… Did you know 1 in 8 American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime? I know 1 in 8 seems a lot – or does it? Think about it. For me, when I think of breast cancer, I think of my mom. I think of my friend Maria. Both passed away from breast cancer. I think of my friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, like my friend Geri. And I think of what I can do to change those odds… I started supporting breast cancer related charities in 2003 through endurance sports related fundraising. I have walked a half marathon, a marathon, 60k in two days, and done 3 sprint distance triathlons all for breast cancer charities. Each time I have crossed the line I have done so with angels by my side, and in the hopes that for each step that I take and that each donation I received will bring us all one closer to changing that 1 in 8 ratio. What are you doing to change the ratio? This coming weekend my sister is walking a 5k to Save the Boobies. Yep. You can support her fundraising efforts by clicking here. My niece Livi and my sister Cynthia, after their walk in 2008 – all smiles! Of course, you don’t have to do a walk or run to raise awareness… In 2006 my friends Teri and Magi cut their hair in support of a friend of theirs who had breast cancer.Magi and Teri getting their hair cut off in 2006… And this year one of my favourite triathlete bloggers, Sonja Wieck, cut her hair off too, in support of her friend Amy who has breast cancer. Sonja – before, and after! She won the Denver Race for the Cure 5k the day after going bald!(Check out Sonja’s blog– she does so much for the community and is a totally accessible athlete. You can also follow her on Twitter – and remember, it’s pronounced “wick” not “weak”!) Not that you have to cut your hair off or do a race or walk. The point is, you can do anything show your support. With odds of 1 in 8 (or 1 in 6 if you live in Long Island New York by the way) it seems kind of obvious that we should all try to support the researchers in their efforts to find a cure, and that we should support organisations that promote awareness and prevention and that provide assistance for those undergoing treatment. Anything counts. Throw a pink party. Buy a pink ribbon. Make a meal for a friend or neighbour who is going through treatment now. What are you going to do to help improve those odds?
Awesome post, lots of great ways to support the cause, or those who are going through treatment. This disease and the path that it plows through the hearts of many makes me angry. Think Pink!Oh, and my favorite t-shirt that I saw at “Race for the Cure” said “Save a life, grope your wife”. Love it!